Other books that might interest you

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  A Christmas Tree and a Wedding

  Fyodor Dostoevsky

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  This short story by Fyodor Dostoevsky was first published in 1848. A man walking past a wedding is reminded of a children's New Year's Eve party he attended 5 years previously – a party that was clearly an excuse for the parents to make advantageous connections in a casual setting. As an outsider at the party, he was able to observe the guests in greater detail than most, and took particular note of the children playing by the Christmas tree, and the social hierarchy they unwittingly participated in. This recording is based on the 1918 translation by Constance Garnett.

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  Negore the Coward (Unabridged)

  Jack London

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  Jack London (born John Griffith Chaney, January 12, 1876 - November 22, 1916) was an American author, journalist, and social activist. He was a pioneer in the then-burgeoning world of commercial magazine fiction and was one of the first fiction writers to obtain worldwide celebrity and a large fortune from his fiction alone.
  NEGORE, THE COWARD: He had followed the trail of his fleeing people for eleven days, and his pursuit had been in itself a flight; for behind him he knew full well were the dreaded Russians, toiling through the swampy lowlands and over the steep divides, bent on no less than the extermination of all his people.

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  3 Audiobooks Joseph Conrad

  Joseph Conrad

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  Joseph Conrad, crafted a trilogy of literary works that delve into the complexities of human nature and the intricacies of colonialism. In "Nostromo," Conrad navigates the treacherous waters of political upheaval and greed in a fictional South American country. The tale follows Nostromo, a skilled and enigmatic sailor, as he becomes embroiled in the struggle for power and wealth, revealing the corrosive effects of ambition and the blurred lines between personal gain and loyalty. 
   
  "Heart of Darkness,", is a haunting exploration of the human psyche set against the backdrop of the brutal colonization of Africa. The novella follows Marlow, a sailor journeying up the Congo River, as he encounters the enigmatic Kurtz, a figure whose descent into madness and depravity serves as a reflection of the dark underbelly of European imperialism. Through vivid and often harrowing imagery, Conrad scrutinizes the moral and psychological toll of colonial exploitation, challenging readers to confront the shadows that lie within civilization's hearts. 
   
  In "Chance," Conrad shifts focus to the complexities of love, fate, and society. The novel centers on Flora de Barral, whose life is marred by her father's scandalous reputation and her own struggles for independence. As she navigates societal expectations and personal desires, Conrad weaves a narrative that illuminates the interplay between individual choices and the unpredictable twists of destiny. With his intricate prose and keen observations, Conrad crafts a tale that underscores the fragility of human connections and the role of chance in shaping lives. 
   
   Conrad demonstrates his profound understanding of human psychology, his critique of colonialism's ethical dimensions, and his exploration of the capricious nature of fate.

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  Sense and Sensibility

  Jane Austen

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  "The more I know of this world, the more I am convinced that I shall never see a man whom I can really love. I require so much!" 
  The two oldest Dashwood sisters approach romance differently. One impulsively jumps into love while the other is far more prudent. When tragedy strikes they find themselves searching for suitable husbands. Elinor feels ill-equipped to compete with the self-centred, fortune-driven society she finds herself in, whilst Marianne's unshakeable belief in her own feelings makes her susceptible to the designs of unscrupulous men.  
  Can they find true love?  
  Jane Austen's first published book was Sense and Sensibility, and her tale of love in late 18th-century England has captivated audiences since it was published. Rich in irony, wit, and romance, Austen is known for her critique of claustrophobic society and the role of women within it.

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  At a Summer Villa

  Anton Chekhov

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  AT A SUMMER VILLA (1886) Pavel Ivanitch has been happily married for eight years when he receives an anonymous love-letter fixing a tryst in a secluded spot that evening. Scornful at first at the very thought, then perplexed and then intrigued, he finally decides to see what it is all about, and gets an unexpected surprise, and a good lesson to boot.

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  Hand and Heart - From their pens...

  Elizabeth Gaskell

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  Elizabeth Stevenson was born in Chelsea in London on 29th September 1810.  
  Both parents embedded their strong Unitarian beliefs into Elizabeth who rebelliously was often reluctant to display these religious convictions.  
  The early death of Elizabeth’s mother saw her sent away to be brought up by her maternal aunt in Knutsford, Cheshire.  
  Her father now remarried but Elizabeth spent most of her childhood in Cheshire away from her father and his new family but was supportive towards her half-siblings.  
  Elizabeth’s aunt encouraged her education and particularly to read and express herself through writing.   
  In 1828, her brother John, who worked in the merchant navy, disappeared on a journey to India. This disastrous loss depressed her father, and she went to his household to nurse him for the next year before he died.  
  In 1832, she fell in love with William Gaskell, a Unitarian minister like her father, and married him.  They settled in Manchester. This booming industrial city had a great impact on Elizabeth who felt the need to speak up for poor workers and their exploitation by large industrial companies. A collection of poems and short stories, ‘Sketches among the Poor’ appeared in 1837, co-authored by her husband.  Her first major work, under a pseudonym, was ‘Mary Barton: A Tale of Manchester Life’ published in 1848. 
  During her career she worked continually with Charles Dickens and published much in his various magazines. With him she published ‘Lizzie Leigh’ in 1850 which dealt with the taboo subject of prostitution.  She was an excellent writer and impressed her many Victorian literary peers. Much of her writing reflects her work as a social critic highlighting the exploitation of the working class and the situation of women in society.  
  On 12th November 1865, Elizabeth Gaskell died in Holybourne, Hampshire, after suffering from a heart attack a month earlier.

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