Join us on a literary world trip!
Add this book to bookshelf
Grey
Write a new comment Default profile 50px
Grey
Subscribe to read the full book or read the first pages for free!
All characters reduced
Within a Budding Grove - cover

Within a Budding Grove

Marcel Proust

Publisher: Alien Ebooks

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Summary

Within a Budding Grove (also published as In the Shadow of Young Girls in Flower) originally appeared in France as À l'ombre des jeunes filles en fleurs in 1919. This translation is by C. K. Scott Moncrieff.
 
Marcel Proust (1871 – 1922) was a French novelist, literary critic, and essayist who is considered by critics and writers to be one of the most influential authors of the 20th century.
Available since: 05/30/2023.
Print length: 726 pages.

Other books that might interest you

  • A Story Without a Title - cover

    A Story Without a Title

    Anton Chekhov

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    "A Story Without a Title"  is an 1888 humorous story by Anton Chekhov.
    In a remote 5th century monastery the monks live and toil, led by an elderly abbot. The old man likes to play the organ, write music and compose Latin verses but is famous most of all for his eloquence and fiery, inspirational monologues which leave everybody around him enchanted. Then one night a drunkard knocks the door of the gates, saying he'd got lost on his way and asking them to give him food and wine. After the supper, instead of thanks, he rather shames the monks for spending their lives away, while the townsfolk keep on drowning themselves in debauchery and vice. The guest's speech sounds offensive, but the abbot sees the point and suggests that he makes a trip to the town himself.
    The monks wait for the old man for three months. He returns silent and morose, then spends the next seven days fasting, playing the organ and crying. Back from his cell, he tells them the appalling story of the sin raging in the town, its people indulging in all manner of pleasures, drinking wine, visiting brothels, watching lustful harlots dancing on tables. Unfortunately, one of his bouts of inspiration hits him and the monks are transfixed. Having described the charms of evil, the old man curses the devil and departs to shut himself up in his cell. When he comes out in the morning, there is not a monk left in the monastery; they had all fled to the town.
    Show book
  • First Love - cover

    First Love

    Ivan Turgenev

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    "First Love" by Ivan Turgenev is a poignant and introspective novella that delves into the complexities of youthful infatuation, the awakening of emotions, and the fleeting nature of first love. Set in 19th-century Russia, the story follows the experiences of a sensitive and impressionable young man on the cusp of adulthood. "First Love" is a poignant exploration of the universal experience of falling in love for the first time and the profound impact it has on shaping one's identity. Turgenev's evocative prose and keen psychological insights offer a deep and introspective exploration of the human heart and the bittersweet nature of youthful romance. With its timeless themes, vivid characterizations, and lyrical storytelling, "First Love" stands as a testament to Turgenev's mastery as a writer and his ability to capture the nuances of human emotions. It is a poignant and nostalgic work that resonates with readers, reminding us of the transformative power of love and the indelible mark it leaves on our lives.
    Show book
  • The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood - cover

    The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood

    Howard Pyle

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    An outlaw with a laughing heart. A band of loyal friends. Justice taken from the rich and given to the poor.
    In the green depths of Sherwood Forest, Robin Hood and his Merry Men outwit greedy sheriffs, protect the helpless, and live by a code of courage and generosity. From daring archery contests to clever disguises and narrow escapes, these adventures sparkle with humor, action, and timeless heroism.
    
    Celebrated as "the definitive retelling of the Robin Hood legend," Howard Pyle's beloved classic brings medieval England vividly to life. Its spirited storytelling and unforgettable characters have inspired generations of readers young and old.
    
    If you love swashbuckling adventure, noble heroes, and stories where bravery and kindness always win the day, this classic will delight you from the first page.
    
    Open the book—and ride into Sherwood Forest, where legends are born and justice wears a smile.
    Show book
  • A Christmas Tree - cover

    A Christmas Tree

    Charles Dickens

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    "I have been looking at a real Christmas tree, which stood in the middle of a great round table."
    
    Before the world knew the full breadth of his holiday legacy, Charles Dickens penned this enchanting "meditation" on the centerpiece of the Victorian home. A Christmas Tree is not a traditional narrative, but a brilliant stream-of-consciousness exploration of memory. Looking upon the glittering branches of a tree, Dickens takes the reader on a nostalgic tour of the toys, the stories, and the spectral shadows that define our earliest holiday experiences.
    
    A Toybox of the Imagination: Dickens vividly recreates the wonder of a child's world. He describes the "tumbling" dolls, the magic lanterns, and the leaden soldiers that once sparked his own imagination. Through his prose, we see the tree not just as a decoration, but as a living record of our growth—from the tangible excitement of childhood play to the more reflective, often haunting, memories of adulthood.
    
    Ghosts of Christmas Past: In typical Dickensian fashion, the light of the tree is balanced by the shadows of the fire. The story delves into the "ghost stories" that were once an essential part of the midwinter tradition. Dickens reminds us that the holiday season is a time for remembering those who are no longer at the table, blending warmth with a poignant, Gothic sensibility that is uniquely his own.
    
    Experience the heart of the holidays through the eyes of a master. Purchase "A Christmas Tree" today and rediscover the timeless magic of the season.
    Show book
  • The Picture in the House - cover

    The Picture in the House

    H.P. Lovecraft

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    Title: The Picture in the House 
    Author: H. P. Lovecraft 
    Narrator: Jonathan Dunne 
    Original Publication: 1921 
    Public Domain: Yes 
    Series Placement: Timeless Terrors #58 
    Description: 
    The Picture in the House is a masterclass in creeping dread — a tense, claustrophobic story where isolation and obsession blur the line between horror and fascination. 
    The tale begins with a traveler seeking shelter from a storm in an ancient, decaying New England farmhouse. Inside, he encounters a gaunt, ancient man whose fascination with a grotesque, centuries-old illustration depicting cannibalism quickly becomes unsettling. Every creak, flicker of candlelight, and shadow heightens the traveler’s growing unease as he realizes the horror he has stumbled upon may be closer than he ever imagined. 
    Lovecraft’s story relies on atmosphere, suspense, and human curiosity rather than gore or spectacle. The terror is subtle, intimate, and lingering. 
    Narrated by Amazon-bestselling horror author Jonathan Dunne, this performance brings Lovecraft’s chilling tale of dread and lurking menace vividly to life. While the text is firmly in the public domain, this narration is an original performance and copyright © 2025 Jonathan Dunne. 
    Part of Timeless Terrors, a series dedicated to resurrecting the masters of the macabre, The Picture in the House reminds us that sometimes the most terrifying thing isn’t what’s on the page, but the dark intentions of the mind that studies it.
    Show book
  • The Two Gentlemen of Verona - cover

    The Two Gentlemen of Verona

    William Shakespeare

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    Two close friends, Proteus and Valentine, are saying their goodbyes in the streets of Verona. Valentine plans to travel to Milan and discover the world, but Proteus wants to stay with Julia, a woman he loves. While in Milan, Valentine falls in love with the duke's daughter, Sylvia, and plans to elope with her. Antonio, Proteus' father, later orders his son to join Valentine in Milan. Before leaving, Proteus exchanges rings and vows of undying love with Julia. When Proteus enters the aristocratic courts of Milan, he instantly falls in love with Sylia and forgets all about Julia. The love triangle between Sylvia, Proteus, and Valentine will test the loyalty of friendship.
    Show book