Editorial: Alien Ebooks
It follows the experiences of the lovely and charming Delight Mainprize after her arrival in the town of Bracepeth. The women hate her because of her effects on the men. What will happen when the women seek their revenge?
In Charles Dickens' "Hard Times," the industrial landscape of Coketown serves as a bleak backdrop to a tale that explores the harsh realities of the 19th-century British society, a world driven by utilitarianism and the dehumanizing effects of industrialization. The novel is a powerful narrative that delves into the lives of the characters living in this grim, factory-dominated town. The story is centered around two contrasting characters: Thomas Gradgrind, a strict and utilitarian-minded schoolmaster, and Josiah Bounderby, a wealthy factory owner. Gradgrind's rigid belief in facts and statistics and Bounderby's promotion of the idea that anyone can rise from poverty through hard work represent the heart of the utilitarian philosophy that permeates the town. However, as the narrative unfolds, it becomes clear that these ideals come at a great cost. Children are educated to suppress their imagination and emotions, while the workers in Bounderby's factories endure miserable conditions and are denied any sense of dignity. Amid this grim setting, Dickens introduces characters like Stephen Blackpool, an honest and hardworking millhand, and Sissy Jupe, the daughter of a circus performer. These characters bring a sense of humanity and compassion to the story, challenging the utilitarian principles that have stripped Coketown of its soul. As the narrative progresses, the lives of the characters intersect in a series of hardships and trials, ultimately leading to moments of redemption and transformation. "Hard Times" is a narrative that critiques the dehumanizing effects of an overly rational, industrial society while emphasizing the importance of compassion, imagination, and the recognition of the complexities of human nature.Ver libro
Edward Alexander Crowley was born on 12th October 1875 to wealthy parents in Royal Leamington Spa in Warwickshire. He was educated at Malvern College, Tonbridge School, Eastbourne College and finally Trinity College, Cambridge where he focused on his passions of mountaineering and poetry and published several volumes. Life for Crowley was to abandon his parents’ Christian faith and instead to inject himself into Western esotericism. In 1898, he joined the esoteric Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and was trained in ceremonial magic before studying both Hindu and Buddhist practices in India. On his Egyptian honeymoon in 1904 he claimed contact with an entity―Aiwass―who gave him the sacred Book of the Law which served as the basis for the Thelema religion where he identified as its prophet. During the Great War, which he spent in the United States, he claimed to be working for British Intelligence but by the 1920s he had decamped to pursue a libertine lifestyle in Sicily, and in the ensuing scandals was evicted by the Italian Government. He divided the following two decades between France, Germany, and England, and the continuing promotion of Thelema. During his life he gained widespread notoriety for his drug use, his bisexuality, and his alarming views on society. In short, polite society frowned on his ways, his thoughts and his influence but to many others his stance had much of value. Even after death he was a darling for the 60’s counterculture but his influence has since waned. His literary works were both prolific and covered many topics. In the early part of his career he published many poetry books, even plays, before his darker and more forceful works came to dominate his output. Aleister Crowley died on 1st December 1947 at Hastings in England. He was 72.Ver libro
A spellbinding tale of magic, betrayal, forgiveness, and redemption, The Tempest is one of William Shakespeare's most imaginative and poetic plays. Set on a mysterious island filled with enchantment and hidden dangers, this late romance blends drama, fantasy, and profound reflection into a story that continues to captivate audiences across centuries. At the center of the play is Prospero, the rightful Duke of Milan, who was betrayed by his brother Antonio and cast adrift at sea with his young daughter, Miranda. Stranded on a remote island, Prospero has mastered the art of magic and commands the spirit Ariel, along with other mystical forces. When fate brings his enemies within reach—sailing near the island—Prospero conjures a violent storm that shipwrecks them on its shores. As the castaways struggle to survive and make sense of their strange surroundings, Prospero carefully orchestrates events to confront his betrayers and restore justice. Meanwhile, Miranda encounters Ferdinand, the son of the King of Naples, and the two fall deeply in love, offering hope for reconciliation between once-divided families. Through its richly layered narrative, The Tempest explores themes of power, illusion, freedom, revenge, and forgiveness. Prospero's journey from anger to mercy lies at the heart of the play, raising timeless questions about authority, control, and the true nature of strength. The character of Caliban, the island's original inhabitant, adds further depth to the story, prompting reflection on colonialism, identity, and belonging. Often considered Shakespeare's farewell to the stage, The Tempest carries a tone of reflection and resolution. Its lyrical language and imaginative setting create a world where the boundaries between reality and enchantment blur, and where transformation becomes possible. Enchanting, thought-provoking, and deeply human, The Tempest remains a masterpiece of dramatic literature—a magical exploration of loss and reconciliation, and a powerful reminder that forgiveness can be the greatest act of all.Ver libro
In 1918, when Henry Blake Fuller was 62 years old, he completed Bertram Cope's Year. Though Fuller was well known as an accomplished realist and had published twelve previous novels, this was his first to address sexual ambivalence. Bertram Cope, a young college teaching assistant, is befriended by Medora Phillips, a rich society type who tries to match him with three eligible young women. However, Bertram is emotionally attached only to his friend and housemate, Arthur Lemoyne. The portrayal of various friendships makes it an ironic and witty comedy of manners.Ver libro
With a foreword by Mike Parker and an afterword by Norena Shopland. "if he was to love and be loved he must make such open confession of love and receive the assurance of love in return" Owen Morgan, an Oxford undergraduate, returns to his family home on the rural north coast of Wales for the summer. The world has changed for Morgan. He is a man coming to terms with himself. University has offered new experiences, desires he had suspected but never acted upon have become real. It was a crime against both the law and God. He asks for forgiveness each time. A month in the decadence of Weimar Germany has shocked and enthralled him. At home, his cousin Nest waits for him; patient, loving. Matthews will be waiting for him in college; impatient, demanding.Ver libro
The bookshelves of European literature are incredible collections that have gathered together centu-ries of very talented authors. From this continent their fame spread and whilst among their number many are now forgotten or neglected their talents endure. Among them is Isaac Babel.Ver libro
