Maison d'édition: Alien Ebooks
This story was first published in MacLean’s, Vol. 40, No. 20, October 15, 1927 issue, pp: 3-5,44, 45 & 47. It won a prize of $125 in MacLean's short story contest.
The Making of a Marchioness is Frances Hodgson Burnett’s delightful take on the Cinderella story. Born into an aristocratic family, Emily Fox-Seton is left penniless and must fend for herself after the death of her parents. Then one summer, everything changes. This audio edition is read by Lucy Scott. Emily rents a room in a boarding house in London where she makes a modest living as an assistant to aristocratic ladies. One summer, Lady Maria Bayne asks Emily to her country estate and it’s there that Emily receives a very surprising offer of marriage from a wealthy widower in need of a wife. But Emily’s new life is not without its own obstacles and challenges.The Making of a Marchioness is part of the Persephone Audiobook Collection, a series of forgotten classics including neglected fiction and non-fiction by women writers. First published in 1901, this edition includes a preface by Isabel Raphael and an afterword by Gretchen Gerzina.Voir livre
William FitzWilliam Delamere Chalmers, Lord Dawlish, is afflicted with a moneyless title. His status has earned him a beautiful fianc├®e, but the stresses of his woefully meager income are too much for young Claire to bear. She has therefore refused to marry him until his financial situation improves—significantly. Lord Dawlish's fortunes improve greatly, literally, when a man he barely knows dies and leaves him a million dollars. Once the initial shock subsides, he is overcome with guilt and feels he must restore at least half of the money to the rightful heirs. His attempts to do so take him to America, where a cast of colorful characters and all manner of plot twists come to play in true Wodehouse style. Full of Wodehouse's unrivaled humor, this novel takes listeners on a whirlwind ride across the Atlantic.Voir livre
Performed by Blythe Danner Here is one of twelve magnificent stories, originally part of The John Cheever Audio Collection, in which John Cheever celebrates—with unequaled grace and tenderness—the deepest feelings we have. As Cheever writes in his preface, "These stories seem at times to be stories of a long-lost world when the city of New York was still filled with a river light, when you heard the Benny Goodman quartets from a radio in the corner stationery store, and when almost everybody wore a hat."Voir livre
Dead Souls by Nikolai Gogol is a satirical exploration of 19th-century Russian society through the eyes of Pavel Chichikov, a cunning opportunist. Traveling across the countryside, Chichikov buys "dead souls"—deceased serfs still registered on census records—to secure loans and wealth. His scheme exposes the corruption, greed, and absurdities of landowners he encounters. Each character represents a caricature of human folly, from miserly farmers to pompous nobles. As Chichikov’s plan unravels, Gogol critiques the moral decay of imperial Russia, blending dark humor with social commentary. The novel remains an unfinished masterpiece, leaving readers pondering the fate of its antihero and the soulless world he inhabits.Voir livre
Heart of Darkness tells of the conflicting drives of two men—Charles Marlow, the captain of a steamboat, and Mr. Kurtz, a mysterious figure who oversees a trading post in Africa. After an arduous journey, Marlow finally encounters Kurtz, and the men come to grips with their differences—and their similarities. Joseph Conrad's most famous work is a searing tale of one of the strangest and most memorable voyages ever taken—a journey to the heart of a geographical and psychological wilderness from which no one returns unscarred. For this isn't simply a journey up an uncharted river into a geographical wilderness; rather, it's a trip deep into our collective subconscious.Voir livre
Jane Austen's complete works form an enduring literary legacy that has captivated readers for generations. Her novels, characterized by wit, social commentary, and insightful character portrayals, offer a profound exploration of the societal norms and constraints prevalent during the Regency era in England. Austen's keen observations and astute critiques of the limitations imposed on women, particularly in matters of love and marriage, make her works both relatable and revolutionary. From the beloved classic "Pride and Prejudice" to lesser-known gems like "Northanger Abbey" and "Persuasion," Austen's oeuvre showcases her mastery of storytelling and her ability to create multidimensional characters that resonate with readers to this day. Austen's works are renowned for their sharp wit and biting satire, which provide a window into the social intricacies of her time. Her novels illuminate the complex dynamics of courtship and marriage, unveiling the importance of love, trust, and personal integrity in navigating societal expectations. With heroines like Elizabeth Bennet and Emma Woodhouse, Austen challenges conventional notions of femininity, presenting women who possess intelligence, agency, and the courage to defy societal conventions. By addressing issues of class, wealth, and social mobility, Austen's works transcend their historical context, offering timeless insights into human nature and the pursuit of happiness.Voir livre
