Altri libri che potrebbero interessarti

• 

  A Saga of the Seas - From their...

  Kenneth Grahame

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  Kenneth Grahame was born on 8th March 1859 in Edinburgh. 
  At age 5 his mother succumbed to puerperal fever.  His father, who had a drinking problem, now sent his 4 children to live with their grandmother at her large house in Cookham, Berkshire. Here the children lived in large open grounds next to the river.  These early experiences would in later years, be retold in his writing through a myriad of characters. 
  Grahame loved being a pupil at St Edward's School, Oxford and wanted to enroll at the university there but his guardian demurred on account of the cost. 
  Instead, a banking career was chosen for him, starting in 1879 at the Bank of England, where he rose steadily to the rank of its Secretary until retiring, with a pension, in 1908 due to ill health. 
  Alongside his commercial career Grahame had written and published various stories and essays in several periodicals. Some were anthologized as ‘Pagan Papers’ in 1893, and two years later ‘The Golden Age’ and later still ‘Dream Days’ and its masterpiece ‘The Reluctant Dragon’ became part of many home libraries.  His ability to view life through the lens of a young and curious child was superb, enabling the reader to easily identify with the character.   
  Grahame married Elspeth Thomson in 1899 and they had one child; Alastair, born semi-blind and plagued by health problems.  In a heart-rending tragedy he would later take his own life whilst attending Oxford University in 1920.   
  In 1908 Grahame reworked many of the bedtime stories he had fashioned for his son into the enduring favourite; ‘The Wind in the Willows’, describing the heart-warming adventures of Mr Toad and his friends.   
  Kenneth Grahame died in Pangbourne, Berkshire, on 6th July 1932.

  Mostra libro

• 

  Viy

  Nikolai Gogol

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  "Viy" by Nikolai Gogol is a haunting tale that delves into the supernatural. The story follows Khoma, a skeptical seminary student, who is tasked with saying prayers over the deceased witch princess. As Khoma faces a nightmarish encounter with the reanimated corpse, the narrative unfolds into a chilling exploration of fear, folklore, and the clash between the mortal and supernatural realms. Gogol weaves a tale of horror and the macabre, leaving readers on the edge of their seats as the boundary between the living and the dead blurs in the mysterious night.

  Mostra libro

• 

  Candide Or Optimism

  Voltaire

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  Join Candide on a wild ride through life! This young man believes the world is the best it can be, but guess what? The world has other plans. Torn from his cozy life, Candide embarks on a journey through palaces and battlefields, across continents and seas. He sees war, gets betrayed, loses everything, and yet he keeps searching for meaning and love. 
  Voltaire, the master of wit, takes aim at blind faith and empty ideals. As Candide faces challenges and tests, we too are forced to confront the mysteries of fate and human nature. 
  This audiobook brings Voltaire’s original text to life with clear and powerful narration. It’s not just about following Candide’s adventures -- it’s about grappling with his questions, sharing his laughter, and finding wisdom in his quiet conclusion.

  Mostra libro

• 

  Urban Grandier

  Alexandre Dumas

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  "Urban Grandier" by Alexandre Dumas is a dramatic retelling of the infamous witchcraft trial of Urbain Grandier, a 17th-century French priest. Accused of sorcery and orchestrating demonic possessions in Loudun, Grandier becomes the target of political and religious persecution. Dumas explores the web of jealousy, corruption, and power struggles that led to his downfall, highlighting the tension between faith and reason. The novel delves into themes of injustice, manipulation, and the abuse of authority, as Grandier’s defiance and intellect make him both admired and despised. A gripping blend of history and intrigue, it portrays the fragility of truth in a society rife with superstition and tyranny, leaving readers to ponder the cost of integrity in the face of oppression.

  Mostra libro

• 

  MS Found In A Bottle

  Edgar Allan Poe

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  MS. Found In A Bottle is an adventure short story by Edgar Allan Poe that first appeared in the May 1833 edition of Baltimore Saturday Visiter. The plot follows an unnamed narrator at sea who finds himself in a series of harrowing circumstances. As he nears his own disastrous death while his ship drives ever southward, he writes an "MS.", or manuscript, telling of his adventures which he casts into the sea. Some critics believe the story was meant as a satire of typical sea tales.

  Mostra libro

• 

  The Cricket on the Hearth

  Charles Dickens

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

  The Cricket on the Hearth is a warm and heartfelt novella by Charles Dickens that celebrates home, love, and the quiet power of kindness. Written as part of Dickens's beloved Christmas books, the story blends gentle fantasy with everyday domestic life to convey a timeless message about trust, forgiveness, and the true meaning of happiness.
  
  The story centers on John Peerybingle, a kind-hearted but impulsive carrier, his devoted young wife Dot, and the comforting presence of a cricket whose cheerful song is believed to protect the household. When misunderstandings and jealousy threaten to disrupt the peace of their home, hidden truths and mistaken assumptions place their marriage and family harmony at risk.
  
  As the narrative unfolds, Dickens introduces themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and redemption through a cast of endearing characters, including a mysterious stranger and an elderly toymaker haunted by past sorrows. Guided by the symbolic cricket—representing conscience and goodwill—the characters are led toward reconciliation and emotional healing.
  
  The Cricket on the Hearth is a tender and uplifting tale that highlights Dickens's gift for portraying the beauty of ordinary lives. Filled with warmth, charm, and moral insight, the story remains a timeless celebration of domestic love, generosity, and the enduring spirit of hope.

  Mostra libro