Other books that might interest you

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  A Slander

  Anton Pavlovich Chekhov

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  Short story about the spread of a gossip

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  The Idiot

  Fyodor Dostoyevsky

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  First published in 1869, "The Idiot" is a novel by the renowned Russian author Fyodor Dostoyevsky. It tells the story of Prince Lev Nikolayevich Myshkin, who returns to Russia after spending years in a Swiss sanatorium. Despite being genuinely kind, compassionate, and possessing an almost Christ-like innocence, Myshkin is perceived by the society around him as an "idiot." The novel delves into the complexities of the human soul, exploring themes of goodness, love, society's moral degradation, and the repercussions of unbridled ambition. As the narrative unfolds, Prince Myshkin gets entangled in a love triangle and a series of tragic events that underscore Dostoyevsky's critiques of Russian society and his exploration of the nature of good and evil.

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  King Coal - A Novel

  Upton Sinclair

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  Hal Warner, a rich young fellow determined to find the truth for himself about conditions in the mines, runs away from home and adopts the alias Joe Smith. After being turned away by one coal mine for fear of Hal being a union organizer, he gets a job in another coal mine operated by the General Fuel Company, or GFC. In the mines he befriends many of the workers, and realizes their misery and exploitation at the hands of the bosses.

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  David Swan - From their pens to...

  Nathaniel Hawthorne

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  Nathaniel Hawthorne was born on 4th July 1804 in Salem, Massachusetts, a town synonymous with the earlier Salem Witch Trials. It was instrumental in Hawthorne’s later use of American Gothic and dark romanticism in his writing. 
  He was a mere four years old when his father died and his mother took him and his two sisters to live with her family and then on to their own home in Raymond, Maine. The young Hawthorne had a passion for fiction and poetry and voraciously read the works of Ann Radcliffe, Henry Fielding and Lord Byron.  
  He was sent to college at his maternal uncle’s insistence. During these years he met and befriended Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and future U S president Franklin Pierce. These friendships were lifelong and to have a crucial impact on his writings and career.  
  At college Hawthorne had made attempts at writing short stories and essays but without opportunities to publish. It was only in 1828 that he finally published his novel ‘Franshawe’ to little success and so he began work as editor for the American Magazine of Useful and Entertaining Knowledge.  
  Hawthorne’s short stories were first published in magazines but in 1837 were collected and published as ‘Twice-Told Tales’. A steady literary career still did not come his way and so he worked in a good position at Salem’s port and married the love of his life Sophia Peabody. They moved to live in ‘The Old Manse’ at Concord, Massachusetts.   
  Finally. in 1850 came spectacular literary and commercial success with ‘The Scarlet Letter’ followed by ‘The House of the Seven Gables’ the following year.  
  In 1852, Hawthorne published a biography of presidential candidate Franklin Pierce. After Pierce’s victory he was appointed consul in Liverpool, a position that offered prestige, money and fame. At the end of this appointment he returned several times to Europe before settling in Massachusetts and resuming writing and publication. 
  During the early 1860’s his health declined and on 19th May 1864 during a trip to Plymouth, New Hampshire. He was 59 and was buried in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Concord, Massachusetts.

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  The Railway Children

  Edith Nesbit

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  The best known of all Edith Nesbit's books: The Railway Children is a timeless classic that see's three children transplanted into the country and all of their adventures, usually centered around the local Railway Station. When their father leaves under mysterious circumstances, Roberta, Phyllis, Peter and Mother move from their comfortable house to a shabby cottage near a railroad called Three Chimney's. Over time however, they fall in love with the local countryside, and especially the small Train Station and the friends they make there.  
  Narrated by Michael Ward.

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  Pride and Prejudice

  Jade Monroe

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  "Pride and Prejudice" is a classic novel written by Jane Austen, first published in 1813. The story is set in rural England in the early 19th century and follows the life of Elizabeth Bennet, the intelligent and spirited second daughter of the Bennet family. The novel explores themes of love, marriage, social class, and individual character. 
  Elizabeth navigates the challenges of her era, particularly the expectations placed on women regarding marriage and propriety. The central plot revolves around her evolving relationship with the wealthy and initially aloof Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy. Their interactions are marked by misunderstandings, prejudices, and eventual personal growth, as both characters learn to look beyond their first impressions. 
  "Pride and Prejudice" is celebrated for its witty dialogue, keen observations of social manners, and richly developed characters. It remains one of the most beloved works in English literature, often noted for its timeless exploration of human relationships and society.

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