The Woodlanders

Thomas Hardy

Sinopse

The Woodlanders is a novel by Thomas Hardy, first published in 1887. It's set in a fictional rural area called Little Hintock, and explores the themes of social class, marriage, and nature, typical of Hardy's works. The story revolves around the life of Giles Winterborne, a woodlander and apple grower, who is in love with Grace Melbury. Grace, however, has been raised to a higher social class by her education and her father's aspirations. This social climbing creates conflicts between her true desires and her societal obligations.

Thomas Hardy (2 June 1840 – 11 January 1928) was an English novelist and poet. A Victorian realist in the tradition of George Eliot, he was influenced both in his novels and in his poetry by Romanticism, including the poetry of William Wordsworth. He was highly critical of much in Victorian society, especially on the declining status of rural people in Britain such as those from his native South West England.

Disponível desde: 22/04/2024.

Outros livros que poderiam interessá-lo

Top 10 Short Stories The - Mens...

Edgar Allan Poe, Mark Twain,...

Short stories have always been a sort of instant access into an author’s brain, their soul and heart. A few pages can lift our lives into locations, people and experiences with a sweep of landscape, narration, feelings and emotions that is difficult to achieve elsewhere.

In this series we try to offer up tried and trusted ‘Top Tens’ across many different themes and authors. But any anthology will immediately throw up the questions – Why that story? Why that author?

The theme itself will form the boundaries for our stories which range from well-known classics, newly told, to stories that modern times have overlooked but perfectly exemplify the theme. Throughout the volume our authors whether of instant recognition or new to you are all leviathans of literature.

Some you may disagree with but they will get you thinking; about our choices and about those you would have made. If this volume takes you on a path to discover more of these miniature masterpieces then we have all gained something.

As the new nation gathered its strength it pushed into new territories, underwent a tumultuous civil war and tried to reconcile itself into a whole. Its authors wrote stories of intense beauty and detailed witness. Literature was engaging and persuasive and now a mass-market industry open to a far wider audience.

1 - The Top 10 - The 19th Century - The American Men - An Introduction
2 - The Tell Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe
3 - The Million Pound Bank Note by Mark Twain
4 - The Romance of Certain Old Clothes by Henry James
5 - The Devil and Tom Walker by Washington Irving
6 - The Open Boat by Stephen Crane
7 - An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose Bierce
8 - The Luck of Roaring Camp by Bret Harte
9 - The Repairer of Reputations Part 1 by Robert W Chambers
10 - The Repairer of Reputations Part 2 by Robert W Chambers
11 - The Lady, or the Tiger by Frank Stockton
12 - Young Goodman Brown by Nathaniel Hawthorne

Ver livro

The Moonstone

Wilkie Collins

Widely regarded as the first modern detective novel in English literature, The Moonstone is Wilkie Collins's masterful blend of mystery, suspense, and psychological insight. With its intricate plot and unforgettable characters, the novel set the foundation for the detective genre and remains one of the most influential works of Victorian fiction.

The story begins with the theft of a priceless yellow diamond—known as the Moonstone—during a lavish English country house celebration. The gem carries a dark and ancient curse, having been taken from an Indian temple, and its disappearance sets off a chain of suspicion, secrecy, and unexpected revelations. As the mystery deepens, the truth is pursued through a series of personal narratives, each offering a different perspective and uncovering hidden motives.

At the heart of the novel is the brilliant use of multiple narrators, a groundbreaking technique that allows readers to piece together the mystery alongside the characters. From the steadfast loyalty of Betteredge to the sharp intellect of the iconic Sergeant Cuff, Collins creates a rich cast whose personal flaws and virtues drive the investigation forward. Beneath the surface of the crime lies a deeper exploration of guilt, colonialism, obsession, and the fragile boundaries between reason and emotion.

More than a puzzle to be solved, The Moonstone is a profound study of human nature and social order. Collins combines suspense with humor, romance, and moral complexity, crafting a narrative that is as intellectually engaging as it is entertaining.

A timeless classic, The Moonstone is essential reading for fans of mystery, classic literature, and detective fiction. Its enduring influence can be seen in the works of Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, and countless others who followed in Collins's footsteps.

Ver livro

Drum-Taps

Walt Whitman

What does war sound like in the human soul?

First published in 1865, Drum-Taps by Walt Whitman is a moving collection of poems inspired by the American Civil War. Written by a poet who served as a volunteer nurse to wounded soldiers, these poems capture the rhythms of marching armies, the pain of loss, and the quiet dignity of sacrifice.

Whitman's powerful free verse brings readers close to the lived experience of war—its energy, fear, compassion, and aftermath. Rather than glorifying battle, Drum-Taps honors the humanity of soldiers and the emotional cost of conflict, offering a deeply personal vision of a nation in crisis.

This eBook presents the original poems in a clear, accessible format, allowing modern readers to experience one of the most important poetic responses to war ever written.

Inside this eBook, you'll explore:

Vivid Civil War imagery and emotional realism

Themes of bravery, suffering, grief, and national identity

Whitman's revolutionary free-verse style

A landmark work of American war poetry

Frequently studied in literature and history courses, Drum-Taps remains essential reading for anyone interested in poetry, American history, or the human experience of war.

Hear the drums of history and the voices behind them. Buy now and experience one of Walt Whitman's most powerful works.

Ver livro

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

F. Scott Fitzgerald

This short story by Francis Scott Fitzgerald depicts the strange and curious life of Benjamin Button, born an old man and aging backwards. 
Narrated by Michael Ward

Ver livro

Journey to the Center of the Earth

Jules Verne

"Journey to the Center of the Earth" by Jules Verne is a classic science fiction novel that follows the adventurous expedition of Professor Otto Lidenbrock, his nephew Axel, and their guide, Hans Belker, as they attempt to reach the Earth's core. After discovering an ancient Icelandic manuscript with cryptic instructions, the trio embarks on a daring journey through a volcanic crater in Iceland. They encounter vast underground landscapes, prehistoric creatures, and a mysterious subterranean ocean. The novel combines scientific curiosity with imaginative exploration, making it a timeless adventure story that has captivated readers for generations.

Ver livro

The Moonstone

Wilkie Collins

Published in 1868, "The Moonstone" is often considered one of the first, if not the first, detective novels in the English language. Penned by Wilkie Collins, this engrossing tale revolves around the theft of an enormous diamond named the Moonstone. This diamond, stolen from an Indian temple and later bequeathed to Rachel Verinder on her eighteenth birthday, goes missing under mysterious circumstances. The narrative is distinguished by its shifting perspectives, with multiple characters providing their viewpoints in a series of first-person accounts. Sergeant Cuff, a famed detective, is called upon to solve the mystery. The novel delves deep into themes of colonialism, British imperialism, and the cultural repercussions of stealing treasured artifacts from colonized nations.

Ver livro