Topper

Thorne Smith

Summary

One of Thorne Smith’s most popular books and made into a film. Topper is about a respectable banker called Cosmo Topper, married to a depressingly staid wife Mary, and his misadventures with a couple of ghosts, Marion and George Kerby, who introduce him to other ghosts. He is romantically attracted to Marion, who at one point tries to kill him so that they can always be together. Unusually, Mary is treated sympathetically—she does not like what she has become and tries to change.

Available since: 06/21/2023.

Print length: 153 pages.

Other books that might interest you

The Unparalleled Adventures of...

Anonymous

"The Unparalleled Adventure of One Hans Pfaall" (1835) is a short story by Edgar Allan Poe. The story is regarded as one of the early examples of the modern science fiction genre. The story traces the journey of a voyage to the Moon.
The story opens with the delivery to a crowd gathered in Rotterdam of a manuscript detailing the journey to the moon by Hans Pfaall. The letter is brought by balloon by an inhabitant of the moon. He had been sent by Pfaall to Rotterdam with the letter for Burgomaster Superbus Von Underduk after an absence of five years. The manuscript, which comprises the majority of the story, sets out in detail how Hans Pfaall, a mender of bellows, contrived to reach the Moon by benefit of a revolutionary new balloon and a device which compresses the vacuum of space into breathable air. The journey takes him nineteen days.

Show book

The Nightingale And the Rose

Oscar Wilde

A nightingale finds a young romantic student in tears because he cannot find a red rose for his beautiful ball partner. There are no red roses in the garden. The nightingale visits all the rose-trees in the area, and one of the roses tells her there is a way to produce a red rose, but only if the nightingale is prepared to sing the sweetest song for the rose all night with her heart pressing into a thorn, sacrificing her life. Seeing the student in tears, and valuing his human life above her bird life, the nightingale carries out the ritual. Read in English by Josh Verbae, unabridged.

Show book

A Farewell to Arms

Ernest Hemingway

'A Farewell to Arms'' is Hemingway's classic set during the Italian campaign of World War I. The book, published in 1929, is a first-person account of American Frederic Henry, serving as a Lieutenant ("Tenente") in the ambulance corps of the Italian Army.It's about a love affair between the expatriate American Henry and Catherine Barkley against the backdrop of the First World War, cynical soldiers, fighting and the displacement of populations. The publication of ''A Farewell to Arms'' cemented Hemingway's stature as a modern American writer, became his first best-seller, and is described by biographer Michael Reynolds as "the premier American war novel from that debacle World War I."

Show book

A Slip of the Pen - From their...

Amy Levy

Amy Levy was born in London, England in 1861, the second of seven in a fairly wealthy Anglo-Jewish family. The children read and participated in secular literary activities and became firmly integrated into Victorian life.
Her education was at Brighton High School, Brighton, before studies at Newnham College, Cambridge; she was the first Jewish student when she arrived in 1879, but left after four terms.
Amy’s writing career began early; her poem ‘Ida Grey’ appeared when she was only fourteen. Her acclaimed short stories ‘Cohen of Trinity’ and ‘Wise in Their Generation,’ were published by Oscar Wilde in his magazine ‘Women's World’.
Her poetic writings reveal feminist concerns; ‘Xantippe and Other Verses’, from 1881 includes a poem in the voice of Socrates's wife. ‘A Minor Poet and Other Verse’ from 1884 comprises of dramatic monologues and lyric poems.
In 1886, Amy began a series of essays on Jewish culture and literature for the Jewish Chronicle, including ‘The Ghetto at Florence’, ‘The Jew in Fiction’, ‘Jewish Humour’ and ‘Jewish Children’.
That same year while travelling in Florence she met the writer Vernon Lee. It is generally assumed they fell in love and this inspired the poem ‘To Vernon Lee’.
Her first novel ‘Romance of a Shop’, written in 1888 is based on four sisters who experience the pleasures and hardships of running a London business during the 1880s. This was followed by Reuben Sachs (also 1888) and concerned with Jewish identity and mores in the England of her time and was somewhat controversial.
Her final book of poems, ‘A London Plane-Tree’ from 1889, shows the beginnings of the influence of French symbolism.
Despite many friendships and an active life, Amy suffered for many years with serious depressions and this, together with her growing deafness, led her to commit suicide by inhaling carbon monoxide on September 10th, 1889. She was 27.

Show book

Briar Rose and Other Stories

The Brothers Grimm

This charming collection of Grimms' Fairy Tales includes "Briar Rose", "Fundevogel", "The Fox & the Cat" and "The Fox & the Horse". Grimms' Fairy Tales was first published in Germany in 1812 as "Kinder und Hausmärchen". This series of recordings is based on the original 1823 English translation by Edgar Taylor, with subsequent editing by Marian Edwardes.

Show book

Pride and Prejudice - Audiobook

Jane Austen, Classic Audiobooks,...

Rediscover one of the most beloved novels in English literature with this exquisite audiobook rendition of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, narrated by the talented Sophie Bennet. Set in the charming countryside of Regency-era England, this timeless classic follows the witty and independent Elizabeth Bennet as she navigates societal expectations, family pressures, and the complexities of love.When the enigmatic and proud Mr. Darcy enters her life, Elizabeth's world is turned upside down. Their story is one of misunderstandings, evolving affections, and personal growth, as both characters confront their pride and prejudice to find true happiness.Sophie Bennet's masterful narration brings each character to life with warmth and nuance, capturing the humor, wit, and subtle irony that make Austen's novel a favorite for readers of all ages. Her portrayal of Elizabeth's sharp intelligence and Darcy's gradual transformation will captivate listeners, immersing them in this richly layered tale of love, family, and society.Perfect for longtime fans of Austen or those experiencing Pride and Prejudice for the first time, this audiobook is a delightful way to engage with one of literature's most iconic romances.

Show book