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  Villette

  Charlotte Brontë

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  The story of Villette is told in flashback by Lucy Snowe, who tells of the trials of her young self first in England, and then in Belgium. Charlotte Bronte does not paint a romantic picture of an unsupported woman's life ? her heroine has to endure straitened circumstances, insecurity and humiliation. However, despite everything that happens to her, Lucy is a warm and courageous character who makes the most of the opportunities that occur. The love and fulfilment which are readily available to her younger, prettier and richer charges are not quite outside her reach, but it is clear to the reader that for her to achieve them cannot be easy.

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  Unexpected Fare A Tale in Five...

  Maxwell Gray

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  Mary Gleed Tuttiett was born and brought up in Newport on the Isle of Wight on 11th December 1846.   
   
  She was largely self-educated but of determined character to achieve something with her life.  As a young woman she travelled in England and Switzerland working as a governess despite bouts of ill-health.  During her writing career her health deteriorated, mainly due to asthma and rheumatism, to such an extent that she was unable to leave her bed for more than a few hours a day. 
   
  Mary began her literary career by contributing essays, poems, articles, and short stories to various periodicals of the times.  In common with several other women of the time she wrote under a male pseudonym, that of Maxwell Gray, and which in literary terms at least, has removed any trace of her life as Mary.   
   
  Her first novel, ‘The Broken Tryst’, arrived in 1879 to little attention or sales.  Mary’s first critical and popular success did not arrive until 1886 with the novel ‘The Silence of Dean Maitland’, an unorthodox ecclesiastical story which was to be later adapted for the stage and screen.  With this recognition came a far more prolific output with several of her other works set in a fictionalised Isle of Wight.  As well as novels there were collections of short stories and several poetry anthologies. 
   
  Mary was strongly supportive of women’s rights and the suffragist cause and was one of several writers who petitioned in support of the Women’s Suffrage Bill in 1910, and she wove these and other social themes into several of her novels.   
   
  After her father's death in 1895, she moved to London and remained there until her own death on 23rd September 1923, aged 76. 
   
  Her short story ‘An Unexpected Fare’ is a classic fish out-of-water story.  A rich, entitled young man has designs on a young woman of a class below his.  Wanting to find out more about her he takes on the job of a cabbie, common accent and all, as a way to discover more.

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  Emma

  Jane Austen

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  Clever, rich - and single - Emma Woodhouse is perfectly content with her life and sees no need for either love or marriage. Nothing, however, delights her more than interfering in the romantic lives of others. But when she ignores the warnings of her good friend Mr. Knightley and attempts to arrange a suitable match for her protegee Harriet Smith, her carefully laid plans soon unravel and have consequences that she never expected.
   
  With its imperfect but charming heroine and its witty and subtle exploration of relationships, Emma is often seen as Jane Austen's most flawless work.

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  Disappearance of Lady Frances...

  Arthur Conan Doyle

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  "The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax" is one of the 56 Sherlock Holmes short stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It is one of the eight stories in the cycle collected as His Last Bow, and one of the few stories in which for much of the plot Watson must act alone and try his best with Holmes left in the background.Holmes sends Dr. Watson to Lausanne to investigate Lady Frances Carfax's disappearance since he himself is too busy in London. Lady Frances is a lone, unwed woman denied a rich inheritance on account of her sex. She does, however, carry valuable jewels with her. It is also her habit to write to her old governess, Miss Dobney, every other week, but for the past five weeks, there has not been a word from her. She has left the Hôtel National for parts unknown. Her last two bank transactions were cheques, one to pay her hotel bill, and another for £50 to her maid, Miss Marie Devine.

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  The Assassination of Julius Caesar

  Jacob Abbott

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  Julius Caesar is widely considered to be one of the greatest military geniuses of all time, a brilliant politician, and one of the ancient world's strongest leaders. Caesar was proclaimed dictator for life, and heavily centralised the already faltering government of the weak Republic. However, Caesar's friend Marcus Brutus conspired with others to assassinate Caesar in hopes of saving the Republic. The dramatic assassination on the Ides of March, ushered in Octavian (later known as Caesar Augustus) as the first emperor and undisputed leader of the Roman world.

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  Tales Of Space And Time

  H. G Wells

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  "Tales of Space and Time" is a collection of science fiction short stories written by H.G. Wells and first published in 1899. The collection features a range of imaginative and speculative stories that explore themes of space exploration, time travel, and the possibilities and consequences of scientific advancements. 
   
  The stories in "Tales of Space and Time" showcase Wells' visionary imagination and his ability to weave intricate narratives that combine scientific concepts with social commentary. Among the notable stories in the collection is "The Crystal Egg," which tells the tale of a mysterious crystal that allows its owner to peer into the Martian landscape. Another well-known story is "The Star," which depicts the cataclysmic consequences of a massive celestial body approaching Earth. 
   
  Wells' writing in "Tales of Space and Time" not only presents exciting adventures and futuristic concepts but also delves into deeper philosophical questions. The stories reflect Wells' concerns about the potential dangers of unbridled scientific progress, the impact of advanced technology on society, and the ethical implications of human exploration and discovery. 
   
  As with much of Wells' science fiction, "Tales of Space and Time" has had a lasting impact on the genre and has influenced subsequent writers and filmmakers. The collection demonstrates Wells' skill in blending scientific speculation with social commentary, providing readers with both thrilling escapism and thought-provoking themes to contemplate.

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