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  The Poetic Principle

  Edgar Allan Poe

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  "The Poetic Principle" is an essay by Edgar Allan Poe, written near the end of his life and published posthumously in 1850, the year after his death. It is a work of literary criticism, in which Poe presents his literary theory. It is based on a series of lectures Poe had given late in his lifetime.
  The essay argues that a poem should be written "for a poem's sake" and that the ultimate goal of art is aesthetic. He also argues against the concept of a long poem, saying that an epic, if it is to be worth anything, must instead be structured as a collection of shorter pieces, each of which is not too long to be read in a single sitting.

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  The Ash Tree - From their pens...

  M R James

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  Montague Rhodes James is cited as perhaps the greatest English writer of ghost stories, an opinion few would disagree with. 
  James was born on 1st August 1862 at Goodnestone Parsonage in Kent, where his father was Curate but at age 3 the family went to live at Livermere, near Bury St Edmunds in East Anglia.  
  From early childhood he had a passion for mediaeval books and antiques. He was educated initially as a boarder at Temple Grove School in East Sheen, west London, before gaining a scholarship to Eton and thence Cambridge where he gained a double first, becoming a distinguished linguist and mediaevalist.  
  Before the Great War vacations were usually spent touring Europe absorbing cultures and references for his later writing. 
  A man of enormous knowledge it was said he timed his breakfast egg whilst he completed the Times crossword.  
  Many of his elegant yet terrifying tales were created by discarding the prevailing gothic cliches and placing his characters and narrative in a realistic setting.  Thereby the stories gained atmosphere and menace on a grand scale and he was famed as the originator of the antiquarian ghost story. 
  Although story-telling and writing these 30 or so tales was a hobby, when published their effect transformed the genre and still chill the bones in our more modern times. 
  James was also a medievalist scholar and translator whose work remains highly respected. He was also Provost of Eton College between 1918 and 1936. 
  M R James died on 12th June 1936 at Eton in Buckinghamshire.  He was 73.

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  Paste - From their pens to your...

  Henry James

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  Henry James was born 15th April 1843 in New York City. 
  His youth was spent travelling with his family receiving what was an "extraordinarily haphazard and promiscuous" education as they journeyed through London, Paris, Geneva, Boulogne-sur-Mer and Newport, Rhode Island, according to the father's current interests and publishing ventures. James studied primarily with tutors and only briefly attended schools.    
  Undoubtedly the quality of his writing has ensured his name is enshrined in the American literary tradition.  
  James was a committed Anglophile and spent most of his adult life as an expatriate in Europe.  Many of his novels juxtapose the Old World with the New World. Classics such as ‘The Portrait of a Lady’, ‘Daisy Miller’ and ‘The Ambassadors’, display the entanglement between American and European cultures and mentalities. They highlight the differences between the two worlds through following the experiences of American expatriates in Europe.  
  A prolific author he was able to easily move across genres to create vivid and totally real worlds and situations and to offer sophisticated observations of human relations as well as realistic, social criticism.  
  As a critic James was unafraid to venture into reviews and essays of those other literary giants around him.  These together with his short stories and, of course, classic novels, make Henry James an author to be not only admired but read, and read often.  
  In 1915 Henry James became a British citizen. 
  On 28th February 1916, at the age of 72, Henry James died in Chelsea, London. 
  He was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1911, 1912 and 1916. He never won.

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  War and Peace Book 1

  Leo Tolstoy

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  "War and Peace," an epic novel by Leo Tolstoy, unfolds during the Napoleonic era in Russia. The narrative intertwines five aristocratic families amidst the tumult of war and societal change. Amidst political intrigue and military campaigns, Pierre Bezukhov inherits a vast fortune, embarking on a quest for meaning and spiritual fulfillment. Prince Andrei Bolkonsky, disillusioned by the futility of war after severe injury, grapples with love, despair, and the search for purpose. Natasha Rostova, a vivacious young woman, experiences passionate love, heartbreak, and personal growth. The novel masterfully juxtaposes individual destinies against the sweeping backdrop of history, exploring themes of free will versus historical determinism, the human capacity for change, and the timeless questions of war's destructive nature and peace's elusive pursuit.

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  The Complete Works of O Henry

  O. Henry

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  Discover the wit, warmth, and unforgettable storytelling of one of America's greatest short story writers in this comprehensive collection of his timeless works.
  
  Explore "The Complete Works of O. Henry," a remarkable anthology featuring the novels, short stories, poetry, essays, and other literary writings of one of the most beloved figures in American literature. Renowned for his clever plots, memorable characters, gentle humor, and surprise endings, O. Henry created enduring works that continue to delight readers around the world.
  
  This comprehensive collection offers readers the opportunity to experience the remarkable breadth of O. Henry's literary talent across multiple genres. Through engaging narratives and richly drawn characters, his writings explore universal themes of love, friendship, hope, generosity, sacrifice, fate, ambition, compassion, justice, and the unexpected moments that shape everyday life. Blending humor, irony, emotional depth, and masterful storytelling, his works remain timeless classics admired across generations.
  
  Widely regarded as one of the greatest masters of the short story, O. Henry left a lasting influence on American literature and the art of short fiction. His timeless works continue to be studied, adapted, and celebrated for their originality, humanity, and enduring appeal.
  
  Perfect for readers who enjoy classic literature, American literature, literary fiction, short stories, humor, historical fiction, literary collections, and timeless masterpieces, "The Complete Works of O. Henry" is an essential addition to every digital library.
  
  Experience the brilliance of one of literature's finest storytellers. Add "The Complete Works of O. Henry" to your Kindle library today and enjoy a timeless collection of stories and literary masterpieces.

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  The Cat That Walked by Himself -...

  Rudyard Kipling

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  'The Cat that Walked by Himself' is one of the most well-loved of Kipling's Just So Stories.
  This is a story about a cat who liked to walk wherever he wanted. Everything happened at those times when the animals were wild. They lived separately from people. The man was also wild. But he met the woman. She found a nice dry cave and made it their house. They were happy there. One evening the wild dog came to the cave. The woman promised the dog tasty bones for guarding her cave. Later the wild cow and the wild horse also came. She promised fresh grass to the cow and the horse for fresh milk and help with the housework. The cat watched it. He also wanted to be near fire and drink warm milk. Still the cat wanted to walk by himself as usual. The woman did not need such an animal. She needed useful animals. So she made a bargain with the cat.

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