Publisher: e-artnow
The Mourning Bride is a tragedy by William Congreve. Queen Zara is held captive by Manuel, King of Granada. A maze of passion and deceit triggers the erroneous killing of Manuel who is in disguise, leading to a tragic response in the royal courts.
This charming collection of Grimms' Fairy Tales includes "Hansel & Gretel", "The Mouse, the Bird & the Sausage", "The Golden Bird", "Old Sultan" and "The Straw, the Coal & the Bean". 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
Katherine O'Flaherty was born on the 8th February 1850 in St Louis, Missouri to parents of French and Irish descent. At age 5, she was sent to the Sacred Heart Academy and, apart from a 2 year period at home when her father died, remained there until graduating in 1868. Whilst there she began writing and became an avid reader of almost anything that crossed her path. Kate married Oscar Chopin in 1870 and the couple moved to New Orleans, and later to the rural setting of Cloutierville, Louisiana to raise their 6 children. In 1882 her husband died leaving her in a deep trench of debt. Despite her best efforts to turn the businesses around they were sold, and she moved the family back to St Louis and the financial help of her mother. Sadly, her mother died within the year. Kate, now struggling with depression, pushed herself to write and gained a local reputation as a writer of short stories that captured the local color and vibrancy of her surroundings. By the early 1890’s her short stories were published nationally. With this widespread audience also came negative reviews, controversy, and cries of immorality as themes such as interracial relationships, the rights of women and other burning issues of the day were written about. Despite the criticism, which unnerved her, she continued to write though in the main her works, around 100 short stories and two novels, were not attributed with any literary worth. Kate Chopin died from a brain haemorrhage in St Louis Missouri on the 22nd of August 1904. She was 54. For much of the 20th Century her work was forgotten and out of print. It was only in early 1970’s, with the rise of feminism and the call for a more just society that she was given the status her works had long described and shone a literary light at. She is now safely revered as one of America’s great authors.Show book
Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus In the early nineteenth century, English author Mary Wollstonecraft (Godwin) Shelley penned a novel that would forever alter literature. Born in 1797, Mary’s unconventional upbringing shaped her worldview. During a summer near Lake Geneva in 1816, she conceived the tale of Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant but tormented scientist. Driven by relentless ambition, Victor embarked on an unorthodox experiment: creating life itself. The result—the Creature, often called “Frankenstein’s Monster”—was stitched together from various body parts. Seeking understanding and acceptance, the Creature grappled with its existence and harsh treatment. The novel delves into profound themes: ambition, nature vs. nurture, responsibility, and loneliness. Beyond horror, “Frankenstein” challenges us to consider science’s boundaries and creators’ roles. It serves as a cautionary tale, warning against unchecked ambition and dehumanization. Because of time, some words in the novel may have changed meanings.Show book
Before Dracula ever stalked the night, there was Carmilla — the haunting Gothic novella that helped define the modern vampire. Written by Irish master of the macabre Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu, Carmilla is a chilling tale of mystery, seduction, and supernatural dread. When a mysterious young woman named Carmilla enters the secluded life of Laura and her father, strange illnesses and unsettling events begin to unfold. What follows is a slow-burning descent into fear, obsession, and dark revelation. Blending psychological tension, eerie atmosphere, and one of literature’s earliest and most compelling female vampires, Carmilla remains a cornerstone of Gothic fiction. Its themes of forbidden desire, isolation, and creeping terror influenced countless works — including Bram Stoker’s Dracula — and continue to captivate modern readers. Perfect for fans of classic horror, Victorian Gothic fiction, supernatural suspense, and foundational vampire literature, Carmilla is a timeless masterpiece that still feels daring and disturbing today.Show book
Bernard Edward Joseph Capes was born on the 30th August 1854 in London. He was one of 11 children. His early work was as a journalist and this developed into writing many short stories for the periodicals of the time including Blackwood's, Cassell's, Cornhill Magazine, Illustrated London News, Macmillan's Magazine, Mall Magazine, Pearson's Magazine, The Idler, and The Queen. It took him many years to decide that writing full-time could be a sustainable career path. His initial success came with ‘The Mill of Silence’. As well as being published it garnered second prize at a competition sponsored by the Chicago Record. He exceeded that by winning it the following year with ‘The Lake of Wine’. Capes quickly became both prolific and popular. As well as his stories and articles for the periodicals he wrote around 40 volumes across novels, poetry, history as well as romance and mystery novels. Bernard Capes died on 2nd November 1918 in the flu epidemic.Show book
"Anne of the Island" by Lucy Maud Montgomery follows Anne Shirley as she leaves the familiar comforts of Green Gables to pursue higher education at Redmond College. With new friendships blossoming and old ones evolving, Anne embarks on a journey of self-discovery, grappling with love, loss, and the pursuit of her dreams. Amidst academic challenges and romantic entanglements, Anne’s enduring optimism and creative spirit guide her towards finding her true place in the world.Show book
