Other books that might interest you

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  Dream of the Red Chamber - A...

  Cao Xueqin

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  The Dream of the Red Chamber (also known as The Story of the Stone) is one of the Four Great Classical Novels of China, and considered the greatest of them all. Almost 40 main characters and some 500 minor characters tell the fortunes of the Chia family; the book details mainly the life of Chia Pao-yü, the heir apparent, who is described as very intelligent, but also as carefree and self-indulging. The already wealthy Chia family rises to new heights when Pao-yü's elder sister becomes an imperial consort. On her first visit home, a lush garden is built, where much of the rest of the story takes place. The intrigues surrounding Pao-yü and his cousins, especially Lin Tai-yü who he loves, and Hsüeh Pao-ch'ai who he is finally tricked into marrying, make up a large part of the story. The decline of the Chia family begins with the death of the imperial consort, and when they fall into disfavour with the emperor, their mansions and the garden are eventually destroyed. 
   
  The whole book has 120 chapters, only 80 of which were written by Cao Xueqin before his death in 1764. Cheng Weiyuan and Gao E claimed to have access to Cao's papers, and published what is now known as the Cheng-Gao version in 1791. Henry Bencraft Joly translated only part of the book written by Cao. Book I contains the first 24 chapters, Book II ends abruptly with chapter 56; a Book III was never published.

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  Fall Asleep to The Time Machine...

  H. G. Wells

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  Step into the captivating world of "The Time Machine" by H.G. Wells, narrated to guide you into a restful sleep, courtesy of Slumber Studios and the soothing voice of Elizabeth Grace. 
  Are sleepless nights becoming too familiar? Whether you're battling insomnia or simply can't shake off the day's anxieties, our stories are tailored to escort you to a deep sleep. 
  Close your eyes, relax, and let Elizabeth Grace's soothing narration transport you through time with the Traveler. Journey alongside him to the distant future, where you'll encounter the gentle Eloi and the formidable Morlocks. Immerse yourself in the mysteries and wonders of time travel, experiencing the excitement and challenges the Traveler faces as he navigates through the epochs. 
  Our audiobooks are expertly crafted to help you relax and drift off to sleep. Each episode is designed to instill calm, with a slower pace and soothing background music, ensuring that you will be lulled into a peaceful slumber. 
  So if you're looking for a way to unwind after a long day, you've come to the right place. Simply press play, lay down in bed, and let Elizabeth's calming voice transport you into a world of dreams. You'll wake up feeling refreshed and recharged in the morning.

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  Sense and Sensibility

  Jane Austen

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  Immerse yourself in the elegance and drama of Sense and Sensibility, Jane Austen’s beloved novel that masterfully explores love, family, and the power of self-discovery. Follow the lives of the Dashwood sisters—practical Elinor and passionate Marianne—as they navigate the challenges of romance, heartbreak, and societal expectations in Regency England. Each sister’s journey reveals Austen’s sharp wit and keen insights into human nature, drawing listeners into a story of both sensibility and restraint. 
  From moments of heartache to scenes of profound joy, Sense and Sensibility beautifully portrays the trials of finding love while staying true to oneself. With its engaging dialogue, memorable characters, and timeless themes, this novel remains a classic for readers and listeners alike. 
  Narrated with elegance and warmth, this audiobook brings Austen’s words to life, making it a delightful experience for fans of classic romance. 
  Start listening to Sense and Sensibility today and revel in the wit, charm, and wisdom of Jane Austen’s enduring work.

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  Star People

  Katharine Fay Dewey

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  The Fairy Book of Astronomy — A Lost Classic Back in Print   Katharine Fay Dewey’s only novel was forgotten by time, going out of print after only one edition was published in 1910… and now her legacy has been given new life.   The traditional mythology of the zodiac constellations is well-known, but what happened after those stories were over? How do the people in the sky now interact with each other, with other beings of the heavens, and with those down on Earth?   Here, four girls illuminate the Star People’s adventures in a series of intricately woven tales of friendship, coming-of-age, and found family in the ever-shifting landscape of the celestial sphere.   This new edition contains original illustrations by Frances B. Comstock and a foreword from author and journalist D.P. Benjamin that reveals long-lost information on Katharine Fay Dewey.   Like sailors using the night sky to navigate a vast ocean, Star People and the story of its author have found their way to a new, modern readership.

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  A Hunger Artist

  Franz Kafka

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  A Hunger Artist is a short story by Franz Kafka.     The protagonist, a hunger artist who experiences the decline in appreciation of his craft, is an archetypical creation of Kafka: an individual marginalized and victimized by society at large. The title of the story has been translated also to "A Fasting Artist" and "A Starvation Artist".    A Hunger Artist explores the familiar Kafka themes of death, art, isolation, asceticism, spiritual poverty, futility, personal failure and the corruption of human relationships.    There is a sharp division among critical interpretations of "A Hunger Artist". Most commentators concur that the story is an allegory, but they disagree as to what is represented. Some critics, pointing to the hunger artist's asceticism, regard him as a saintly or even Christ-like figure. In support of this view they emphasize the unworldliness of the protagonist, the priest-like quality of the watchers, and the traditional religious significance of the forty-day period. Other critics insist that A Hunger Artist is an allegory of the misunderstood artist, whose vision of transcendence and artistic excellence is rejected or ignored by the public. This interpretation is sometimes joined with a reading of the story as autobiographical. According to this view, this story, written near the end of Kafka's life, links the hunger artist with the author as an alienated artist who is dying.    The moral of the story, says literature critic Maud Ellmann, is that it is not by food that we survive but by the gaze of others and "it is impossible to live by hunger unless we can be seen or represent doing so".

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  Top 10 Short Stories The - Barry...

  Barry Pain

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  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. 
   
  Most people will shrug at the name of ‘Barry Pain’, if you are one of them you are in for a treat.  Pain was a brilliant storyteller who took on difficult issues and situations and handled each with aplomb and a knowing way that only true talent can. 
   
  01 - The Top 10 - Barry Pain - An Introduction 
  02 - The Diary of a God by Barry Pain 
  03 - The Act of Heroism by Barry Pain 
  04 - The Case of Vincent Pyrwhit by Barry Pain 
  05 - The Green Light by Barry Pain 
  06 - The Magnet by Barry Pain 
  07 - The End of a Show by Barry Pain 
  08 - A Complete Recovery by Barry Pain 
  09 - The Extermination by Barry Pain 
  10 - Murder, from The Memoirs of Constantine Dix by Barry Pain 
  11 - Post Mortem by Barry Pain

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