Ford Madox Ford (1873-1939) was an English novelist, essayist, memoirist, poet and critic. He founded literary journals such as «The English Review» and «The Transatlantic Review» which were instrumental in the development of early 20th century English literature. He published renowned authors such as Thomas Hardy, H. G. Wells, Joseph Conrad, John Galsworthy, William Butler Yeats and many more in these influential journals and even collaborated ...
Although never having seen battle Stephen Crane vividly depicts the grueling intensity of the American Civil War. The story revolves around Henry Fleming, a member of the 304th regiment of the Union Army. At the start of the novel Henry is eager to show his patriotism in battle but when faced with the savagery of death he flees the frontline. Throughout the novel Henry struggles with his courage in the face of the horror of war. «The Red Badge o ...
Written in the middle of the 14th century as the Bubonic Plague decimated the population of Europe, «The Decameron» is a satirically allegorical collection of stories by the Italian author Boccaccio. The refined frame narrative of this work allows for ten Florentine women and men to flee the city and take refuge in a country villa of Italy. In the ten days they are to stay, each of them is to tell a story a day, the themes of which are determine ...
"The Cat of Bubastes" which is set during 1250 BC is one of G. A. Henty’s most popular works. When the Rebu nation is conquered by the Egyptians and their king is killed, the young prince Amuba is carried away as a captive to Egypt, along with his faithful charioteer, Jethro. When the young prince accidentally kills the successor to the Cat of Bubastes, one of the most sacred animals in Egypt, the two are forced to flee and attempt to retur ...
As one of the great authors of the Danish language, Jens Peter Jacobsen body of work is small, including just two novels, seven short stories, and a volume of poetry. Considered his masterpiece, «Niels Lyhne» follows the struggles of an aspiring poet. Torn between a childishly idealized vision of the world and the more practical demands of adulthood in the modern world, the titular Niels's struggle is one of faith versus reason, of romantic ...
Maria Louise Rame (1839-1908) was an English novelist who often chose to write under the pen-name Ouida for her more than 40 novels, children's books and collections of short stories and essays. Her early works were considered quite racy for Victorian-era readers, and many of her stories and characters were based on well-known people that attended soirees at the Langham Hotel, London, where she lived for a brief time. This collection of sto ...
"The Fire Within" is the first novel by Patricia Wentworth, the pseudonym of Dora Amy Elles, a British author. Best known for her series of crime fiction novels featuring Miss Maud Silver, a retired governess who becomes a private detective. Wentworth's earliest offering, «The Fire Within» is in contrast a romantic novel. ...
Henry James's «The Portrait of a Lady» is the story of American Isabel Archer who after inheriting a large sum of money falls victim to the scheming of two American expatriates, Gilbert Osmond and Madame Merle. Originally serialized in «The Atlantic Monthly» between 1880-1881, «The Portrait of a Lady» is the story of a free-spirited woman who affronts her destiny and in so doing ironically loses the freedom that she cherishes. ...
"Riders of the Purple Sage" is the story of Jane Withersteen, set in the canon country of southern Utah in 1871. Jane has inherited a valuable ranch from her father and because of this, one of the polygamous Mormon elders covets her as his wife. When she refuses, the Mormons in the community begin to persecute Jane. Rich with western detail, set against the backdrop of the Mormon influx into Utah, with a mysterious «Masked Rider» who rides ...
