Moran of the Lady Letty

Frank Norris

Summary

Classic novel. According to Wikipedia: "Benjamin Franklin Norris, Jr. (March 5, 1870 – October 25, 1902) was an American novelist, during the Progressive Era, writing predominantly in the naturalist genre. His notable works include McTeague (1899), The Octopus: A California Story (1901), and The Pit (1903). Although he did not openly support socialism as a political system, his work nevertheless evinces a socialist mentality and influenced socialist/progressive writers such as Upton Sinclair. Like many of his contemporaries, he was profoundly influenced by the advent of Darwinism, and Thomas Henry Huxley's philosophical defense of it. Norris was particularly influenced by an optimistic strand of Darwinist philosophy taught by Joseph LeConte, whom Norris studied under while at the University of California, Berkeley. Through many of his novels, notably McTeague, runs a preoccupation with the notion of the civilized man overcoming the inner "brute," his animalistic tendencies. His peculiar, and often confused, brand of Social Darwinism also bears the influence of the early criminologist Cesare Lombroso and the French naturalist Emile Zola."

Available since: 03/01/2018.

Other books that might interest you

Dubliners

James Joyce

Dubliners is a collection of short stories about the lives of the people of Dublin around the turn of the century. Each story describes a small but significant moment of crisis or revelation in the life of a particular Dubliner, sympathetically but always with stark honesty. Many of the characters are desperate to escape the confines of their humdrum lives, though those that have the opportunity to do so seem unable to take it. These stories introduce us to the city, which fed Joyce’s entire creative output, and to many of the characters who made it such a well of literary inspiration. Rich in humour and musical allusion, they contain some of Joyce’s most powerful and moving prose.

Show book

The Death of Halpin Frayser

Ambrose Bierce

"Ambrose Gwinnett Bierce (1842 - 1914) was an American writer famous for his dark and cynical writings, which earned him the nickname ""Bitter Bierce"".  He is famous also for his mysterious demise. He wrote a letter to a friend, which he closed by saying, ""As to me, I leave here tomorrow for an unknown destination,"" and then he vanished without a trace, his disappearance becoming one of the most famous in American literary history. ""The Death of Halpin Frayser"" is a deeply disturbing tale, written with the sense of a terrible nightmare in which a man is horribly attacked in a wood by the undead animated corpse of his dead mother. "

Show book

Sherlock Holmes: The Adventure...

Sir Aarthur Conan Doyl

The Adventure of the Devil's Foot is one of the 56 Sherlock Holmes short stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and one of eight stories in the volume His Last Bow. 
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (May 22, 1859-July 7, 1930) was a British author most noted for his stories about the detective Sherlock Holmes, which are generally considered a major innovation in the field of crime fiction. 
Public Domain (P)2017 Listen & Live Audio

Show book

Mark Twain 3 Complete Works -...

Mark Twain

Mark Twain, born Samuel Clemens in 1835, was a celebrated American author, humorist, and social critic. Twain's life and writings are deeply intertwined with American history, capturing the essence of the 19th century and the spirit of the American West. Through his iconic works such as "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" and "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," Twain crafted vivid narratives that examined the complexities of human nature, tackled social issues, and provided incisive commentary on the American experience.

Twain's writings often drew inspiration from his own experiences and travels. As a young man, he worked as a steamboat pilot on the Mississippi River, an experience that shaped his understanding of the culture and people of the American South. This firsthand knowledge of the region and its idiosyncrasies found its way into his writing, bringing a sense of authenticity and regional flavor to his stories. Twain's vivid descriptions, witty dialogues, and memorable characters made his works beloved by readers of all ages.

Beyond his contributions to literature, Twain's legacy extends to his role as a keen observer of society and a master of satire. His sharp wit and social critiques exposed the flaws and hypocrisies of his time, challenging prevailing beliefs and prejudices. Twain's novel "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" remains a classic and a significant piece of American literature. It tackled issues of race and morality, presenting a scathing indictment of racism while showcasing the unlikely friendship between the white protagonist and the runaway slave, Jim.

Mark Twain's life, art, and writings continue to captivate readers and provide insight into the American experience. His humorous storytelling, memorable characters, and biting social commentary have secured his place as one of the most important and influential figures in American literature.

Show book

Little Tobrah

Rudyard Kipling

Joseph Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936) was an English journalist, short-story writer, poet, and novelist. "Little Tobrah" is a disturbing murder story set in India. The eight year old Tobrah stands accused of the murder of his younger blind sister. The evidence is purely circumstantial... and then he recounts his own tale of what happened.

Show book

David Copperfield

Charles Dickens

First published in 1850, David Copperfield begins with avid the tragedy of David's brother dying when David is just a boy. After this episode, he is sent by his step-father to work in London for a wine merchant. When conditions worsen he decides to run away and embarks on a journey by foot from London to Dover. On his arrival, he finds his eccentric aunt, Betsey Trotwood who becomes his new guardian. Being witness to the formation of David's character is quite fascinating. David begins as a strong child whose only aspiration is a better life. On the way to his adulthood, David sees how people enter and leave his life. Romanticism takes its place in David’s life as he gets married to Dora Spenlow who is not long for this world. Will David ever find stability and happiness? And what of his wife? Dickens proves to be a master in creating an autobiographical work that is a captivating page-turner.Charles John Huffam Dickens FRSA was an English writer and social critic. He created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era.

Show book