Other books that might interest you

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  Fear and Was It a Dream? -...

  Guy de Maupassant

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  Skeletons and corpses rise from their fitful sleep and share a haunting message from beyond the grave.

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  Amy Foster (Unabridged)

  Joseph Conrad

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  The story of a dull-witted but compassionate English girl who falls in love with a strange man from Eastern Europe. This ignorant, wild, and romantic peasant from the Carpathian Mountains has been cast up by the sea, the only survivor from an emigrant ship bound for America. Unable to speak a word of English and totally mystified as to where he is--it might have been America or Hell, itself--he leads a wretched and hunted existence till the chance kindness of Amy Foster opens his eyes.

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  Classic Short Stories - Volume 5...

  Mark Twain, Louisa May Alcott,...

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  Stories are one of mankind’s greatest artistic achievements.  Whether written down or spoken they have an ability to capture our imagination and thoughts, and take us on incredible journeys in the space of a phrase and the turn of a page. 
   
  Within a few words of text or speech, new worlds and characters form, propelling a narrative to a conclusion with intricate ease. Finely crafted, perfectly formed these Miniature Masterpieces, at first thought, seem remarkably easy to conjure up. But ask any writer and they will tell you that distilling the essence of narrative and characters into a short story is one of the hardest acts of their literary craft.  Many attempt, but few achieve.

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  Oval Portrait The (Unabridged)

  Edgar Allan Poe

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  "The Oval Portrait" is a short story by Edgar Allan Poe involving the disturbing circumstances surrounding a portrait in a chateau. It is one of his shortest stories, filling only two pages in its initial publication in 1842.Plot summary:The tale begins with an injured narrator (the story offers no further explanation of his or her impairment) seeking refuge in an abandoned mansion in the Apennines. The narrator spends his or her time admiring the paintings that decorate the strangely shaped room and perusing a volume, found upon a pillow, that describes them.Upon moving the candle closer to the book, the narrator immediately discovers a before-unnoticed painting depicting the head and shoulders of a young girl. The picture inexplicably enthralls the narrator "for an hour perhaps". After steady reflection, he or she realizes that the painting's "absolute life-likeliness' of expression is the captivating feature. The narrator eagerly consults the book for an explanation of the picture. The remainder of the story henceforth is a quote from this book - a story within a story.The book describes a tragic story involving a young maiden of "the rarest beauty". She loved and wedded an eccentric painter who cared more about his work than anything else in the world, including his wife. The painter eventually asked his wife to sit for him, and she obediently consented, sitting "meekly for many weeks" in his turret chamber. The painter worked so diligently at his task that he did not recognize his wife's fading health, as she, being a loving wife, continually "smiled on and still on, uncomplainingly". As the painter neared the end of his work, he let no one enter the turret chamber and rarely took his eyes off the canvas, even to watch his wife. After "many weeks had passed," he finally finished his work. As he looked on the completed image, however, he felt appalled, as he exclaimed, "This is indeed Life itself!" Thereafter, he turned suddenly to regard his bride and discovered that she had died.

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  Oroonoko

  Aphra Behn

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  Dive into the captivating world of "Oroonoko" by Aphra Behn, now available as an enthralling audiobook. 
  In this groundbreaking work of literature, Behn tells the story of Oroonoko, a noble African prince who is tragically enslaved and transported to the colonial plantations of South America. Through Oroonoko's eyes, listeners are transported to a world of love, honor, betrayal, and ultimate sacrifice. 
  Narrated with sensitivity and depth, this audiobook brings Behn's poignant tale to life, allowing listeners to experience the full range of emotions as they journey alongside Oroonoko through his trials and tribulations. From the lush landscapes of Africa to the harsh realities of slavery, Behn's vivid prose paints a powerful portrait of the human spirit's resilience in the face of adversity. 
  With its timeless themes of love, freedom, and the inherent dignity of every individual, "Oroonoko" remains as relevant today as it was when it was first published in 1688. Whether you're a fan of historical fiction, classic literature, or simply enjoy a compelling story, this audiobook is sure to captivate and inspire. 
  So why wait? Start listening to "Oroonoko" today and embark on an unforgettable literary journey that will stay with you long after the final chapter.

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  Works and Days The Theogony and...

  Hesiod

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  Works and Days provides advice on agrarian matters and personal conduct. The Theogony explains the ancestry of the gods. The Shield of Heracles is the adventure of Heracles accepting an enemy's challenge to fight. - Summary by Arthur Krolman

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