Altri libri che potrebbero interessarti

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  3 Audiobooks Joseph Conrad

  Joseph Conrad

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  Joseph Conrad, crafted a trilogy of literary works that delve into the complexities of human nature and the intricacies of colonialism. In "Nostromo," Conrad navigates the treacherous waters of political upheaval and greed in a fictional South American country. The tale follows Nostromo, a skilled and enigmatic sailor, as he becomes embroiled in the struggle for power and wealth, revealing the corrosive effects of ambition and the blurred lines between personal gain and loyalty. 
   
  "Heart of Darkness,", is a haunting exploration of the human psyche set against the backdrop of the brutal colonization of Africa. The novella follows Marlow, a sailor journeying up the Congo River, as he encounters the enigmatic Kurtz, a figure whose descent into madness and depravity serves as a reflection of the dark underbelly of European imperialism. Through vivid and often harrowing imagery, Conrad scrutinizes the moral and psychological toll of colonial exploitation, challenging readers to confront the shadows that lie within civilization's hearts. 
   
  In "Chance," Conrad shifts focus to the complexities of love, fate, and society. The novel centers on Flora de Barral, whose life is marred by her father's scandalous reputation and her own struggles for independence. As she navigates societal expectations and personal desires, Conrad weaves a narrative that illuminates the interplay between individual choices and the unpredictable twists of destiny. With his intricate prose and keen observations, Conrad crafts a tale that underscores the fragility of human connections and the role of chance in shaping lives. 
   
   Conrad demonstrates his profound understanding of human psychology, his critique of colonialism's ethical dimensions, and his exploration of the capricious nature of fate.

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  Dombey and Son

  Charles Dickens

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  A rich man’s obsessive search for an heir blinds him to his own child in this classic Victorian novel of greed, pride, and family ties.  For shipping magnate Paul Dombey, business is the essence of life. He runs his firm and his family with the same calculating efficiency. Showering attention on his sickly son, who is destined to take over the family business, Mr. Dombey diligently ignores his daughter, Florence. In his unloving eyes, she is nothing more than a “base coin that couldn’t be invested.”  In time, despite her father’s neglect, Florence grows into a capable and strong-willed woman. Dombey’s callousness, meanwhile, sets in motion his own eventual downfall. In this classic tale of ambition, pride, and redemption, Charles Dickens presents a rich and sprawling portrait of a man, his dysfunctional family, and the complex times in which they lived.

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  Crewe Train

  Rose Macaulay

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  Rose Macaulay was a fascinating and influential British writer, known for her wit and intellect. She wrote numerous novels, essays and biographies, and she was highly regarded for her versatility as a writer. Her works often explored themes of social change, women’s rights and the complexities of human relationships. She had a unique ability to capture the essence of her characters and the world they inhabited, making her a much-admired figure in the literary world.
  Crewe Train was published in 1926 and follows the story of Denham Dobie, a young woman in her early thirties, who lives a rather uneventful life in London. She is an independent and intelligent woman working as a scriptwriter for a film studio. Feeling dissatisfied with her mundane existence, Denham decides to embark on a journey to visit her eccentric and wealthy father in Crewe. Throughout her journey, Denham encounters a variety of intriguing characters and unexpected events.
  The novel explores themes of societal expectations, gender roles and the search for personal fulfilment. Denham’s journey allows her to question and challenge the norms of the society she lives in, leading to self-discovery and a re-evaluation of her own desires and aspirations.

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  Compendium Of Revolutionary...

  George Orwell

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  George Orwell, was an English novelist, essayist, journalist and critic. His work is characterized by lucid prose, biting social criticism, total opposition to totalitarianism, and outspoken support of democratic socialism. 
   
  Orwell produced literary criticism and poetry, fiction and polemical journalism. He is known for the allegorical novella Animal Farm (1945) and the dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four (1949). His non-fiction works, including The Road to Wigan Pier (1937), documenting his experience of working-class life in the north of England, and Homage to Catalonia (1938), an account of his experiences soldiering for the Republican faction of the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939), are as critically respected as his essays on politics and literature, language and culture. In 2008, The Times ranked George Orwell second among "The 50 greatest British writers since 1945". 
   
  Orwell's work remains influential in popular culture and in political culture, and the adjective "Orwellian"—describing totalitarian and authoritarian social practices—is part of the English language, like many of his neologisms, such as "Big Brother", "Thought Police", "Two Minutes Hate", "Room 101", "memory hole", "Newspeak", "doublethink", "unperson", and "thoughtcrime", as well as providing direct inspiration for the neologism "groupthink".

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  The Golem

  Gustav Meyrink

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  "The Golem," written by Gustav Meyrink in the early 20th century, is a novel set in the Jewish ghetto of Prague. The story delves into themes of mysticism, identity, and the supernatural, with a particular focus on the character Athanasius Pernath. Pernath becomes entangled in a world influenced by the legend of the Golem—a creature made from clay and brought to life by a rabbi's mystical powers. 
  In the opening of the novel, we are introduced to Pernath, who experiences a restless night filled with haunting thoughts and troubling dreams. His mind intertwines memories and imaginations as he grapples with feelings of unease. He finds himself in a dark courtyard, engaging with enigmatic figures in his life, such as Aaron Wassertrum, a trinket dealer, and the mysterious red-haired Rosina. These characters set the stage for exploring Pernath's psyche and the societal dynamics of the ghetto, hinting at deeper mysteries connected to the Golem legend as he reflects on his past and present existence. 
  Throughout this initial section, the tone blends elements of surrealism and psychological introspection, drawing readers into a richly layered narrative.

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  Dies Irae - From their pens to...

  Kenneth Grahame

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  Kenneth Grahame was born on 8th March 1859 in Edinburgh. 
  At age 5 his mother succumbed to puerperal fever.  His father, who had a drinking problem, now sent his 4 children to live with their grandmother at her large house in Cookham, Berkshire. Here the children lived in large open grounds next to the river.  These early experiences would in later years, be retold in his writing through a myriad of characters. 
  Grahame loved being a pupil at St Edward's School, Oxford and wanted to enroll at the university there but his guardian demurred on account of the cost. 
  Instead, a banking career was chosen for him, starting in 1879 at the Bank of England, where he rose steadily to the rank of its Secretary until retiring, with a pension, in 1908 due to ill health. 
  Alongside his commercial career Grahame had written and published various stories and essays in several periodicals. Some were anthologized as ‘Pagan Papers’ in 1893, and two years later ‘The Golden Age’ and later still ‘Dream Days’ and its masterpiece ‘The Reluctant Dragon’ became part of many home libraries.  His ability to view life through the lens of a young and curious child was superb, enabling the reader to easily identify with the character.   
  Grahame married Elspeth Thomson in 1899 and they had one child; Alastair, born semi-blind and plagued by health problems.  In a heart-rending tragedy he would later take his own life whilst attending Oxford University in 1920.   
  In 1908 Grahame reworked many of the bedtime stories he had fashioned for his son into the enduring favourite; ‘The Wind in the Willows’, describing the heart-warming adventures of Mr Toad and his friends.   
  Kenneth Grahame died in Pangbourne, Berkshire, on 6th July 1932.

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