Translator Isabel Hapgood
Publisher: Charles River Editors
Chios Classics brings literature’s greatest works back to life for new generations. All our books contain a linked table of contents. The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a classic tale that has been adapted for film and television countless times.
"The Wonderful Visit" is a novel written by H.G. Wells and first published in 1895. Unlike Wells' more famous works of science fiction, this novel falls into the genre of social satire and fantasy. It tells the story of an angelic creature named Mr. Angel, who unexpectedly descends upon a small English village. The arrival of Mr. Angel disrupts the tranquil and ordinary lives of the villagers, who are initially perplexed by his presence. As they interact with him, their beliefs, prejudices, and social norms are challenged. The novel explores themes of human nature, social conventions, and the clash between the ordinary and the extraordinary. Wells uses the character of Mr. Angel as a means to critique and satirize the norms and customs of Victorian society. Through his otherworldly perspective, Mr. Angel questions the self-importance, hypocrisy, and narrow-mindedness of the villagers. His presence serves as a catalyst for personal transformation and the reevaluation of societal values. "The Wonderful Visit" blends elements of fantasy and humor with social commentary. It raises questions about the nature of goodness, the complexities of human behavior, and the limitations of social conformity. Wells's writing style is characterized by his wit, imaginative storytelling, and keen observation of human nature, which are all evident in this lesser-known work. While "The Wonderful Visit" may not be as well-known as Wells' science fiction classics like "The Time Machine" or "The War of the Worlds," it offers a unique and thought-provoking exploration of society and human nature. It showcases Wells' versatility as a writer and his ability to use fiction to critique and satirize the conventions of his time.Show book
Before finding celebrity as an author, including his 1954 Nobel Prize, Ernest M. Hemingway honed his craft as a journeyman reporter. In the spring of 1923, as a special correspondent for the Toronto Star, he travelled to the occupied Ruhr Valley where he produced a series of 10 articles, collected here as Dispatches from the Ruhr. In them, he explores the French political system and its role in the decision to occupy the Ruhr Valley militarily, in an effort to collect on unsustainable war reparations. In addition, he examines the suffering of its ordinary citizens, as conditions there led to a progressive loss of confidence in the Wiemar Republic; its economic collapse under the weight of hyper-inflation; and, ultimately, to the rise of Nazism. It is worth reading as both a case study on the unintended consequences of military occupation and a master class in the development of Hemingway’s characteristic prose style.Show book
William Collins Books and Decca Records are proud to present ARGO Classics, a historic catalogue of classic fiction read by some of the world’s most renowned voices. Originally released as vinyl records, these expertly abridged and remastered stories are now available to download for the first time. Intrigue, espionage, and anarchy abound in what is still considered Conrad’s finest novel. Adolf Verloc, a Russian spy working for the police, is embroiled in a plot to blow up the Greenwich Observatory. When the attack goes awry, Verloc must face the consequences. Beloved star of the screen and stage, Tim Pigott Smith provides a thrilling narration of this strikingly relevant tale. This top-notch political adventure, masterfully narrated by Tim Pigott Smith, takes you on a rollercoaster ride of action and crime. The best of Conrad's works, it's a tale that resonates with the current times, making it a must-read for all. For fans of Fjodor M. Dostojewskij (THE COMPLETE WORKS OF FYODOR DOSTOYEVSKY), James Joyce (Dubliners), Cormac Mccarthy (Stella Maris), Herman Melville (Bartleby, the Scrivener), and George Eliot (Middlemarch).Show book
Typee: A Peep at Polynesian Life is the first book by American writer Herman Melville, published first in London, then New York, in 1846. Considered a classic in travel and adventure literature, the narrative is partly based on the author's actual experiences on the island Nuku Hiva in the South Pacific Marquesas Islands in 1842, liberally supplemented with imaginative reconstruction and adaptation of material from other books. The title comes from the valley of Taipivai, once known as Taipi. Typee was Melville's most popular work during his lifetime; it made him notorious as the "man who lived among the cannibals".Show book
The columnist of the New York Post-Dispatch, Miss Lonelyhearts, is initially cynical about the letters he receives for help. They are a joke. Gradually however, the letters start to move him but he is powerless to do anything. Retreating from the pain into a fantasy world he starts to believe that he is a Christ figure, a universal saviour. But Christ died for the sins of others! The pen may be mightier than the sword but the author wields his like a cleaver, splicing images together to present a savagely grotesque world. Ahead of his time, the novel had to wait another 20 years to find another author to match West's bitter humour. This book is not for the fainthearted.Show book
Othello is a tragedy by William Shakespeare based on the short story "Moor of Venice" by Cinthio, believed to have been written in approximately 1603. The work revolves around four central characters: Othello, his wife Desdemona, his lieutenant Cassio, and his trusted advisor Iago. Attesting to its enduring popularity, the play appeared in 7 editions between 1622 and 1705. Because of its varied themes — racism, love, jealousy and betrayal — it remains relevant to the present day and is often performed in professional and community theatres alike. The play has also been the basis for numerous operatic, film and literary adaptations. Othello, suspicious and jealous military general, listened to a malicious gossip from his secret hater Iago and now believes that his beautiful wife Desdemona is unfaithful. Passionate nature of the Moor can't bear the shame and in a burst of temper he kills the innocent Desdemona… Among the most significant works William Shakespeare: Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth, Orpheus, Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar, Troilus and Cressida, The Tempest, Venus and Adonis, Antony and Cleopatra, Measure for Measure, The Winter's Tale and many more.Show book
