Charles Strickland, a conventional stockbroker, abandons his wife and children for Paris and Tahiti, to live his life as a painter. Whilst his betrayal of family, duty and honour gives him the freedom to achieve greatness, his decision leads to an obsession which carries severe implications. Inspired by the life of Paul Gauguin, The Moon and Sixpence is at once a satiric caricature of Edwardian conventions and a vivid portrayal of the mentality of a genius. Views: 382
The third of Robertson Davies' editions of Samuel Marchbanks' writings, and originally published by McClelland & Stewart in 1967, Samuel Marchbanks' Almanack is available here in e-book for the first time ever. In 1942, two years after returning to Canada from Britain, Robertson Davies took up the role of editor of the Peterborough Examiner, in the small city of Peterborough, Ontario, northeast of Toronto. During his tenure as editor at the Examiner, a post he held until 1955, and later as publisher of the newspaper (1955–65), Davies published witty, curmudgeonly, mischievous, and fiercely individualistic editorials under the name of his alter ego, Samuel Marchbanks, "one of the choice and master spirits of his age." Taking pen in hand, Samuel Marchbanks, philosopher, purveyor of trivia and benefactor of mankind, once again proves there is nothing so beneficial to the weary and heavy-laden of the world as a good belly laugh. As... Views: 382
Nancy receives a letter informing her that she is heir to a fortune. This story tells of her search for another Nancy Drew. Views: 382
Mary Renault’s landmark novel about a wounded soldier who returns from the front and must choose between relationships with two very different men
After being wounded at Dunkirk in World War II, Laurie Odell is sent back home to a rural British hospital. Standing out among the orderlies is Andrew, a bright conscientious objector raised as a Quaker. The unspoken romance between the two men is tested when Ralph, a friend of Laurie’s from school, re-enters his life, introducing him into a milieu of jaded, experienced gay men. Will Laurie reconcile himself to Ralph’s embrace, or can he offer Andrew the idealized, Platonic intimacy he yearns for?
This novel has been called one of the foundation stones of gay literary fiction, ranking alongside James Baldwin’s Giovanni’s Room and Gore Vidal’s The City and the Pillar. Celebrated for its literary brilliance and sincere depiction of complex human emotions, The Charioteer is a stirring and beautifully rendered portrayal of love.
This ebook features an illustrated biography of Mary Renault including rare images of the author. Views: 381
A chance encounter with Autumn Moon, the most powerful courtesan on Paradise Island, leads Judge Dee to investigate three deaths. Although he finally teases the true story from a tangled history of passion and betrayal, Dee is saddened by the perversion, corruption, and waste of the world "of flowers and willows," that thrives on prostitution. Views: 381
Rose Mary Bell is missing. She is a top model who works for Hugo Zana, a renowned clothes designer and couturier, and in the opinion of the Honourable Richard Rollison (aka 'The Toff'): 'beautiful'. Other models also appear to be inexplicably leaving, although a mysterious Mr. Smith seems to have something to do with it. The girls are being threatened and Smith will seemingly stop at nothing, including murder, to harm Zana's reputation. It is a complex case worthy of The Toff's very particular investigative talents. Views: 381
DEVIL WATER is the true story of Charles Radcliffe, who escaped from Newgate prison in 1715 after his brother's execution, and of his daughter Jenny. Jenny was the child of a secret marriage; father and daughter share a strong and abiding affection.
When Jenny immigrates to America, she and her father suffer years of separation. The themes of this book are loyalty and courage.
Like all of Seton's books, this one combines thoroughly documented history with superb storytelling. Views: 381
This artful collection of canine companions from Newbery Medalist Marguerite Henry is majestically illustrated and makes a great gift for dog lovers of all ages.Marguerite Henry may be best known for her stories about horses, but she loved all animals. In this delightful book, she wrote about the origins of twenty-five different types and breeds. Ranging from the Bulldog to the Cocker Spaniel to Labradors and Chihuahuas, there’s something for every dog lover to enjoy. Each description is paired with a full-color illustration by Wesley Dennis. This treasury of canines from Newbery Award–winning author Marguerite Henry features the original text and illustrations in a gorgeous collectible hardcover edition. Views: 381
“They wouldn’t believe me, and they left me to rot on this damned world. Now they are seeking me out because they are afraid, because the Times are drawing nearer and the Masters are grumbling, because they are discovering the Accursed Worlds one by one.”The old man looked up at Algan.“Who are you,” he asked in his cracked voice, “that you should have in your possession the chessboard o£ the Masters? During the course of my long life, I’ve seen it just three times. Once, it was tike one you have, or one exactly like it, and the other two times I saw it etched on the black walls of those damnable citadels. Who are you? Are you one of their men? Have you come to take my soul, as you did from all the other poor spacemen you buried alive?”“I’m just looking for a weapon to destroy Betelgeuse,” said Algan simply. “I’m counting on you.” Views: 381
The fourfold sting of the eye teeth balanced the gut-wretchedness of his looming hangover, so that Spar's mind floated as free as his body in the blackness of Windrush, in which shone only a couple of running lights dim as churning dream-glow and infinitely distant as the Bridge or the Stern. Views: 381
This novel tells the story of a Hollywood star, shooting a film on location in Hawaii, who is murdered during her stay. The story behind her murder is linked with the three-year-old murder of another Hollywood actor and also connected with an enigmatic psychic named Tarneverro. Chan, in his position as a detective with the Honolulu Police Department, "investigates amid public clamor demanding that the murderer be found and punished immediately. "Death is the black camel that kneels unbidden at every gate," Chan tells the suspects." Views: 380
Dr Stephen Maturin leads Captain Jack Aubrey to the spy's Spanish castle. Best pals compete over manipulative widow Diana Villiers. Stephen encourages shy Sophia to Jack; Jack flees bailiffs after prize agent steals money. Jealous cuckold assigns Jack poorly-built experimental ship on poorly-conceived mission with too few and raw crew. Jack fights on. Views: 380
This trilogy spanning World War II, based in part on Evelyn Waugh's own experiences as an army officer, is the author's surpassing achievement as a novelist. Its central character is Guy Crouchback, head of an ancient but decayed Catholic family, who at first discovers new purpose in the challenge to defend Christian values against Nazi barbarism, but then gradually finds the complexities and cruelties of war overwhelming. Though often somber, Sword of Honor is also a brilliant comedy, peopled by the fantastic figures so familiar from Waugh's early satires. The deepest pleasures these novels afford come from observing a great satiric writer employ his gifts with extraordinary subtlety, delicacy, and human feeling, for purposes that are ultimately anything but satiric. Views: 380
