Seminal study of decadence in Europe and America with texts.About the AuthorBrian Michael Stableford (born 25 July 1948) is a British science fiction writer who has published more than 65 novels. Contents:INTRODUCTIONMAD EMPERORS: THE EVOLUTION OF AN IDEARENEGADE ROMANTICS: THE BIRTH OF DECADENCEGENIUS AND MADNESS: THE ATTRACTIONS OF DECADENCEAGAINST NATURE: DECADENCE À LA MODEFIN DE SIÈCLE: THE DECADENCE OF DECADENCETHE YELLOW NINETIES: DECADENCE IN ENGLANDINFLUENCES: DECADENCE IN OTHER NATIONSECHOES: THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF DECADENCEA SAMPLER OF FRENCH DECADENT TEXTSTO THE READER by Charles BaudelaireTHE GLASS OF BLOOD by Jean LorrainLANGUOR by Paul VerlaineTHE GRAPE-GATHERERS OF SODOM by RachildeAFTER THE DELUGE by Arthur RimbaudDANAETTE by Remy de GourmontLITANY TO SATAN by Charles BaudelaireTHE BLACK NIGHTGOWN by Catulle MendèsTHE DOUBLE ROOM by Charles BaudelaireTHE POSSESSED by Jean LorrainSPLEEN by Paul VerlaineTHE FAUN by Remy de GourmontTHE DRUNKEN BOAT by Arthur RimbaudTHE PANTHER by RachildeSPLEEN by Charles BaudelaireOLD FURNITURE by Catulle MendèsDON JUAN IN HELL by Charles BaudelaireDON JUAN’S SECRET by Remy de GourmontA SAMPLER OF ENGLISH DECADENT TEXTSTHEORETIKOS by Oscar WildeTHE COURT OF VENUS by Aubrey BeardsleySATIA DE SANGUINE by Algernon Charles SwinburneTHE DYING OF FRANCIS DONNE by Ernest DowsonBAUDELAIRE by Eugene Lee-HamiltonTHE BASILISK by R. Murray GilchristMAGIC by Lionel JohnsonTHE OTHER SIDE by Count Stanislaus Eric StenbockNON SUM QUALIS ERAM BONAE SUB REGNO CYNARAE by Ernest DowsonA SOMEWHAT SURPRISING CHAPTER by John DavidsonTHE TRANSLATOR AND THE CHILDREN by James Elroy FleckerPOPE JACYNTH by Vernon LeeINSOMNIA by John DavidsonTHE NIGHTINGALE AND THE ROSE by Oscar Wilde.VINUM DAEMONUM by Lionel JohnsonABSINTHIA TAETRA by Ernest DowsonTHE RING OF FAUSTUS by Eugene Lee-HamiltonTHE LAST GENERATION by James Elroy Flecker Views: 103
American master Erskine Caldwell's powerful classic stories of anger, humor, insight, and hope for the South Author of some of the most widely banned fiction of the twentieth century, Erskine Caldwell had a talent for striking a nerve. In this collection of nearly one hundred stories, the full depth and scope of his talent is on display, including his trademark biting satire as well as his skill at rendering deeply moving portraits of his native South. In a career that spanned over six decades, Caldwell produced stories that serve to document a changing society, from the dehumanizing trials of the Great Depression through the transformative battle to desegregate the South. Taken together, his short fiction reveals a voice that remains essential for readers hoping to understand the American experience. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Erskine Caldwell including rare photos and never-before-seen documents courtesy of the Dartmouth College Library. Views: 103
Margaret Vandercook is the "Queen of the Campfire Stories," as many of her books were perfect reading for kids and young adults alike, whether the setting was on the ranch or the frontier. Nearly 60 years after her death, her books continue to be read across the world today. Views: 102
A new collection of Roald Dahl stories, all on a theme of country matters; they will all feature those wily characters Claud, Rummins and Bert, who appeared so memorably in Dahl's famous story, parson's pleasure. There will be seven stories in the book, including one (Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life) that has never appeared in book form before. Roald Dahl has written a new introdution, and the book will be enhanced by line drawings. Views: 102
Adelaide and I have come to the conclusion that if you can\'t believe anything at all, not even the things that are as plain as the nose on your face—if you can\'t enjoy what is put here to be enjoyed—if you are going to turn up your nose at everything we tell you, and deny things that we know to be truly-ann-true, just because we haven\'t given you the cross-my-heart-and-hope-to-die sign—then it\'s your own fault if we don\'t reply when you try to give the wipple-wappling call. And more than that, if you know so much that you don\'t know anything, or less than anything, you will have to go somewhere else to be amused and entertained; you will have to find other play-fellows. Views: 102
"Don't even try to make me smile about this," Charlie Hickle warns his parents. They've just dropped a major bombshell: They're getting a divorce -- and they expect him to be happy for them! Well, Charlie has some big news for Mom and Dad: he's not going to let them get away with this! Instead of being cheerful, he launches a campaign to show them how he really feels. He refuses to eat this mother's cooking. He causes trouble in school. He makes nasty remarks about his father's shabby new apartment. But no matter what he does, his parents just don't seem to get the picture. Isn't it obvious they're ruining his life?From the Trade Paperback edition. Views: 102
Mr Marble is in serious debt, desperate for money to pay his family's bills, until the combination of a wealthy relative, a bottle of Cyanide and a shovel offer him the perfect solution. In fact, his troubles are only just beginning. Slowly the Marble family becomes poisoned by guilt, and caught in an increasingly dangerous trap of secrets, fear and blackmail. Then, in a final twist of the knife, Mrs Marble ensures that retribution comes in the most unexpected of ways ...First published in 1926, C. S. Forester's gritty psychological thriller took crime writing in a new direction, portraying ordinary, desperate people committing monstrous acts, and showing events spiralling terribly, chillingly, out of control. Views: 102
Marjorie had never seen a dead body until she got home one tranquil summer evening and found her sister Dot lying on the kitchen floor in a pretty dress, with her head in the oven. She looked peaceful, as if she was asleep. Their mother suspects, however, that Dot's death was far from natural. What's more, she knows who the killer is - and she is determined to make him suffer. So slowly and meticulously, she plots her revenge. After all, who would suspect a neatly dressed, grey-haired widow of anything? And what could possibly go wrong?The Pursued, C. S. Forester's dark, twisted tale of murder, lust and retribution, was written in 1935, but its typescript manuscript was lost. More than seven decades later, it has now been rediscovered and is published for the first time. It is a novel years ahead of its time; rewriting the traditions of crime fiction to create a gripping psychological portrayal of obsession, jealousy, torment and the grim underside of suburban London life. Views: 102
Check out the laugh-inducing, phobia-reducing final book in the School of Fear trilogy! Is school out forever at the School of Fear? A nosy reporter is planning a scandalous expose on eccentric Mrs. Wellington and her unorthodox teaching methods, and the news is sure to put an end to the school. Madeleine, Theo, Lulu, Garrison, and the new student Hyacinth must convince Sylvie that their teacher and the school are perfectly normal. But how can they accomplish this when Mrs. Wellington is just so... odd? With the fate of their beloved school in their hands, the children now share a new fear--failure. Views: 102
All men have a wingman—it's the bro code. I'd like to say I fit into that code—only I am missing a certain long, hard member that automatically allows me entrance. That doesn't matter—because for him I'm the ultimate. His wingman. Well, in the grand scheme of things—his wing-woman. Reign Braxton. Womaniser. Asshole. Douche of the century. Sexy as sin but as rule would have it— all sexy men have a problem. Reign is still lusting after the one that got away. Enter me. Wing woman of the century, make-ex-jealous extraordinaire. It's my job. Why do I do it, you ask? Simple—money. Reign's obsession gives me a good lifestyle. I am anything he wants me to be, all for a price of course. But I go and do something incredibly stupid—I fall in love with my boss. My boss who is in love with his ex. There are no prizes for second best. Views: 102
In the First Punic War, the Roman legions defeated and
humiliated Carthage, their only serious rival for power in the Mediterranean.
Now a brilliant young Carthaginian general, called Hannibal, is out for revenge.
Caught up in the maelstrom are two young boys, Hanno, the son of a distinguished
soldier and confidant of Hannibal, and Quintus, son of a Roman equestrian and
landowner. A disastrous adventure will see Hanno sold into slavery and bought by
Quintus' father. Although an unexpected friendship springs up between the two
boys - and with Quintus' sister, Aurelia - the fortunes of the two warring
empires once again separates them. They find themselves on opposite sides of the
conflict and an alliance forged through slavery will be played out to its
stunning conclusion in battle. Views: 102
A teenage paparazzo makes a dangerous discovery in this timely look at celebrity that is likely to be snapped up and make a lasting impression (School Library Journal). All Jamie Gordon wants to do is to take pictures of celebrities...and maybe to become famous herself. Shes only fourteen, but already her work is sought after by fanzines and websites, and shes invited to all the best parties. And now she has the chance of a lifetime: She has been invited to spend a week with Willow Twine, taking pictures of the teen superstars new chaste life. But when Jamie gets her hands on some sensational shots of Willow, shes suddenly in over her head. The pictures could make her careerand destroy Willows. It seems like everyones eager to get their hands on the photos, and Jamie has to decide what she really wants...and what shes willing to pay to get it. Views: 102
