Anthologies & Short Stories

Book SynopsisLost Face (1910) is a collection of seven short stories by American writer Jack London. Drawing on his experiences as a gold prospector in the Yukon, London explores the life of humanity at the edge of civilization. In these stories of life and death, nature reigns supreme over society, and even the strong are not guaranteed to survive. “Lost Face” is the story of a Polish trapper and fur thief named Subienkow. Captured by Native Americans, he watches in horror as a strong, courageous Cossack is slowly killed through hours of brutal torture. Recalling the hardships he faced in Poland, Russia, and Siberia, Subienkow delves deep into his reservoir of experience to devise a plan he hopes will allow him to escape such a terrible fate. Using an interpreter, he convinces Makamuk, the chief, that he possesses a powerful medicine, and offers it in exchange for his life. In “To Build a Fire”—a frequently anthologized work of adventure fiction and one of London’s most beloved works—an explorer decides to trek into the forest of the Yukon while a winter storm looms on the horizon. Ignoring all signs of danger, as well as the warnings of an experienced elder, he finds himself lost in the woods with nothing but a dog and a fire. With no time to question his motives—he had set out to visit a friend’s cabin—he is forced to face nature head on, and on its own terms. Lost Face, published at the height of London’s career, compiles seven stories from the master of adventure and naturalist fiction. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Jack London’s Lost Face is a classic of American literature reimagined for modern readers.

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Book SynopsisThe Lady in the Car (1908) is a novel by Anglo-French writer William Le Queux. Published at the height of Le Queux’s career as a leading author of popular thrillers, The Lady in the Car is a story of romance, adventure, and international crime. Using his own research and experience as a journalist and adventurer, Le Queux crafts an accessible, entertaining world for readers in search of a literary escape. Known for his works of fiction and nonfiction on the possibility of Germany invading Britain—a paranoia common in the early twentieth century—William Le Queux also wrote dozens of thrillers and adventure novels for a dedicated public audience. Although critical acclaim eluded him, popular success made him one of England’s bestselling writers. In The Lady in the Car, the narrator reveals his firsthand knowledge of the shadowy figure known across Europe as Prince Albert of Hesse-Holstein—in addition to a number of other elaborate aliases. Renowned for his international connections, debonair attitude, and remarkable generosity, the Prince is a smooth criminal who, with the help of his trusted accomplices, runs a lucrative criminal enterprise in broad daylight. Gifted with a chameleon-like ability to change his appearance, the Prince targets wealthy men and women looking for a way to raise their influence in aristocratic society. Using his state-of-the-art Mercedes as both a symbol of his power and a powerful getaway vehicle, the Prince is more than happy to oblige the fantasies of those with wealth to spare. When an unsuspecting victim turns out to be an extremely powerful woman, the Prince and his gang of thieves find themselves scrambling to not only keep their operation secret, but to keep themselves from going to prison for the rest of their lives. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of William Le Queux’s The Lady in the Car is a classic novel reimagined for modern readers.

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Book SynopsisHeart of the West is a collection of 19 short stories highlighting the complicated relationship between men and women, law and order, honor and obligation. These compelling tales are filled with memorable characters and fascinating conflicts. In Heart of the West, O. Henry explores the illustrious region featuring cowboys, outlaws, rangers and sheepherders. It consists of 19 short stories celebrating the unique culture and happenings in the Old West. “Telemachus, Friend,” follows an unconventional love triangle, while "The Caballero's Way" centers an unexpected tragedy fueled by jealousy and betrayal. This collection features a variety of tales ranging from sentimental romance to humorous adventure. O. Henry breathes new life into the American West with vivid plots and unforgettable characters. This diverse group of stories transports readers to a bygone era of rugged heroes and sinister villains. Originally published in 1904, Heart of the West epitomizes this extraordinary moment in time. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Heart of the West is both modern and readable.

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Book SynopsisWith beautiful prose and defined characters, England, My England is a collection of ten works of short fiction written by the provocative and controversial author, D.H Lawrence. Many of these stories are set during and revolve around World War Ⅰ, such as Wintry Peacock. When her husband goes off to war, a woman finds herself moving in with her in-laws as she eagerly waits for his return. Around the time he is meant to come home, a letter arrives for him, written in French. Sent by the husband’s mistress, the letter details the affair he had, and that the mistress was with child because of it. Though the letter also warned of the mistress’s plans to move to England with her baby to be with the husband, the wife was unable to translate the French, leading to a situation of unfortunate misdirect and miscommunication. Other stories among this collection focus on the unfair societal expectations of women. You Touched Me follows the story of an adopted son and dying patriarch blackmailing an eldest daughter into marrying the son. Samson and Delilah depicts the complicated reunion of a husband and wife after the husband had abandoned his wife and newborn child fifteen years prior. Fannie and Annie excellently portrays the societal pressure for women to settle for less as it depicts Fannie, a well-educated woman, returning to her hometown to marry an unmotivated man who has illicit affairs with other women. Exploring the opposite perspective of a similar situation, The Primrose Path inspects the consequences of a man who lives a fleeting lifestyle—jumping from place to place, job to job, and woman to woman. Features themes of love, feminism, and sexuality, D.H Lawrence explores complicated relationships during the 20th century amid a world war and unjust and harmful social expectations. England, My England explores issues of society with a dark and biting tone, creating narratives that are not easily forgotten, and relate to ever-present human struggles. This edition of England, My England by D.H Lawrence features a new eye-catching cover design and is printed in a font that is both modern and readable to cater to a contemporary audience.

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Book SynopsisA compilation of Sarah Orne Jewett’s essential works including Deephaven, a novel about two young women who spend a summer visiting a small coastal town. Other notable titles include “From a Mournful Villager” and “An October Ride.” Deephaven centers two young Bostonians, Kate Lancaster and her friend Helen Denis. When Kate’s aunt dies, they travel to a quaint fishing village to look after her estate. They spend the summer adjusting to the sights and sounds of their new environment. This includes meeting lively neighbors like the local fishermen, minister and lighthouse keeper. It is a beautiful and nuanced portrayal of small-town living with its memorable characters. The book also includes multiple short stories from Sarah Orne Jewett’s catalog such as “Miss Debby’s Neighbors,” “From a Mournful Villager” and “An Autumn Holiday.” In this collection, Sarah Orne Jewett delivers a vivid portrait of New England life. The tales featured in Deephaven and Selected Stories are prime examples of American literary regionalism. The author highlights a small part of the nation’s unique culture and identity. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Deephaven and Selected Stories is both modern and readable.

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Book SynopsisWhen a group of New England women move to the western frontier, they encounter a new set of problems testing their love, friendship and spirits. In The Crux, Gilman highlights women’s need for economic independence and sexual autonomy. The strain of New England life pushes a group of progressive women to move to Colorado. Together, they open a boarding house and create a bustling business that supports both men and women. When one of the ladies fall in love with a male resident, it dramatically changes the group’s dynamic. His poor health and questionable standing make their relationship a point of contention. The author uses their scenario to examine self-determination theory, and its connection to other ideologies that may influence a woman’s choice. The Crux is a powerful exploration of contemporary feminist ideals. It focuses on the many disparities between genders both personally and professionally. This is an intriguing look at the long-term effects of different social conventions.

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Book SynopsisCabbages and Kings (1904) is a novel by American writer O. Henry. Inspired by his experiences as a fugitive in Honduras, the interconnected stories that make up Cabbages and Kings—the title refers to a line from Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking Glass—address themes of revolution, imperialism, exploitation, and greed. The novel is significant not only for launching O. Henry’s career as a successful professional writer, but for coining the term “banana republic,” now frequently used to describe the influence of American fruit companies over such nations as Honduras. In the fictional nation of Anchuria, the political reality and social life of its people are under attack—from within and without. An American businessman in the coastal town of Coralio receives a telegram from the capital city of San Mateo announcing that there has been a revolution. President Miraflores has fled to the coast, taking with him $100,000 from the federal reserve. Sensing opportunity, Goodwin gathers a posse to hunt down the fugitive leader, tracking him to a nondescript inn in Coralio. Cornered, Miraflores kills himself, and Goodwin elopes with the President’s lover, taking the money with them. Although a liberal government has successfully risen to power, widespread corruption and deep poverty threaten to thrust Anchuria into further chaos. Cabbages and Kings is a collection of stories centered on this troubled tropical nation, where greed supersedes honor and the interests of the people are sold to the highest bidder. Despite or perhaps because of its critique of American influence in Latin America, Cabbages and Kings was a critical and commercial success for O. Henry, establishing his reputation as a master storyteller with a profound sense of right and wrong, and everything in between. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of O. Henry’s Cabbages and Kings is a classic of American literature reimagined for modern readers.

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Book SynopsisBracebridge Hall, written by the esteemed author, Washington Irving, is a collection of location-based character sketches, detailing the lives and personalities of the occupants of a countryside manor in Yorkshire, England, owned by a squire. Narrated by an American man who is an old acquaintance of the squire, Bracebridge Hall follows the events leading up to the wedding of the squire’s son, Guy, and his bride-to-be, Julia. Beginning with the arrival of the guests, the narrative jumps from character to character to tell their individual stories and relations to the wedding. Alongside the narratives of the wedding guests, a vivid picture of the historic Bracebridge manor is painted with careful attention to detail. The décor and architecture of the home pays homage to a time long before its own, which is even reflected in the people who serve in the estate. Many of the servants were born in the manor and inherited their parents’ job and uniform. As the wedding preparations continue, readers are allowed a privileged listen to the servant’s gossip, including the story of the rumored love affair between the squire and the eldest, most respected servant. After the gossip and conjecture of the servants completes a portrait of the manor’s history, the ceremony proceeds, honoring English tradition and proving to be an idealistic and envious affair of indulgence. With humor and sweetness, Washington Irving explores the personalities and side plots of a diverse group of characters. Including people of all classes, Bracebridge Hall portrays an idealized picture of country life in early 19th century England. The episodic form and intricate prose of Washington Irving creates an enchanting and entertaining reading experience for audiences nearly two centuries later, serving as a testament to Irving’s bold and voluptuous characterization of both the setting and characters. This edition of Washington Irving’s Bracebridge Hall is redesigned with the contemporary reader in mind. With a new, eye-catching cover design and a stylish font, Bracebridge Hall is both readable and modern.

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Book SynopsisHaving served an eighteen-month prison sentence, Bunny returns to society with a disgraced reputation. Eager to build his good name back, the young thief responds to an advertisement requesting a male nurse to aid a sick and elderly man. Meanwhile, Bunny gets a surprise visit from an old friend. Presumed to have been killed during his travels, A.J Raffles reunites with his old accomplice, his eyes already set on valuable relics to steal. Now hardened criminals, Raffles and Bunny are no longer just suave robbers. After surveying the area, Raffles becomes determined to steal a treasured gold chalice, along with other golden trinkets, from the British Museum, aiming for a more challenging target than their usual elite victims. Though Bunny is unconvinced at first, he soon agrees to the plan. Posing as museum guests, the two men sneak into the gold room, prepared to stop anyone in their way. As the two thieves settle into their new identities as notorious criminals, they face challenges new and previously experienced, including blackmail, old flames, new recruits, heists, and the ambitious efforts of Inspector Mackenzie. First published in 1901, The Black Mask by E. W Hornung was written soon after its predecessor’s release. Earning as much acclaim at the previous novel in the series, this collection of short crime fiction has inspired film and television adaptations, and continues to delight audiences with its tales of adventure, revenge, romance, and crime. This edition of author E.W Hornung’s The Black Mask, features a new, eye-catching cover design and is reprinted in a modern and readable font. With these accommodations, contemporary readers are encouraged to revisit the dramatic reunion and classic adventures of the beloved partners in crime, Raffles and Bunny.

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Book SynopsisOriginally published in 1917, The Black Box follows expert criminologist Sanford Quest, as he and his colleagues attempt to bring a suspected killer to justice. The book contains a series of loosely connected stories driven by the captivating hero. Sanford Quest puts his detective skills to the test to solve an intricate murder mystery. He uses science, gadgets, and his superior deduction skills to narrow the list of suspects. This takes him on a globetrotting adventure that spans the United States, Europe and Africa. The Black Box is a multilayered story with twists at every turn. Quest is an eccentric lead who takes readers on an unforgettable ride. The Black Box introduces an extraordinary hero who plays by his own rules. Sanford Quest is an intriguing character whose reputation precedes him. E. Phillips Oppenheim creates an engaging protagonist similar to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of The Black Box is both modern and readable.

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Book SynopsisThe Bishop and Other Stories (1919) is a collection of short stories by Russian writer Anton Chekhov. The title story of the collection, originally published in 1902, finds the author at his most introspective. Written while Chekhov was dealing with the long term effects of tuberculosis, a period in which he began to accept the inevitability of his own death, “The Bishop” is a meditative story that follows a dedicated man who, in the face of oblivion, wants nothing more than to go about his work to the best of his ability. “The Bishop” is the story of a man named Pyotr. Set during Easter Week, it begins while Pyotr is passing out palms at a service on the night before Palm Sunday. As he begins to feel faint, he sees his mother—whose presence he did not expect—and begins to cry. Over the next several days, Pyotr goes about his duties, caring for the sick and dying, officiating at the local cathedral, and meeting with his colleagues, all while growing sicker and increasingly irritable. As he succumbs to typhoid fever, his mother and his faith are all he has left in a world that will soon forget him. “The Letter” is a similarly religious, earlier story in which a conversation between two priests, Father Orlov and Father Anastasi, is interrupted by the deacon. As the three discuss what is to be done with the deacon’s wayward son, the difference between morality and mercy is illuminated for all to see. The Bishop and Other Stories is a collection of seven short works of fiction by Russian literary icon Anton Chekhov. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Anton Chekhov’s The Bishop and Other Stories is a classic of Russian literature reimagined for modern readers.

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Book SynopsisA.J Raffles, a prominent member in London society and well-respected athlete, has a shocking secret identity; he is a notorious thief. Always chasing the thrill of a heist or pickpocketing, Raffles attends test cricket games under the slight guise of interest for the sport. Though he genuinely loves the game, Raffles is more tempted by the long duration of the test matches, granting him plenty of time and opportunity to steal from the wealthy spectators. Well-seasoned in this crime, Raffles eventually initiates a partner to assist him in his transgressions. Having idolized the older man’s athletic career, Bunny is a young man who admires Raffles. As their friendship grows, the size of their crimes follows, stealing diamonds, committing felonies, aiding fugitives, and executing daring heists. However, as they continue to commit crimes, they catch the attention of a Scotland Yard detective. While Inspector Mackenzie begins to suspect that Raffles and Bunny are the notorious robbers tormenting the London elite, he watches their every move, desperate to find evidence that proves his suspicions. With eight stories featuring complex characters, heists, plots, and even murder, The Amateur Cracksman by E.W Hornung is full of suspense and adventure. First published in 1899, The Amateur Cracksman was well-received by its original audience, inspiring film adaptations and literary sequels. Beginning E.W Hornung’s famed crime series, The Amateur Cracksman introduces the complicated and charming characters that audiences grew to love, A.J Raffles and Bunny. With action, intrigue, and even romance, The Amateur Cracksman starts a timeless series that remains to be exciting for contemporary audiences. This edition of author E.W Hornung’s The Amateur Cracksman, features a new, eye-catching cover design and is reprinted in a modern and readable font. With these accommodations, contemporary readers are encouraged to revisit the classic adventures and mishaps of the beloved partners in crime, Raffles and Bunny.

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Book SynopsisMrs. Spring Fragrance (1912) is a collection of short stories by Sui Sin Far. Inspired by her experience living among Chinese Americans in San Francisco and Seattle, Mrs. Spring Fragrance is considered one of the earliest works of fiction published in the United States by a woman of Chinese heritage. In “The Inferior Woman,” Mrs. Spring Fragrance encounters her neighbors, the Carmans, as they try to find someone to marry their son. While Mrs. Carman wants him to marry into a family of higher social standing, her son is in love with a local girl who works as a legal secretary. Known by Mrs. Carman as the “Inferior Woman,” she has risen through hard work and perseverance to achieve her position at the law firm. Sympathetic toward her neighbor’s son, Mrs. Spring Fragrance advocates on his behalf. “In the Land of the Free” is the story of a Chinese immigrant who is separated from her young son upon arrival due to insufficient paperwork. Exploring the struggles of this woman to reclaim her son, Sui Sin Far exposes the discrimination and hardships faced by Chinese Americans due to the Chinese Exclusion Act, illuminating the byzantine and restrictive immigration policies which sadly continue under a different guise in modern America. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Sui Sin Far’s Mrs. Spring Fragrance is a classic of Chinese American literature reimagined for modern readers.

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Book SynopsisThe Eight Strokes of the Clock (1922) is a collection of short stories by Maurice Leblanc. Partly based on the life of French anarchist Marius Jacob, Arsène Lupin first appeared in print in 1905 as an answer to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes. Blending crime fiction, fantasy, and mystery, Leblanc crafts original and entertaining tales of adventure starring one of the greatest literary characters of all time—Arsène Lupin, gentleman thief. Arsène Lupin is the world’s greatest thief, an unmatched force for good whose exploits threaten the wealth and standing of France’s most wicked men. In this debut installment of Leblanc’s beloved series, Lupin uses his remarkable wit and chameleon-like ability to move undetected through aristocratic society in order to steal, trick, and cheat his way through life. Despite his criminal nature, he operates under a strict moral code, only taking from those who have taken from the poor all their lives. In this collection of short stories, Lupin reveals the adventures of a strangely familiar figure—himself. Using the alias Prince Rénine, he recalls some of his most thrilling escapades. With the help of his beautiful comrade Hortense, the Prince sets out to solve the mysterious disappearance and murder of several women. When Hortense goes missing, he fears for the worst, and must race against time in order to save her life. The Eight Strokes of the Clock is a story of romance, mystery, and crime that continues to astound over a century after it was published. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Maurice Leblanc’s The Eight Strokes of the Clock is a classic of French literature reimagined for modern readers.

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Book SynopsisThe Confessions of Arsène Lupin (1913) is a collection of short stories by Maurice Leblanc. Blending crime fiction, fantasy, and mystery, Leblanc crafts original and entertaining tales of adventure starring one of the greatest literary characters of all time—Arsène Lupin, gentleman thief. Partly based on the life of French anarchist Marius Jacob, Lupin first appeared in print in 1905 as an answer to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes. Arsène Lupin is the world’s greatest thief, an unmatched force for good whose exploits threaten the wealth and standing of France’s most wicked men. In this installment of Leblanc’s beloved series, Lupin uses his remarkable wit and chameleon-like ability to move undetected through aristocratic society in order to steal, trick, and cheat his way through life. Despite his criminal nature, he operates under a strict moral code, only taking from those who have taken from the poor all their lives. When Baron Repstein, a powerful businessman, has his fortune stolen by a faithless wife, Arsène Lupin casts doubt on his tale of betrayal. Securing a deathbed confession via code from the Baron’s closest associate, Lupin makes his way to Repstein’s home, where he introduces himself and proceeds to reveal the shocking truth. Other stories in the collection include “The wedding-ring,” “The red silk scarf,” and “A Tragedy in the Forest of Morgues.” The Confessions of Arsène Lupin contains tales of romance, mystery, and crime that continue to astound over a century after they were published. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Maurice Leblanc’s The Confessions of Arsène Lupin is a classic of French literature reimagined for modern readers.

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Book SynopsisMr. and Mrs. Dunbar: Poems, Plays and Prose (2021) is a selection of the literary works of Paul Laurence Dunbar and Alice Dunbar Nelson. With such collections Oak and Ivy (1892) and Majors and Minors (1896), Paul Laurence Dunbar earned a reputation as an artist with a powerful vision of faith and perseverance who sought to capture and examine the diversity of the African American experience. In her poems, plays, and stories, Alice Dunbar Nelson explores themes of class, prejudice, faith, and romance while paying particular attention to the phenomenon of racial passing. Mr. and Mrs. Dunbar: Poems, Plays and Prose includes dozen of their individual literary works in a compact, carefully curated volume. Throughout his oeuvre, Dunbar explores the role of the poet in society, grounding each poem within his identity as a Black man in America. In “Frederick Douglass,” an elegy written for the occasion of the great man’s passing, Dunbar makes clear the consequences of pride and defiance in a nation built by slaves: “He dared the lightning in the lightning’s track, / And answered thunder with his thunder back.” In “The Place Where the Rainbow Ends,” Dunbar, perhaps reflecting on his proximity to death, provides a simple song with a cautionary, utopian vision of hope and happiness: “Oh, many have sought it, / And all would have bought it, / With the blood we so recklessly spend; / But none has uncovered, / The gold, nor discovered / The spot at the rainbow’s end.” Meditative and bittersweet, Dunbar rejects wealth and power as a means of achieving fulfillment, looking instead to establish an inner peace for himself that he might “find without motion, / The place where the rainbow ends,” a place “[w]here care shall be quiet, / And love shall run riot, / And [he] shall find wealth in [his] friends.” Whether a vision of heaven or of the possibility of peace on earth, this poem finds echoes across Dunbar’s penultimate volume. Nearing death at such a young age, he prepares himself to lose the life he had fought so hard to achieve, a life devoted to reaching the hearts and minds of others. Mine Eyes Have Seen (1918) is a one-act play by Alice Dunbar Nelson. Published in The Crisis, the influential journal of the NAACP, Mine Eyes Have Seen is a brutal portrait of race and identity in twentieth century America. Exploring themes of violence, faith, patriotism, and economic struggle, Dunbar Nelson crafts a poignant and unforgettable work of fiction. In the short story “The Goodness of St. Rocque,” Manuela is a popular young woman of status in New Orleans’ thriving Creole community. Like many women her age, she hopes to marry a handsome and successful man. Setting her sights on Theophile, she prepares to be courted in the traditional manner of her people. When rumor gets out that he has been spending time with Claralie, a beautiful blonde, Manuela is forced to seek supernatural assistance. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Mr. and Mrs. Dunbar: Poems, Plays and Prose is a classic of African American literature reimagined for modern readers.

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Book SynopsisMaroon Medicine (1905) is a short story collection by E. A. Dodd. Published by the All Jamaica Library under the pseudonym E. Snod, Maroon Medicine was the first collection of short stories written by a Caribbean author. Inspired by Anansi, a spider-trickster spirit from West African folklore, Maroon Medicine is a highly original work of fiction that paved the way for generations of fiction writers across the Caribbean. “‘An a what me got fe Chris’mas bar dis little maugre pig? Me cawfee no sell well, and me premento don bear, a what me got? Me we have to do sompin?’” Mr. Watson, a rather weak man with little talent for farming, is desperate to earn money before Christmas. When his neighbor stops by to chat, he hears how the man’s wife has been struggling to overcome a debilitating illness through a series of herbal medicines. Suggesting he knows more than he does about herbs and other native ingredients, Watson realizes there is money to be made in healing the sick—or at least in trying. Soon, he gets his business off the ground. The four stories of this collection—“Maroon Medicine,” “Paccy rum,” “Red cock,” and “Courting of the dudes”—capture the wit and determination of Mr. Watson, a character who does his best to get by with the little he has. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of E. A. Dodd’s Maroon Medicine is a classic of Jamaican literature reimagined for modern readers.

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Book SynopsisThe Tale or Mr. Peter Brown is a story by Vita Sackville-West. While she is most widely recognized as the lover of English novelist Virginia Woolf, Sackville-West was a popular and gifted poet, playwright, and novelist in her own right. A prominent lesbian and bohemian figure, Sackville-West was also the daughter of an English Baron, granting her a unique and often divided perspective on life in the twentieth century. The Tale of Mr. Peter Brown is a tale of mystery, romance, and loneliness. “[H]e let his gaze dwell on me as he passed; let it dwell on me quite perceptibly, quite definitely, with an air of curious speculation, a hesitation, almost an appeal, and I thought he was about to speak, but instead of that he crushed his hat, an old black wideawake, down over his strange white hair, and hurrying resolutely on towards the swing-doors of the restaurant, he passed out and was lost in the London night.” Mr. Peter Brown is a man with secrets. The next time he encounters the narrator, he shares the story of his life. Formerly homeless, he was taken in by his friends, a married couple who were generous enough to give him food and shelter. As he spends more and more time with them, he begins to observe their unhappiness, how the wife not only fears her husband, but seems to disdain him. Soon, he begins an illicit affair, making love to his friend while her husband is away on business. Tragic and sinister, The Tale of Mr. Peter Brown is a story of human desire. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Vita Sackville-West’s The Tale of Mr. Peter Brown is a classic of English literature reimagined for modern readers.

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Book SynopsisMashi and Other Stories (1918) is a collection of short stories by Rabindranath Tagore. Published after Tagore received the 1913 Nobel Prize in Literature, Mashi and Other Stories contains some of the author’s most beloved works of short fiction, including “Mashi,” “The Skeleton,” “The Postmaster,” and “The River Stairs.” “Mashi remained silent, suppressing a sigh. Not once, but often she had seen Jotin spending the night on the verandah wet with the splashing rain, yet not caring to go into his bedroom. Many a day he lay with a throbbing head, longing, she knew, that Mani would come and soothe his brow, while Mani was getting ready to go to the theatre. Yet when Mashi went to fan him, he sent her away petulantly.” On his deathbed, Jotin experiences heartache like no other as his young wife Mani neglects him for her own friends and family. Cared for by his aunt Mashi, the young man spends his final days in sorrow, longing for his love to return to him one last time. “Mashi,” the title story of the collection, is one of fourteen stories of romance, faith, and tragedy by Bengali polymath and Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Rabindranath Tagore’s Mashi and Other Stories is a classic of Indian literature reimagined for modern readers.

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Book SynopsisThe Hungry Stones and Other Stories (1916) is a collection of short stories by Rabindranath Tagore. Published following his ascension to international fame with the 1912 Nobel Prize in Literature, the collection contains some of Tagore’s most celebrated works of fiction. “Before a week had passed, the place began to exert a weird fascination upon me. It is difficult to describe or to induce people to believe; but I felt as if the whole house was like a living organism slowly and imperceptibly digesting me by the action of some stupefying gastric juice.” In the title story of the collection, a tax collector moves to a deserted palace on the outskirts of a small town. Devoting himself to his daily work, he returns home at night to sleep and spends as little time as possible indoors. Rumored to be haunted, the palace was built during the height of the Mughal Empire and was once a symbol of fortune for all those who entered its gate or passed it by along the road. For Srijut, however, it is a source of terror and unease, a living entity filled with restless spirits who all seem to vie for his soul. Elsewhere in the collection, Tagore explores the lives of rich and poor, giving voice to struggling writers, suffering wives, and young servants alike with an ease and familiarity possessed by the purest of storytellers. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Rabindranath Tagore’s The Hungry Stones and Other Stories is a classic of Indian literature reimagined for modern readers.

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Book Synopsis“The style of Hawthorne is purity itself. His tone is singularly effective-wild, plaintive, thoughtful, and in full accordance with his themes.”- Edgar Allan Poe “To this little book we would say ‘Live ever, sweet, sweet book.’ It comes from the hand of a man of genius.”-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Twice-Told Tales is a spectacularly rich collection of thirty-nine penetrating stories. With a rare purity of style, these tales chronicle both familiar life and haunted specters through a lens of subtle mysticism and deep melancholy. The title is a nod to Shakespeare’s line “Life is a tedious as a twice-told tale/Vexing the ear of a drowsy man.”; it furthermore is Hawthorne’s acknowledgment that these stories all had been previously published in various magazines and newspapers of the day. Never one to shy from exploring themes of darkness and morality, these stories beg for repeated readings in order to fully grasp their true richness; yet, there is a sheer enjoyment in the subtle, truly imaginative beauty in each one. Amongst this collection are the tales “The Ambitious Guest,” “The Minister’s Black Veil,” “The May-Pole of Merry Mount,” “The Hollow of Three Hills,” “The Haunted Mind,” and “Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment” which was adapted into the 1963 Horror Film starring Vincent Price. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Twice-Told Tales is both modern and readable.

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Book SynopsisWith seven short stories, The Troll Garden is a comprehensive exploration of American artists, and the trials they face. In Flavia and Her Artists, a young woman named Imogen goes to visit her friend Flavia, who is a patron of artists. Joining Flavia’s group of artists, Imogen becomes immersed in the drama and gossip of the group. As Imogen witnesses the animosity of the group steadily grow, she realizes that it stems from Flavia’s own insecurities and arrogance. The Sculptor’s Funeral depicts the funeral of a successful sculptor, Harvey Marrick. When his body is returned to his hometown for his burial, there is a mix of emotions from his family and old acquaintances. Only Jim Lavid, Harvey’s old friend, truly mourns the death. However, Jim must wrestle with both grief and jealousy when he considers that Harvey was able to leave their small town, something Jim himself never could. With a similar tone, A Death in the Desert follows a man as he wrestles with his identity. Sharing a strong physical resemblance to his prodigy brother, Everett Hilgarde feels haunted by his brother’s shadow, robbing him of his sense of self. As the last story in the collection, Paul’s Case creates an echo that stays in the reader’s mind long after the tale is finished. When Paul, a young boy who has trouble fitting in, steals money from his father, he decides to run away to New York, pretending to be rich and fulfilling the life he’d always wanted. The Troll Garden by Willa Cather explores the melancholy tales of tortured artists without dwelling on the sorrow, instead focusing on the relatable instances and decisions that lead to such predicaments. Though first published one-hundred and fifteen years ago in 1905, Cather explores ever-present issues of identity, failure, and dreams that have remained to be relevant to a current audience. As her debut work of fiction, The Troll Garden marks a capstone in Willa Cather’s prolific career. Now presented in an easy-to-read font and with a striking new cover design, this edition of Willa Cather’s The Troll Garden is modern and relevant to a contemporary audience.

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Book SynopsisIn Tales of Soldiers and Civilians and Other Stories, humor and horror paint a bleak picture of war, marked by violence, isolation and looming madness. Despite the subject matter, the macabre tone is balanced by the author’s satirical prose and signature levity. Tales of Soldiers and Civilians and Other Stories is a literary collection from writer and veteran Ambrose Bierce. The leading title focuses on the realities of battle and various conflicts in the field. Stories such as “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge,” “One of the Missing” and “Chickamauga,” are heavily influenced by the American Civil War. Others focus on civilians who experience a different kind of tragedy in a domestic setting. Ambrose Bierce is considered one of the most prolific and influential short story writers of all-time. His works have left an indelible mark on countless authors including Ernest Hemingway and Stephen Crane. Bierce is often considered a master of realistic fiction, alongside Edgar Allen Poe and H.P. Lovecraft. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Tales of Soldiers and Civilians and Other Stories is both modern and readable.

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Book Synopsis“Start a story by Conan Doyle and you cannot stop reading, whether you are ten or sixty.” -Michael Dirda “The immense talent, passion and literary brilliance that Conan Doyle brought to his work gives him a unique place in English letters.”-Stephen Fry Arthur Conan Doyle’s Tales of Terror and Mystery (1922) is a haunting collection of twelve stories that highlights his extraordinary skills of storytelling. The first six stories are bloodcurdling tales of horror, and includes the macabre classic “The New Catacomb”. The last six stories, closer in form to the Sherlock Holmes work, includes the classic railroad mystery, “The Lost Special”. One of the stand-out works in the entire collection is “The Horror of the Heights”; in a story that straddles both the science fiction and horror genres, the journals of a missing pilot reveal the existence of terrifying creatures that lurk in the upper atmosphere. “The New Catacomb”, in Doyle’s tribute to Edgar Allan Poe, tells the revenge story of two rival archeologists as they sink deeper into an endless Roman catacomb. In the evocative story “The Lost Special”, a train has mysteriously disappeared without trace between two stations. When the only evidence of the enigma is the dead body of the locomotive driver, the local newspaper becomes a platform to solve the mystery. The intrigue of speculation and reasoning is on par with the best of the Sherlock Holmes adventures. Tense, disturbing, and dark, these stories will keep readers captivated until the final page. Other stories included are: “The Leather Funnel”, “The Case of Lady Sannox”, “The Terror of Blue John Gap”, “The Brazilian Cat”, “The Beetle-Hunter”, “The Man with the Watches”, “The Japanned Box”, “The Black Doctor”, and “The Jew’s Breastplate”. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Tales of Terror and Mystery is both modern and readable.

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Book SynopsisThe King in Yellow is a premier collection of horror fiction consisting of 10 short stories with similar styles or concepts shaped by early mythology. Half the tales highlight an infamous play that’s rumored to invoke fear, paranoia and madness within its readers. The first four stories feature a “yellow” theme tied to the play, a specific symbol or supernatural force. “The Repairer of Reputations," "The Mask," "In the Court of the Dragon" and "The Yellow Sign" have a strong connection due to a shared motif and macabre tone. The book’s other entries subvert expectations by shifting focus to less mythical topics like war and romance. Each setting varies with action occurring in either America or Europe. More than 100 years after its release, The King in Yellow is considered an essential work of horror fiction. Chambers’ chilling prose and intricate world-building has made it a favorite among scholars and genre fans alike. Its reach spans multiple mediums including television and film, making it one of the most influential books of all-time. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of The King in Yellow is both modern and readable.

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Book SynopsisThe Lady with the Dog and Other Stories (1917) is a collection of nine stories by Russian writer Anton Chekhov. Recognized today as foundational for the development of the modern short story, Anton Chekhov has transcended Russian literature to become one of the most popular and acclaimed authors in history, in any language. This collection includes “The Lady with the Dog,” a meditative tale of forbidden desire and the frailty of hope described by Vladimir Nabokov as “one of the greatest stories ever written” despite breaking “[a]ll the traditional rules” of storytelling. The title story of the collection follows Dmitri Gurov, a married middle-aged man who falls in love with a young newlywed while on vacation in Yalta. The woman he desires, Anna Sergeyevna, is also unhappy with her marriage, and soon the two spend their days together before Anna decides to go home to her husband. Back in Moscow, Gurov—a man who has had many affairs—finds himself unable to shake the memory of Anna, and longs for the chance to see her once more. In “A Doctor’s Visit,” a young doctor named Korlyov journeys to the home of a recently deceased industrialist, where he has been called to care for the frail heiress Liza. There, he finds himself beset with dark thoughts and even darker visions, and soon discovers that the cure for Liza’s illness may be far beyond his skill. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Anton Chekhov’s The Lady with the Dog and Other Stories is a classic of Russian literature reimagined for modern readers.

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Book Synopsis"Will writers ever recover that peculiar blend of security and alertness which characterizes Mrs. Wharton and her tradition?” -- E. M. ForsterThe Descent of Man and Other Stories offers the author’s well-known depictions of upper class life in New York, but also exhibits her remarkable talent in tales of humorous irony, history and the supernatural. Originally published in 1904 The Descent of Man and Other Stories features the author’s nuanced prose and sharply observed characters in a chain of unforgettable tales. In several Wharton examines marriage, which was frequently arranged in her era. The author digs deep into her characters to find what can hold a marriage together or slowly pull it apart. The difficulty of establishing and maintaining honest relations in a highly stratified and proper society is a consistent challenge for her characters, especially in the title story in which a man of principle finds himself misunderstood and forced to potentially compromise his beliefs. Wharton also affords glimpses into the trials of being an author, drawing both drama and humor from the profession. There’s a chance to sample the author’s ghostly fiction, which has long been appreciated by aficionados of the macabre. This is a showcase for the author’s range of interests and for her remarkable ability to tell memorable stories that strike to the heart. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of The Descent of Man and Other Stories is both modern and readable.

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Book SynopsisFrom the coast of West Africa to the streets of Europe, the peculiar Augustus “Bones” Tibbetts is unknowingly pulled into various financial plots and schemes. As part of Edgar Wallace's Sanders of the River collection, Bones in London follows the endearing military man as he haplessly juggles business and politics. Augustus Tibbetts, also known as Bones, has left the coast of Africa for the bustling streets of England. As the new managing director of Schemes Ltd., he suddenly finds himself at the center of multiple mishaps. Along with his trusted assistant Miss Winfield, the duo encounters questionable characters and unexpected ploys. Despite the circumstance, Bones stays true to his nature and finds a way to come out on top. Wallace uses the affable protagonist to highlight corrupt business practices within London. It is an issue that affects both upper and lower-class citizens making it relatable to a broader audience. With Bones’ unique perspective and eccentric voice, he balances the dark tone with genuine humor and heart. Bones in London is one of many entries in the author's vast catalog, which includes Bones (1915), Lieutenant Bones (1918), and Bones of the River (1923). Each book is a serialized version of short stories originally published in The Weekly Tale-Teller, The Windsor Magazine, and The 20-Story Magazine. For more than a century, these classic titles have delivered mystery and intrigue for readers of all ages. Wallace’s work was integral to the creation of contemporary crime drama. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Bones in London is both modern and readable.

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Book SynopsisOriginally published in 1920, Bliss and Other Stories, is an iconic collection of Katherine Mansfield’s masterful narratives that include “The Man Without a Temperament." This captivating work embodies the author’s signature style and unmistakable tone. Bliss and Other Stories consists of fourteen anecdotes written during the early 1900s. It features “Mr. Reginald Peacock's Day,” which follows a disgruntled husband who harshly criticizes his wife, and “The Wind Blows,” a surprising tale about a girl’s revelation surrounding a memory from her childhood. “Pictures” centers a downtrodden woman on the brink of poverty, while “The Little Governess” follows a naïve young woman as she travels from France to Munich. In Bliss and Other Stories Mansfield is able to find the spectacular in the ordinary. No matter the circumstance, the characters are faced with subtle but shocking realizations. Whether it’s family or friendship, human connection plays a pivotal role. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Bliss and Other Stories is both modern and readable.

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Book SynopsisFifteen vivid stories set in Europe and Mansfield’s native New Zealand populate this selection of tales inspired by the complex nature of the human condition. The author delivers an insightful look at modern behavior post-World War I. The Garden Party and Other Stories features multiple tales highlighting the highs and lows of contemporary life. The title story, “The Garden Party,” centers on a wealthy young woman struggling with the concept of mortality, while “The Daughters of the Late Colonel” follows two sisters debating their livelihood after their father’s death. These stories present bold questions and internal conflicts that profoundly affect each character. This selection is an enduring part of Katherine Mansfield’s legacy. Written during her final years, The Garden Party and Other Stories is one of her most viable and celebrated works. It’s a delightful collection of short stories fueled by the intricacies of human nature. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of The Garden Party and Other Stories is both modern and readable.

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Book SynopsisChivalry (1909) is a fascinating collection of tales that draw inspiration from the popular chronicles of medieval Europe. Author James Branch Cabell immerses his reader into this distant world , masking his authorship in order to ensure a fluidity of form and content that injects his work of high fantasy with a sense of truth. Intentionally layered in mystery and claims of authenticity, Chivalry purports to be a copy made by royal scribe Colard Mansion of the Dizain of Queens, a collection of chronicles, tales, and histories written by Messire Nicolas de Caen for the Princess Isabella of Portugal. In “The Story of the Sestina,” a traveling singer has a chance encounter with the Queen of England, who recognizes him as the esteemed Osmund Heleigh and requests of him a song. As he joins her on her journey through war-torn countryside, two things become clear—the pair have a secret history, and, as battle nears, Osmund will soon have to offer more than his songs in her service. As the collection’s title suggests, many of Cabell’s stories follow a similar theme: the relationship between men and women within a system regulated by honor, responsibility, and often blind loyalty. “The Story of the Tenson,” set in Spain in 1265, follows Ellinor of Castile’s efforts to escape her marriage in the pursuit of love. In “The Story of the Choices,” Queen Ysabeau of England eases her boredom by devising a series of trials for the knight Sir Gregory Darrell. Over the course of ten tales, tales of danger, romance, intrigue, and courage, James Branch Cabell’s Chivalry broadens the mystery of the medieval world while illuminating, and critiquing, our own. Cabell’s work has long been described as escapist, his novels and stories derided as fantastic and obsessive recreations of a world lost long ago. To read Chivalry, however, is to understand that the issues therein—the struggle for power, the unspoken distance between men and women—were vastly important not only at the time of its publication, but in our own, divisive world. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of James Branch Cabell’s Chivalry is a classic of fantasy and romance reimagined for modern readers.

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Book SynopsisThe Conjure Woman (1899) is a collection of stories by African American author, lawyer, and political activist Charles Chesnutt. “The Goophered Grapevine,” the collection’s opening story, was originally published in The Atlantic in 1887, making Chesnutt the first African American to have a story published in the magazine. The Conjure Woman is now considered a masterpiece of African American fiction for its use of folklore and exploration of racist stereotypes of Black Americans, especially those living in the South. In “The Goophered Grapevine,” an old ex-slave named Julius McAdoo—a coachman hired by a white Northerner named John—warns his employer about the land he has decided to purchase. He tells him the story of the vineyard’s previous owner, who hired a woman named Aunt Peggy to put a curse on his famous scuppernong grapes in order to stop his slaves from eating them. Each story in The Conjure Woman follows a similar formula, beginning with a narrative situation involving John and his wife, Annie, before leading to a story from Uncle Julius. “Po’ Sandy,” one of Chesnutt’s most acclaimed tales—and a loose adaptation of Ovid’s Metamorphoses—opens with John deciding to build a new kitchen for his wife. Uncle Julius drives him to the saw mill, where, while watching the saw cut through a log, he is reminded of the story of Sandy, a local man who was turned into a tree by a conjurer in order to escape slavery. The Conjure Woman is a powerful collection of folk takes and stories exploring themes of race, identity, and class in the nineteenth century South. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Charles Chesnutt’s The Conjure Woman is a classic of African American literature reimagined for modern readers.

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Book Synopsis“With just one collection of stories, Joyce left his mark on almost every short-story writer who followed him” -The Guardian In this collection of revelatory stories of Dublin in the late 19th century, James Joyce presented the everyday depiction of ordinary characters in moments of an epiphany. The fifteen stories begin with characters in childhood, and progress into adolescence, and finally into maturity. The final story, “The Dead” is considered one of the most extraordinary stories ever written in the English language. Many of the characters within this collection reappear in Joyce’s later work. Dubliners is a remarkably modern work, yet the most accessible of all of Joyce’s writing. Authored in his early twenties, the short stories were completed in 1907, but were not published until 1914 due to many passages in the narratives that were considered too provocative to print. The stories in Dubliners were initially commissioned by an Irish farming magazine to depict quaint and brief tales of Irish life. Three stories were published before the magazine editor deemed the material unsuitable for the readership. Those appear among this extraordinary collection of 15 stories, which include: The Sisters, An Encounter, Araby, Eveline, After the Race, Two Gallants, The Boarding House, A Little Cloud, Counterparts, Clay, A Painful Case, Ivy Day in the Committee Room, A Mother, Grace, The Dead. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Dubliners is both modern and readable.

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Book SynopsisThe Thinking Machine (1907) is a short story collection by Jacques Futrelle. Published at the height of his career as a leading popular detective and science fiction writer, The Thinking Machine collects stories that originally appeared in such publications as The Saturday Evening Post and the Boston American. Celebrated for his brisk storytelling and mastery of suspense, Jacques Futrelle was lost at sea on April 15, 1912 while returning from Europe on the HMS Titanic. His wife, who survived the disaster, had his last book dedicated to “the heroes of the Titanic.” Professor Augustus S. F. X Van Dusen, Ph.D., LL.D., F.R.S., M.D., M.D.S is a man whose intellect is as exhaustive as his name. Having learned the game of chess just hours before, he defeated grandmaster Tchaichowsky using logic and reason alone, earning himself the nickname “The Thinking Machine.” Ever since that fateful day, Van Dusen, with the help of his trusted companion Hutchinson Hatch, is called to solve crimes, complete puzzles, and face challenges no normal man could possibly endure. In “The Problem of Cell 13,” Van Dusen argues that no feat is impossible when the human mind is involved. To prove his theory, he endeavors to escape from a notoriously brutal prison in just one week’s time. Presented alongside six other stories of mystery and adventure, “The Problem of Cell 13” stands out as one of the greatest detective and suspense tales of all time. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Jacques Futrelle’s The Thinking Machine is a classic of American detective fiction reimagined for modern readers.

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Book Synopsis"Will writers ever recover that peculiar blend of security and alertness which characterizes Mrs. Wharton and her tradition?” -- E. M. ForsterThe Descent of Man and Other Stories offers the author’s well-known depictions of upper class life in New York, but also exhibits her remarkable talent in tales of humorous irony, history and the supernatural. Originally published in 1904 The Descent of Man and Other Stories features the author’s nuanced prose and sharply observed characters in a chain of unforgettable tales. In several Wharton examines marriage, which was frequently arranged in her era. The author digs deep into her characters to find what can hold a marriage together or slowly pull it apart. The difficulty of establishing and maintaining honest relations in a highly stratified and proper society is a consistent challenge for her characters, especially in the title story in which a man of principle finds himself misunderstood and forced to potentially compromise his beliefs. Wharton also affords glimpses into the trials of being an author, drawing both drama and humor from the profession. There’s a chance to sample the author’s ghostly fiction, which has long been appreciated by aficionados of the macabre. This is a showcase for the author’s range of interests and for her remarkable ability to tell memorable stories that strike to the heart. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of The Descent of Man and Other Stories is both modern and readable.

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Book Synopsis“The immense talent, passion and literary brilliance that Conan Doyle brought to his work gives him a unique place in English letters.”-Stephen Fry ”Doyle’s modesty of language conceals a profound tolerance of the human complexity”-John Le Carré ”Holmes has a timeless talent, passion and literary brilliance that puts him heads, shoulders and deerstalker above all other detectives.”- Alexander McCall Smith Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes is the quintessential collection of some of the most thrilling exploits of Detective Holmes and Dr. Watson. These eleven stories of literature’s greatest and most popular detective demonstrate Sherlock Holmes’s astounding power of deduction on full display. The stories in this treasured volume were initially published in serial form in The Strand magazine from December 1892 until December 1893, then in book form in late 1893. Set in the foggy moors of England and in the dark alleyways of Victorian London, this classic collection includes some of the best detective yarns ever written. Among the most popular tales within The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes are “Silver Blaze”, infamous for the “curious incident of the dog in the night-time”, and it’s setting in the late-Victorian sporting world; the controversial tale “The Adventure of the Cardboard Box”, originally deemed too inappropriate for publication in the original edition. Of all of the stories in the collection “The Final Problem” is the most notorious; Doyle had made the decision to stop writing about the character of Sherlock Holmes and within this legendary short story, killed off the character of Sherlock Holmes. This resulting outcry of the public was unlike anything else in literary history. Other stories include; “The Adventure of the Yellow Face”, “The Adventure of the Stockbroker’s Clerk”, “The Adventure of the Gloria Scott”, The Adventure of the Mugrave Ritual”, “The Adventure of the Reigate Squire”, “The Adventure of the Crooked Man”, “The Adventure of the Resident Patient”, “The Adventure of the Greek Interpreter”, and “The Adventure of the Navel Treaty”.As this brilliant collection demonstrates, Sherlock Holmes is one of the most engaging literary companions any reader could hope for. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes is both modern and readable.

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Book SynopsisChivalry (1909) is a fascinating collection of tales that draw inspiration from the popular chronicles of medieval Europe. Author James Branch Cabell immerses his reader into this distant world , masking his authorship in order to ensure a fluidity of form and content that injects his work of high fantasy with a sense of truth. Intentionally layered in mystery and claims of authenticity, Chivalry purports to be a copy made by royal scribe Colard Mansion of the Dizain of Queens, a collection of chronicles, tales, and histories written by Messire Nicolas de Caen for the Princess Isabella of Portugal. In “The Story of the Sestina,” a traveling singer has a chance encounter with the Queen of England, who recognizes him as the esteemed Osmund Heleigh and requests of him a song. As he joins her on her journey through war-torn countryside, two things become clear—the pair have a secret history, and, as battle nears, Osmund will soon have to offer more than his songs in her service. As the collection’s title suggests, many of Cabell’s stories follow a similar theme: the relationship between men and women within a system regulated by honor, responsibility, and often blind loyalty. “The Story of the Tenson,” set in Spain in 1265, follows Ellinor of Castile’s efforts to escape her marriage in the pursuit of love. In “The Story of the Choices,” Queen Ysabeau of England eases her boredom by devising a series of trials for the knight Sir Gregory Darrell. Over the course of ten tales, tales of danger, romance, intrigue, and courage, James Branch Cabell’s Chivalry broadens the mystery of the medieval world while illuminating, and critiquing, our own. Cabell’s work has long been described as escapist, his novels and stories derided as fantastic and obsessive recreations of a world lost long ago. To read Chivalry, however, is to understand that the issues therein—the struggle for power, the unspoken distance between men and women—were vastly important not only at the time of its publication, but in our own, divisive world. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of James Branch Cabell’s Chivalry is a classic of fantasy and romance reimagined for modern readers.

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Book SynopsisThe Blind Mother and The Last Confession (1893) is a collection of two novellas by British master of fiction Hall Caine. In the Lake District of northwest England, a young blind woman named Mercy lives with her son and elderly father on land passed down through generations. After failing both as a farmer and as a prospector—they live in country known for its rich veins of copper—her father gives up their rights to the land to Hugh Ritson, a local statesman’s son and mining engineer. Soon enough, Ritson strikes copper, makes a profit on the land, and becomes the father of Mercy’s child—before marrying the beautiful Greta. The Blind Mother is a tale of tragedy and the bond between women whose lives depend on men who fail them, time and again. In The Last Confession, a physician from London seeks mercy from a Spanish priest while laying on his deathbed. At times calmly, at others filled with wild desperation, the man recounts how he was encouraged to travel to North Africa to cure, or at least alleviate, his neurasthenia. While in Morocco, he meets a man he calls the American, who navigates this foreign world with ease and soon sweeps the narrator into a world of crime. When the physician gets a letter from England informing him of his young son’s terrible illness, he decides to break from his companion, only to be followed every step of the way by a ruthless assassin. Caine’s novella, the second in this collection, is a story of desperation, love, and guilt that searches the soul at its limit. These deceptively simple novellas combine straightforward narratives with intricate natural detail and a deep understanding of human psychology. Hall Caine’s The Blind Mother and The Last Confession is a work about ordinary people faced with extraordinary circumstances, and remains, over a century after it was published, an essential piece of English literature. Although he was one of the most famous and acclaimed authors of his time, Caine’s work remains relatively unknown today. With this edition, it is hoped that Hall Caine once again receives not only the attention he deserves, but the respect and admiration his work demands. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Hall Caine’s The Blind Mother and The Last Confession is a classic of English literature reimagined for modern readers.

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Book SynopsisWinesburg, Ohio (1919) is a collection of interrelated short stories about small-town life in the American Midwest by author Sherwood Anderson. No doubt inspired by his own decision to leave Ohio for Chicago in order to launch his career as a professional writer, these stories relate a firsthand understanding of the concerns, routines, desires, and disappointments driving the lives of many Americans in the early-twentieth century. A young man struggles to express himself, and, consumed with paranoia and loneliness, turns to violence as his only outlet. An elderly mother recalls visions of her youth and memories of lost love as she faces death alone. A reserved woman inexplicably runs naked into the rainy streets of her town. Winesburg, Ohio is built on such stories as these, dissecting with painstaking detail the inner psychological torments of a small town’s residents who remain, in the end, unmistakably human. Their longing and loneliness bring them together as much as they define what drives them apart, but ultimately it is silence and suffering which prevail. Throughout these stories, the life and development of George Willard is told in fragments, examining the extent to which we are formed in the image of others as well as the lengths to which one young man will go to avoid the fate he is born to. Winesburg, Ohio was an instant classic, a work which came not only to define Anderson’s career, but to inspire generations of writers and readers to come. Winesburg, Ohio is recognized today as a pioneering work of Modernist fiction that precipitated a sea change in not only short story writing, but the entirety of American literature. Anderson’s style is admired for its plainspoken language and psychological detail, and he was one of the first American authors to incorporate ideas from Freudian analysis within his work. Both darkly pessimistic and ultimately hopeful, Winesburg, Ohio endures because it captures the humanity of American life while offering to readers a sense of the promise of change. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Sherwood Anderson’s Winesburg, Ohio is a classic of American literature reimagined for modern readers.

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Book SynopsisThe Edgar Allan Poe Collection (2020) compiles several iconic works of short fiction and poetry by an icon of American literature. Recognized as a foundational figure of nineteenth century fiction, Poe has inspired generations of readers and writers with his craftsmanship and taste for tragedy and terror. His brief but meteoric career shaped the trajectory of American literature forever, forming a legacy without which science fiction, horror, and detective writing would surely be shells of themselves. In “The Fall of the House of Usher,” a man receives a distressing letter from an old friend requesting his presence at his family estate. There, Roderick Usher and his twin sister Madeline are found suffering from an unknown illness, and the narrator struggles to comfort them as signs of paranormal activity lead him to believe that the house itself is a living entity. “The Masque of the Red Death” is a timely work of Gothic fiction set in the abbey of a powerful prince. As the world outside suffers from a deadly plague, the prince decides to hold a masquerade for his wealthy friends and fellow nobles, unwittingly bringing death to his own fortunate doorstep. In “The Murders in the Rue Morgue,” a French detective summons the powers of analytical reasoning to investigate the deaths of two young women. Included in this collection are some of Poe’s most iconic poems, including “A Dream Within a Dream,” “The Raven,” and “Ulalume,” all of which remain indelible classics of Romantic verse, masterpieces of mystery, beauty, and slow-burning fear. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of The Edgar Allan Poe Collection is a classic of American literature reimagined for modern readers.

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Book SynopsisThe Wife of His Youth and Other Stories of the Color-Line (1899) is a collection of short stories by African American writer, lawyer, and political activist Charles Chesnutt. Originally published in a July 1888 edition of The Atlantic—in which, in 1887, Chesnutt became the first African American to have a story published in its pages—“The Wife of His Youth” has become the author’s most frequently anthologized story. The Wife of His Youth and Other Stories of the Color-Line contains nine stories and three essays by Charles Chesnutt, a pioneer of African American literature. The title story of the collection follows Mr. Ryder, a light skinned man living in a city in the American Midwest. The founder of the Blue Veins Society, a local club whose members consist of black men with European ancestry, Mr. Ryder plans to propose to a beautiful mixed-race woman named Molly Dixon. As the day of the Blue Vein Ball approaches—he hopes to propose on stage while giving a speech—Ryder meets an older black woman named Liza Jane who assisted her husband, Sam Taylor, in escaping north before the Civil War, but never heard from him again. “The Passing of Grandison,” another story in the collection, is a tale of racial passing set in the 1850s that follows a slave who travels to Canada with the help of a white man. The Wife of His Youth and Other Stories of the Color-Line is a masterful work of short fiction and essay writing from a pioneer of African American literature. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Charles Chesnutt’s The Wife of His Youth and Other Stories of the Color-Line is a classic of African American literature reimagined for modern readers.

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Book SynopsisWith two parts and seventeen stories, Stephen Crane’s The Open Boat and Other Stories is an eclectic collection that stuns with its use of naturalism and angst. In the first part, titled Minor Conflicts, Crane shares eight works of short fiction. Among these is The Bride Comes to the Yellow Sky, a tense drama that explores themes of change with the portrayal of a Texas marshal who is saved from gunfight by his bride. Death and the Child follows a journalist who, after becoming sympathetic to the Greeks as he acts as a correspondent for the war, decides to join them in their fight. Also featured in part one of The Open Boat and Other Stories is the title work. The Open Boat follows the emotional journey of four men who have survived a shipwreck as they wrestle with the realization that nature is apathetic to their fate. Titled Midnight Sketches, the second part of The Open Boat and Other Stories pays special attention to the class struggles of American Society. An Experiment in Misery features the wrenching story of a young man who wanders the streets of New York, enduring taunts and cruelty as he searches for affordable food and living accommodations. Similarly, An Ominous Baby is a brief, symbolic tale of socioeconomics as it follows a young child exploring a rich neighborhood, becoming fixated on a rich kid’s toy. With themes of romance and coming-of-age, The Pace of Youth depicts a young couple who, despite the disapproval of the girl’s father, decides to indulge in their love and elope. With dramatic and wrenching prose, Stephen Crane’s The Open Boat and Other Stories examines universal topics and themes that are still relevant to contemporary society. While depicting a vivid variety of settings, including both exotic and American landscapes, and with the depiction of complex protagonists ranging from innocent children, to journalist-turned soldiers, The Open Boat and Other Stories celebrates and features some of Stephen Crane’s best work. Now presented in an easy-to-read font and redesigned with an eye-catching cover, this edition of The Open Boat and Other Stories by Stephen Crane is catered to a modern audience.

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Book SynopsisThe Monster and Other Stories (1899) is a collection of short fiction by American writer Stephen Crane. “The Monster,” a novella, was originally published in 1898 in Harper’s Magazine and has since been recognized as one of Crane’s most important works, a story which critiques the racism prevalent in American society. In 1899, it was published alongside “The Blue Hotel” and “His New Mittens” in The Monster and Other Stories, which was the last work by Crane to be published during his lifetime. In “The Monster,” set in the fictional town of Whilomville, an African American coachmen employed by the wealthy Trescott family is horribly disfigured while attempting to save their young son Jimmie from a house fire. Despite his gruesome injuries, Henry Johnson survives, and Dr. Trescott gratefully nurses him back to health and offers him a place to stay on the family property. Meanwhile, the white townspeople, who view Johnson as a monster, vilify the Trescotts for transgressing the unspoken rules of racial segregation. As Johnson attempts to return to some sense of normalcy, he is rejected both by the African American and white communities, and retreats into a lonely, quiet life. “The Blue Hotel” is a story of violence, fate, and hatred, of a place where loneliness reigns among strangers, and where fear is a troublesome friend. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Stephen Crane’s The Monster and Other Stories is a classic of American literature reimagined for modern readers.

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Book Synopsis Separated into four parts, Tales of a Traveller features twenty-seven works of short fiction, all catering to a sense of adventure and interest in the macabre. The first part, titled Strange Stories by a Nervous Gentleman explores the odd escapades of its protagonists. In The Adventure of a German Student, a young man meets a strange woman on a stormy night, looking for shelter. The student allows the woman to stay in his apartment for the night, but the morning brings consequences that he never could have imagined. The second part of the collection is titled Buckthrone and his Friends and features anecdotes from the life of a man named Buckthrone while exploring the struggles and experiences of artists. In The Club of Queer Fellows, Buckthrone introduces the narrator to a lesser-known bar that acts as a hangout spot for interesting and offbeat people, such as actors and literary critics. Titled The Italian Banditti, part three of Tales of a Traveller, follows a string of robberies and unlikely heroes. As the fourth and final part of the collection, The Money Diggers features exciting tales of pirates and curses. Based on the real historical figure, Captain William Kidd, Kidd the Pirate depicts a young man who is hired to stop the pirates, but becomes one instead. Also included in the final part of Tales of a Traveller is the famed short story The Devil and Tom Walker. After a mysterious figure called Old Scratch offers to reveal the riches of Captain Kidd in exchange for a great price, Tom Walker is faced with a tricky decision. With tales of underdogs, mystery, horror, and adventure, Tales of the Traveller by Washington Irving guarantees delight. Set in America, Germany, and Paris, Tales of the Traveller is inclusive in setting and genre, displaying some of Washington Irving’s best work. Featuring twenty-seven works of short fiction, and redesigned with a striking new cover and stylish font, this edition of Washington Irving’s Tales of a Traveller is accessible and perfect for a contemporary audience.

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