Anthologies & Short Stories

Book SynopsisIn this collection of thirty-four essays and short stories, Washington Irving explores the personality of his pseudonym, Geoffrey Crayon, while providing a study on human behavior. Rip Van Winkle introduces the famed literacy title character, an unmotivated, care-free man who drinks and parties with strangers in the mountains, falls asleep, and wakes up twenty years later in post-revolution America. Also among this collection are tales of sentiment, such as The Broken Heart, which follows a young woman who grieves the death of her lover. Often described as a tear-jerking narrative, The Widow and Her Son depicts an old Englishwoman as she cares for her dying son after his return from his military service at sea. Switching moods, A Sunday in London provides a vivid portrait of a day in London, focusing on the ways the Church influenced the day’s events. In a similar observant lens, The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon includes a five-part narrative on Christmas celebrations, starting with a refection on the holiday and concluding with a description of Christmas dinner. Finally, the collection ends with the famous and beloved tale of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horsemen in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Featuring ghost stories, anthropological essays, and emotional narratives, <1> The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon includes the best works of Washington Irving. Originally published as a serial publication starting 1819, The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon was released in seven highly anticipated installments. With sentiment, elegance, and beautiful prose that excites the imagination, Irving sought to eliminate the animosity between English and American literature with this collection of work. The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon impressed both Americans and the British, capturing the attention of many other influential writers such as Sir Walter Scott and Lord Byron. With classic stories, characters, and a privileged look into historical events and traditions, Washington Irving’s The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon continues to excite and satiate readers, even two-hundred years later. This edition of Washington Irving’s The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon features an eye-catching cover design and is printed in a stylish font, creating an approachable reading experience for a modern audience.

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Book SynopsisWith earnest sentimentality, Old Christmas by the prolific author Washington Irving spreads a simple message of joy as it provides a descriptive narrative on the traditions, origins, and miscellaneous details of the celebration of an English Christmas. Separated into five parts, Old Christmas begins with Christmas, a reflection on the holiday’s origins and meaning. Next, The Stage-Coach follows the speaker, Geoffrey Crayon, as he travels with children to Bracebridge Hall, a country estate, to celebrate the holiday. Christmas Eve details the events after his arrival to the manor, and begins the description of holiday traditions, including the old practices that Crayon preferred as well as the new traditions younger generations had adopted. Continuing to describe and compare the Christmas customs, Christmas Day examines and explores the celebration of the actual holiday, taking advantage of the preparations made nearly a month in advance. Finally, Old Christmas finishes with the decadent feast of Christmas day, including specifics on what they ate and how it was prepared. With a complete description of an English celebration of the beloved holiday, Old Christmas creates a lively and intimate portrait of a 19th century Christmas. Published in 1876, Washington Irving’s Old Christmas has become a tradition itself, as it treats audiences with a serene and cozy reading experience perfect for the holidays. While comparing Christmas traditions both new and old, and mapping how they’ve changed over time, Irving reveals treasured details of a 19th Century Christmas celebration, and inadvertently invites modern audiences to compare their customs to those portrayed so fondly in Old Christmas. This edition of Washington Irving’s Old Christmas features a striking new cover design and is reprinted in an easy-to-read font, restoring the classic literary work to modern standards while holding respect for the original. With these accommodations Old Christmas is the perfect companion for contemporary readers during the holiday season.

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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 SynopsisThe Four Million (1906) is a collection of short stories by American writer O. Henry. Inspired by his experiences as a fugitive and in prison, these stories address themes of poverty, persecution, and hope. The Four Million refers to the population of New York City, where O. Henry was living at the time of its composition. Containing twenty-five works of short fiction, the collection includes several of the author’s best-known stories. “The Gift of the Magi” is a heartwarming story of a young married couple who struggle to afford gifts for one another in the days leading up to Christmas. Delia, placing her husband’s happiness before her own, sells her own hair in order to afford a platinum pocket watch chain. When she returns home, however, she finds that Jim has made a similar sacrifice. In “The Skylight Room,” a typist named Miss Leeson tries to find work while renting the smallest room at Mrs. Parker’s boarding house. In a moment of quiet desperation, she names a star “Billy Jackson” while staring out of the room’s tiny skylight, a view she soon struggles to afford. “The Cop and the Anthem” follows a homeless man named Soapy. As winter approaches, he commits a series of petty crimes in order to be taken to the shelter of jail. When his attempts fail, however, he discovers that justice has a cruel way of revealing itself. The Four Million, one of O. Henry’s finest works, is an exemplary collection of short fiction that showcases the author’s empathetic and hopeful outlook on poverty and American life. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of O. Henry’s The Four Million is a classic of American literature reimagined for modern readers.

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Book SynopsisWhirligigs (1910) is a collection of short stories by American writer O. Henry. Inspired by his experiences as a fugitive and in prison, these stories address themes of poverty and provincial life with humor and abundant empathy. “The Ransom of Red Chief,” the most notable of the collection’s twenty-four stories, is considered one of Henry’s finest works and has been adapted numerous times for television and film. “The Ransom of Red Chief” follows two petty criminals named Bill and Sam, who devise a plan to hold an influential citizen’s son for ransom. They kidnap Johnny Dorset, a ten-year-old boy who soon takes a liking to the pair and gives himself the name “Red Chief.” As Bill and Sam attempt to collect their ransom money, the Red Chief subjects them to tiring games and pranks, causing the two criminals to regret their hasty decision. In “The Whirligig of Life,” a story set in a frontier settlement near the Cumberland Mountains, a Justice of the Peace officiates a divorce between two quarreling settlers. He charges them five dollars for the ceremony, but when the husband realizes he has no money left for alimony, the judge looks for ways to hold onto his hard-earned wages. Whirligigs is a collection of humorous stories by O. Henry, an icon of short story writing. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of O. Henry’s Whirligigs is a classic of American literature reimagined for modern readers.

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Book SynopsisRoads of Destiny (1909) is a collection of short stories by American writer O. Henry. Inspired by his experiences as a fugitive and in prison, these stories address themes of crime, poverty, and fate. “A Retrieved Reformation,” perhaps the most notable of the collection’s twenty-two stories, is semi-autobiographical in that it explores the life of a criminal and fugitive who maintains a moral identity while struggling to adjust to life outside of prison. “Roads of Destiny” is the story of a French poet and shepherd named David Mignot. After fighting with his lover Yvonne, he decides to leave his home village of Vernoy in search of fame and adventure. The dreamlike narrative follows him down three paths: one takes him to the home of a wealthy Marquis, where he falls in love with his young daughter; the next leads him to the halls of the king, where he is recruited to act as a body double during a visit to the nearby cathedral; the final one finds him turning back toward home, where he struggles to balance a life of marriage with his poetic calling. In “A Retrieved Reformation,” a safecracker named Jimmy Valentine attempts to lead a quiet life following his release from prison. Using an assumed identity, he settles in Arkansas, where he marries the beautiful daughter of a local banker. Despite his best efforts, however, his criminal past threatens to resurface at every turn. Roads of Destiny is a collection of stories exploring themes of fate and identity by an icon of American literature. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of O. Henry’s Roads of Destiny is a classic of American literature reimagined for modern readers.

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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 SynopsisThe Voice of the City (1908) is a collection of twenty-five short stories by American writer O. Henry. Inspired by his experiences as a fugitive and prisoner, these stories address themes of poverty and city life with humor and abundant empathy. Its focus on the regular, working class people of New York City makes The Voice of the City a sequel of sorts to Henry’s The Four Million (1906), perhaps his most important collection. In “The Voice of the City,” a determined reporter takes to the streets in search of the authentic New York. With an abundance of wit and without social grace, he attempts to interview a young woman sitting on her stoop, a busy bartender, and a corrupt policeman, asking each for their opinion on how the city speaks to them. Despite his efforts, however, he discovers that, for the most part, the city best speaks for itself. “The Complete Life of John Hopkins” follows a day in the life of its title character. In the middle of a conversation with his wife, he decides to step out of his modest flat in search of a cheap cigar. When a fight with a shop owner and a policeman somehow leads him to the home of a wealthy aristocrat, he finds enough excitement to last him a lifetime. In “A Lickpenny Lover,” a young shop girl agrees to go on a date with a patron of her department store glove counter who promises her comfort and wealth. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of O. Henry’s The Voice of the City is a classic of American literature reimagined for modern readers.

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Book SynopsisThe Trimmed Lamp (1907) is a collection of twenty-five short stories by American writer O. Henry. Inspired by his experiences as a fugitive and prisoner, these stories address themes of poverty and city life with humor and abundant empathy. Its focus on the regular, working class people of New York City makes The Trimmed Lamp a sequel of sorts to Henry’s The Four Million (1906), perhaps his most important collection. In “The Trimmed Lamp,” two friends discuss work, love, and money while standing on a city street-corner. They both came to New York in search of work, and though Nancy enjoys her low paying job as a shop girl at a department store, Lou brags about her employment as an ironer at a laundry and encourages her friend to look for something else to do. While they wait for Lou’s boyfriend Dan, Lou asks Nancy about the wealthy men who frequent her store, and secretly wonders what it would be like to marry into money. “The Last Leaf” is a story of two artists living in Greenwich Village. While Sue lies bedridden from pneumonia, each day growing closer to death, she watches from her window a vine across the street. As fall turns to winter, its leaves drop one by one, until nothing remains but one last leaf. In another apartment, an old artist named Behrman watches the vine as well, painting the leaf with a renewed sense of purpose and a lifetime of skill and precision. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of O. Henry’s The Trimmed Lamp is a classic of American literature reimagined for modern readers.

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Book SynopsisThe Gentle Grafter (1907) is a collection of fourteen short stories by American writer O. Henry. Inspired by his experiences as a fugitive and prisoner, these tales follow the escapades of two professional con artists whose humor and storytelling ability illuminate the nature of wealth and crime in early twentieth century America. In “Modern Rural Sports,” con-man Jeff Peters recalls a job in a rural Western town where, in need of money, he devised a plan with his friend Andy Tucker to steal from a humble farmer. When he shows up to the man’s farm, however, Jeff is surprised to find a well-dressed, well-mannered gentleman who lives in an impressive home with modern amenities. As he attempts his con, Jeff is rebuffed and ignored by a man too busy with gambling, stocks, and purchasing to entertain his unwanted company. Defeated, he returns to Andy, who comes up with a method of his own. “Conscience in Art” follows these characters to Pittsburgh, where they hope to trick one of the city’s newly made millionaires. Andy befriends a wealthy art collector, who shows him a rare carving and explains there were only two of them made. Seeing his chance, he convinces Jeff, who believes they can only steal if they give something in return, that he has found the carving’s replica, and sends his partner to sell it to the collector. The Gentle Grafter is a collection of interconnected short stories that deal humorously with themes of greed, wealth, and deceit. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of O. Henry’s The Gentle Grafter is a classic of American literature 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 SynopsisO. Henry delivers a popular selection of character-driven stories that capture the humor and heart of everyday citizens as they face unusual or extraordinary circumstances. He offers a unique point-of-view creating a dynamic narrative full of twists and turns.Sixes and Sevens features 25 of O. Henry’s most notable works. This includes “The Last of the Troubadours,” “Makes the Whole World Kin,” and “The Duplicity of the Hargraves.” Each story is more captivating than the next with surprising developments that keep readers guessing. Henry pulls from America’s vast history and landscape to create these remarkable tales. He offers a contemporary take on timeless conflicts, fears and struggles. With Sixes and Sevens, O. Henry creates a distinct world balancing realism and escapism. He’s a masterful storyteller who infuses elements of humor, irony and drama. His writings are full of entertaining circumstances and delightful characters that make for an enjoyable read. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Sixes and Sevens, is both modern and readable.

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Book SynopsisOriginally published in 1917, Waifs and Strays is a premier selection of short stories released seven years after the author’s untimely death at age 47. The book contains 12 memorable tales including “Confessions of a Humorist," "The Detective Detector," and "The Sparrows in Madison Square." In Waifs and Strays, O. Henry brings humor to unconventional stories with unforgettable characters. With "The Detective Detector” he spoof’s the world’s most famous consultant Sherlock Holmes, while “Hearts and Hands” centers the unusual dynamic between a convict, a marshal and a beautiful woman. There’s also “The Cactus” in which a man recalls the errors of a past relationship and “A Little Talk About Mobs,” where two men debate New York’s gangster scene.Waifs and Strays is a compelling collection of stories that are humorous, thrilling and most importantly, entertaining. O. Henry creates diverse narratives that stir the imagination and keep readers guessing. Each tale is an attention-grabber full of memorable moments. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Waifs and Strays is both modern and readable.

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Book SynopsisRolling Stones is a vast selection of O. Henry’s later works covering a variety of topics such as fear, heartache, friendship, love and even murder. It’s a worthy addition to his legacy of memorable characters and unpredictable plots. Rolling Stones was originally published in 1912, just two years after O. Henry’s untimely death. This collection consists of complete and incomplete stories that were revised prior to their release. For example: “The Dream”, initially unfinished, was accompanied by an outline with the author’s intended ending. The book also contains “A Ruler of Men,” "The Atavism of John Tom Little Bear," and “The Marquis and Miss Sally.”Rolling Stones is one of the final entries in O. Henry’s impressive bibliography. It’s another group of innovative stories that captivate readers’ hearts and minds. This book is an homage to Henry’s literary past, solidifying his lasting legacy. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Rolling Stones is both modern and readable.

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Book SynopsisThe Piazza Tales (1856) is a collection of short stories by American writer Herman Melville. Before publication, five of its six stories appeared in Putnam’s Monthly during a period of productivity with which Melville sought to achieve popular success as a writer of literary fiction. After the failure of his novels Moby-Dick (1851) and Pierre: or, The Ambiguities (1852), Melville struggled to find a publisher who would accept his work, and contemporary reviews of The Piazza Tales were negative to lukewarm at best. When Melville’s work was reappraised in the 1920s, scholars recognized these stories as not only well-composed, but keenly focused on the dominant ethical and sociopolitical issues of their day. In “The Piazza,” a man buys an old farmhouse with a view on the nearby mountains. Despite his fortune, he spends his days longing for more, wishing his home had its own piazza so he could share the beauty of the surrounding landscape with guests. “Bartleby, the Scrivener” is a story set at an anonymous law office on Wall Street where a mysterious clerk suddenly refuses to do his work. Amused at first, the lawyer who narrates the story is eventually overcome with frustration and struggles to rid himself of the intractable Bartleby. In “Benito Cereno,” a merchant ship captain sailing around the coast of Chile chances on a slave ship in distress. Hoping to assist its captain and crew, he boards their ship, unwittingly stumbling on a dangerous and volatile situation. The Piazza Tales is a collection of some of American literary icon Herman Melville’s most celebrated stories. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Herman Melville’s The Piazza Tales is a classic of American literature reimagined for modern readers.

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Book SynopsisThe Strength of the Strong (1914) is a collection of short stories by American writer Jack London. Written and published when London was at the height of his success as an author, the stories that make up The Strength of the Strong engage with themes inspired by his lifelong advocacy of socialism. In the collection, London explores—through science fiction, naturalism, and historical narratives—the consequences of capitalism on human life, the nuances of geopolitical power, and the importance of the labor movement. In “The Strength of the Strong,” a parable, a prehistoric elder named Long-Beard speaks to a gathering of his fellow hunters. As they sit around a fire eating the remains of a wild bear carcass, Long-Beard tells the story of their people. He recalls how their society developed to promote individualism and hierarchy, and how conflict with other tribes and a lack of shared resources led to the breakdown of the community. “South of the Slot” is the story of Freddie Drummond, a sociology professor at Berkeley who leads a secret double life as a powerful union organizer named Big Bill Totts. As Totts’s influence in the labor movement grows, it becomes more and more difficult for Drummond to separate his identities and to keep his union work hidden from his fiancé, the wealthy aristocrat Catherine van Vorst. In “The Unparalleled Invasion,” a work of speculative fiction, London illustrates a future where China—which has risen to control all of Asia—is attacked with biological weapons by a combined force of Western powers. The Strength of the Strong is a collection of stories addressing issues of race, class, power, and violence from a master of science fiction and literary naturalism. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Jack London’s The Strength of the Strong is a classic of American literature reimagined for modern readers.

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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 SynopsisTold from the perspective of Bassett, an English scientist, Jack London’s The Red One follows an astonishing expedition in the Solomon Islands. Originally on a quest to collect butterflies, Bassett explores the jungle of Guadalcanal. However, the scientist finds much more than just butterflies. After being kidnapped by a cannibalistic tribe, Bassett is saved by a native woman, who leads him to her settlement. As he learns of the strange politics of this native group, Bassett discovers the being they worship. Referred to as “Red One,” the native’s god is a giant red sphere, said to originate from an extraterrestrial planet. The natives are devoted to the Red One, and perform human sacrifices to appease them. Much like the natives, Bassett soon becomes obsessed with the red sphere, risking his expedition. With cannibalism, bounty hunters, malaria, moral debates, unfamiliar terrain and a new god, each moment Basset spends in the jungle becomes closer to his last. While the genre had existed long before its publication in 1918, Jack London’s The Red One is an early example of the golden era of science fiction, also known as the pulp era. With a setting unfamiliar to much of London’s American audience, The Red One allows readers to explore the Solomon Islands while also engaging with a strange, extraterrestrial being. Featuring articulate prose, London’s The Red One paints an imaginative and mystical portrait of the Solomon Islands. Reprinted twice in its publication year, The Red One enthralled 20th century readers. Now, just over one hundred years later, modern audiences can still enjoy the wonder of the setting and plot, while also identifying the undertones of racism and misogyny prevalent in the 20th century, providing insight on the culture and a new perspective on Jack London’s The Red One. With a new, eye-catching cover design and a stylish and modern font, this edition of The Red One by Jack London accommodates contemporary audiences. These new features create a more accessible and luxurious reading experience, allowing modern readers to relish in the rich prose of Jack London without sacrificing modern style standards.

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Book SynopsisFrom the author of the classic novel Call of the Wild, Jack London’s Smoke Bellew features a vivacious depiction of a gold rush adventure. Christopher Bellew, more commonly known as Kit, lives a comfortable life in San Francisco. He writes daily for a paper and his inherited wealth promises to keep him well-off for a long while. Still, Kit cannot help but feel complacent. As a young man, he has not completely figured out what he really wants in life. Because of this, Kit is happy to help when his uncle and cousins ask him to accompany them to the Alaskan Gold Rush. While Kit has no plans of staying with his uncle and cousins, he agrees to help them carry the many provisions required for such a journey. Each loaded with heavy supplies, Kit, his uncle, and his cousins begin their trek through the Yukon territory. Embarking on a journey into the rough Alaskan wilderness, the group must hike through mountains, rapids, icy lakes, and the biting cold of the Alaskan weather. It is more difficult than anything Kit has ever had to accomplish, but something in the bitter Alaskan wind calls to him, and he feels more alive than ever. Choosing to abandon his San Franciscan life, Kit fights to prosper in the Yukon territory, learning to love and starting grow into adulthood. Described as one of the hidden gems of Jack London’s literary career, Smoke Bellew surprises each reader with vivid description and wonderful action, feeding an uneasily quenched sense of adventure. Smoke Bellew is a collection of stories, all connected and featuring the same main character, allowing audiences to witness Christopher “Kit” Bellew’s journey to adulthood. With elements of romance and comedy, this adventure novel caters to many. London’s Smoke Bellew portrays a romantic portrait of the gold rush, both entertaining and educating readers on such an exciting and unique time in history. This edition of Smoke Bellew by Jack London features a new, eye-catching cover design and a modern font, creating an approachable reading experience for a contemporary audience.

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Book SynopsisWritten by the beloved author, Jack London, The Night-Born is a compelling collection of ten short works of fiction, each featuring an interesting protagonist. The Madness of John Harned is narrated by a wealthy Ecuadorian man who attends a bull fight with his cousin, Maria, and the American man who is in love with her, John. While they watch the event, Maria and John have a debate that eventually leads to John to make an unpredictable and unfortunate choice. When the World was Young follows the aftermath of the meeting of two men, after a thief stumbles upon a strange barbaric man while trying to rob a countryside estate. Portraying a thrilling story of crime, To Kill a Man tests preconceived biases and assumptions while depicting a conversation between a woman and the man who had attempted to rob her house. The Benefit of the Doubt invokes melancholy feelings as it follows a man who returns to his hometown to find it in a state of decline. Featuring adventure and mystery, Winged Blackmail depicts a high-profile financier struggling to track down the person who is responsible for sending him blackmail letters via a courier pigeon. Finally, the title story of The Night-Born revolves around a strange woman and two retired gold-prospectors who feel their old career has stunted their lives despite the considerable wealth it earned them. With reoccurring themes of human nature, justice, and the impermanent happiness of money, Jack London’s The Night-Born is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining. With stories set in the 20th century and accompanied by intellectual social commentary, The Night-Born grant readers a privileged perspective on the culture and societal norms of the 1900s. Meanwhile, modern readers can also relate to the human struggles that have remained to be present in contemporary society. This edition of The Night-Born by the highly esteemed author, Jack London, is now presented in an easy-to-read font and features a striking new cover design, making it both modern and accessible.

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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 Synopsis Honoring his practice of tackling the taboo, esteemed author D.H Lawrence created a collection of evocative short fiction in The Prussian Officer and Other Stories. With themes of feminism and sexuality, The Prussian Officer and Other Stories examines varying levels and types of the abuse of power so common among men and government officials, especially in the 20th century. The Daughters of the Vicar depicts the aftermath of an unstable family as it follows Mary and Louisa, who are both sisters and best friends. Due to their father’s poor financial position and their parent’s loveless marriage, Mary and Louisa’s family is severely struggling. The women work as teachers to offer financial support, but when that proves to be too little, Mary is forced to marry a hideous an uncultured rich man. Miserable and dreading the rest of her life, Mary tries to warn Louisa from doing the same. Exploring similar topics, Second Best follows two sisters struggling with their identity and love life. Odour of Chrysanthemums depicts a later narrative of marriage than the aforementioned, as it portrays a woman’s emotional journey after being drained by her marriage. Separated into three parts, Odour of Chrysanthemums begins with the woman and her children waiting for her husband to return home, assuming he was at a pub. However, as the wait continues, they begin to suspect something more sinister may have occurred. Finally, the title story, The Prussian Officer stars a single military captain who feels that he has wasted his youth. In contrast, his orderly is young and in a happy relationship, making his captain jealous. Desiring his youth and feeling sexually attracted to the young man, the captain tries to ruin the orderly’s relationship and starts to abuse him, driving the young man to a dangerous decision. This collection of sentimental and compelling stories depicts sinister human truths and the depths of the despair societal expectations force upon people. With this careful and brutally honest portrayal, modern audiences are able to both observe the culture of 20th century England as well as consider dark human truths that are still prevalent today. This edition of The Prussian Officer and Other Stories by D.H Lawrence features a new, eye-catching cover design and is printed in a modern and easy-to-read font, crafting an accessible experience for contemporary readers.

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Book SynopsisFeaturing life-like and compelling characters, Edith Wharton’s Tales of Men and Ghosts is a collection comprised of ten eerie and heart-wrenching narratives. The first story, The Bolted Door, follows Hubert Granice, a failed playwright. Distraught and disappointed in himself, he considers suicide, but is unable to go through with it. Instead, Granice finds another way to punish himself; after calling over a lawyer friend, Granice confesses the dirty details of a murder he claims to have committed years before. Full Circle also depicts a writer, but in an opposite position of success. After recently rising to fame, a new author reflects on how his life has changed since earning acclaim and wealth, surprised when he realizes that he is unsatisfied. Examining class struggles and a difficult relationship between a father and son, His Father’s Son follows a widowed, working-class father who tries to live vicariously through his son’s love life, though his son does not seem to appreciate it. While most of the narratives in this collection follow the everyday lives of their characters, The Eyes adopts a more supernatural approach, depicting a spooky tale that explores sexuality in a haunting way. Afterward continues the supernatural theme, featuring a ghost who comes back to haunt a man that betrayed him for the promise of more wealth. While depicting vivid and fascinating characters, Tales of Men and Ghosts by Edith Wharton also studies social norms of the 20th century society, including repressed sexuality, strained relationships, and class distinctions. By highlighting the common flaws of humankind, such as vanity, ignorance, and greed, without damning the characters who possess such faults, Wharton’s Tales of Men and Ghosts serves as a beautiful and captivating collection of character sketches. With this character-driven prose, Tales of Men and Ghosts remains to be as relatable and alluring as it was when it was first published. Now presented in an easy-to-read font and featuring a striking new cover design, this edition of Tales of Men and Ghosts by Edith Wharton is restored to its original genius while being updated to meet modern standards.

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Book SynopsisFeaturing nineteen sweet and humorous works of short fiction, P.G Wodehouse’s The Man Upstairs and Other Stories is filled with depictions of peculiar and sometimes disastrous methods of courtship. In Something to Worry About a young woman named Sally is forced to live with her aunt and uncle after her film obsession is deemed “unladylike”. When the young men of the village hear of this, they begin to shower Sally with gifts and attention, all hoping to be her suitor, but none are more persistent than the shy neighbor boy, Tom. Deep Waters follows a playwright and skilled swimmer named George who, despite his career success, goes to the pier to pout. There, he notices Mary, who is swimming in the water below. In an effort to keep her in his sight, George falls off the pier into the water, and Mary swims to his rescue. When they get back to shore, Mary offers George swimming lessons, which George decides to accept despite his skills in order to spend time with Mary. Finally, the title story, The Man Upstairs depicts Annette, a short-tempered composer who is bothered by a knocking on her apartment ceiling. After her investigation, she begins a close friendship with her upstairs neighbor, who is an artist, unaware that he is being dishonest about his identity. With the classic and witty prose of P.G Wodehouse, each story within The Man Upstairs and Other Stories is carefully crafted with humor and sentiment. While providing a simple and fun reading experience, The Man Upstairs and Other Stories also explores the culture of British high society, allowing contemporary readers a glimpse into a privileged historic class. This edition of The Man Upstairs and Other Stories by P.G Wodehouse features a new, eye-catching cover design and is printed in an easy-to-read font, making the classic both readable and modern.

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Book SynopsisComprising of seven works of short fiction, ranging in genres from crime to tender romance, Death at the Excelsior and Other Stories depict tales of mystery and love with humor. Featuring some of P.G Wodehouse’s most famous characters, four of the seven stories follow the misadventures of Jeeves and Bertie or Reggie Pepper. When a friend needs help convincing his uncle to approve of his bride-to-be, Jeeves and Bertie concoct a plan that includes the use of romance novels in Jeeves in the Springtime. Reggie Pepper’s trouble takes center stage in The Test Case, when his lover voices her doubts that they could ever marry. Other stories within the collection introduce new characters, including a clever and witty young woman named Eve in The Best Sauce. Working as a paid companion to a woman with a stormy temper, Eve is unhappy but is settled in her bleak condition. However, when a man from her past, Peter Rayner, shows up in hopes to marry Eve, she devises a plan of petty pranks to scare him out of the house. Finally, in the title story, Death at the Excelsior, depicts a thrilling murder-mystery. When a previously healthy sailor is found dead in the Excelsior boarding house, Detective Snyder and his assistant, Oakes, must catch the killer before they strike again. Assembled posthumously, Death at the Excelsior and Other Stories features classic works of P.G Wodehouse’s short fiction, sampling from each genre he mastered. With simple language and excellent description, Death at the Excelsior and Other Stories serves as a perfect introduction to P.G Wodehouse and his beloved characters. This edition of Death at the Excelsior and Other Stories is now presented in an easy-to-read font and with a fun, eye-catching cover to cater to contemporary audiences.

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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 SynopsisIn a German Pension captures the youthful views of esteemed writer, Katherine Mansfield, who jumpstarted her illustrious career with a series of remarkable short stories. It showcases her growth and scope as a formidable nineteenth century writer. A captivating collection of short stories centering the cynical and superficial parts of human nature. In one instance, an expectant father frets over his surroundings, while his wife gives birth. Another tale highlights a society woman’s obsession with fashion and perception, while another woman is fixated on her husband’s stomach. Each story presents a satirical view of German people and culture from the early 1900s. In a German Pension was a commercial success that quickly ran through multiple editions. It was an impressive starting point to an acclaimed career, filled with masterful modernist tales. This collection is a testament to Mansfield’s unique voice and storytelling ability. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of In a German Pension is both modern and readable.

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Book SynopsisTales and Stories (1891) is a collection of short fiction by Mary Shelley. Despite her reputation as one of the foremost English novelists of the nineteenth century, Shelley also wrote numerous stories for magazines and other publications, earning a reputation as a gifted storyteller in all forms of fiction. In “The Sisters of Albano,” a traveler resting on the banks of an Italian lake strikes up a conversation with a beautiful Countess. Inspired by the history and landscape of the region, the Countess tells the tragic story of a local family. During the French occupation of Italy under Napoleon’s rule, Anina and Maria live vastly different lives. Maria, the older sister, is a nun at the convent of Santa Chiara in Rome, while Anina, the younger, is in love with a mysterious outlaw named Domenico. When the French arrive in Albano, Anina goes searching for Domenico, who has gone into hiding with other members of the local resistance. After the young girl is arrested and sentenced to die for violating an officer’s orders, Maria, dressed in her religious habit, appeals to the French on her sister’s behalf. In “Ferdinando Eboli,” a Neapolitan Count bids farewell to his young fiancée before going off to fight for his king. When he returns, he finds that an impostor has taken over his estate—and married the unsuspecting Adalinda. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Mary Shelley’s Tales and Stories is a classic of English literature reimagined for modern readers.

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Book SynopsisA Night in Acadie (1897) is a short story collection by American author Kate Chopin. Chopin, a pioneering feminist and gifted writer, sought to portray the experiences of Southern women and ethnic minorities struggling to survive in an era decimated by war and economic hardship. A Night in Acadie collects twenty-one of her stories. In “A Night in Acadie,” a young farmer named Telèsphore decides to take his meager earnings with him into town. Making his way to the train, he laments his solitary life, musing on the women he has unsuccessfully courted—the lovely Elvina, homely and hardworking Amaranthe, and the seductive widow Ganache. That night, attending a dance near Marksville, he makes the acquaintance of the beautiful Zaïda. Although she is already engaged to be married, he makes a point of talking to her, happy to escape his thoughts, if only for one night. “Athénaïse” is the story of a young wife who longs to escape her husband. Fleeing to New Orleans, determined to survive on her own, Athénaïse soon makes a discovery that shakes her conviction and forces her to consider returning home. In “Regret,” Mamzelle Aurélie is an unmarried woman approaching middle age. Having never been in love, she lives comfortably with her dog on a modest farm. One day, her neighbor unexpectedly shows up at her doorstep with her four young children, asking if she will look after them for the day. A Night in Acadie showcases the literary talent of Kate Chopin, a writer with an eye for characters on the fringe, people whose hearts often clash with the rules and demands of culture in the American South. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Kate Chopin’s A Night in Acadie is a classic of American literature reimagined for modern readers.

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Book SynopsisBayou Folk (1894) is a short story collection by American author Kate Chopin. Chopin, a pioneering feminist and gifted writer, sought to portray the experiences of Southern women and ethnic minorities struggling to survive in an era decimated by war and economic hardship. Bayou Folk collects twenty-three of her stories. “Beyond the Bayou” is the story of La Folle, a thirty-five year old black woman living on the outskirts of a Louisiana plantation. Traumatized with memories of the war, she has spent her entire life on one side of the bayou. From her modest cabin, she entertains visits from the owner of Bellissime plantation and his young children. La Folle holds a special fondness for Chéri, the owner’s young son, whom she entertains with stories of a world she has seldom, if ever, seen, a world “beyond the bayou.” When a terrible accident occurs, however, she is forced to face her deepest fears, or else suffer the most unthinkable loss of all. In “Désirée's Baby,” the most acclaimed of Chopin’s short stories, a young woman married to plantation owner Armand Aubigny awaits the birth of her first child. When the child is born with a racially ambiguous appearance, however, Aubigny quickly blames his wife, whose parents are suspected of having African American heritage. Banished from the plantation, Désirée leaves her young family behind, unaware of the secret her husband declined to share. Bayou Folk showcases the literary talent of Kate Chopin, a writer with an eye for characters on the fringe, people whose hearts often clash with the rules and demands of culture in the American South. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Kate Chopin’s Bayou Folk is a classic of American literature reimagined for modern readers.

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Book SynopsisOriginally published in 1911, The Innocence of Father Brown is the first of five official collections of short stories focused on the crime-solving Roman Catholic. He is an endearing character often compared to another famous detective, Sherlock Holmes. Father Brown is a devout Roman Catholic priest who has a penchant for detective work. He first appears in the short story, “The Blue Cross,” which was previously published in 1910 in the Saturday Evening Post. Father Brown stumbles across unusual cases that require his distinct reasoning and deduction skills. He’s often described as a short man with a stocky figure who can see into the heart of evil. His first outing, The Innocence of Father Brown, features 12 stories including “The Hammer of God,” “The Invisible Man” and "The Sins of Prince Saradine." The Innocence of Father Brown is the inaugural edition of G.K. Chesterton’s delightful detective series. It consists of many famous cases and characters including frequent collaborator, Hercule Flambeau. This book is a great introduction to these delightful stories that are fueled by heart and humanity. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of The Innocence of Father Brown is both modern and readable.

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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 SynopsisGeorge Hell is a shallow man, fond of gambling, drinking, and womanizing. Set in his socialite ways, George does whatever it takes to satisfy his desires. However, when cupid strikes George with his arrow, his lavish life is thrown into disarray. Now head over heels for a young dancer named Jenny, George immediately proposes to her, confident that no woman can resist him. But, after Jenny rejects George, claiming that she would only marry a man with the face of a saint, George is forced to reflect on his lifestyle. First, he attempts to buy a solution, going to a shop to buy a mask of a saint’s face. Now assuming a new identity of George Heaven, George proposes to Jenny once again, hoping that his new identity will trick Jenny into falling in love with him. When she agrees to marry him, George is delighted that his plan worked, but cannot abandon his charade. Slowly, with the help of Jenny’s love, George is able to let go of his vain nature, growing to be a better person. However, as Jenny and George enjoy their new, happy life, George’s ex-lover, La Gambogi, resents the sentiment. Determined to prove that George is not the man he says he is, La Gambogi sets out to expose George’s true face. Featuring masterful storytelling and themes of redemption, true love, and morality, The Happy Hypocrite by Max Beerbohm is a bright comedy with a valuable message. With complex characters and exemplary prose, Beerbohm’s work is clever and entertaining, inspiring laughter and reflection. First published in 1897, The Happy Hypocrite continues to be humorous centuries later, appealing to the wit of modern readers. This edition of The Happy Hypocrite by Max Beerbohm features an eye-catching new cover design and is printed in a font that is both modern and readable. With these accommodations, The Happy Hypocrite caters to a contemporary audience while preserving the original levity of Beerbohm’s work.

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Book SynopsisIn Three Short Works, three character-driven stories follow each protagonist as they attempt to navigate the trials and tribulations of life, death, love and loss. Flaubert presents a powerful combination of realism and romanticism that jumps off the page. Three Short Works consists of three distinct stories. “The Dance of Death” centers on the plight of the Grim Reaper or Death, as he complains about his difficult job and unenviable title. In “The Legend of Saint Julian the Hospitaller,” a young man is cursed to murder his parents and attempts to outrun his fate. While “A Simple Soul” follows a hard-working maid who dedicates her life to a mistress and her two children. Three Short Works is both enlightening and entertaining. Flaubert tackles vastly different stories from a unique point-of-view. Each selection is a poignant tale that charts the internal struggle of these disparate characters. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Three Short Works is both modern and readable.

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Book SynopsisLimbo (1920) is a collection of short fiction by English author Aldous Huxley. Mostly satirical, Huxley’s novella, play, and four short stories show a promising writer at the very beginning of his career. In the novella “The Farcical History of Richard Greenow,” Huxley satirizes the lives of his friends and acquaintances at Eton and Oxford. Richard Greenow, a young writer, spends his days as a politically engaged academic. At night, however, he writes fiction for women, crafting stories and serialized novels he sells to a prominent women’s magazine. Finding success, he realizes there is a woman inside him, a writer named Pearl Bellairs who is as much a part of his identity as Richard Greenow is. When war breaks out, however, he must choose between his principled pacifism and his fear of prison, a decision that pits his two unique identities against one another. “Happily Ever After,” a story set during the First World War, follows Peter Jacobsen, “ a man with no nationality and no prejudices,” as he travels across the Atlantic to visit Pemberton, his old friend from Oxford and a renowned scholar of philosophy. As friends and family converge on the stately Petherton home, a classic comedy of manners ensues. Limbo is an early collection of fiction from Aldous Huxley, presaging his satirical and dystopian novels with their abundant wit and unsparing, unmatched ire. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Aldous Huxley’s Limbo is a classic of English literature reimagined for modern readers.

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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 Synopsis Comprising of seven short stories, Old Friends and New by Sarah Orne Jewett explores the lives of the residents of small New England towns, both rural and oceanside. Beginning the collection, A Lost Lover follows the love story of an elderly woman named Horatia Dane. After rumors of her love life begin circulating around the town, Horatia reveals her side of the story, a heart-breaking tale of a lover lost at sea. In A Sorrowful Guest, a young military man writes to his sister, begging her to move to America to live with him. With similar themes of loneliness, A Late Supper depicts an elderly woman in search of company after she becomes the sole surviving member of her family. Reminiscing on the different kinds of family dynamics, a woman named Mary tries to lift her niece’s spirits by telling her a story about her less-than-ideal upbringing in Mr. Bruce. While Mr. Bruce wrestles with the past, Miss Sydney’s Flowers encourages a future of change through the depiction of Miss. Sydney, a long-term resident of her town. When the city decides to pave a new road next to her home, Miss Sydney is upset and resentful of the change. However, as the days go by, she realizes the benefits of having a busy street near her house. With masterful description, picturesque imagery, and stunning characterization, Old Friends and New by Sarah Orne Jewett provides an intimate portrayal of 19th century New England. As an excellent example of the local color movement, a literary initiative to place distinct regions under a spotlight, Old Friends and New is comprised of short stories that vividly depict the people, landscape, and customs of New England states. This edition of Old Friends and New by Sarah Orne Jewett features an eye-catching new cover design and is presented in a font that is both modern and readable. With these accommodations, this edition is accessible and appealing to contemporary audiences, restoring Old Friends and New to modern standards while preserving the original tranquility and beauty of the work of Sarah Orne Jewett.

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Book SynopsisWith eleven short stories, Sarah Orne Jewett’s The Life of Nancy is a serene and heart-touching collection of 19th century fiction. In A War Debt, Tom Burton finds himself stuck in Boston, as he is the primary caretaker of his grandmother. Though he has long given up the dream of a vacation, he is forced to a long trip to Virgina when his grandmother admits guilt over possessing an item stolen during the war, and is desperate for it to be returned to its owner. In A Second Spring a grieving farmer must adjust to his new life after the passing of his wife of forty years. Depicting a widow who has already made peace with her predicament, My Sad Captains follows the exciting love life of a woman that has won the attention of three fishing boat captains. Finally, the title story, The Life of Nancy follows a serendipitous relationship that is forged between Tom and Nancy after Tom is stranded with her family. When Tom’s friend suffers an injury during their vacation, the two are unable to travel, and are forced to find somewhere to stay. Though it was originally out of desperation, Tom grows to enjoy his time staying with Nacy’s family on the Maine island. Still, he must leave after his friend heals and is sad to say goodbye to Nancy. However, as the two grow older, they find that their paths cross more than expected, and their bond stands the test of time. With stories of romance, mourning, and new beginnings, The Life of Nancy is a sentimental collection filled with masterful descriptions of its settings and characters. Featuring themes of nostalgia and tradition, this Sarah Orne Jewett collection is emotional and beautiful, sure to resonate with readers even over a century after its original publication. This edition of The Life of Nancy by Sarah Orne Jewett features an eye-catching new cover design and is presented in a font that is both modern and readable. With these accommodations, this edition is accessible and appealing to contemporary audiences, restoring The Life of Nancy to modern standards while preserving the original tranquility and beauty of Sarah Orne Jewett’s work.

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Book SynopsisFeaturing eleven short works of fiction, Sarah Orne Jewett’s Strangers and Wayfarers invokes sentiment and nostalgia. The opening story, A Winter Courtship, depicts the budding relationship between a wagon driver, Jefferson Briley, and a passenger, Fanny Tobin. Despite their opposing personalities, Fanny and Jefferson enjoy each other’s company as they transition from coy flirting to seriously considering if their unconventional pairing could function as a long-term relationship. As the winter month melts away in The Town Poor, two ladies ride together in a horse-drawn carriage. As they take in the sight of the countryside, the two friends discuss the difficult winter that their hometown was just starting to overcome. While the inhabitants of this town struggled through the winter, few citizens were forced to overcome more obstacles than 19th century immigrants. This is portrayed in The Luck of the Bogans, which follows a beloved Irish family as they migrate to America. Succeeding the theme of family, Fair Day depicts an elderly woman as she spends the day alone after her son and his family go to the local fair, leaving her time for reflection. Born and raised in South Berwick, Maine, author Sarah Orne Jewett knew the New England area intimately, and translated her familiarity with the region to her masterful descriptive prose featured in each of her works of short fiction. Through carriage rides, lonely days on the farm, and discussions of struggling towns, Strangers and Wayfarers by Sarah Orne Jewett allows readers to explore the country and oceanside of New England. With themes of immigration, romance, family, and nostalgia, Strangers and Wayfarers continues to address relevant sentimentality in modern society, despite its original publication in 1890. This edition of Strangers and Wayfarers by Sarah Orne Jewett features an eye-catching new cover design and is presented in a font that is both modern and readable. With these accommodations, this edition is accessible and appealing to contemporary audiences, restoring Strangers and Wayfarers to modern standards while preserving the original tranquility and beauty of Sarah Orne Jewett’s work.

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Book Synopsis Featuring six works of short fiction, An Arrow in a Sunbeam and Other Tales promotes morals and regionalist pride. Each containing a unique theme and virtue, these stories provoke thought while following the lives of compelling characters. Miss Sydney’s Flowers encourages the acceptance of change through the depiction of Miss. Sydney, a long-term resident of her town. When the city decides to pave a new road next to her home, Miss Sydney is upset and resentful of the change. However, as the days go by, she realizes the benefits of having a busy street near her house. In A Brave Boy, two brothers, Fred and Albert, who are as opposite as can be, discuss what they would do in the event of a robbery, pondering the true meaning of bravery. Following the life of a mysterious elderly woman, Lady Ferry depicts the relationship between Lady Ferry and a young girl who is left in the care of her cousin after her parents embark on a long sea voyage. Finally, in the title story, An Arrow in a Sunbeam, a church minister seeks out a sad, shabbily dressed widow that he noticed during a service. Originally planning to be of help to her, the minister is shocked when he discovers he has much to learn from the widow. Described as a touching and masterfully-written collection, An Arrow in a Sunbeam and Other Tales by Sarah Orne Jewett is sentimental and intriguing. First published for children, An Arrow in a Sunbeam and Other Tales promotes timeless virtues and themes in a gentle and accessible manner, yet is sophisticated and applicable to older audiences. This edition of An Arrow in a Sunbeam and Other Tales by Sarah Orne Jewett features an eye-catching new cover design and is presented in a font that is both modern and readable. With these accommodations, this edition is accessible and appealing to contemporary audiences, restoring An Arrow in a Sunbeam and Other Tales to modern standards while preserving the original tranquility and beauty of the work of Sarah Orne Jewett.

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Book SynopsisSerapion and Other Stories (1920) is a collection of stories by Francis Stevens. Using her well-known pseudonym, Gertrude Barrows Bennett published some of the twentieth century’s greatest science fiction stories and novels. “Serapion” been recognized as a powerful tale of dark fantasy for investigation of demonic possession and the occult, and remains central to Stevens’ reputation as a pioneering author of fantasy and science fiction. “‘Get! Get out!’ adjured that brutally vulgar voice. Then it changed to a whining, female treble: ‘You are young, Clayton Barbour; young and soft to the soft, cruel hand that would mold you. You are easy to mold as clay-clay-Clayton-clay! Evil hangs over you--black evil! Flee from the damned Clayton Barbour. Go home--you!’” Against his better judgment, Clay Barbour ignores the advice of his friend Nils Berquist and attends a séance at the home of well-known spiritualists James and Alicia Moore. In the dim, candlelit room, a “fifth presence” named Serapion reveals himself to Barbour, claiming to offer happiness and success to the young man. Terrified at first, Barbour soon welcomes Serapion into his life, unwittingly opening the door to disaster for himself and his loved ones. Presented alongside some of Stevens’ lesser known tales of science fiction and occult inquiry, “Serapion” is a masterpiece of dark fantasy and a cautionary tale that continues to haunt a century after it appeared in print. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Francis Stevens’ Serapion and Other Stories is a classic work of American science fiction reimagined for modern readers.

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Book SynopsisOldtown Fireside Stories (1872) is a collection of children’s stories by Harriet Beecher Stowe. Although her career peaked with the publication of abolitionist novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin (1852), Stowe continued to work as a professional writer throughout her life. These stories capture her imaginative range and moral outlook while illuminating aspects of American life that would otherwise be consigned to history. Two boys bored of provincial life ask storyteller Sam Lawson to spin them some yarns. Settling down by the fireside for the evening, the wise old man begins. In “The Ghost in the Mill,” Cap’n Eb Sawin gets stuck in a snowstorm on the way to Boston. In need of shelter, he knocks on the door of the nearby mill to find old Cack getting ready for bed. After moving his team of horses into the barn for the night, Sawin joins Cack inside and soon falls asleep. In the middle of the night, however, a stranger arrives at the mill. As unsure of who it is as they are of what could bring someone to the mill at that time of night, the two men prepare to open the door. In “Captain Kidd’s Money,” Lawson tells the boys a story of buried treasure involving a notorious pirate who, despite being raised in a decent household, devoted himself to a life of crime. Humorous and frightening, inspired by history and legend alike, Lawson’s stories provide not only a night of entertainment to two young boys, but important morals for them to remember throughout their lives. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Oldtown Fireside Stories is a classic of American children’s literature reimagined for modern readers.

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Book SynopsisA man of means, Horne Fisher is a well-connected detective who’s social and political influence gives him special insight into the underbelly of Britain’s elite. G.K. Chesterton uses the protagonist to shine a light on the true nature on the ruling class. In The Man Who Knew Too Much, Horne Fisher leads a collection of short stories that constantly test his morals. He is frequently joined by his partner, a political journalist, named Harold March. Together, they work on various criminal cases often involving murder. Some of the most notable stories include "The Face in the Target," "The Vanishing Prince," "The Soul of the Schoolboy" and "The Bottomless Well." It is a compelling series of suspenseful tales with intriguing characters. The Man Who Knew Too Much was initially published as a serial in Harper's Monthly Magazine, and then as a full collection in 1922. It was also famously adapted for film by Alfred Hitchcock in 1934 and 1956, respectively. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of The Man Who Knew Too Much is both modern and readable.

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