Classics Books

Book SynopsisLARGE PRINT EDITION. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes: The Intimate Diary of a Professional Lady (1925) is a novel by Anita Loos. Adapted from a series of stories written for Harper’s Bazaar, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes was an astounding success for Loos, who had mired for over a decade as a screenwriter in Hollywood and New York. An immediate bestseller, the novel earned praise from leading writers and critics of its time, and has been adapted several times for theater and film. Recognized as a defining text of the Jazz Age, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is an absolute classic dubbed “the great American novel” by Edith Wharton. Lorelei Lee is a young flapper living a life of luxury in Manhattan. A mistress for prominent Chicago businessman Gus Eisman, who pays handsomely, Lorelei has far surpassed her roots as a young woman from Little Rock, Arkansas. Despite her talent as an actress, she finds herself held as an object by wealthy, often married men, whom she uses accordingly. Hers is a life of fine cuisine, opulent jewelry, and tickets to the best shows in town. Soon, however, she grows tired of New York, and sets off on a trip to Europe with her friend Dorothy Shaw. Away from the men who had dragged them down, the two women explore London, Paris, and Vienna, where they find new dopes to dupe with the promise of love. A caricature of the Jazz Age woman, Lorelei Lee reflects the libido and materialism of a generation caught between wars, situated in a time of exponential cultural change, yet wary of disaster’s proximity. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Anita Loos’ Gentlemen Prefer Blondes: The Intimate Diary of a Professional Lady is a classic of American literature reimagined for modern readers.

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Book SynopsisThe Man Who Laughs (1869) is a novel by Victor Hugo. Written while Hugo was living in exile on the island of Guernsey, The Man Who Laughs is set between the 17th and 18th centuries in England, a time of political unrest and class conflict in which he identified parallels to France of the 19th century. Although the novel was largely panned at the time, it has since been recognized as one of Hugo’s greatest works. The Man Who Laughs has inspired over a dozen adaptations in film, theater, and comics, including a 1928 American silent film that served as source material for the Joker in the original 1940 issue of Batman. “Again the child set himself to sweep away the snow. The neck of the dead woman appeared; then her shoulders, clothed in rags. Suddenly he felt something move feebly under his touch. It was something small that was buried, and which stirred. The child swiftly cleared away the snow, discovering a wretched little body—thin, wan with cold, still alive, lying naked on the dead woman's naked breast.” Abandoned by a group of Comprachicos, criminals who buy and capture children for the purpose of mutilating them and forcing them to work as beggars or performers, the young Gwynplaine wanders the English coast alone. During a storm, he discovers an infant girl and her dead mother lying in the snow, and endeavors to save the child. Left with no choice but to rely on strangers, Gwynplaine joins a carnival run by the merciful Ursus, a man with a pet wolf. Horrified at first by the boy’s disfigurement, which has left a perpetual smile on his face, Ursus agrees to care for the children and soon finds that Gwynplaine is a versatile and lucrative attraction at his shows. When the Duchess Josiana attends the carnival to see Gwynplaine, now a young man, she finds herself strangely attracted to him. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Victor Hugo’s The Man Who Laughs is a classic work of French literature reimagined for modern readers.

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Book SynopsisAged just seventeen Hermione is passed from the hands of an inattentive mother into an engagement with a young man she barely knows. Glad to have her pretty daughter married and celebrated by their social circle, Hermione's mother gives little thought to the fitness of the match. Hermione now finds she must grow up, and grow into a life with a man who is not her natural partner. Following Hermione and her family from the late eighteen hundreds through the First World War and the changing society of the post-war era, in Marriage of Hermione Richmal Crompton explores the strains and joys of an imperfect marriage with a warm and humorous eye.Richmal Crompton's adult novels are an absolute delight and every bit as charming as her beloved Just William series. A nostalgic treat for fans of the gentler brand of interwar fiction, this is the perfect heritage read for fans of 1930s fiction at its best.Trade ReviewMiss Crompton writes, as always, with distinction and humour. Her story of Hermione's married life can be heartily recommended as an individual novel about ordinary people. * Spectator *It seems to me to have been done exceedingly well . . . You come to know and like these Derehams, and appreciate the intimacy with which they are presented -- Ralph Straus * The Sunday Times *Ironical, humorous, and brilliantly understanding * Everyman *It is continuously interesting. Miss Crompton is amazingly sympathetic, amazingly shrewd, and Hermione and her family come to life under her pen * Saturday Review *You will find each boy and girl so vivid, and the sustaining thread of Hermione's slow fulfilment so convincing, that the story will enchant you * Evening News *

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Book SynopsisHappily married for thirty years with three children that have long since grown up, Christopher Mainwaring finds himself at a total loss following the death of his beloved wife, Susan. Yet the joyful marriage he remembers may not have been all it seemed, for no one in the family knows of the troubling words his wife uttered to him from her death bed . . . Alluding to a possible affair that took place many years ago with a close family friend, the grieving widower is haunted by visions of Susan's infidelity and seeks to find out the truth. In his quest to unearth his wife's potential duplicity, Christopher finds himself looking to his children's complex lives for answers: Joy who is now married with children and concerns of her own, the professionally inept but kind-hearted Frank and his neurotic wife Rachel, and Derek, whose delusions of grandeur with his struggling business causes much distress for his long-suffering wife, Olivia.Portrait of a Family by Richmal Crompton provides universal reflections and intimate insights into the dynamics of family life with a startling clarity that will stay with the reader long after the final page has been turned.Trade ReviewI imagine that Portrait of a Family will make many friends. It is interesting, it reads like the truth . . . It is good humoured and cheery, and even has its boisterous moments. It is, indeed, a delightful little study of 'ordinary' people who, of course, are not ordinary at all. -- Ralph Straus * The Sunday Times *A fine novel. . . genuinely moving and the writing is excellent * Sunday Chronicle *The book is interesting, and written with even more than the author's usual ability * Morning Post *

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Book SynopsisSummer has arrived and the Cotteril children are looking forward to the Holiday. For Thea, Susan, Peter and Jane it's always a special time of year, as they escape their lives in the suburbs and visit the delights of the countryside with their mother and father.All sorts of exciting adventures await them as they explore unfamiliar surroundings and meet a collection of fascinating new neighbours. For Peter and Jane the magic of the Holiday is as alive as ever and they delight in discovery: exploring inside gardens, visiting a new sweet shop and finding plenty of places to play hide and seek.But for Thea and Susan, the two eldest, their experience of the Holiday starts to change. As they begin to move into the dizzyingly complicated sphere of the Grown-Ups, Richmal Crompton's The Holiday becomes a journey of discovery into what it is to be an adult . . .Trade ReviewThe interplay of character and the momentary revelation of other people's lives, accompanied by the young fluting of the children and their natural and amusing adventures, makes this novel the pleasantest possible light volume for holiday reading * The Times *Her sympathies have a most exceptional sensitiveness and integrity . . . it contains much of charm and interest . . . compel the reader's admiration and affection -- Gerald Gould * Observer *

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Book SynopsisRichmal Crompton's adult novels are an absolute delight and every bit as charming as her beloved Just William series. The Old Man's Birthday is both a nostalgic treat for fans of the gentler brand of interwar fiction, and a dry satire of British village life. Matthew Rowston is turning ninety-five. A lovable rogue approaching his dotage, he has very little time for the high moral standards and rigid ideas of propriety espoused by his spinster daughter. Things get interesting when he invites his estranged son, the bright and lively Stephen, and his beautiful partner to his celebratory dinner. Over the course of the day, Matthew walks around the village, introducing the pair to his large and varied clan, from the aging Jolly-hockey sticks granddaughter who is considering a torrid affair of her own, to his elderly bookish bachelor son and the lovely great-granddaughter struggling to find her place in the world, doomed to work as a clerk in her dull and dismal father's firm. Teeming beneath the calm surface of village and family life, lies a whole world of secrets and desires, hopes and dreams. Mrs Dalloway with a dash of dry humour, Mapp and Lucia with a slightly melancholy tone, this is the perfect heritage read for fans of 1930s fiction at its best.Trade ReviewOne of her most skilful and delightful stories, plotted and carried out with astonishing precision * The Times *Miss Crompton's management of her novels excites one's admiration. Of Chedsy Place, for instance, we remarked on its excellence of construction, difficulties never being evaded, and here in The Old Man's Birthday this is even more apparent . . . It is all well and wittily, sometimes touchingly, done. * Morning Post *

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Book SynopsisI don't think that people are people to her any longer. They're just mirrors. If she can see the right picture of herself in them, she likes them. If she can't, she dislikes them.Stella Markham is the apple of her aunt's eye: gentle, kind, beautiful and accomplished – the model of a perfect child. Her guardians love her and her playmates worship her. Sensitive and thoughtful, she is the very image of nineteenth century loveliness – that is, until things don't go her way. From Richmal Crompton, the bestselling author of the Just William stories, Narcissa follows Stella from childhood through courtship and motherhood, detailing the triumphs and tragedies of a woman who is willing to do anything to maintain the image of her own perfection, sacrificing those she loves to her own vanity.

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Book SynopsisHappily married for thirty years with three children that have long since grown up, Christopher Mainwaring finds himself at a total loss following the death of his beloved wife, Susan. Yet the joyful marriage he remembers may not have been all it seemed, for no one in the family knows of the troubling words his wife uttered to him from her death bed. . . Alluding to a possible affair that took place many years ago with a close family friend, the grieving widower is haunted by visions of Susan's infidelity and seeks to find out the truth. In his quest to unearth his wife's potential duplicity, Christopher finds himself looking to his children's complex lives for answers: Joy who is now married with children and concerns of her own, the professionally inept but kind-hearted Frank and his neurotic wife Rachel, and Derek, whose delusions of grandeur with his struggling business causes much distress for his long-suffering wife, Olivia.Portrait of a Family by Richmal Crompton provides universal reflections and intimate insights into the dynamics of family life with a startling clarity that will stay with the reader long after the final page has been turned.Trade ReviewI imagine that Portrait of a Family will make many friends. It is interesting, it reads like the truth . . . It is good humoured and cheery, and even has its boisterous moments. It is, indeed, a delightful little study of 'ordinary' people who, of course, are not ordinary at all. -- Ralph Straus * The Sunday Times *A fine novel. . . genuinely moving and the writing is excellent * Sunday Chronicle *The book is interesting, and written with even more than the author's usual ability * Morning Post *

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Book SynopsisEdward Waverly enjoyed a privileged upbringing, despite his family’s drama. Coming of age during a political uprising, Edward’s time is split between his father and his uncle, who each have opposing political views, which causes a rift in the family. His uncle is a traditional British subject that wishes to overthrow the government so that Charles Edward Stuart is restored to power, commonly known as a Jacobite. However, Edward’s father is a Hanoverian, a citizen who supports the current government. Raised between the two, Edward himself has flippant views. In fact, he is more interested in chasing women than his studies or politics. For this reason, Edward’s aunt decides to send him to the army. Serving as a Hanoverian soldier, Edward takes his training about as seriously as he took his studies, but as his regiment travels around Scottland, Edward is taken by the beauty of the nation and its culture, especially falling for a young woman named Flora. Though Edward quickly becomes enamored by Flora, he soon realizes that their romance is ill-fated, as he is a Hanoverian soldier, and Flora is a dedicated Jacobite. While Edward challenges his own political views for love, more chaos unfolds, including war, uprisings, and accusations of treason. First published anonymously in 1814, Waverley rose to almost immediate fame, praised for its authenticity and comedy. Already famous as a poet, Sir Walter Scott eventually admitted that this extraordinary historical novel was among his first attempts to publish his prose fiction. With themes of war and tolerance and beautiful prose, Waverley depicts a young soldier’s struggle with love and beliefs as he travels across Scottland. Featuring stunning detail, the landscape and culture of 18th century Scottland is beautifully represented as is the fascinating history of the Jacobite uprising of 1745. This edition of Waverley by Sir Walter Scott now features an eye-catching cover design and is printed in a font that is both modern and readable. With these accommodations, this edition of Waverley crafts an accessible and pleasant reading experience for modern audiences while restoring the original mastery of Sir Walter Scott’s literature.

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Book SynopsisThe Romance of Lust (1873-1876) is an anonymously written pornographic novel. Published by infamous London pornographer William Lazenby, The Romance of Lust appeared in four volumes and immediately drew condemnation from the British authorities. Although its author remains unknown, scholars believe either William Simpson Potter or Edward Sellon wrote the text. Frequently censored, The Romance of Lust influenced countless authors of erotica from the Victorian era onward. Charlie Roberts has always felt different. Born with an abnormally large penis, he finds himself tempted into sexual experience at a young age. Soon, he develops an uncontrollable desire for the human body, and begins to have sex with everyone from his governesses to his own sisters Eliza and Mary. As he gets older, a whole new world of lust becomes available, and Charlie begins to feel attracted to men. Filled with detailed scenes of erotic acts, including orgies, fellatio, cunnilingus, masturbation, anal sex, and double penetration, The Romance of Lust raised more than just eyebrows when it first appeared in print. Condemned for obscenity and often censored by authorities, the novel is recognized today as an important work of Victorian erotica and has inspired generations of pornographers around the world. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of The Romance of Lust is a classic of pornographic literature reimagined for modern readers.

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Book SynopsisThe Lustful Turk (1828) is an anonymously written pornographic novel. Published by infamous London pornographers John Benjamin Brookes and William Dugdale, The Lustful Turk was adapted into a 1968 film by David Friedman. Notable for its blend of popular literary styles, including the epistolary narrative, the novel of sensibility, and Gothic romance, The Lustful Turk influenced countless authors of erotica from the Victorian era onward. In a series of letters to her friend Sylvia, Emily Barlow recounts her fateful voyage to India. Captured by pirates on the high seas, Emily is taken to the harem of Ali, a regent of Algiers. Held against her will, she is tortured and subjected to sexual acts previously unknown to her. When one of her letters is discovered by Ali, he organizes Sylvia’s abduction and reunites the friends in his harem. As the story unfolds, graphic sex gives way to a plot to violently overthrow Ali and free his many captives. The Lustful Turk is a controversial story that meets time-honored taboos head on, depicting graphic scenes of lust, castration, and rape. Condemned upon publication for obscenity, the novel is recognized today as an important work of Victorian erotica and as a harmful example of orientalist tropes. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of The Lustful Turk is a classic of pornographic literature reimagined for modern readers.

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Book Synopsis"Here, I thought, was one of the most melodramatic and gorgeous bits of Americana that had ever come my way. It was not only the theater — it was the theater plus the glamour of the wandering drifting life, the drama of the river towns, the mystery and terror of the Mississippi itself... I spent a year hunting down every available scrap of show-boat material; reading, interviewing, taking notes and making outlines."Inspired by an offhand comment made by Winthrop Ames during the opening night of Minick, Edna Ferber became enamored with the idea of show boats and the magic of the lives of traveling performers. Crafting a story of love and racial prejudice amid the changing times, Ferber’s 1926 Pulitzer Prize winning novel Show Boat follows three generations of performers aboard the Cotton Blossom.Set in the aftermath of the American Civil War, Show Boat sees Captain Andy Hawks, his wife Parthy Ann and his daughter, Magnolia, buying the new show boat Cotton Blossom and setting down the Mississippi River with their small cast: Julie, Steve, Ellie and “Schultzy.” Despite being married to Steve, Julie is relentlessly pursued by a crewmember named Pete who ends up losing to a fight with Steve who demands he cease his unwanted advances. Threatening to expose a dark secret about their marriage, he sends the Cotton Blossom into a cycle of tragedy that will stick for generations to come.Professionally typeset with a beautifully designed cover, this edition of Show Boat is an award-winning classic reimagined for the modern reader.

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Book SynopsisThe Man Who Laughs (1869) is a novel by Victor Hugo. Written while Hugo was living in exile on the island of Guernsey, The Man Who Laughs is set between the 17th and 18th centuries in England, a time of political unrest and class conflict in which he identified parallels to France of the 19th century. Although the novel was largely panned at the time, it has since been recognized as one of Hugo’s greatest works. The Man Who Laughs has inspired over a dozen adaptations in film, theater, and comics, including a 1928 American silent film that served as source material for the Joker in the original 1940 issue of Batman. “Again the child set himself to sweep away the snow. The neck of the dead woman appeared; then her shoulders, clothed in rags. Suddenly he felt something move feebly under his touch. It was something small that was buried, and which stirred. The child swiftly cleared away the snow, discovering a wretched little body—thin, wan with cold, still alive, lying naked on the dead woman's naked breast.” Abandoned by a group of Comprachicos, criminals who buy and capture children for the purpose of mutilating them and forcing them to work as beggars or performers, the young Gwynplaine wanders the English coast alone. During a storm, he discovers an infant girl and her dead mother lying in the snow, and endeavors to save the child. Left with no choice but to rely on strangers, Gwynplaine joins a carnival run by the merciful Ursus, a man with a pet wolf. Horrified at first by the boy’s disfigurement, which has left a perpetual smile on his face, Ursus agrees to care for the children and soon finds that Gwynplaine is a versatile and lucrative attraction at his shows. When the Duchess Josiana attends the carnival to see Gwynplaine, now a young man, she finds herself strangely attracted to him. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Victor Hugo’s The Man Who Laughs is a classic work of French literature reimagined for modern readers.

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Book SynopsisIn Evelina or the History of a Young Lady’s Entrance into the World, the title character leaves her isolated country home for vibrant London society. As she stumbles through the city, she encounters many people including the handsome, Lord Orville. Evelina is a young woman who’s spent her entire childhood in seclusion. Although the legitimate daughter of Sir John Belmont, she was raised in the country with Reverend Villars. When Evelina is offered a chance to visit London, she quickly accepts the opportunity. Upon her arrival, her questionable origins and naïveté make her a target for rumors and speculation. Despite her unconventional ways, she catches the eye of nobleman, Lord Orville and tries to navigate formal rules of society and courtship. Evelina or the History of a Young Lady’s Entrance into the World is a compelling story bursting with humor and romanticism. The author beautifully weaves multiple characters and arcs into one satisfying narrative. Originally published in 1778, Evelina maintains its refreshing outlook on contemporary life. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Evelina is both modern and readable.

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Book SynopsisJim is a young seaman, who’s faced with a life or death scenario, and chooses self-preservation over the well-being of his unsuspecting passengers and crew. One impulsive act permanently damages his career, dramatically changing his future. Jim is a young man who’s enamored by life at sea. He is a crewmember on the vessel, Patna, which is scheduled to transport hundreds of passengers to Mecca. When they encounter rough weather, the ship is damaged and begins to leak. Jim and his crew hastily abandon the Patna and everyone onboard. Afterwards, they discover the ship didn’t sink and the passengers survived. The crew is quickly reprimanded for violating protocol and are stripped of their certifications. Jim is overcome with guilt, seeking redemption in the eyes of himself and his peers. Lord Jim is considered one of the greatest novels of the twentieth century. It’s a vivid exploration of professional ethics and personal accountability. A story about integrity and how it can be tested by anyone, at any time, in any circumstance. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Lord Jim is both modern and readable.

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Book SynopsisErewhon, an anagram for “nowhere,” is a faraway land where citizens follow a unique set of rules disregarding conventional beliefs about money, health and science. Beneath the surface, Erewhon is fueled by hypocrisy and inhabitants are riddled with fear. A traveler stumbles across a remote country that appears to be a peaceful paradise. It’s a utopian society that doesn’t use or value money in a traditional way. Criminals are considered sick and treated as patients, while the ill are imprisoned and labeled as criminals. There’s also an overwhelming distrust of machines, which are outlawed due to their potential to evolve and overthrow their masters. Erewhon’s superficial qualities grow to become a source of contempt and distrust. Erewhon illustrates a world where an attempt to correct the ills of society causes more harm than good. It’s a profound examination of Victorian ethics, benefiting a minority over the majority. Butler’s groundbreaking novel has significantly influenced multiple writers in literature and beyond. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Erewhon is both modern and readable.

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Book SynopsisWhile they are discussing the possible illnesses they may have, Jerome, Harris, and George all realize they suffer from the same thing—working too much. Upon the realization, the three best friends decide that they must go on a vacation. After rejecting the ideas of a sea trip or country stay, because Jerome doesn’t like the sea, and Harris finds the country to be dull, the men decide on a boat trip. With their bags packed and with the company of Jerome’s dog, Montmorency, the friends set off on a boat traveling along the Thames River. They pass notable landmarks and muse about them, questioning their importance, appearance, and origins. Memories are recalled and shared with embellishments. The three men enjoy each other’s company until the vacation takes turns that they could never expect. With unpredictable weather, comedic pitfalls, and wild humor, no outcome is impossible on this chaotic vacation. Facing their own shortcomings, flaws, and the uncontrollable weather, Jerome, Harris, and George must work together to remain in good spirits and find the silver linings so they can still enjoy their vacation. Though originally intended to be a travel guide, the witty jokes, humorous diversions, and realistic characters portrayed in Three Men in a Boat stole the focus of the novel. Based off author Jerome K. Jerome’s real-life experiences, Three Men in a Boat is a comedy that has stood the test of time. With undated jokes and hilarity, Jerome’s comedic work of escapism, Three Men in a Boat, remains to seem fresh and witty over one hundred years later. Three Men in a Boat is brought back to life with a modern font and a new, eye-catching design. This classic comedy is an essential to any fun collection. Jerome K. Jerome’s Three Men in a Boat offers a short escape from reality and entertainment from even the most unexpected adventures.

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Book SynopsisA seemingly well-reasoned justification of murder comes to pieces as the murderer is forced to confront the true nature of his crime. After much thought Rodion Raskolnikov determines that certain special people deserve the right to step outside of normal law and order to accomplish difficult deeds for the good of others and even humanity as a whole. Trapped in desperate poverty, he justifies his plan to rob and kill a rich, unpopular pawnbroker, reasoning that he will take the money, survive and go on to do good things for others. The terrible act of murder, and the unstoppable cascade of events that follow, throw Raskolnikov into a nightmare of mental unbalance and moral torment. One situation after another arises that drives home his guilt and shows how his brutal act has resulted in nothing but destruction and pain. A surprise visit from family and a policeman who seems teasingly, sardonically aware of his guilt thrust Raskolnikov into a position where he can’t tell if even confession will supply meaningful redemption. First published in 1866, Crime and Punishment stands as one of the most acclaimed novels of all time and remains unsurpassed in its penetrating psychology and raw glimpses of a mind wracked by moral confusion and fundamental questions of how to do the right thing. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Crime and Punishment is both modern and readable.

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Book Synopsis “At the end we are steeped through and through with the genius, the vehemence, the indignation of Charlotte Brontë'”-Virginia Woolf “Given the action of Jane Eyre, which is in every sense dramatic, there is a pull, all the same, between action and consciousness.-Raymond Williams “Teaching the true strength of character for generations.”-The Guardian Jane Eyre, (1847) the first novel from Charlotte Brontë, originally published under the pen name “Currer Bell” was an immediate commercial and literary success. This classic work was unprecedented in its forthright reproach towards Victorian social norms, moral duty, and gender inequality; It is likewise one of the most extraordinary stories of love and freedom in the English language. Jane Eyre, which follows a young woman’s passageway into adulthood and the unfolding of her interior emotional states, is a singular work of genre-defying fiction. Its story begins as the eponymous heroine is orphaned and under the care of her aunt, Mrs. Reed, a well-to-do yet heartless guardian. Jane is unfairly punished, and locked into “the red room”, where she collapses in fright after an encounter with the apparent ghost of her deceased Uncle Reed. Following the incident, Jane’s aunt sends her away to “Lowood”, an oppressive school run by the abusive and fraudulent headmaster, Mr. Brocklehurst. After an outbreak of typhoid devastates the school, a new kindly administration is installed. Jane’s life finally turns around; she remains at the school for six years and eventually becomes an instructor. After teaching for several years, Jane takes a position as a governess at Thornfield, the residence of the unbridled yet elegant Edward Rochester. As Jane embraces her duties at the estate, she begins to fall in love with her employer, and much to her surprise he asks for her hand in marriage. On the wedding day it is revealed that Edward possesses deep and dark secrets, and Jane flees for the sake of her own emotional integrity. In the ensuing experiences of her retreat, Jane confronts the procession of experiences and the formidable trials of her new life with the command of her unyielding self-determination. A startling modern classic of pronto-feminism, Jane Eyre is one of the most ingenious romance novels ever written. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Jane Eyre is both modern and readable.

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Book SynopsisStruggling under oppressive laws, high taxes, and the heavy hand of King George the Third’s rule, the people living in early America longed for freedoms seemingly out of reach. Talk of rebellion stayed in bars and in the secret of homes, never really given serious consideration until Thomas Paine picked up a pen. Common Sense was the one of the first major cases made public for independence. Written as if it were a sermon, Paine advocates for religious freedom and independence from Great Britain. Common Sense is separated by four sections: “Of the Origin and Design of Government in General, With Concise Remarks on the English Constitution”, “Of Monarchy and Hereditary Succession,” “Thoughts on the Present State of American Affairs,” and “On the Present Ability of America, With Some Miscellaneous Reflections.” Each use concise and persuasive prose to address Paine’s main points and arguments for independence, based on the origins of the British government, the current state of America, and the issues of each. With Common Sense Thomas Paine entered a frequently talked about and yearned for solution for the young, struggling nation into public discourse for serious consideration. "Without the pen of the author of Common Sense, the sword of Washington would have been raised in vain,” John Adams said of Thomas Paine . Common Sense not only helped to inspire the American Revolution, but it also gave the founding fathers direction. Using clear, concise, and persuasive prose, Paine argues for American independence before other public figures of his time had the bravery or eloquence to. The ideologies of Common Sense are still employed in government today, and is a testament to the American spirit. Now with in a modern, easy-to-read font and with a distinct cover design, Common Sense by Thomas Paine embodies the American spirit and ingenuity like never before. It is a must-have for any collection seeking to appreciate American history and the origins of American democracy.

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Book Synopsis“A perfect work of the American imagination.”-D.H Lawrence “The Scarlet Letter is so terrible in its pictures of diseased human nature as to produce most questionable delights. The reader’s interest never flags for a moment…Hawthorne, when you have studied him, will be very precious to you. He will have plunged you into melancholy, he will have overshadowed you with black forebodings, he will almost have crushed you with imaginary sorrows; but he will have enabled you to feel yourself an inch taller during the process.”-Anthony Trollope Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter is a razor-sharp novel set in a seventeen-century puritan community. The book examines the contradictions of good and evil, what is apparent and what is hidden, and the power of redemption. After Hester Prynne, the protagonist of The Scarlet Letter, has a child out of wedlock, she is branded with the scarlet letter “A” on her dress. Shunned in her community as she refused to identify the father of her child, Hester lives with in a small cottage with her daughter, Pearl. Roger Chillingworth, an elderly physician, joins the community, and unbeknownst to all except for Hester, he is her long-departed husband, who was presumed to be dead. In his absence, Hester had an affair and subsequently gave birth to a child. Covertly aiming for revenge on the father of the child, Chillingworth descends on Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale, the young minister who he suspects in the illicit affair. Within the remarkable character of Hester, Hawthorne examines female independence and the complexities of sin. With a surprising emotional pitch and powerful insights into the human condition, this is one of America’s greatest novels. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of The Scarlet Letter is both modern and readable.

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Book Synopsis“London’s style is typically lush but his viewpoint is skeptical and dystopian...the story reminds us of the dangers we still court with our careless ways.”-The Times “Jack London saw this coming. Why didn’t we?...To revisit The Scarlet Plague during the COVID-19 crisis is to marvel at how much London understood- a century ago-about the challenges we face now.”-The Baltimore Sun The Scarlet Plague (1915) is an early dystopian novel written by Jack London in 1910, serialized in London Magazine in 1912, and finally published as a book in 1915. Set in 2073, sixty years after a pandemic has wiped out most of earth’s population, an old man recounts the events to his grandsons. The old man had been a professor of English Literature at the University of California Berkeley, and managed to survive the pandemic by isolating himself in the chemistry facility at the school. Later, he spent years living alone in an empty hotel in Yosemite, until he finally joined a group of rag-tag survivors in San Francisco who called themselves “The Chauffeurs”. The Scarlet Plague opens at the end of civilization when Professor James Howard Smith is an old man on a beach outside of San Francisco, when he tells his story. The world that he describes has no relation to the post-apocalyptic desolation of 2073, and the culture and civilization that he evokes are met with abject skepticism. Smith is convinced that he is the remaining survivor who can describe how the world existed before it descended into complete barbarism. The Scarlet Plagueis a harrowing classic of early science fiction that eerily resonates with the tumultuous events of our own times. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of The Scarlet Plague is both modern and readable.

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Book SynopsisPhileas Fogg puts up half his fortune wagering that he can circumnavigate the earth in 80 days. Encountering one adventure after another and pursued by a determined policeman, Fogg’s inventiveness will be challenged to its limit. When Phileas Fogg brashly accepts a bet that he can travel around the world in a mere 80 days he not only risks his fortune but his life. Complications in his travel occur early and often, with Fogg and his loyal valet Passepartout falling behind schedule and struggling to catch up as the author brilliantly blocks their path with everything from a relentlessly pursuing policeman, who mistakenly believes Fogg to be a bank robber, to attacks by Sioux braves and a mutiny at sea. Interspersed with all the driving action are colorful glimpses of distant lands and descriptions of Fogg’s various forms of travel, which range from train and steamer to elephant and wind-powered sleigh. A bestseller in its day Around the World in Eighty Days was first published in 1873 and conveys the excitement and fascination felt by both the author and his readers for the Victorian era’s fresh new possibilities in travel. The sweep and charm of this adventure classic are undimmed today.” With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Around the World in Eighty Days is both modern and readable.

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Book Synopsis“Perhaps we identify with Emma because we too feel an emptiness at the center of things—an emptiness we try to fill with books, with fantasies, with sex, with things. Her yearning is nothing more or less than the human condition in the modern world. Her search for ecstasy is ours.”—Erica Jong "Madame Bovaryhas a perfection that not only stamps it, but that makes it stand almost alone: it holds itself with such a supreme unapproachable assurance as both excites and defies judgment."-Henry James When Gustave Flaubert’s debut novel Madame Bovary (1856) was published it had already created a great storm of both repulsion and profound admiration; it is now recognized as one of the most important works of literature ever written. When the story initially appeared in serial form it was attacked as a work of blatant indecency , and Flaubert was thrust into immediate celebrity. In the resulting obscenity trial, the author was acquitted, and by its publication date its existence was well known in France. Immediately a bestseller, the French public embraced the book with polarity; many repugnant with its attack on convention, and many recognizing its great humanity and depth. The novel begins with the introduction of Charles Bovary, an unremarkable man who becomes a country doctor in the north of France. During one of his rounds he falls under the spell of Emma Rouault, the beautiful daughter of one of his patients. When Bovary’s wife unexpectedly passes away, he marries Emma, whose expectation of life becomes increasingly unfulfilled. After the birth of her child, she spins into a series of uncontrollable urges and bad choices that leads to her tragic downfall. With its unique shifting of perspectives, deep humanity, and bleak honesty, Madame Bovary is a classic that must be read. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Madame Bovary is both modern and readable.

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Book SynopsisThe Black Arrow, first serialized in 1883, was eventually published as a novel by Robert Louis Stevenson in 1888. Although it was initially written for children, and has since remained relatively undervalued by critics, The Black Arrow has garnered praise from such figures as John Galsworthy for its richly imagined setting and vibrant dialogue. Set in fifteenth-century England during the infamous War of the Roses, The Black Arrow follows the young Richard “Dick” Shelton’s journey of growth and discovery in a time of violence and terror. When the outlaws known as The Black Arrow attack his home, a strange rhyme discovered at the scene leaves Dick curious as to the true nature of his father’s death. Sent to warn Sir Daniel—who has been chosen to care for Tunstall until Dick comes of age—the hero meets the heiress Joanna. The two follow Sir Daniel back to Tunstall, where Dick discovers that his father was murdered by the man appointed to protect him. In order to get revenge, and to rescue Joanna from captivity, Dick joins the outlaws of The Black Arrow and is knighted for his service in battle to the Duke of Gloucester. A classic of adventure and romance, The Black Arrow is a novel in which a young man faces down danger in order to protect what he loves. Published amid what is arguably Stevenson’s most productive decade, The Black Arrow is often overshadowed by such works as Treasure Island and Kidnapped. What makes it worth reading, however, is its timeless tale of perseverance and growth that transports the reader to one of England’s darkest periods. It is both historical and romantic, a story for children and adults alike. To read Stevenson is to enter a world unlike any other, and yet so strangely familiar it might be our own. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this new edition of Robert Louis Stevenson’s The Black Arrow is a classic of literature reimagined for modern readers.

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Book SynopsisWhile they are discussing the possible illnesses they may have, Jerome, Harris, and George all realize they suffer from the same thing—working too much. Upon the realization, the three best friends decide that they must go on a vacation. After rejecting the ideas of a sea trip or country stay, because Jerome doesn’t like the sea, and Harris finds the country to be dull, the men decide on a boat trip. With their bags packed and with the company of Jerome’s dog, Montmorency, the friends set off on a boat traveling along the Thames River. They pass notable landmarks and muse about them, questioning their importance, appearance, and origins. Memories are recalled and shared with embellishments. The three men enjoy each other’s company until the vacation takes turns that they could never expect. With unpredictable weather, comedic pitfalls, and wild humor, no outcome is impossible on this chaotic vacation. Facing their own shortcomings, flaws, and the uncontrollable weather, Jerome, Harris, and George must work together to remain in good spirits and find the silver linings so they can still enjoy their vacation. Though originally intended to be a travel guide, the witty jokes, humorous diversions, and realistic characters portrayed in Three Men in a Boat stole the focus of the novel. Based off author Jerome K. Jerome’s real-life experiences, Three Men in a Boat is a comedy that has stood the test of time. With undated jokes and hilarity, Jerome’s comedic work of escapism, Three Men in a Boat, remains to seem fresh and witty over one hundred years later. Three Men in a Boat is brought back to life with a modern font and a new, eye-catching design. This classic comedy is an essential to any fun collection. Jerome K. Jerome’s Three Men in a Boat offers a short escape from reality and entertainment from even the most unexpected adventures.

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Book Synopsis Set in an industrial city in Northern England during the Victorian era, Thomas Gradgrind, a wealthy and retired man, devotes his life to the rationalist philosophy, and raises his children, Louisa and Tom, to never engage in any imaginative activity. The two grow up feeling confused, like something is missing in their lives, yet are unable figure out what exactly that is and affected differently by their upbringing. Louisa struggles to feel joy, and Tom struggles to find ethical standards. When Josiah Bounderby, a crass, rich man, asks for Louisa’s hand in marriage, she cannot find a rational reason not to marry him. He would elevate her social status, was a friend of her father, and employed her brother at his bank. She decides to marry Bounderby, despite feeling no love for him. Meanwhile, Stephen, a poor laborer in one of the city’s factories, who is struggling under the oppression of the upper classes, meets Tom and Louisa, inspiring them in different ways. When the city is shocked by a scandalous and devastating bank robbery, Stephen, Tom, and Louisa’s lives are forever changed, and Gradgrind must question the strict beliefs on which he relies. Hard Times by Charles Dickens is revered not only for its skillfully constructed prose, but also its critique of capitalist and utilitarian philosophy. Dickens’ empathetic portrayal of the effects of such beliefs raises concern and advocates for the conservation of human creativity and joy in a way that is still applicable today. With an eye-catching cover design and a modern font, Hard Times by Charles Dickens is a thought-provoking novel written by the greatest and most influential writers of the Victorian era.

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Book SynopsisEight Cousins (1875) is a novel by American author, feminist, and abolitionist Louisa May Alcott. Based on her experience of being raised by a father dedicated to education reform, and grounded in her radical beliefs on the role of women in society, Eight Cousins is a masterpiece of children’s literature that explores themes of family, death, and perseverance. Rose Campbell is a young girl when her parents pass away. Orphaned, she is taken to the Boston home of her great aunts, the Campbell sisters, who raise her while awaiting the arrival of their brother Alec, Rose’s legal guardian. An heiress, Rose must adjust to the rhythms of New England high society while also learning that the limitations placed on women—which her uncle disdains—must not be allowed to restrain her. When Alec returns from business overseas, she is introduced to her male uncles and cousins. Although she is nervous at first—and still in mourning for her affectionate father— she soon finds herself appreciative of her new male role model, who educates her, rejects the oppressive women’s fashion of the day, and encourages her to take control of her life and fortune. Although her more conservative aunts are first wary of Alec’s influence, they too grow to understand his moral and political principles, creating the harmony necessary for Rose’s upbringing and development into a capable young woman. Although less popular than Alcott’s “March Family Saga,” Eight Cousins is a brilliant work that captures the power of love and community over prejudice and convention, and—like each of the author’s works—has long been read and adored by children and adults alike. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Louisa May Alcott’s Eight Cousins is a classic of American literature and children’s fiction reimagined for modern readers.

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Book SynopsisHowards End (1910) is a novel by English author E.M. Forster. Inspired by his interactions with the famous Bloomsbury Group of writers and intellectuals, as well as by his personal experience growing up with a large inheritance on the family estate of Rooks Nest, Howards End has been recognized as one of the finest novels ever written in English. The story loosely follows the lives of three families: the Wilcoxes, whose wealth derives from the exploitation of British colonies; the Basts, an impoverished couple; and the Schlegels, half-German sisters who find themselves set between the vastly opposing classes of their peers. Much of the novel is set on the Wilcox estate, known as Howards End, a symbol of fortune and a reminder of the generational implications of hoarded wealth. When Ruth Wilcox moves to London, she befriends her neighbor Margaret Schlegel. On her deathbed, and in secret, Ruth leaves a note instructing that Howards End be left to Margaret in her will, bypassing her family entirely. When her son Henry, a widower, finds out, he destroys the note, ensuring that the estate remains within the family. Years later, when the two meet again, Henry proposes to Margaret, bringing the Wilcox and Schlegel families closer together. But when her sister Helen brings the struggling Leonard and Jacky Bast to a party at Howards End, Henry, who recognizes Jacky as a former mistress, believes he is being set up, and breaks off the engagement. Although they reconcile, Margaret is driven apart from her sisters, who resent the Wilcoxes and distrust Henry. But when Helen becomes pregnant by Leonard, and a tragic event destroys several lives, the families are brought together once more, and both Margaret and Henry are forced to choose between the fortune they stand to gain and the love they stand to lose. E.M. Forster’s Howards End is a masterpiece, a brilliant study of family, wealth, romance, and secrecy that captures the depravity of the English aristocracy without losing what sets it apart—an undeterred sense of humanity. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of E.M. Forster’s Howards End is a classic of English literature reimagined for modern readers.

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Book SynopsisCousin Bette (1846) is a novel by French author Honoré de Balzac. Part of Balzac’s La Comédie humaine sequence, the novel is recognized as being the author’s last fully-realized work, and features several characters who appear elsewhere throughout his legendary series. It has inspired several film and television adaptations, as well as earned comparisons to Shakespeare’s Othello and Tolstoy’s War and Peace. The novel focuses on the life and exploits of Bette Fischer, a 42-year-old woman whose bitterness at remaining unmarried—despite several proposals by men she deemed unworthy—drives her to ruin the reputations and lives of her extended family. After rescuing the young sculptor Wenceslas Steinbock from suicide, Bette develops a complex affection for the man. When he falls in love with Hortense, the daughter of Bette’s cousin Adeline, she hatches a plan to gain revenge for this perceived personal slight. She recruits the young and beautiful Valérie Marneffe—an unhappily married woman—to seduce Adeline’s husband, Baron Hector Hulot, whose uncontrolled desires and extensive vanity both test his family’s loyalty and stretch their finances to the furthest possible limit. Cousin Bette is an intense psychological drama and character study that burns with the fire of Balzac’s critique of French society. While exposing the depths of human immorality—particularly where money is made the center of personal relationships—Balzac manages to remind us that what makes us human is not what drives us apart, but the lengths to which we will go to cultivate love despite our basest impulses. To read Cousin Bette is to observe the hopes, flaws, and desires of the people of nineteenth century France, but to ultimately judge ourselves. This final masterpiece of Honoré de Balzac is a testament to the skill and dedication of one of history’s finest literary minds. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Honoré de Balzac’s Cousin Bette is a classic of French literature reimagined for modern readers.

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Book SynopsisEugénie Grandet (1833) is a novel by French author Honoré de Balzac. Written as Balzac began to formulate the grand scale of his La Comédie humaine sequence, Eugénie Grandet was eventually tied into the universe of his epic realist masterpiece, a holistic vision of nineteenth-century French society which sought to observe the consequences of the political, religious, and economic shifts of the Revolution and in its aftermath. This novel looks to the moral failings of a particular nouveau riche family, whose accumulation of wealth has quickly erased any sense of their working-class origins. After the Revolution, master cooper Felix Grandet married the daughter of a successful merchant, ascended in the political and social life of the town of Saumur, and quietly amassed an immense wealth through industry and inheritances from his wife’s family. Now an old man, Felix possesses a fortune he feels no inclination to use, not even to improve the daily lives of his ailing wife and young adult daughter Eugénie, who faces frequent incursions from local suitors intent on marrying her to attain her father’s wealth. When Felix’s nephew Charles arrives from Paris with a letter from the patriarch’s estranged brother Guillaume, tragic circumstances force him to choose between habitual greed and the immense pressure of performing what for anyone else would be a basic act of generosity. Eugénie Grandet is a powerful story of fortune, power, and the ease with which these lead to moral failure. Published at the dawning of Balzac’s most productive and critically-acclaimed period, this novel is not only a good introduction to his lengthy La Comédie humaine sequence, but an irreplaceable work of nineteenth-century realist literature. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Honoré de Balzac’s Eugénie Grandet is a classic of French literature reimagined for modern readers.

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Book SynopsisWhile traveling on a ship, a Swiss pastor, his wife and four sons encounter a violent storm that abruptly transports them to a tropical island. They attempt to navigate the desolate shore but face looming danger and an unforeseen presence. A family venture turns into a survival effort when a ship is damaged during a tropical storm. A father, mother and four sons stumble across a small island that appears to be uninhabited. They set up camp, complete with makeshift housing, to protect against the elements. While exploring the territory, they gather food and other creature comforts. During their stay, the family is met with various challenges that will test their faith in God and each other. The Swiss Family Robinson is Johann David Wyss’ literary masterpiece that’s been passed down from generation to generation. The story found its biggest audience in the twentieth century with the 1960 feature film produced by Walt Disney Pictures. Since then, Wyss’ message of family values and self-reliance have reached countless children and adults across the world. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of The Swiss Family Robinson is both modern and readable.

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Book SynopsisThe youngest son of King Peter, leaves his family home to explore the world, meet new people, and discover the Well at the World’s End. It’s an unconventional hero’s journey that takes the protagonist on a life-changing adventure. King Peter has four sons, all of whom are eager to leave home. He allows three of them to travel the world but forces his youngest boy, Ralph, to stay. Despite his father’s ruling, Ralph sets out on his own adventure without his family’s blessing. While on the road, he encounters exciting and unusual characters, including the Lady of Abundance and the maiden Ursula. When he learns of the powerful Well at the World’s End, his journey takes a sudden and unexpected turn. The Well at the World’s End is full of distinct characters and vivid imagery. William Morris weaves a fantastical tale driven by curiosity and romance. This story is a standout within its genre and among Morris’ impressive catalog. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of The Well at the World’s End is both modern and readable.

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Book SynopsisErewhon, an anagram for “nowhere,” is a faraway land where citizens follow a unique set of rules disregarding conventional beliefs about money, health and science. Beneath the surface, Erewhon is fueled by hypocrisy and inhabitants are riddled with fear. A traveler stumbles across a remote country that appears to be a peaceful paradise. It’s a utopian society that doesn’t use or value money in a traditional way. Criminals are considered sick and treated as patients, while the ill are imprisoned and labeled as criminals. There’s also an overwhelming distrust of machines, which are outlawed due to their potential to evolve and overthrow their masters. Erewhon’s superficial qualities grow to become a source of contempt and distrust. Erewhon illustrates a world where an attempt to correct the ills of society causes more harm than good. It’s a profound examination of Victorian ethics, benefiting a minority over the majority. Butler’s groundbreaking novel has significantly influenced multiple writers in literature and beyond. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Erewhon is both modern and readable.

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Book SynopsisAdam Bede falls in love with a teenage orphan, who is being secretly seduced by a wealthy squire, which leads to a series of tragedies. Adam attempts to navigate the situation exposing lies and unexpected betrayals. In the small village of Hayslope, a group of men and women are pulled into an unconventional love story that changes the trajectory of their lives. Adam Bede is a young carpenter who adores Hetty, the 17-year-old cousin of Dinah, a Methodist preacher. Hetty is a flirtatious beauty who engages in a romance with Captain Arthur Donnithorne. When their relationship is discovered, Adam insists Arthur leave Hetty to which he quickly obliges. Despite his interference, Adam is unaware of a looming development that will send Hetty down and dark and inevitable path. George Eliot brilliantly composes a multilayered story driven by selfish desires. It explores the hidden consequences of behavior, as well as the superficial nature of romance. Adam Bede is a complex tale that questions elements of chivalry, marriage and the traditional family. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Adam Bede is both modern and readable.

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Book SynopsisWomen in Love is D.H Lawrence’s sequel to The Rainbow, and is widely considered by critics to be Lawrence’s best novel. It tells the story of the young Brangwen sisters and their struggles with relationships and power during the time leading up to the first world war. Though controversial for its depictions of sexuality and the destructive power of some relationships, Women in Love is considered one of the best examples of twentieth century English literature ever written.

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Book SynopsisAaron Sisson lives a humble life in the English Midlands. He works as a union official for the coal mines, but his real passion is music. As an amateur, but very talented flautist, Aaron dreams of a big career as a beloved musician. Though, with his small community and unglamorous job at the coal mine, this dream seems unattainable. Trapped in an unhappy marriage, and unsatisfied at work, Aaron becomes more and more frustrated with his life. Finally, when he feels that he cannot take it any longer, Aaron abandons his two kids and wife to run away to Italy. As he begins his journey Aaron feels hopeful for the first time in a long time. However, the journey proves to be more trouble than Aaron expected. When he falls ill, he befriends Rawdon Lilly, a cynical writer. After Rawdon nurses Aaron through his sickness, Aaron is free to continue on to Florence. Upon entering a social circle of intellectuals and artists, he experiences a higher level of conversation—discussions about politics, leadership, and expression. Feeling liberated, Aaron has an affair with an aristocratic woman, excited at all the new pleasures he is experiencing. Of course, it comes at a cost. In a city struggling in the aftermath of a war that wiped out generations, talks of revolution and change echo in the streets, and Aaron’s eyes are opened to social and political problems he had never considered. With complicated characters and beautifully written prose, Aaron’s Rod by the prolific author, D.H Lawrence, is a unique perspective on how World War Ⅰ affected the individual. Looking beyond just the death toll of the war, Aaron’s Rod examines those who were left behind, the political turmoil that followed, and the emotional plight of the individual. With allusions to the bible and complicated questions on both the battle and partnership between art and intellect, Aaron’s Rod poses thought-provoking questions about all levels of Western society. This edition of Aaron’s Rod by D.H Lawrence is now presented in an easy-to-read font and features a unique and eye-catching new cover design. With these accommodations, Aaron’s Rod is restored to its original genius while being updated to modern standards.

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Book SynopsisWhere Angels Fear to Tread (1905) is a novel by English author E.M. Forster. The work was Forster’s first novel, and its success helped launch his lengthy and critically acclaimed career as a writer of literary fiction. Where Angels Fear to Tread—the title is drawn from Alexander Pope’s An Essay on Criticism (1711)—is a moving meditation on class, gender, social convention, and the grieving process. Following the death of her husband, a widow named Lilia Herriton travels to Tuscany with her friend Caroline Abbott. In Italy, Lilia falls in love with a young Italian named Gino, with whom she decides to remain. This prompts a fierce backlash among members of her deceased husband’s family, who privilege their honor and name over Lilia’s happiness. Although they send Philip, her brother-in-law, to Italy in order to retrieve her, Lilia has already married Gino, and is pregnant with their child. When she dies in childbirth, however, a fight ensues over the care of the boy, whom the Herritons want to be raised as an Englishman in their midst. Philip returns to Italy with his sister Harriet, meeting Caroline and devising a plan to wrest control of the boy from Gino, a loving and caring father. Where Angels Fear to Tread is a novel that traces the consequences of selfish decisions, the politics of family life, and the social conventions which hold women prisoner to those who claim to support them. The novel was an immensely successful debut for Forster, who would go on to become one of England’s most popular and critically acclaimed novelists of the twentieth century. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of E.M. Forster’s Where Angels Fear to Tread is a classic of English literature reimagined for modern readers.

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Book SynopsisThe House by the Church-Yard (1863) is a novel by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu. An important source for James Joyce’s Finnegans Wake, The House by the Church-Yard is a hybrid of the mystery and historical genres of fiction. With its complex use of side plots and extensive frame narrative, the novel is central to Le Fanu’s legacy as an innovator whose literary works inspired Bram Stoker and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. During a routine interment at a churchyard in the historic village of Chapelizod, a grave is disturbed revealing a skull buried a century earlier. Upon examination, a gruesome discovery is made—not only does the skull show signs of severe head trauma, it contains a hole from an emergency trepanning procedure. Stirred by the discovery, an old man named Charles de Cresseron pieces together the story of a time the village had nearly forgotten. In the eighteenth century, a coffin was secretly buried in the churchyard, with no defining characteristics except for the initials “R.D.” As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that this burial is somehow related to a series of mysterious events—a love triangle between a general’s daughter, a local official, and a man who has taken residence in a home rumored to be haunted; the suicide of a disgraced prisoner; and a rivalry between a deeply indebted doctor and the agent of a local lord whose home has been infiltrated by a dubious imposter. As these plots swirl and converge, The House by the Church-Yard emerges as a masterpiece of suspense, a thriller that delights its reader just as much as it demands their attention. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu’s The House by the Church-Yard is a classic of Irish literature reimagined for modern readers.

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Book SynopsisCrome Yellow (1921) is a novel by English author Aldous Huxley. Inspired by his stay at Garsington Manor with members of the Bloomsbury Group, Crome Yellow, Huxley’s debut novel, satirizes the society of England’s intellectual and political elite. In addition to its autobiographical content, the novel investigates such themes as spirituality, the nature and composition of art, and the fear of a dystopian future. Invited to spend part of the summer at Crome, a country estate owned by Priscilla and Henry Wimbush, Denis Stone arrives by train carrying a draft of his first novel, which he intends to complete during his stay. There, he is introduced as a poet, and quickly falls in love with the young Anne Wimbush, herself enthralled with the painter Gombauld. Faced with disillusionment and disappointment, Stone struggles to write while being subjected to pseudointellectual conversations, lengthy public readings, and devastating characterizations by the guests and hosts of Crome. Memorable characters include Mary Bracegirdle, an adventurous and amorous flapper; Mr. Barbecue-Smith, a hack writer; and Mr. Scogan, a doomsayer with an elaborate dystopian vision. Crome Yellow, a biting work of satire, has earned comparisons to The Great Gatsby continues to be recognized as an important early work from one of England’s most visionary writers. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Aldous Huxley’s Crome Yellow is a classic of English literature reimagined for modern readers.

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Book SynopsisWhen King Richard the Lionheart’s health began to decline, the English leader organized a truce with the leader of the Islamic forces, Saladin. Agreeing to cease the battles on the condition that Jerusalem would be under Muslim control, the two leaders gave orders to their troops to return to their homes. However, Sir Kenneth, a Scottish knight, was in the search of a certain monk rather than his home when he encounters Emir, a cavalryman for Saladin’s forces. At first distrustful of each other and used to warfare, the two soldiers engage in a one-on-one battle. But when both refuse to surrender, the men realize that they are equally matched, and with the truces between their leaders, there was no reason to fight. Apon this realization, Amir and Kenneth become friends. When Kenneth later mentions that he is on a quest to find a Christian monk, Emir offers to accompany him, as he knows the terrain better than Kenneth. After happily accepting the offer, the two fighters set off on their journey, facing villains, deception, romance, and duels. Admired for its rich prose and skillfully portrayed plotline, Sir Walter Scott’s The Talisman is an intricate and theatrical work of literary art. With well-presented characters and an engrossing setting, The Talisman offers the rare depiction of a friendship between an Arabic and English soldier in the 11th century as well as the seldomly portrayed time of peace during the crusades. With themes of chivalry, virtue, and violence paired with compelling representation and a well-executed plot, Sir Walter Scott’s The Talisman exceeds high expectations. This edition of The Talisman by Sir Walter Scott now features a new, eye-catching cover design and is printed in a font that is both modern and readable. With these accommodations, this edition of The Talisman crafts an accessible and pleasant reading experience for modern audiences while restoring the original mastery and drama of Sir Walter Scott’s literature.

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Book Synopsis Nigel Olifaunt, a Scottish nobleman, travels to England to collect a debt on his late father’s behalf, but is ultimately met with deception and disappointment. The Fortunes of Nigel is one man’s tumultuous journey to keep what’s rightfully his. Following his father’s death, Nigel Olifaunt leaves his native Scotland for London, England. He plans to meet with King James VI to recoup the money his family originally lent to the crown. Despite a legitimate claim, the king is initially reluctant to pay what is owed. He placates Nigel, while other members of his court scheme to steal his estate. With the help of Margaret Ramsay, Nigel uncovers a heinous plot to attack his reputation and fortune. Sir Walter Scott delivers an intricate tale of greed and politics in The Fortunes of Nigel. This exhilarating story is infused with vibrant characters and historical context. It’s one of Scott’s most insightful and complex novels. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of The Fortunes of Nigel is both modern and readable.

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Book SynopsisRaised in a restrictive and oppressive household, Harriet Frean is used to sacrificing her own happiness and comfort for the sake of others, in fact, she’s proud of it. Taught that women were to be submissive, pious, kind, and quiet, Harriet molds herself into the perfect Victorian woman. Though she struggles with the crushing expectations of Victorian gender roles, Harriet finds comfort in her close relationship with Prissy, her best friend. As the two grow older, they conform to their expected mold. With Prissy’s support, Harriet continues her dedication to being the perfect woman, and is in pursuit of a husband. However, when Harriet finally falls in love, she is overcome by a crisis of conscious. Her entire perception of herself is shaken and her beliefs are challenged, because she has fallen for an unavailable man. Unsure how to process her feelings, Harriet begins to isolate herself in shame, because she cannot possibly tell anybody, not even Prissy, that she is in love with her best friend’s fiancé. Originally published under one-hundred years ago, May Sinclair’s Life and Death of Harriet Frean explores questionable ideals still present in modern society. With topics of romance, gender roles, and identity, Life and Death of Harriet Frean is both timeless and a perfect record of the harmful ideals of English Victorian society. As a pioneer of the stream-of-consciousness literary style, Sinclar’s prose is captivating and brilliant, allowing her characters to feel real and familiar to readers, creating a narrative that is undeniably compelling. This edition of Life and Death of Harriet Frean by May Sinclair now features an eye-catching new cover design and is printed in a font that is both modern and readable. With these accommodations, this edition of Life and Death of Harriet Frean creates an accessible and pleasant reading experience for modern audiences while restoring the original brilliance and insight of May Sinclair’s work.

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Book SynopsisThe Odd Women (1893) is a novel by George Gissing. Inspired by a report of over one million more women living in Britain than men, Gissing sought to explore the societal and personal implications of unmarried life while exploring the demands of the growing feminist movement. The Odd Women is a story of romance, independence, and the pressures of society that poses important questions about convention in Victorian England while proving surprisingly relevant for our own times. After moving together to London, the unmarried Madden sisters rekindle their relationship with Rhoda, a neighbor and friend from their childhood in Clevedon. Rhoda, also unmarried, lives with Mary Barfoot, with whom she runs a secretarial school for young women. While Monica, the youngest Madden sister, is bullied into marrying Edmund Widdowson, a middle-aged brute, Rhoda rejects the advances of Mary’s cousin Everard. Opposed to marriage altogether, Rhoda is initially able to avoid the fate of Monica, who suffers in her stifling relationship with Edmund and longs for a younger, romantic man named Bevis. Striking up an affair, Monica meets secretly with Bevis while attempting to avoid the suspicions of her jealous, overbearing husband. When a detective hired by Edmund sees Monica knock on the door of Everard’s apartment, Edmund sets out to smear the innocent man’s name just as he has secured an engagement with the reluctant Rhoda. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of George Gissing’s The Odd Women is a classic work of English literature reimagined for modern readers.

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Book SynopsisThe Private Papers of Henry Ryecroft (1903) is a semi-autobiographical work by George Gissing. Published in the last year of his life, The Private Papers of Henry Ryecroft is presented as a diary of a friend discovered after the man’s premature death. Divided into four seasons, the diary details the life of a man overwhelmed with depression and regretful of a past mired in unsuccessful work. With a mournful, meditative preface, George Gissing introduces Henry Ryecroft to the world. Uncelebrated in death, unknown in life, Ryecroft was a writer of ambition and talent who struggled for years to overcome the indecency of poverty and the disdain of the critical establishment. At the height of his struggle, nearing fifty years of age, Ryecroft unexpectedly inherits a small fortune, allowing him to retire to a cottage and to live comfortably for the first time in his life. With this newfound sense of calm and financial security, Ryecroft dedicates himself to the leisure of nature walks and to the freedom of diary writing. In these pages, he looks back on a life of toil with a mind molded through misery and curiosity to comment on aspects of the human experience both common and unique. Denied success in life, his voice soars for the patient, attentive reader with whom he shares his triumphs as well as his failures, his secrets and his often surprising, always relatable insights. Through the character of Henry Ryecroft, Gissing finds a way to bare his soul, to look back on his life as one with nothing left to lose and nothing more to gain—in other words, as a man set free. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of George Gissing’s The Private Papers of Henry Ryecroft is a classic work of English literature reimagined for modern readers.

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Book SynopsisThe Sin of Father Mouret (1875) is a novel by French author Émile Zola. The fifth of twenty volumes of Zola’s monumental Les Rougon-Macquart series is an epic story of family, politics, class, and history that traces the disparate paths of several French citizens raised by the same mother. Spanning the entirety of the French Second Empire, Zola provides a sweeping portrait of change that refuses to shy away from controversy and truth as it gets to the heart of heredity and human nature. Serge Mouret is a pious, if not overzealous young man. For his first assignment after taking his religious orders, he is appointed parish priest of the impoverished village of Artauds. Unable to attract villagers to his sermons, he pontificates to an empty, dilapidated church, determined to explore and expose the innermost spaces of his soul. Unconcerned with worldly affairs, he grows increasingly neurotic, eventually suffering a debilitating breakdown. Unable to care for himself, Father Mouret is taken into the care of Doctor Pascal Rougon, a distant relative. At his suggestion, Mouret is sent to Le Paradou, a rundown estate, where he is to live out his life in peace and near-solitude. There, he befriends Albine, a young girl who seems to have grown up alone at Le Paradou, and who dotes on her ailing housemate. As time goes by, he begins to fall in love with her, and their friendship develops into an innocent, blissful romance. The Sin of Father Mouret is a story of family and fate, a thrilling and detailed novel that continues a series rich enough for its author to explore in twenty total volumes. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Émile Zola’s The Sin of Father Mouret is a classic work of French literature reimagined for modern readers.

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Book SynopsisJennie Gerhardt (1911) is a novel by Theodore Dreiser. Controversial for its honest depiction of work, desire, and urban life, Jennie Gerhardt has endured as a classic of naturalist fiction and remains a powerful example of social critique over a century after its publication. Originally titled The Transgressor, the novel was shelved by Dreiser following a nervous breakdown in 1903. Controversial upon publication, Jennie Gerhardt has been largely overshadowed by Dreiser’s other works, but undoubtedly deserves renewed attention from readers and critics alike. In Columbus, Ohio, Jennie Gerhardt struggles to make ends meet while working at a popular hotel. There, she encounters a United States Senator, who takes a liking to her and offers his help with finances. Wary at first, Jennie acquiesces, and soon grows to care for the older man. She becomes pregnant and Senator Brander promises to marry her, but an outbreak of typhoid claims him as one of its victims. Left to raise a daughter on her own, Jennie moves to Cleveland to look for work. Employed as a lady’s maid, she soon meets the son of a wealthy industrialist who seems to have her best interests in mind. In order to stay with him, however, she hides her daughter by leaving her with her mother, and joins Lester on a trip to New York. Jennie Gerhardt is a story of tragedy and hope, of one woman determined to get more out of life than was promised to her at birth. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Theodore Dreiser’s Jennie Gerhardt is a classic of American literature reimagined for modern readers.

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