The History of Mr Polly

Herbert George Wells

An intriguing HG Wells work, not of the sci-fi variety, which details a mans struggle to find himself and get along with his world. Published in 1910, this novel is the story of Alfred Polly, a generally non-descript member of the English lower middle class. The story begins when he is thirty-five years old, miserably unhappy with his life, both his circumstances and himself. In other words, he is a man with a badly muddled sense of reality who, sick of the life that he leads, burns down the outfitters shop that he has come to hate, gives his wife half of the insurance money, and disappears, exchanging his acceptable life as a shopkeeper for that of a wanderer. Unexpected events, however, conspire at the last moment to lead the bewildered Mr. Polly to a bright new future after he saves a life, fakes his death, and escapes to a life of heroism, hope and ultimate happiness.

The Elusive Pimpernel

Emmuska Orczy

It is the early days of the French Republic, and Robespierres revolutionaries find their wicked schemes repeatedly being thwarted. It appears that Sir Percy Blakeney the cunning and heroic Pimpernel is more than a match for them all. But Sir Percys spy-catching archenemy, Chauvelin, has devised a plan. Another fun adventure novel, and the sequel to The Scarlet Pimpernel. It continues telling the story of the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel as they attempt to save more aristocrats from the Reign of Terror. Sir Percy attempts to smuggle French aristocrats out of the country to safety, while Chauvelin plays out a vile plot to eliminate the Pimpernel and his beautiful wife, once and for all.

Wuthering Heights

Emily Brontë

Wuthering Heights is a wild, passionate story of the intense and almost demonic love between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff, a foundling adopted by Catherines father. After Mr Earnshaws death, Heathcliff is bullied and humiliated by Catherines brother Hindley and wrongly believing that his love for Catherine is not reciprocated, leaves Wuthering Heights, only to return years later as a wealthy and polished man. He proceeds to exact a terrible revenge for his former miseries.

Guzik z kamei

Rodrigues Ottolengui

Powieść detektywistyczna utrzymana w kanonie amerykańskiej literatury kryminalnej. Akcja powieści rozpoczyna się od spotkania dwóch gentlemanów. Efektem prowadzonej przez nich polemiki staje się zakład. Czy można dokonać przestępstwa i nie ponieść kary? Czy istnieje przestępstwo doskonałe? Czy organy ścigania dadzą się zmylić? I wreszcie: co wyniknie z tego zakładu?

Grzechy dzieciństwa

Bolesław Prus

Głównym bohaterem utworu Grzechy dzieciństwa jest Kazio Leśniewski, syn dworskiego oficjalisty i młodo owdowiałej hrabiny. Kazio kipi nadmiarem energii życiowej. Kiedy polując na jastrzębia, podpala oborę, hrabina decyduje, że należy oddać chłopca do szkoły w mieście. W Siedlcach Kazio nie przykłada się zbytnio do nauki. Traktuje szkołę jako przedłużenie okresu zabaw. Liczy na pomoc kolegów. Któregoś dnia staje w obronie maltretowanego przez klasę garbuska Józia, zyskując wdzięczność i przyjaźń kaleki. Kazio bagatelizuje jednak te uczucia. Wkrótce potem Józio umiera po wypadku. Wkrótce potem Kazio zakochuje się w Loni kapryśnej i próżnej córce miejscowej dziedziczki. Miłość ta doprowadza Kazia do konieczności wyboru pomiędzy spełnieniem banalnego życzenia Loni a udzieleniu pomocy Walkowi uciekającemu ze wsi. Kiedy Walek po ucieczce ze wsi ginie bez śladu, Kazio odczuwa wyrzuty sumienia, tym bardziej że przekonuje się o braku uczuć ze strony Lońki.

The Black Camel

Earl Derr Biggers

The death of Hollywood actress Shelah Fane in her Waikiki beach house brings Charlie Chan of the Honolulu police to seek the identity of the killer. The story behind her murder is linked with the three-year-old murder of another Hollywood actor and also connected with an enigmatic psychic named Tarneverro. Through the confusion of alibis, false clues, and bizarre characters, Chan moves with the utmost calm until the classic gathering of suspects climax, when his form of justice hits with shattering force. This is the fourth of Earl Derr Biggers books in the Charlie Chan series. It is also the first book in which we meet Chans family. Well, his wife and four of his eleven children to be specific. Where the other seven kids have gone is never mentioned.

Die blaue Hand

Edgar Wallace

Die junge Eunice Weldon nimmt eine Stellung als Sekretärin der reichen Mrs. Groat an und zieht in deren Haus ein. Zurück bleibt eine Karte mit einem blauen Handabdruck und einer geheimnisvollen Warnung: Jemand, der Dich liebt, bittet Dich dringend, dieses Haus so schnell als möglich zu verlassen! . Zwanzig Jahre lang hat Digby Groat auf sein Erbe gewartet. Jetzt wartet Digby Groat auf ein Millionenerbe und weiß, dass er es nur erhält, wenn die Voraussetzungen stimmen. Doch dann kommt Dorothy Danton in sein Haus und die gilt seit zwanzig Jahren als tot. Leider gibt es da noch den Sekretär eines Rechtsanwalts, Jim Steele, der es sich in den Kopf gesetzt hat, den richtigen Erben ausfindig zu machen. Kurz vor Ende der zwanzig Jahre macht sich Jim Steel, ein ehemaliger Offizier und Weltkriegsveteran, der im Büro des Treuhänders des Dantonschen Vermögens arbeitet, auf die Suche nach der verschwunden Erbin Dorothy.

Leśna Różyczka (Tom 9). Leśna Różyczka. Juarez

Karol May

Juarez to dziewiąty tom przygód z cyklu Leśna Różyczka, czyli prześladowania dookoła świata. Podczas licznych i szalonych podróży po wielu krajach i kontynentach odważni bohaterowie spotykają na swojej drodze różne postaci niektóre sprzyjają realizacji ich planów i wyciągają pomocną dłoń, inne wręcz przeciwnie narażają drużynę na niebezpieczeństwa i same proszą się o pogruchotanie kości w potyczce.

Mademoiselle of Monte Carlo. The Mystery of the Suicide Tables

William Le Queux

Yes! Im not mistaken at all! Its the same woman! whispered the tall, good-looking young Englishman in a well-cut navy suit as he stood with his friend, a man some ten years older than himself, at one of the roulette tables at Monte Carlo, the first on the right on entering the roomthat one known to habitual gamblers as The Suicides Table. Are you quite certain? asked his friend. Positive. I should know her again anywhere. Shes very handsome. And look, too, by Jove! how she is winning!

A Christmas Carol. In Prose. Being a Ghost Story of Christmas

Charles Dickens

A Christmas Carol in Prose, Being a Ghost Story of Christmas, commonly known as A Christmas Carol, is one of the most legendary stories by Charles Dickens. This edition contains the original 1843 illustrations by celebrated caricaturist John Leech. The story has long since become one of the most beloved stories in the English language. As much a part of the holiday season as holly, mistletoe, and evergreen wreaths, this perennial favourite continues to delight new readers and rekindle thoughts of charity and goodwill. The tale begins on a cold and bleak Christmas Eve in London, exactly seven years after the death of Ebenezer Scrooges business partner, Jacob Marley. Scrooge, an old miser, hates Christmas. He refuses his nephew Freds Christmas dinner invitation. At home that night, Scrooge is visited by Marleys ghost, who is forever cursed to wander the earth dragging a network of heavy chains, forged during a lifetime of greed and selfishness. Marley tells Scrooge that he has one chance to avoid the same fatehe will be visited by three spirits, one on each successive evening, and he must listen to them or be cursed to carry chains of his own, much longer than Marleys chains.

Fighting Snub Reilly

Edgar Wallace

Fighting Snub Reilly is one of the mystery story from collection which includes eight short mysteries by Edgar Wallace, a famous British author of mystery genre. There are others: Jimmys Brother, The Christmas Cup, The Man In The Golf Hut, A Romance In Brown, The Perfect Gentleman, Kid-Glove Harry, Nig-Nog. Edgar Wallace was a British author who is best known for creating King Kong. Wallace was a very prolific writer despite his sudden death at age 56. In total Wallace is credited with over 170 novels, almost 1,000 short stories, and 18 stage plays. Wallaces works have been turned into well over 100 films.

The Real Thing and Other Tales

Henry James

The main character, an aspiring artist, hires a faded noble couple, Monarchs, as models after they have lost most of their money and need to find some kind of work. They are real in the sense that they are beautifully of the aristocratic type, but they turn out to be inappropriate for the artists work. The artist must finally get rid of the monarchs, especially after his friend and colleague, artist Jack Hawley, criticized the work in which monarchs are represented.

Hrabia Monte Christo

Aleksander Dumas ojciec

Sztandarowa powieść Aleksandra Dumasa ojca. Bohaterem książki jest 19-letni Edmund Dantes marynarz idealista. Niebawem ma zostać awansowany na kapitana statku i ożenić się z wybranką swego serca, piękną Mercedes. Niestety pada ofiarą spisku. Oskarżony o bonapartyzm trafia do więzienia. Po 14 latach udaje mu się zbiec. Odnajduje ogromny skarb i jako hrabia Monte Christo wraca w rodzinne strony, by odnaleźć ukochaną i dokonać zemsty na swych oprawcach.

Advice Limited

E. Phillips Oppenheim

The long boat train which had only a few minutes before started from Dover Pier Station on its way to Victoria came to an unexpected halt alongside the almost deserted platform of the Town Station. Habitual travellers, who knew the irregularity of such a proceeding, let down the windows and leaned out from their places. There was little to be seen, however, and nothing to be learnt from the various attendants. About a dozen station officials and a few other men who looked like officials in mufti were forming a sort of a ring around one of the vans in the rear of the train from which a number of heavy, iron clamped cases were being unloaded. The proceedings were entirely unusual. Curious questions and comments flashed backwards and forwards amongst the passengers. The train attendants, however, knew nothing of what was transpiring.

The Village Rector

Honoré de Balzac

Forget the erroneous title, the central figure of this particular slice of Balzacs lifelong gift to literature is a woman of character, Madame Veronique Graslin. Honoré de Balzac (20 May 1799 18 August 1850) is considered to be one of the fathers of realism in fiction and has crafted a vivid picture of Europe during the end of the Bourbon Monarchy. The first characters presented are the shopkeeper Sauviat and his family. The daughter, Veronique, is beautiful and charming, a favorite in the entire quarter. When she is eleven she falls desperately ill with smallpox. Her beauty has been ruined by the disease and her parents love her even more and try to give her everything money can buy in compensation. A marriage to a rich banker is arranged. What causes Veronique to later live a life of penance?

The Brothers. A Story

Herbert George Wells

The Brothers A Story. Herbert George Wells was a prolific English writer who wrote in a variety of genres, including the novel, politics, history, and social commentary. Wells returned to a literary genre in which he had always excelled: the satire written in the form of an allegory. In a land torn apart by civil war, Bolaris was fiercely loyal to the Strong Men. So when Number Four informed him that Ratzel, leader of the enemy, had been captured, it was naturally a cause for celebration that was until Bolaris actually met his great opponent? The likeness between Bolaris and Ratzel was so remarkable that Bolaris was left in no doubt that they were related brothers, or perhaps even twins. As sworn enemies, and now as his captor, Bolaris had to work out a way to discover the truth of his identity and do so without sacrificing his loyalty.

If Sinners Entice Thee

William Le Queux

Then its an entire mystery? Yes, Phrida. But its astounding! It really seems so utterly impossible, declared my well-beloved, amazed at what I had just related. Ive simply stated hard facts. But theres been nothing about this affair in the papers. For certain reasons the authorities are not exactly anxious for any publicity. It is a very puzzling problem, and they do not care to own themselves baffled, I replied.

An Amiable Charlatan

E. Phillips Oppenheim

The Englishman is enjoying his dinner at Stephanos, it was an ordinary evening. Suddenly a man comes quickly to his desk, begins to eat his food and quietly transfers him a package under the table. This is how Paul Welmsleys acquaintance with American adventurer Joseph Parker and his beautiful daughter Eve begin. Very interesting adventure story for easy reading.

Pleśń. Ryngraf. Farsa panny Heni

Maria Rodziewiczówna

Tom zawiera trzy krótkie powieści: Pleśń, Ryngraf i Farsa panny Heni. Pleśń to opowieść o pracy, niedoli, ale i radosnym trudzie. Historia opowiedziana w Ryngrafie osnuta jest na tle walk napoleońskich w Hiszpanii. Farsa panny Heni to z kolei przezabawna opowieść o uroczej siedemnastolatce Heni Dobrzyńskiej. Dziewczyna marzy o karierze operowej. Nim jednak wystąpi na scenach operowych Europy, musi wyrwać się spod kurateli stryja. Wolność tę może zapewnić młodej śpiewaczce tylko mąż. Ale taki, który małżeństwo potraktuje równie fikcyjnie jak i ona...

The Female of the Species

H.C. McNeile

The story revolves around revenge. First, the main character, Bulldog Drummond, kills his stormy enemy, Carl Peterson. And his mistress wants revenge for Peterson. Suddenly, Drummonds wife is kidnapped, but the criminal leaves traces. By which the main character is trying to find his wife. This chase takes place all over England, leading to an ominous house and a torture chamber.

Ken Ward in the Jungle

Zane Grey

An interesting read. Ken and Hal go canoeing in Mexico. The writing has a very early 20th century feel to it, it almost feels as though Im watching an old classic movie on Saturday afternoon. It provides a curious insight into the beginnings of writing adventure novels.

Powieści fantastyczne

E.T.A. Hoffmann

Opowiadania prekursora fantastyki grozy E.T.A. Hoffmanna wciąż powodują, że po kręgosłupie biegną ciarki, a nawet najodważniejsi czytelnicy przeżywają chwile niepokoju. W zbiorze znalazły się m.in. takie utwory, jak Kawaler Gluck, Don Juan, Piaskun, Ślub czy Narożne okno.

An Autumn Sowing

E.F. Benson

The main character, Mr. Keeling, is a simple self-worker who started his business with the fish trade. That is how he became popular and famous. Having a lot of money behind him, the main character decided to fight the class community. This book puts an intriguing twist on an old story about a middle-aged man who falls in love with his secretary.

The Exploits of Danby Croker

R. Austin Freeman

What would you do if your doppelganger were committing crimes and making the police believe you were the perpetrator? In Danby Crokers case, he decides to retaliate! But that is only one of the problems besetting him in this set of interlinked stories. Given a job as an antique dealer, can he resist the temptations of earning some easy money through a bit of fencing and counterfeiting? And what on earth is he doing going round London dressed as a suffragette?! R. Austin Freemans The Exploits of Danby Croker involves mistaken identities, art forgery, antique swindles, and even a little cross-dressing. There is a price to be paid for breaking the law, but whos going to pay it? Originally written in 1911 by the great author of detective stories R. Austin Freeman, this is a comic novel that may surprise those who know Freemans work only through the Dr. Thorndyke stories! This rare collection of stories is an enjoyable romp through crime and romance.