The Secrets of the Princesse de Cadignan

Honoré de Balzac

Secrets of the Princesse de Cadignan is a comic tale about a society woman, a Princess and a Duchess, who attempts to recycle her slightly seedy past by pursuing a minor literary figure of great probity and innocence. The Princess de Cadignan, aka the Duchesse de Maufrigneuse, has consorted with such notable Balzac rakes as Henri de Marsay, Maxime de Trailles, and Eugene de Rastignac, but is disconcerted to find herself being stalked by an unknown but comely young man. The Princesse de Cadignan, nee Diane dUxelles appears in a number of stories of the Human Comedy. Her husband left France with the Royal Family after the disasters of the Revolution of July 1830, but the Princess decided to remain in Paris. With much of the great familys fortune unavailable for her use, she determined to live in complete retirement, forgotten by society.

Eugenia Grandet

Honoriusz Balzak

Powieść Eugenia Grandet Honoriusza Balzaka należy do Scen z życia prowincji cyklu Komedia Ludzka. Feliks Grandet mieszka w Saumur w bardzo skromnych warunkach z żoną i córką Eugenią. Dzięki pewnej zręczności w interesach, a przede wszystkim z powodu niezwykłego skąpstwa zgromadził olbrzymi jak na warunki prowincjonalne majątek. Mieszkańcy Saumur, którzy poważają Grandeta ze względu na jego majątek, uważają Eugenię za najlepszą partię w okolicy. O jej rękę starają się rywalizujące ze sobą rodziny Cruchotów i de Grasinsów...

Róża. Dramat niesceniczny

Stefan Żeromski

Róża to najoryginalniejszy dramat Stefana Żeromskiego. Autor starał się zająć w utworze stanowisko wobec sprzecznych poglądów na sens i celowość rewolucji 1905 r. Kreślił też własną wizję rozwiązania problemów społecznych i politycznych w Polsce na początku XX wieku. Miejsca akcji dramatu przypominają warszawską Cytadelę oraz Nałęczów. W tekście utworu jest wiele bezpośrednich historycznych nawiązań. Pojawiają się odniesienia do straconych bojowników PPS (m.in. do Stefana Okrzei i Józefa Mireckiego-Montwiłła) do porewolucyjnych represji w Łodzi i zamachów PPS w Warszawie, które wydarzyły się w 1906 r. Róża to jeden z najdziwniejszych dramatów w dziejach polskiego teatru. Z jednej strony jest to tekst realistyczny, niemal reporterski, z drugiej metafizyczny (odwołania do Słowackiego, Wyspiańskiego czy Brzozowskiego).

Trails Meet

B.M. Bower

The career of prolific writer of Westerns novels B. M. Bower was notable for several reasons. The author, who always used initials as part of her pen name, was born Bertha Muzzy and was the first female writer to make a significant mark in the genre. Secondly, many of Bowers books were adapted for the big screen, and her characters and landscape descriptions have been indelibly stamped on the conventions of classic Western films. Our hero, Jess Robison, a cowboy with talents as an artist, turns out to have talents as a detective as well. Whether youre a first-time reader or a long-time fan, "Trails Meet" will surely please fans of classic Westerns.

The Yellow Streak

Valentine Williams

George Valentine Williams (1883-1946) was an English journalist, actor, lecturer, screenwriter, and author of many crime and thriller novels. He created The Fox (Baron Alexis de Bahl), Clubfoot (Dr. Adolph Grunt), Mr. Treadgold the tailor and Detective Sergeant Trevor Dene. The Yellow Streak is the first book in the Inspector Manderton series. A wealthy industrialist with a mysterious past, has a group of friends staying with him at his country house in England. He apparently commits suicide, but a good friend of the young woman engaged to the industrialist believes its murder and seeks to find the murderer. Good old fashioned country house novel: sort of locked room, suicide or murder mystery. Highly recommended for people who like to treat a mystery story as a solvable riddle!

Expiation

E. Phillips Oppenheim

A solitary cabin stood far away in the backwoods of Canada, outside all tracks of civilization, in a region which only the native Indians and a few daring trappers cared to penetrate. Rudely built of pine logs, it was ill-calculated to withstand the piercing cold and frost which, for nine months out of the twelve, holds this region in an iron grip. Around it, a small clearing had been effected, but the ground was many feet thick in snow, which, save where in front of the door it had been cut away, surrounded the frail little building, and reached up to the rude window.

Uczone białogłowy. Komedia w 5 aktach

Molier

W Uczonych białogłowach Molier wyśmiewa snobowanie się na intelektualizm, zwłaszcza w wydaniu kobiecym. Jak odbierany jest człowiek, który dużo czyta, ale mało rozumie? Molier ujawnia salonowe gierki i powierzchowność obycia obliczone na zrobienie wrażenia, często okazuje się jednak, że bezpodstawnego. W ferworze wydarzeń ludzie i tak pokazują prawdziwe oblicza zachłanne, zazdrosne i małostkowe.

The Fur Bringers

Hulbert Footner

The historicity of this story captivated everyone. After all, it gives a feeling of a sense of thinking and adventure of that time. A young free fur trader challenges the practices of the North West Company trader who is cheating the Natives of proper prices and enslaving them with debt for goods. Here, not only sinister characters, rebellion and accusations, but also love stories unfold against the backdrop of all this.

The Gentle Grafter

O. Henry

O. Henry (whose real name is William Sydney Porter) is famous for his many short stories of everyday-life America, full of wit, charm, and inventiveness. This collection of classic tales set on the wrong side of the law showcases a master craftsman at the top of his form. The Gentle Grafter is a collection of 14 short stories about grafters who travel, peddle and swindle in the South. Those grafters have different business ethics and moral senses, and their artistic plots lead them to an unsuspected but comic ending. Each chapter is either told by an anonymous narrator or by Jeff Peters and Andy Tucker, two other con men. All of the con work was done somewhere within the United States. With the surprising twists and turns, not to mention the wit and humor throughout the book, The Gentle Grafter will leave the reader smiling and asking for more.

Humor żydowski

Praca zbiorowa

Esencja humoru żydowskiego w najczystszej postaci. Zbiór dowcipów i humorystycznych opowiastek cieszących się ogromną popularnością. Dowcipy nie tylko bawią czytelnika, lecz także są źródłem informacji o tradycji, obyczajach i nakazach religijnych braci starszych w wierze. Wiele humorystycznych obrazków traktuje o sprawach dnia codziennego: miłości, szkole, handlu, pieniądzach, biedzie czy skąpstwie. Humor żydowski to humor, który się nie starzeje, nie traci uniwersalnej wymowy i bawi do dzisiaj.

Biltmore Oswald. The Diary of a Hapless Recruit

Thorne Smith

A comic diary about entering life in the Navy. Published in 1918 and written for the Naval Reservist journal The Broadside while the author Thorne Smith was in the Navy, it is a series of short vignettes poking fun at the culture of the time in general and the military in particular. Its the diary of Biltmore Oswald, a hapless naval recruit with no appreciable talents besides befriending animals and getting into trouble, and his day to day adventures during World War I. Oswald, a naive innocent young gentleman growing up in the early 1900s, finds himself in many a compromising situation: showering in the hotel room of the wife of a murderous, jealous man; observing French men greeting each other with kisses, and being pursued by beautiful women, much to the displeasure of his sweetie, Polly. Biltmore Oswald: The Diary of a Hapless Recruit is a must-read for anyone in need for a dose of entertaining, worthwhile writing.

Plain Tales from the Hills

Rudyard Kipling

A wonderful book written in beautiful language, with love for the native land and its history. Despite the fact that all sorts of wars, illnesses and deprivations often flash in the stories, in general the atmosphere is very pleasant, and the book gives a feeling of warmth and tranquility. English guys Dan and Una, brother and sister, meet Elf Pak. He tells them once brought to England, the god Wiland, who once forged a magic sword. Further stories are told already by the direct participants in the events: the knight, the centurion, and so on.

The Richest Widow

Hulbert Footner

After a minimal education in Canada, Footner emigrated to New York in 1898 and worked at a variety of jobs, including an unsuccessful stint as an actor. He turned to journalism and worked for a time as a freelancer, contributing articles to periodicals such as Field and Stream. His first works were primarily travelogues of various river trips in Canada and the U.S., although he did produce some adventure novels. He is also credited with introducing the first American female investigator in Madame Storey. So we are introduced to the fascinating Madame Rosika Storey, fearless and intelligent, who plays cat-and-mouse with killers, goes undercover to break up criminal gangs, and unravels deadly mysteries.

Das Schloss

Franz Kafka

Das Schloß, der letzte große Roman von Franz Kafka, erzählt vom Kampf des Landvermessers K. gegen die allgegenwärtige, groteske Bürokratie einer geheimnisvollen Schloßverwaltung. Je mehr der Landvermesser K. versucht, ins Schloss zu gelangen, desto weiter entfernt er sich von seinem Ziel. Doch K.s Versuche, ins Schloß zu gelangen, scheitern ebenso wie sein Bemühen, im Dorf seinen Platz zu finden; und sein Kampf gegen die allgegenwärtige, anonyme und undurchdringliche Bürokratie der Schloßverwaltung endet für ihn in einem Dickicht aus Geheimnissen und Erniedrigungen. Eine unsichtbare Macht scheint ihn davon abzuhalten, in dessen Schloss zu gelangen.

Nero

Jacob Abbott

This book takes you inside the life and times of one of the most notoriously monstrous emperors of history. This story helps to expand your knowledge of history. Easy-to-read story about an ominous leader. We all hear some of the horror stories about Nero, but this provided a better look in the situations around him at the time.

When Carruthers Laughed

H.C. McNeile

A nice collection of short stories from Sapper. Sapper is a master narrator, he has many wonderful stories. One of the fun moments is when Major Dacres shoots himself a finger. Really unusual story, with good humor, for easy reading.

The Sheriff Rides

Max Brand

Ernest Pontifex, son of a clergyman, leads a life of disarray. Ernest struggles with orthodoxy, lives in the slums, is thrown into prison, and eventually marries Ellen. Saved by the discovery that Ellen is already married, Ernest received an inheritance, and is able to devote his life to literature, finally winning self-respect and success. One of many recommended Westerns by this prolific author. Frederick Schiller Faust (May 29, 1892 - May 12, 1944) was an American author known primarily for his thoughtful and literary Westerns under the pen name Max Brand. Experience the West as only Max Brand could write it!

All Hallows Eve

Charles Williams

The novels of Charles Williams are fascinating. The novels are strange behind the plot. For example, All Hallows Eve is about a couple in love who are in danger. Strange things happen to lovers.

Andy Blakes Comet Coaster

Leo Edwards

Andy was an industrious young entrepreneur who grew increasingly rich from book to book, working as he did in advertising, in his airplane, the Comet Coaster, and looking for gold and helping erect profitable buildings. Blake meets new friends, three young men struggling to save an old carriage business from going to the wall. Will advertising help? Andy is enthusiastically hopeful. The later trickery of a junior employer puts the young advertising man in a bad hole. Things seem darker than ever for the tottering business. Then comes the idea of dropping carriages for coaster wagons.

César Cascabel

Jules Verne

Dans le roman César Cascabel, il est décrit les dangers complets liés au voyage de la famille dun artiste itinérant travers les États occidentaux dAmérique, le Canada, lAlaska, la Sibérie, la Russie européenne dans leur pays dorigine, la Normandie française. Le roman parle de la famille Cascabel et de son chef, César, qui ont décidé de se rendre dAmérique en France en passant par lAlaska et la Russie. Le lecteur se familiarisera avec la morale des peuples habitant ces pays et sera ravi de la débrouillardise des héros qui se débrouillent dans des situations difficiles.

Przedwiośnie

Stefan Żeromski

Cezary Baryka mieszka wraz z rodzicami w Baku w Imperium Rosyjskim. Chce być inżynierem naftowym. Wybuch pierwszej wojny światowej powoduje powołanie jego ojca do wojska. Do Baku dociera rewolucja. Cezary jest w pierwszym okresie zafascynowany rewolucją i manifestacjami. Wkrótce giną jednak jego przyjaciele i dziewczyna. Matka z trudem zdobywa środki do życia. Niedługo potem zostaje aresztowana i umiera. Cezary cudem odnajduje ojca, wraz z którym udaje się w długą i trudną podróż do Polski. Ojciec umiera w drodze. Cezary dociera do Warszawy i odnajduje Szymona Gajowca, dawną miłość swej matki. Bohater książki Przedwiośnie jest zdziwiony widokiem biedy i ubóstwa zamiast szklanych domów, o których opowiadał mu ojciec, gdy wyruszyli w podróż do Polski.

Whispering Death

Aidan de Brune

Whispering Death (1931) is the third adventure in the Dr. Night trilogy by Aidan De Brune, (1874-1946). This third story is gaudy crime yarns, which steadily veers into fantasy by the end and features a very unlikely Asian villain who is as different from Fu Manchu as you can imagine: a small, colorless man of uncertain central Asian origin whose principal obsession is raising money by any means possible to recreate a long-dead central Asian kingdom of which his distant ancestors were kings. Most of the stories in the Dr. Night trilogy take place in and around Sydney, although the earliest known is set in Perth Western Australia and one of the novelettes in north Queenslan. Aidan de Brune was a big name in Australian literature but is forgotten today. He was a prolific author who wrote in a variety of genres.

The Merchant of Venice

William Shakespeare

In this work you can see the obsession with money, vindictiveness and even nationalism. There are two Venetian merchants, Bassanio and Antonio, in an extremely difficult financial situation. Bassanio, as a way out of this situation, decides to go to woo the rich heiress Portia, but he has no money for it. Antonio also has no money, but he borrows a large amount from a Jew Shylock under his honest name.

Blood of the Gods

Robert E. Howard

I have known many gods. He who denies them is as blind as he who trusts them too deeply. I seek not beyond death. It may be the blackness averred by the Nemedian skeptics, or Croms realm of ice and cloud, or the snowy plains and vaulted halls of the Nordheimers Valhalla. I know not, nor do I care. Let me live deep while I live; let me know the rich juices of red meat and stinging wine on my palate, the hot embrace of white arms, the mad exultation of battle when the blue blades flame and crimson, and I am content. Let teachers and philosophers brood over questions of reality and illusion. I know this: if life is illusion, then I am no less an illusion, and being thus, the illusion is real to me. I live, I burn with life, I love, I slay, and am content.