The Passionate Quest

E. Phillips Oppenheim

The Passionate Quest is the story of Rosina, Philip and Matthew, who work in rural England in the glass factory owned by Rosinas uncle. All three dream of a different life: Rosina wants to be an actress, Philip a poet, and Matthew hopes for a career in high finance. They all go off to London in the passionate quest for their dreams. This 1927 novel by Edward Phillips Oppenheim where problems arise in a family business. Oppenheim inherited a leather company from his father and ran it for 20 years before he became a full time author. The business of leather features in a number of his novels. He was acutely aware of class behavior and distinctions. An enjoyable read!

The Europeans

Henry James

In the hope of a successful marriage, Eugene, Baroness Münster, and her younger brother, the artist Felix, descendants of Wentworth, come to Boston. Having settled in the neighborhood, they become close friends with the young Wentworths Gertrude, Charlotte and Clifford. Witness and sophistication of Eugene, along with the cheerfulness of Felix create a difficult combination with Puritan morality, frugality and the intrinsic dignity of Americans.

To the Lions

Alfred J. Church

Alfred John Church (1829-1912) was an English classical scholar. He was born in London and was educated at Kings College, London and Lincoln College, Oxford. From 1880 until 1888 he was professor of Latin at University College, London. While at University College in partnership with William Jackson Brodribb, he translated Tacitus and edited Plinys Letters. Church also wrote a number of stories in English re-telling of classical tales and legends for young people. He was a 19th century historian best known for his comprehensive histories on different periods of the Roman Empire, including this one. To the Lions is a challenging read. A good over view of history, recommended highly.

The Party and Other Stories

Anton Pavlovich Chekhov

A small collection of stories. The general theme of the stories is the diversity of emotions that the main characters experience, and by the end it turns out to be a bit painful. A variety of subjects, simple but wonderful, honed by irony. Most stories of unhappy marriages. The main characters can get married because of unhappy love or unexpected pregnancy.

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Mark Twain

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is about a young boy, Huck, in search of freedom and adventure. He meets a run away slave named Jim and the two undertake a series of adventures based on the Picaresque novel by Mark Twain. As the story progresses the duo exploit an array of episodic enterprises, while Huckleberry slowly changes his views of bigotry. Along the way, Huck and Jim meet the King and Duke, who ultimately send the protagonists towards a different route on their journey. As Huck begins to have a change of heart, he gradually begins to distinguish between right and wrong, and conclusively, Huck is faced with the moral dilemma between the worlds prejudice, of which hes grown up with, and the lessons Jim has taught him throughout the story about the evils of racism. The complexity of his character is enhanced by his ability to relate so easily with nature and the river.

The Touch of Abner

H.A. Cody

This is a novel that tells the story from a dramatic moment when Abner signs $ 1,000 to a shelter fund and detonates a financial bomb at a close gathering of Glucom people. Abner Andrews is a naughty old farmer who promises a thousand dollars, which he does not have, to a new shelter. How will he fulfill his promise, especially with a crooked lawyer, to prevent him?

The Boy Fortune Hunters in Egypt

L. Frank Baum

Writing under a pseudonym, the prolific Wizard of Oz author created a series of far-flung adventure tales starring Sam Steele, a resourceful young sailor. In this story of mystery, deceit, and murder, Sam and his companions seek the legendary wealth of Karnak a 2,000-year-old treasure buried in the desert sands. The adventure begins when Sam rescues an escaped cabin boy from a sinking dinghy in Boston Harbor. Runaway Joe Herring, along with pampered aristocrat Archie Ackley, accompany Sam to Alexandria, Egypt. There, the trio learn of the legendary lost riches of Karnak and Luxor a wealth of pearls, gold, precious gems, and historic papyrus rolls, all hidden from invading Persians. Relying upon their pluck, luck, and quick wits, the American boys follow an ancient caravan route to uncover a secret from beyond the grave. Unusually for Baum, the tale of The Boy Fortune Hunters in Egypt is told in the first person, by the title character.

The Inevitable Millionaires

E. Phillips Oppenheim

In this funny satire, Oppenheim offers us an argument that has been used in several movies: Two brothers come into a large inheritance with a pre-condition that they need to spend a big amount of money within a month. In the letter from their deceased father, they are enjoined to learn how to spend as well as that have learned how to save. The story deals with their noble efforts to spend their money without waste or ostentation. They back a musical comedy, finance a gold club, back an inventor who wants to extract rubber from sea weed will they be able to get rid of their fortune? Join the likeable Mr. Steven and Mr. George Henry Underwood in this goodhearted comedy of The Inevitable Millionaires.