The Valley of Decision

Edith Wharton

Published in 1902, The Valley of Decision is Edith Whartons first full length novel set in late 18th century Italy. In it, Odo Valsecca, a young Italian raised by peasants, is plucked from poverty and dropped into the lap of luxury as the newly named heir to his cousin, a duke. It is the time leading up to the French revolution, and Europe swirls with conflicting factions and ideologies, some trying to prop up the feudal and religious traditions that empowered them, and others seeking a new way. Meanwhile, in France, a revolution is brewing... Forced to choose between conflicting loyalties those to the forces of social reform with which he allied himself before he came to power, or those of the feudal tradition to which he belongs by blood Odo must define himself.

The Man without Nerves

E. Phillips Oppenheim

In this novel we have Oppenheims as it best, with the story of a man hunt set in an English village, and involving a well-known banker and the Lord of the Manor. The story is a thriller built on several interlaced mysteries which are suddenly thrust on the sleepy village of Sandywayes: three men committing shockingly unexpected suicides, three strangers with questionable backstories but no obvious connections simultaneously appearing in town, and large amounts of money quietly disappearing from the bank. This 1935 novel focuses on the conduct of bankers, their clients, and wealthy merchants in the English suburbs surrounding London in the interwar period. The comfortable society of tennis and golf, private cars in trains, and unspoken secrets of money and privilege are the keys to unlocking the mystery.

Honorine

Honoré de Balzac

An extremely collectible, sweet little book named for and written in honor of Balzacs mother. Comtesse Honorine de Bauvan was married to the Comte at nineteen. She leaves him and is later abandoned by her lover when she becomes pregnant. She lives simply and earns money by making artificial flowers. What she doesnt know is that her husband is paying exorbitant prices for her work, thus supporting her while letting her think she is independent of him. The story is perhaps a common one of a wife trapped in a marriage, but is approached in an interesting manner. Honorine is an 1843 novel by French novelist and playwright Honoré de Balzac (1799-1850) and included in his series of novels (or Roman-fleuve) known as La Comédie humaine (The Human Comedy) which parodies and depicts French society in the period of the Restoration and the July Monarchy (1815-1848).

Out of the Blue

H.C. McNeile

The motive in the case of murder this is the first thing that draws the attention of the police. No one except a madman commits murder for no reason. Passion, hatred, money as soon as the motive is established, it, as a rule, unmistakably points to someone. That is why Pender took the club with Sinclairs arm and walked with him part of the way to his house on Brook Street. A very normal phenomenon on the part of one of Sinclairs best friends. He was damn smart about that. No one knew, no one even had a ghost of suspicion of the deadly hatred he was experiencing. Everyone thought they were friends: even Sinclair himself thought so. Tomorrow it will be a little shock for him when he realizes the truth.

The Awkward Age

Henry James

The Aawkward age nonetheless analyzes the English character with great subtlety. The Awkward Age, which is highly praised for its natural dialogue and the subtlety of the sensation that it conveys, illustrates Conrads remark that James never dwells in deep darkness or in strong sunlight. But he feels deep and bright every gentle shade.

Ronald Standish

H.C. McNeile

Ronald Standish takes only those matters that interest him. He kills himself to find the killer. This story will surprise everyone. After all, the idea of?? the author is very unusual. A person decides to take extreme measures in order to solve the riddle.

The Taming of the Shrew

William Shakespeare

Shakespeare showed us the plays in the play. In the introduction, we see that the Lord decided to play a cruel joke on a drunken brazier. They brought him to the lords house, dressed him beautifully, and assured him that past life was only a dream. And at this moment there is a troupe of actors who show the main part of the play. Unfortunately, the author did not finish the whole thing.

The Doings of Raffles Haw

Arthur Conan Doyle

The people of the small town of Tamfield are not used to exciting things happening. When millionaire Raffles Haw moves to town, rumors spread like wildfire about him. When his home is overtaken by workmen and strange boxes are seen coming and going, it only adds to the intrigue. Robert and Laura are his nearest neighbors and are soon delighted to meet this eccentric new addition to the small English town. The advent of Mr. Haw, however, changes the town, and particularly the lives of the McIntyre family, in ways no one could ever have guessed. A mysterious rich man, a desperate father, an ambitious daughter and the semi-detached and naive hero form the cast of this somewhat surprising Doyle piece. The Doings of Raffles Haw is a fantasy novel that explores the nebulous origins of the fortune of a mysterious millionaire, delving into the shadowy scientific process that Raffles Haws has used to amass his extravagant wealth.