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E. M. Delafield

A Miss Pauline Marchrose applies for the position of "Lady Superintendent" at the Commercial and Technical College for South West England, where Sir Julian Rossiter is the college director. He is greatly impressed by her and soon this admiration turns to adoration. But his wife, Lady Edna Rossiter, discovers that Marchrose was the very same woman who jilted her cousin Clarence after he was paralysed in an accident. She starts a whispering campaign against her, without even trying to find out more about Marchrose’s motives and the peace of the local community is shattered by the ensuing tension. 

E. M. Delafield was the pen name of Edmée Elizabeth Monica Dashwood, née de la Pasture (1890-1943). She was a British author from Sussex and the daughter of a count and a novelist. Delafield was raised following Late Victorian upper class morals, and when at age 21 she found herself still single, she joined a French covenant in Belgium. But she soon tired of being a nun and left monastery life behind. During WWI, she volunteered as a nurse in Exeter. In 1919, she married civil engineer turned land agent Paul Dashwood, with whom she spent three years in Malaysia. She remains most famous today for her semi-autobiographical "Diary of a Provincial Lady," which had started as a column in the weekly woman’s magazine "Time and Tide."

SAGA Egmont

World Classics

Tension

Oscar Wilde

"You will always be fond of me. I represent to you all the sins you never had the courage to commit."
One day, the artist Basil Hallward is painting a picture of his muse Dorian Gray with his friend Lord Henry watching. Dorian listens as Lord Henry confidentially presents his hedonistic world view, saying beauty is the only thing in life that truly matters. It makes Dorian wish that his painting would age instead of him. Not long thereafter, Dorian sees his girl perform Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and is so turned off by her bad performance that he rejects her. When he gets home, he notices a certain cruel sneer in his portrait.
Told with flowery and snappy Jane Austen-like language, The Picture of Dorian Gray, about a young man who sells his soul for eternal youth, is Oscar Wilde’s most famous and popular work. It has been adapted for film and television many times, most recently in the 2009 film Dorian Gray starring Colin Firth and Ben Barnes.

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) was an Irish playwright, novelist, essayist, and poet, famous for ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ and ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ to name a couple. He was believed to be gay and met a lot of resistance in his life on that account. He died in Paris at the age of 46.

Ben Onwukwe

The Picture of Dorian Gray

"Consequences" (1919) follows the life of Alexandra Clare, an upper class Catholic girl from London, after she turns down her only suitor. Alex is a misfit and having failed to meet her family’s expectations, she joins a convent. Partly autobiographical, Delafield writes this story in a deeply ironic tone, turning Alex’s plight into a condemnation of the suffocating expectations Victorian society had for women. 

E. M. Delafield was the pen name of Edmée Elizabeth Monica Dashwood, née de la Pasture (1890-1943). She was a British author from Sussex and the daughter of a count and a novelist. Delafield was raised following Late Victorian upper class morals, and when at age 21 she found herself still single, she joined a French covenant in Belgium. But she soon tired of being a nun and left monastery life behind. During WWI, she volunteered as a nurse in Exeter. In 1919, she married civil engineer turned land agent Paul Dashwood, with whom she spent three years in Malaysia. She remains most famous today for her semi-autobiographical "Diary of a Provincial Lady," which had started as a column in the weekly woman’s magazine "Time and Tide."

Consequences

F. Scott Fitzgerald

"In his blue gardens, men and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars."

It’s the height of the roaring 20’s. Every Saturday, the doors to Gatsby’s gothic mansion are flung wide to the bright young things of New York - the music is loud, the dancing is wild, and the champagne flows freely. 

Gatsby’s new neighbor, Nick Carraway, is fascinated by the spectacle. But when he pushes beyond the shimmering, glistening veneer of Gatsby’s charmed life, Nick discovers his new friend is tortured by a profound yearning for the one thing – and one person – he can’t have. 

A vibrant tale of obsession and opulence, corruption and canapes. The promise of the American Dream set against the glittering chaos of the Jazz Age. 

F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896-1940) is considered one of the greatest American novelists of the 20th century and the author of 'Tender is the Night’ and ‘The Great Gatsby’. He and his wife, Zelda, were prominent socialites and spent much time moving in famous literary circles across Europe.

Russell Bentley

The Great Gatsby

Olaf Irlenkäuser

This book contains excerpted anecdotes from the biographies of Swift, Curran, O'Leary and O'Connell, relating humorous snippets of politics in 18th and 19th century Ireland. For some these may be poignant in addition to being humorous and for others they may be humorous in addition to being poignant.

Irish Wit and Humour

Anthony Hope

On the Greek island of Phrosos, Count Antonio has forsaken his rank and his Prince for what he thinks is Right. He now lives as an outlaw in the hill yet he is still remembered fondly by those who knew him. Ambrose the Franciscan goes through archives and to meet people who met him to learn more, and even the Prince would do well to listen to what he comes to discover. 

Sir Anthony Hope Hawkins (1863-1933), alias Anthony Hope, was a British barrister, author and playwright. He wrote many novels but is mostly remembered today for his Ruritanian trilogy, which falls under the "Ruritanian romance"-genre, characterised by a fictional country in Eastern or Central Europe (Ruritania), focusing on characters from the the ruling class, and full of adventures, intrigues, and high romance.

The Chronicles of Count Antonio

Mark Twain

The Mysterious Stranger is a story by Mark Twain that tells the tale of a mysterious stranger who comes to a small town and changes the lives of its residents. It is difficult to understand what exactly is happening. However, it seems as though the stranger is a force for good, and he helps the townspeople to become better people. Ultimately, the mystery of the stranger's identity remains unsolved, but his impact on the town is clear.

Interactive Media

The Mysterious Stranger

Selma Lagerlöf

"The Wonderful Adventures of Nils" is a work of fiction by the Swedish author Selma Lagerlöf. It was originally published in two books, "The Wonderful Adventures of Nils" in 1906 and "Further Adventures of Nils" in 1907. The background for its publication was a commission from the National Teachers Association in 1902, which asked Lagerlöf to write a geography reader for the public schools. She devoted three years to Nature study and to familiarizing herself with animal and bird life. She also sought out hitherto unpublished folklore and legends of the different provinces, which she then ingeniously wove into this story.
The story is about Nils Holgersson, a boy who is transformed into a leprechaun and who travels around Sweden on the back of a goose. The journey begins on the 20th of March 1898 and ends on the 8th of November of that same year, when Nils returns to Västra Vemmenhög. The story has been translated into more the 60 languages and appeals to readers of all ages. With superb storytelling, it beautifully unites the story's fantasy with its purpose of providing knowledge about Sweden.

Selma Lagerlöf (1858-1940) has written a series of novels and short stories about peasant life in Sweden. Her first novel "Gösta Berling's Saga" was made into the 1924 eponymous silent film featuring Greta Garbo, as well as into the 1925 Zandonai opera "I Cavalieri di Ekebù". Lagerlöf was the first female writer to win the Nobel Prize in literature, which was awarded to her in 1909. She was also the first female member of the Swedish Academy, which she entered in 1914.

The Wonderful Adventures of Nils

Margaret Sidney

"Five Little Peppers Grown Up" continues the story of Ben, Polly, Joel, David, and Phronsie Pepper. Together with the Kings, the Whitneys, and other friends old and new, the Peppers learn and teach about life and love as they grow into adulthood.

Margaret Sidney was the pen name of Harriett Mulford Lothrop, née Stone (1844-1924). She was first published at age 34, when two of her stories came out in the Boston children’s magazine "Wide Awake". Following their success, the editor asked her to write more. This led to the publication of her 12 book series "Five Little Peppers". She married her publisher Daniel Lothrop, and after his death, she ran his publishing firm. She later sold it so as to have more time to write, though the company kept publishing her work. Together, the couple had also bought the mansion "The Wayside" in Massachusetts, where both Louisa May Alcott and Nathaniel Hawthorne had previously lived. Sidney was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the founder of the Children of the American Revolution. She wrote over 30 novels.

Five Little Peppers Grown Up

The Five Little Peppers are off to school - Joel and Davie at a boys' boarding school, Polly, Phronsie and Ben at home. When the boys come home for the holidays, all the children are caught up in plans to help the poor family of a brakeman who was killed in an accident. Meanwhile Polly struggles to keep Jasper's friend from being expelled, Phronsie has a frightening accident and Ben works hard to repay Mr. King.

Margaret Sidney was the pen name of Harriett Mulford Lothrop, née Stone (1844-1924). She was first published at age 34, when two of her stories came out in the Boston children’s magazine "Wide Awake". Following their success, the editor asked her to write more. This led to the publication of her 12 book series "Five Little Peppers". She married her publisher Daniel Lothrop, and after his death, she ran his publishing firm. She later sold it so as to have more time to write, though the company kept publishing her work. Together, the couple had also bought the mansion "The Wayside" in Massachusetts, where both Louisa May Alcott and Nathaniel Hawthorne had previously lived. Sidney was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the founder of the Children of the American Revolution. She wrote over 30 novels.

Five Little Peppers at School

Ambrose Bierce

"Present at a Hanging and Other Ghost Stories" features fifteen ghost and horror stories. Included in this collection are: "The Way of Ghosts", "Soldier Folk", "Some Haunted Houses" and "Mysterious Disappeances". 

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914) was an American writer, journalist, critic, poet, and Civil War veteran, best known for "The Devil's Dictionary" (1911). He dominated the horror genre as the preeminent innovator of supernatural storytelling in the period between the death of Edgar Allan Poe and the rise of H.P. Lovecraft. Bierce’s death was as mysterious as his strange stories; sometime around 1914 he left for Mexico, wanting to experience the Mexican Revolution firsthand, and was never to be seen again.

Present at a Hanging and Other Ghost Stories

The stories featured in this collection detail the lives of soldiers and civilians during the American Civil War. Bierce served as a union soldier during the Civil War and his experiences as a soldier served as an inspiration for his writing, particularly for the Soldiers section. In this way, Bierce's anticipates and parallels the work of Ernest Hemingway's, just as his civilian tales later influenced horror writers.

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914) was an American writer, journalist, critic, poet, and Civil War veteran, best known for The Devil's Dictionary (1911). He dominated the horror genre as the preeminent innovator of supernatural storytelling in the period between the death of Edgar Allan Poe and the rise of H.P. Lovecraft. Bierce’s death was as mysterious as his strange stories; sometime around 1914 he left for Mexico, wanting to experience the Mexican Revolution firsthand, and was never to be seen again.

In the Midst of Life; Tales of Soldiers and Civilians

"The Monk and the Hangman's Daughter" tells the tale of 17th century monk Ambrosius, who meets a young girl named Benedicta, a hangman’s daughter, who is shunned by her community because of her father’s profession. A friendship develops between the two, and when the girl’s virtue gets corrupted, Ambrosius is ready to fight for her. It is a story of friendship, love, morality, and redemption. 

Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914) was an American writer, journalist, critic, poet, and Civil War veteran, best known for The Devil's Dictionary (1911). He dominated the horror genre as the preeminent innovator of supernatural storytelling in the period between the death of Edgar Allan Poe and the rise of H.P. Lovecraft. Bierce’s death was as mysterious as his strange stories; sometime around 1914 he left for Mexico, wanting to experience the Mexican Revolution firsthand, and was never to be seen again.

The Monk and the Hangman's Daughter

Henrik Ibsen

Henrik Ibsen’s 1890 play "Hedda Gabler" is a study of a woman who wants to climb the social ladder. Where another of Ibsen's great female character, Nora from "A Doll's House", had her eyes brutally opened ten years earlier to the hypocrisy of the bourgeoisie and brakes away from her husband and children as a result, Hedda Gabler goes in the opposite direction. She moves into this world knowingly, eyes wide open and free from delusions, with no expectations that a bourgeois lifestyle could make her happy. A choice that will have tragic consequences.

The Norwegian playwright and poet Henrik Ibsen (1828-1906) is one of the founders of Modernism in theatre, creating a genre that puts human psychology at the center of the plot, and stories that revolve around a past that is impossible to escape. 
Ibsen is the second most performed playwright, right after Shakespeare, and is world famous for plays such as "A Doll's House," "Peer Gynt" and "Hedda Gabler." He wrote over a twenty plays, which have gone on to be performed on scenes across the globe.

Hedda Gabler

Theodore Roosevelt

The Rough Riders was the nickname for one of the three regiments of the First United States Volunteer Cavalry, which Roosevelt helped to form. It was the only regiment to see combat during the Spanish-American War of 1898, in Cuba. Roosevelt resigned his post as Assistant Secretary of the Navy to raise this army with men of very diverse background, ranging from Ivy Leaguers to Native Americans, from athletes to frontiersmen, etc. 
Theodore Roosevelt wrote about his Rough Riders that: "they were hardened to life in the open, and to shifting for themselves under adverse circumstances. My men were children of the dragon's blood, and if they had no outland foe to fight and no outlet for their vigorous and daring energy, there was always the chance of their fighting one another: but the great majority, if given the chance to do hard or dangerous work, availed themselves of it with the utmost eagerness."

Theodore Roosevelt (1858 – 1919) was not only the 26th president of the United States but also a prolific writer. He lent his pen to many different topics, including history, biographies, autobiographies, and nature. He also wrote countless articles, letters, and even guide books. Some of his most famous works include: "The Rough Riders," "History of the Naval War of 1812," "African Game Trails," and "The Winning of the West."

The Rough Riders

Herman Melville

"Bartleby the Scrivener: A Story of Wall Street" is a short story from 1852 by Herman Melville. 
Bartleby is hired to work as a scrivener alongside two other clerks, Nippers and Turkey, for an unnamed, elderly lawyer in New York. At first, he produces high-quality work but suddenly his work ethic takes a turn, and Bartleby reply to every task he is given becomes "I would prefer not to."
The story was in part inspired by Emerson’s essay "The Transcendentalist" and has been adapted to film twice: once in 1970, starring Paul Scofield, and again in 2001, starring Crispin Glover.

Herman Melville (1819-1891) was an American writer, best known for his whaling novel, ‘Moby-Dick; or, The Whale’ (1851), which was poorly received at the time but is considered a classic today.
Melville, along with authors such as Nathaniel Hawthorne, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau and Walt Whitman, was part of the American Renaissance, a literary movement that aimed to provide literature for the American democracy.

Bartleby the Scrivener, A Story of Wall Street

Victor Hugo

In this classic tale from the French novelist Victor Hugo, we follow the adventures of the hunchback Quasimodo, who leads a solitary life in the bell tower of Notre-Dame de Paris. When his path crosses that of the beautiful gypsy Esmeralda, his world is turned upside down. 
With his romantic description of the cathedral, Victor Hugo sparked a wave of new interest for medieval architecture in France. Quasimodo´s story is mostly known by modern audiences through the famous Disney animated movie from 1996 in which Demi Moore voices the character Esmeralda.

Victor Hugo (1802-1885) is one of the most important writers in the history of French literature. During his lifetime, he was one of the leading figures of Romanticism in France. In addition to his novels, he wrote a great many plays. 
Hugo´s most famous novels are "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame" about a young, hunchback boy living a solitary life in the Parisian cathedral, and "Les Miserable" which describes the hardships of Paris´ poorest. These two novels, and many of Hugo´s works, have been adapted into movies, musicals and plays.

The Hunchback of Notre-Dame

Isabel F. Hapgood

Written when he was in his early twenties and after he had graduated Harvard, Roosevelt’s "The Naval War of 1812" recounts the war between Britain and the States of the early 19th century. In order to write this piece of military history Roosevelt embarked on a long and thorough research, and strove to present the events as they unfolded, with the neutrality and impartiality of a true historian. In this account, Roosevelt shows himself very critical of Thomas Jefferson’s actions, and of the United States’ lack of preparation for a war against the powerful British navy. He looks at each battle chronologically, giving thorough details about the equipment, the crews, and each military action. 

Theodore Roosevelt (1858 – 1919) was not only the 26th president of the United States but also a prolific writer. He lent his pen to many different topics, including history, biographies, autobiographies, and nature. He also wrote countless articles, letters, and even guide books. Some of his most famous works include: "The Rough Riders," "History of the Naval War of 1812," "African Game Trails," and "The Winning of the West."

The Naval War of 1812

Grace Livingston Hill

‘Aunt Crete’s Emancipation’ follows Miss Lucretia Ward or ‘Crete’ to her family, as she navigates life with her rude sister Carrie and her spoilt niece Luella. They treat the older Crete like a maid more than a family member but everything will change when cousin Donald Grant visits from out west. Carrie and Luella shun the ‘backwoods’ cousin but Crete welcomes him with loving and open arms, changing everyone’s lives forever. If you love Cinderella this story is perfect for you, it is a loving and relaxed read, full of brilliant characters and description, where goodness is satisfyingly rewarded and evil punished.

Grace Livingston Hill was the pen name of American author Marcia Macdonald (1865-1947). She came from a family of authors and began writing short stories from a young age for her aunt’s weekly children magazine ‘The Pansy’. As a young woman she wrote to help bring funds in for her family. Funds became an even larger motivation following the loss of her first husband and then father only a year later. In her career, Hill published over 100 novels and short stories, they often featured young Christian women in love, the theme of good versus evil, and the importance of redemption.

Aunt Crete's Emancipation

Gustave Flaubert

Herodias is a short story by Gustave Flaubert, one of the great masters of French literature. It is a reworking of the tale of Salomé and John the Baptist, in which faith and cruelty are blended in a deadly dance culminating in tragedy. A stylistic masterpiece, with orientalist sensuality and an inspired dive into religious fervor, this short story brings the ancient era to the most colorful possible life.

World Classics - The book series

World Classics - The book series

World Classics books in order

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