Engelske bøger

When H.G. Wells came face to face with Lenin.In 1920, world famous writer H.G. Wells was invited on a trip to Russia. A committed socialist, Wells had high hopes for the Bolsheviks. What he found was a country ravaged by revolutions and civil war. Despite this, he still held out hope for the future—an optimism which would prove to be very misplaced. The highlight of the trip came when he met with Vladimir Lenin, or as Wells described him, "the little figure at the great desk"."Russia in the Shadows" is a fascinating document of Wells’ trip, and a great read for any history buffs.H.G. Wells (1866–1946) was an English author often called the "father of science fiction". His work popularised some of the genre’s most abiding concepts, such as time travel and parallel universes, while also exploring social issues of the day. Among his most famous books are "The Time Machine", "The Island of Doctor Moreau", "The Invisible Man" and "The First Men in the Moon".Wells was also one of the first writers to imagine an alien invasion. In "The War of the Worlds" he depicts a devastating attack by Martians, who stalk the earth in huge metal tripods. Orson Welles famously created an American radio version in the 1930s, panicking some listeners who thought it was a real news bulletin. The book has been adapted for the screen many times, including a movie starring Tom Cruise and a BBC television series.

‘Signor Formica’ (1885) is a ‘weird tale’ written by the German Romantic author E. T. A. Hoffmann, most famous for his novella ‘The Nutcracker and the Mouse King’ (1816) which inspired Tchaikovsky’s opera ‘The Nutcracker’.This classic short horror story is perfect for fans of horror and fantasy fiction and the authors H. P. Lovecraft and Neil Gaiman.Ernst Theodor Wilhelm Hoffmann (1776-1822), better known as E. T. A. Hoffmann, was a German Romantic author of fantasy and gothic horror. He was also a composer, music critic, draftsman and caricaturist.Hoffmann's stories inspired several famous operatic composers including Richard Wagner, Jacques Offenbach and Léo Delibes. He is also the author of the novella ‘The Nutcracker and the Mouse King’, on which Tchaikovsky’s famous ballet, ‘The Nutcracker’ is based.The story also inspired the film ‘The Nutcracker and the Four Realms’ (2018), starring Keira Knightley, Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren.

After the horrors of World War One, the world was ready for peace. So, in 1921, nine countries came together for a summit in Washington DC to talk disarmament.One visitor to the conference was world famous sci-fi writer H.G. Wells. "Washington and the Riddle of Peace" collects together twenty nine articles he wrote about the event, which were originally published in various magazines and newspapers. He writes with both optimism and pessimism about the talks, wanting to believe in humankind’s better nature but wary of countries’ insatiable appetite for power and money. Less than two decades later of course, Wells’ worst fears would be proved correct.H.G. Wells (1866–1946) was an English author often called the "father of science fiction". His work popularised some of the genre’s most abiding concepts, such as time travel and parallel universes, while also exploring social issues of the day. Among his most famous books are "The Time Machine", "The Island of Doctor Moreau", "The Invisible Man" and "The First Men in the Moon".Wells was also one of the first writers to imagine an alien invasion. In "The War of the Worlds" he depicts a devastating attack by Martians, who stalk the earth in huge metal tripods. Orson Welles famously created an American radio version in the 1930s, panicking some listeners who thought it was a real news bulletin. The book has been adapted for the screen many times, including a movie starring Tom Cruise and a BBC television series.

Star-crossed lovers Jon and Fleur fall head over heels for each other, but are forced to separate by their parents who share troubling history. Can their love finally defeat the Forsyte family curse or will the shadow of the past continue to haunt the lives of a new generation?'To Let' (1921) was written by English author and playwright John Galsworthy, and is the third and final novel in his masterpiece 'The Forsyte Saga'. The Forsyte Saga (1922) is a series of three novels and two interludes published between 1906 and 1921, all of which have been adapted for television.John Galsworthy (1867-1933) was an English novelist and playwright, best known for his masterpiece 'The Forsyte Saga', which won him the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1932. The trilogy depicts an upper-class English family in the years 1886-1926. It was adapted for TV in 2002 for the ITV network starring Damian Lewis, Rupert Graves and Gina McKee.In his stories, Galsworthy addresses social issues, family life, and the upper-middle class, in which he strongly criticised the morals and ideals of Victorian England. Among his other prominent works are 'From the Four Winds', 'The Silver Box', 'The Country House', and 'The Skin Game'.

‘The Elementary Spirit‘ (1844) was written by the German Romantic author E. T. A. Hoffmann, most famous for his novella ‘The Nutcracker and the Mouse King’ (1816) which inspired Tchaikovsky’s ‘The Nutcracker’.When Prussian lieutenant, colonel Albert von B. rides from Liège to Aachen, a chance encounter with Paul Talkebarth leads him to a mysterious country house where his best friend lies ill. But not everything or everyone are as they seem, and beset by strange dreams and apparitions, Albert is faced with a battle for his soul.‘The Elementary Spirit’ is from Hoffmann’s ‘Later Works’. This classic short story is perfect for fans of horror and fantasy fiction and the authors H. P. Lovecraft and Neil Gaiman.Ernst Theodor Wilhelm Hoffmann (1776-1822), better known as E. T. A. Hoffmann, was a German Romantic author of fantasy and gothic horror. He was also a composer, music critic, draftsman and caricaturist.Hoffmann's stories inspired several famous operatic composers, including Richard Wagner, Jacques Offenbach and Léo Delibes. He is also the author of the novella ‘The Nutcracker and the Mouse King’, on which Tchaikovsky’s famous ballet, ‘The Nutcracker’ is based. The story also inspired the film ‘The Nutcracker and the Four Realms’ (2018), starring Keira Knightley, Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren.

The earliest collection of short stories from Edith Wharton, ‘The Greater Inclination’ documents the beginning of an outstanding literary career. The book contains seven short stories and one two-act play. In typical Wharton style, the tales deal with the themes of love, marriage, death, deception, American society, and the true intent of art. Wharton’s eye for the minutiae of social conventions and interactions breathes life into each story. A superb book for those who want to see where it all started.Edith Wharton (1862 – 1937) was an American designer and novelist. Born in an era when the highest ambition a woman could aspire to was a good marriage, Wharton went on to become one of America’s most celebrated authors. During her career, she wrote over 40 books, using her wealthy upbringing to bring authenticity and detail to stories about the upper classes. She moved to France in 1923, where she continued to write until her death.

‘An English Man Looks At The World’ represents a twenty six piece collection of essays of varying length from acclaimed British author H.G. Wells. The collection of journalistic pieces written in the years before the First World War represent the authors move away from writing novels to journalism. There are opinion pieces such as the "So-Called Science of Sociology" which argues sociology can never be a science because at its core it is deceitful and overlooks the truly important matter, the uniqueness of individuals. The collection offers personal looks in to Wells’ life, as he recounts his "First Flight", which is perfect reading for any true fans of the sci-fi great.H.G Wells (1866-1946) is known as ‘The father of Science Fiction’, for the profound impact he has had on the genre. In his time he predicted aircraft, tanks, nuclear weapons space travel and even the world wide web. Forever forward looking, he devoted his talents to a progressive vision on a global scale. He was nominated for the Nobel Prize in literature on four occasions, and as such maintains a central role in the canon of British and world-wide literature. Some of his best work includes the time travel novel ‘The Time Machine’, the sci-fi adventure ‘The Island of Dr. Moreau’ , and ‘The War of the Worlds’, which was adapted in to a film starring Tom Cruise.

Considered wildly controversial at the time of its release, ‘The Fruit of the Tree’ is a departure from the norm for Edith Wharton. While her trademark eye for social detail and psychological insights are present and correct, this novel deals with more melancholic themes, such as divorce, addiction, euthanasia, poor working conditions, and extravagance. It follows the story of George Amhurst, the assistant manager of a textile mill in New England. While his heart might be in the right place, when he marries the widow of a mill owner, he might be forced to compromise in his ideals. A striking book from the pen that wrote ‘The Age of Innocence,’ which became a film, starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Daniel Day-Lewis.Edith Wharton (1862 – 1937) was an American designer and novelist. Born in an era when the highest ambition a woman could aspire to was a good marriage, Wharton went on to become one of America’s most celebrated authors. During her career, she wrote over 40 books, using her wealthy upbringing to bring authenticity and detail to stories about the upper classes. She moved to France in 1923, where she continued to write until her death.

The book that set the stage for Tolkien’s ‘The Lord of the Rings’, ‘The Worm Ouroboros’ tells a sweeping tale of political – and mystical - battles between heroic warriors, witches on crooked mountaintops and the ocean’s darkest depths. Interlaced with brewing romances and devilish trickery, The Lords of Demonland go head-to-head with the Lords of Witchland in one epic fantasy. Crafted with expert language, Eddison provides a reading experience like no other. ‘The Worm Ouroboros’ is ideal for fantasy fans of ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘The Hobbit’.Erick Rücker Eddison, CB, CMG (1882-1945) was an English civil servant and widely celebrated author of epic fantasy novels. Spanning ‘The Worm Ouroboros’ and ‘Zimiamvia Trilogy’, his work crafted fantastical, mythical lands using meticulously created Jacobean prose. Tolkien in particular praised ‘The Worm Ouroboros’ as inspiration for his ‘The Lord of the Rings’ series. Eddison remains an influential pioneer of the fantasy genre.

‘The Doge and Dogess’ (1885) is a ‘weird tale’ written by the German Romantic author E. T. A. Hoffmann, most famous for his novella ‘The Nutcracker and the Mouse King’ (1816) which inspired Tchaikovsky’s opera ‘The Nutcracker’. This classic fantasy short story is perfect for fans of horror and fantasy fiction and the authors H. P. Lovecraft and Neil Gaiman.Ernst Theodor Wilhelm Hoffmann (1776-1822), better known as E. T. A. Hoffmann, was a German Romantic author of fantasy and gothic horror. He was also a composer, music critic, draftsman and caricaturist.Hoffmann's stories inspired several famous operatic composers, including Richard Wagner, Jacques Offenbach and Léo Delibes. He is also the author of the novella ‘The Nutcracker and the Mouse King’, on which Tchaikovsky’s famous ballet, ‘The Nutcracker’ is based. The story also inspired the film ‘The Nutcracker and the Four Realms’ (2018), starring Keira Knightley, Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren.

‘The Yellow Wallpaper’, by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, is a short story first published in January 1892. The psychological thriller by the renowned US women’s rights writer and campaigner is an autobiographical-inspired novella based upon her own experience of severe postnatal depression, leading to post-natal psychosis. At the time, women with PND (known in America as postpartum depression) were seen as hysterical and were often dismissed by doctors who overlooked treatment options through lack of understanding of the condition. In Perkins’ short story, written tellingly from the first-person perspective, the nameless female protagonist is forced to sleep in an attic with yellow wallpaper and is driven mad by her enforced imprisonment following the birth of her first child. The book describes in detail how she sees imagined beings and ghostly sightings in the house. Disturbing in its nature yet utterly realistic to the heroine, the protagonist offers a diary-style narrative detailing her experience as a new mother suffering with severe mental illness:"I don’t know why I should write this.I don’t want to.I don’t feel able.And I know John would think it absurd. But I must say what I feel and think in some way—it is such a relief!But the effort is getting to be greater than the relief."Evoking gothic themes of Charlotte Bronte’s 'Jane Eyre', in both Jane Eyre’s own tortuous and notorious Red Room and Bertha Mason's confinement in her loft prison, the book was made into a film in 2011 – directed by Logan Thomas and starring Aric Cushing and Juliet Landau.Charlotte Perkins Gilman, also known as Charlotte Perkins Stetson, was born on 3rd July 1860 in Connecticut, USA. Her early family life was troubled, with her father abandoning his wife and family; a move which strongly influenced her feminist political leanings and advocator of women’s rights. After jobs as a tutor and painter, Perkins – a self- declared humanist and ‘tom boy’ – began to work as a writer of short stories, novels, non-fiction pieces and poetry. Her best known work is her semi-autobiographical short story, inspired by her post-natal depression, entitled ‘The Yellow Wallpaper’ which was published in 1892 and made into a film in 2011. A member of the American National Women's Hall of Fame, Charlotte Perkins Gilman was a strong believer that "the domestic environment oppressed women through the patriarchal beliefs upheld by society". A believer in euthanasia, she was diagnosed with incurable breast cancer in January 1932 and chose to take her own life in August 1935, writing in her suicide note that she "chose chloroform over cancer".

‘Arthur’s Hall’ (1885) is a ‘weird tale’ written by the German Romantic author E. T. A. Hoffmann, most famous for his novella ‘The Nutcracker and the Mouse King’ (1816) which inspired Tchaikovsky’s opera ‘The Nutcracker’.This classic short horror story is perfect for fans of horror and fantasy fiction and authors H. P. Lovecraft and Neil Gaiman.Ernst Theodor Wilhelm Hoffmann (1776-1822), better known as E. T. A. Hoffmann, was a German Romantic author of fantasy and gothic horror. He was also a composer, music critic, draftsman and caricaturist.Hoffmann's stories inspired several famous operatic composers, including Richard Wagner, Jacques Offenbach and Léo Delibes. He is also the author of the novella ‘The Nutcracker and the Mouse King’, on which Tchaikovsky’s famous ballet, ‘The Nutcracker’ is based. The story also inspired the film ‘The Nutcracker and the Four Realms’ (2018), starring Keira Knightley, Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren.

Should he confess all and face the consequences or should he keep his secret forever?'A Slip Under the Microscope' is one of H.G. Wells' best-loved short stories, detailing the dilemma faced by the central character, Hill. During a botany exam, Hill inadvertently ‘cheats’ when he moves a microscope slide and is forced to choose between coming clean or staying quiet. This tale is a fascinating dissection of the themes of honesty and ethical behaviour. With certain autobiographical elements to the story, ‘A Slip Under the Microscope’ gives us a brief insight into the mind of one of the greatest authors of all time.H.G. Wells (1866 – 1946) was a prolific writer and the author of more than 50 novels. In addition, we wrote more than 60 short stories, alongside various scientific papers. Many of his most famous works have been adapted for film and television, including ‘The Time Machine,’ starring Guy Pearce, ‘War of the Worlds,’ starring Tom Cruise, and ‘The Invisible Man,’ starring Elizabeth Moss. Because of his various works exploring futuristic themes, Wells is regarded as one of the ‘Fathers of Science Fiction.’

The last volume in Gorky’s grand autobiographical trilogy, "My Universities" covers the years of the author’s adolescence. The narrative provides a candid, unflinching portrayal of one of Russia's major revolutionary voices living among the impoverished and downtrodden of society. Throughout the narrative we follow Gorky as he takes on job after job and learns various life lessons that form the nucleus of his "university" education. The meticulous description of at first seemingly insignificant details reveal Gorky’s fine-tuned literary eye. A beautiful and realistic struggle of a man who hoped to tear down class barrier, and a call for compassion, this classic is a must-read.Maxim Gorky (1868-1936) forged his reputation among the most talented and original Russian modern writers. His position in Russian literature is indisputable, as demonstrated by his five Nobel Prize nominations. A dissenter and a Bolshevik associate, he led a turbulent life of exile, which marked his literary endeavours. A strong supporter of Russia’s political, social, and cultural transformation, Gorky’s name still echoes in the annals of history. His best-known works include "The Lower Depths", "My Childhood,", "Mother", and "Children of the Sun".

‘The New Teaching of History’ represents a collection of essays written by Wells to address criticism of his seminal work ‘The Outline of History’, in which he covered the entire human existence up to the First World War. It is a fascinating insight in to the mind and methodology of the legendary author as he defines how he came to his conclusions. It is excellent reading for any fans of Wells as well as readers fascinated by the near future.H.G Wells (1866-1946) is known as ‘The father of Science Fiction’, for the profound impact he has had on the genre. In his time he predicted aircraft, tanks, nuclear weapons space travel and even the world wide web. Forever forward looking, he devoted his talents to a progressive vision on a global scale. He was nominated for the Nobel Prize in literature on four occasions, and as such maintains a central role in the canon of British and world-wide literature. Some of his best work includes the time travel novel ‘The Time Machine’, the sci-fi adventure ‘The Island of Dr. Moreau’ , and ‘The War of the Worlds’, which was adapted in to a film starring Tom Cruise.

Don Quixote is often named as the novel most likely to be on your shelf, but unread.It is almost as though the eponymous hero of the novel and wannabe knight is laying down a chivalric challenge.For Cervantes' epic tale of adventure, imagination and globetrotting is regarded as one of the first ever novels - and it retains all of its power today.Quixote is entranced by stories of chivalry and sets off around the world with his squire, Sancho Panza, to become a knight errant.The adventures become gradually more fanciful, including tilting at windmills and getting into fights with friars.At the same time, the relationship between Quixote and Panza goes through subtle changes.Don Quixote has been portrayed on screen many times, including most recently in Terry Gilliam's spoof movie 'The Man Who Killed Don Quixote', starring Adam Driver and Stellan Skarsgard.In 2000, John Lithgow, Bob Hoskins and Isabella Rossellini starred in 'Don Quixote'.Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra (1547-1616) was a Spanish writer whose epic novel 'Don Quixote' made his name.The story is regarded as the first modern novel and one of the greatest books of all time.As is often the case with writers and artists of his time, Cervantes spent most of his life in poverty.He left Spain for Rome in 1569 to work for a cardinal, before joining the Spanish Navy, being badly wounded in 1571, then being captured by Barbary pirates and held for five years before being ransomed.He worked as a purchasing agent, then a tax collector, and his first novel, 'La Galatea', was published in 1585.His other works included '12 Exemplary Novels', 'The Travails of Persiles and Sigismunda' and the epic poem 'Journey to Parnassus'.'Don Quixote' was published in two parts, in 1605 and 1615.

While she might be better known for taking aim at American high society, Wharton was also a prolific travel writer. ‘In Morocco’ chronicles her visit to North Africa, at the tail-end of the First World War. Written at a time when the country was relatively unexplored, her writing perfectly captures the Moroccan architecture, towns, deserts, culture, tradition, and people. A fascinating read for anyone who enjoys other travel writers like Michael Palin and for those who want to explore Morocco before the advent of international tourism.Edith Wharton (1862 – 1937) was an American designer and novelist. Born in an era when the highest ambition a woman could aspire to was a good marriage, Wharton went on to become one of America’s most celebrated authors. During her career, she wrote over 40 books, using her wealthy upbringing to bring authenticity and detail to stories about the upper classes. She moved to France in 1923, where she continued to write until her death.

Detective stories and mysteries never go out of fashion.From Arthur Conan Doyle's 'Sherlock Holmes' to Richard Osman's 'Thursday Murder Club' series, we continue to love a whodunit.'The Mystery of a Hansom Cab' is a classic and was the best-selling mystery novel of the Victorian era.There is almost a Down Under Dickens touch in the way Hume uses the story of the murder to expose the seedy side of its setting, Melbourne.As the murder probe is launched, secrets look set to be exposed and high-profile figures face humiliation.With a plot like a corkscrew, 'The Mystery of a Hansom Cab' will keep you guessing.Ferguson (Fergus) Hume (1859-1932) was born in England and brought up in New Zealand. He trained as a barrister and moved to Australia, where he endured the frustration of having his plays rejected by theatres.His first mystery novel 'The Mystery of a Hansom Cab' changed that, becoming a sensation, selling more than 500,000 copies and inspiring Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to write his first 'Sherlock Holmes' mystery, 'A Study in Scarlet'.Hume, who moved back to England, was a prolific author, publishing well over 100 mystery novels.

"If you were to go up in a balloon, you would make for heaven; and if you were to dive into the depths of the earth, nothing short of the other place would content you."These are the words of characters Thomas Idle to Francis Goodchild; but they are really the words of authors Wilkie Collins to describe his friend, Charles Dickens.‘The Lazy Tour of Two Idle Apprentices’ is a collaborative novel produced by Dickens and Collins, in which they poke fun at themselves and at one another. It also boasts two ghost stories which are a marvel to read from these two great masters.Set in Autumn 1857. Two men set off for an idle adventure through the countryside of the English Lake District and the Fells. "They had no intention of going anywhere in particular; they wanted to see nothing, they wanted to know nothing, they wanted to learn nothing, they wanted to do nothing. They wanted only to be idle." A novel to be enjoyed by fans of Bill Bryson’s writing or the film adaptation of his book ‘A Walk in the Woods’, starring Robert Redford and Emma Thompson.Regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era, Charles Dickens is renowned for creating some of the world’s best known fictional characters who feature in his most popular novels, including The Artful Dodger in 'Oliver Twist’, Ebenezer Scrooge in ‘A Christmas Carol’, and Miss Havisham in ‘Great Expectations’. Dickens’ timeless novels and short stories are still widely read today and many have been adapted into countless TV programmes and films including the Academy Award-winning musical ‘Oliver’, and 'A Christmas Carol' which well known worldwide and is a huge favourite movie for families to watch together at Christmas time.London-born Wilke Collins (1824-1889) became known in Victorian England for his novels and plays, sometimes writing together with Charles Dickens. His most famous works, "The Woman in White" (1859) and "The Moonstone" (1868), are examples of the first modern detective novels.

'I'll huff and I'll puff, and I'll blow your house in!'A story with little piggies and a big bad wolf has all the ingredients for an exciting adventure.The classic tale of the three little pigs, and their fateful meeting with the big, bad wolf comes alive in this wonderful storybook by Leonard Leslie Brooke. Enter the story at your own risk, but beware - the wolf always lurks in the shadows, ready to snatch any disobedient and naughty piglet.Leonard Leslie Brooke (1862-1940) was an English illustrator, writer and artist. Many of his illustrations are filled with humour, morality, and slight criticism. His most famous works include "Johnny Crow's Garden" (1903), "Ring O' Roses","Johnny Crow's Party" (1907), and "Johnny Crow's New Garden" (1935).'The Three Little Pigs' is well known worldwide and has been rewritten and published many times. It is still a big favourite of children everywhere.

Soames Forsyte, a rapacious and materialistic man by nature – and his most prized possession is his wife, Irene. But as sparks fly upon her meeting with indigent architect Philip Bosinney, her adulterous affair tears through the family bringing shame, scandal and struggle.‘The Man of Property’ (1906) was written by English author and playwright John Galsworthy, and is the first novel in his masterpiece 'The Forsyte Saga'. The Forsyte Saga (1922) is a series of three novels and two interludes published between 1906 and 1921, all of which have been adapted for television.John Galsworthy (1867-1933) was an English novelist and playwright, best known for his masterpiece 'The Forsyte Saga', which won him the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1932. The trilogy depicts an upper-class English family in the years 1886-1926. It was adapted for TV in 2002 for the ITV network starring Damian Lewis, Rupert Graves and Gina McKee.In his stories, Galsworthy addresses social issues, family life, and the upper-middle class, in which he strongly criticised the morals and ideals of Victorian England. Among his other prominent works are 'From the Four Winds', 'The Silver Box', 'The Country House', and 'The Skin Game'.

Not dissimilar to modern day stories, ´The Vampyre´ offers an interesting mix of fangs and romance, and Polidori's tale of Lord Ruthven is a spooky love story that will leave you hiding under your duvet.The young Aubrey is captivated by the mysterious Lord Ruthven, who takes her to Rome. A disagreement between the two, leads Ruthven to travel onward to Greece on his own where he falls in love with Ianthe. She tells him about the tales and myths of vampires but is found killed shortly after.Without connecting the two incidents, Aubrey reunites with Ruthven once more and she rejoins him on his travels, which leads to her eventual heartbreak.Fans of ´Twilight´, ´Dracula´, and ´Buffy the Vampire Slayer´ will enjoy this short story, which is regarded as the first vampire novel to be published.Known by some as the creator of vampire fiction, John William Polidori was an English writer and physician. ´The Vampyre´ is his most successful piece of writing and the first published modern vampire story.A friend to Lord Byron, Polidori also brainstormed with Percy Bysshe Shelley and a soon-to-be Mary Shelley. Mary later worked on a tale with her husband which would become 'Frankenstein'.Polidori died at his father's London house aged 25, weighed down by depression and gambling debts.

‘Master Martin, The Cooper, and His Journal’ (1885) is a ‘weird tale’ written by the German romantic author E. T. A. Hoffmann, most famous for his novella ‘The Nutcracker and the Mouse King’ (1816) which inspired Tchaikovsky’s ballet ‘The Nutcracker’.Johannes Wacht is orphaned at an early age and taken in by the town council’s master craftsman. But the carpenter's death sends Johannes on a journey to Bamberg and a new life.This classic short story is perfect for fans of horror and fantasy fiction and the authors H. P. Lovecraft and Neil Gaiman.Ernst Theodor Wilhelm Hoffmann (1776-1822), better known as E. T. A. Hoffmann, was a German romantic author of fantasy and gothic horror. He was also a composer, music critic, draftsman and caricaturist.Hoffmann's stories inspired several famous operatic composers, including Richard Wagner, Jacques Offenbach and Léo Delibes. He is also the author of the novella ‘The Nutcracker and the Mouse King’, on which Tchaikovsky’s famous ballet, ‘The Nutcracker’ is based. The story also inspired the film ‘The Nutcracker and the Four Realms’ (2018), starring Keira Knightley, Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren.

If you are a dog lover, you will love this book.For Albert Payson Terhune is a dog lover, too - and it shines out of every page of this book of stories about man's best friend.Each of the stories features vivid and moving descriptions of dogs and of their ebb-and-flow relationships with people. In one, called 'Chums', a homeless boy befriends two stray dogs and develops a deep friendship with them - only to see them snatched by the dog-catcher while he is working to pay for dinner.There is heartbreak in abundance throughout the book - but plenty of heartwarming endings, too.Terhune's stories are perfect for fans of 'Lassie Come Home' by Eric Knight and 'Black Beauty' by Anna Sewell.Albert Payson Terhune (1872-1942) was an American author, journalist and dog breeder. He had a strong following for his novels and short stories about the adventures of the collies that he bred and loved.His estate, Sunnybank in New Jersey, is now Terhune Memorial Park. It is open to the puboic and visitors can see the graves of many of the dogs from Terhune's novels.

Think of the beliefs which you hold most dear. How much suffering could you take before you gave them up?It’s a question at heart of the Old Testament’s Book of Job. And in "The Undying Fire", H.G. Wells writes his own version. The action takes place in a private school in England. The headmaster, Job Huss, is a principled man with an unshakable faith in the human spirit. But his principles are tested by a series of horrible events, including the death of his son in WW1.A novel of ideas, "The Undying Fire" is Wells at his most thought-provoking. It reveals yet another side to the author. If you only know him for his science fiction, it’s well worth exploring.H.G. Wells (1866–1946) was an English author often called the "father of science fiction". His work popularised some of the genre’s most abiding concepts, such as time travel and parallel universes, while also exploring social issues of the day. Among his most famous books are "The Time Machine", "The Island of Doctor Moreau", "The Invisible Man" and "The First Men in the Moon".Wells was also one of the first writers to imagine an alien invasion. In "The War of the Worlds" he depicts a devastating attack by Martians, who stalk the earth in huge metal tripods. Orson Welles famously created an American radio version in the 1930s, panicking some listeners who thought it was a real news bulletin. The book has been adapted for the screen many times, including a movie starring Tom Cruise and a BBC television series.

Charles Dickens’ ‘The Lamplighter’ is a short story that will take the reader on a comical adventure bringing together the philosopher's stone, some fortune-telling stars, an eccentric astronomer, and all-in-all, some downright hilarious characters.In this novella, we meet Tom Grig, a lamplighter who ends up in the home of a strange astronomer. It seems 'the stars' have decreed that Tom will marry the astronomer's beautiful niece and not only that - Grig is then to inherit the secret of the philosopher's stone, making him the richest man on earth. Happy days! There's just one problem though. The stars have also predicted Tom’s imminent death, just two short months from now, which leads to other members of the household coming up with their own alternative theories and ideas resulting in laugh-out-loud consequences.Regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era, Charles Dickens is best known for creating some of the world’s best known fictional characters who feature in his most popular novels, including The Artful Dodger in 'Oliver Twist’, Ebenezer Scrooge in ‘A Christmas Carol’, and Miss Havisham in ‘Great Expectations’. Dickens’ timeless novels and short stories are still widely read today and many have been adapted into countless TV programmes and films including the Academy Award-winning musical ‘Oliver’, and 'A Christmas Carol' which well known worldwide and is a huge favourite movie for families to watch together at Christmas time.

May Sinclair’s ‘Life And Death of Harriett Frean’ tells the story of the titular character, Harriett, who has been raised as the embodiment of the perfect Victorian woman; loving, honourable, and obedient. She idolizes her parents and learns from childhood that love is equal to self-sacrifice but when she falls in love with her closest friend’s fiancé, she is forced to question everything she thought she thought she knew.Described as a "small, perfect gem of a book" by author Jonathan Coe, this historical romance novella was adapted into a BBC television show in 1986 and is a brilliant study of female ideals that stands alongside works by Virginia Woolf.May Sinclair was the pen name of Mary Amelia St. Clair, born 1863. May was a popular British writer who wrote over 20 novels, short stories, and poetry. She was also an active suffragist, and a member of the Woman Writers' Suffrage League. Her activities for women’s voting rights were remembered by Sylvia Pankhurst, and May Sinclair once even dressed up as a rebel Jane Austen during a suffrage fundraising event.

In the south of France, an old sailor named Peyrol longs for retirement after 50 years of sailing the seas as a pirate and a sailor. It is here, in an isolated farmhouse that he will try to withdraw from a life that was filled with adventure and blood. The country that he calls home is a foreign land to him as he wrestles with his desire to return to the ocean and his identity as a man. Set against the backdrop of the French Revolution and Napoleon’s rise to power, The Rover is the last book that was completed by Conrad and is a fitting end to a long career.Joseph Conrad (1857-1924) was a Polish-born author who left Poland in his teens to avoid enlistment in the Russian Army. He learned English aboard British ships and started writing in the language after settling in England. His most famous novel is ‘Heart of Darkness’ (1899), which was inspired by his experiences on the open sea.

What happens if two boys are given the exact same name? If you guessed 'disaster in adulthood', you would be right. When one of the men dies, there is an exciting adventure to find his heir. Leading from London to the sunny Mediterranean and across to the Alps, you will meet a diverse cast of characters; some good, some bad, and some that are eerie and exotic. 'No Thoroughfare’ is a play in five acts written as a collaboration between two great writers; Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins. Full of mystery and romance with a touch of excitement, this dramatic play is well worth reading for any Dickens or Collins fan.Regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era, Charles Dickens is best known for creating some of the world’s best known fictional characters who feature in his most popular novels, including The Artful Dodger in 'Oliver Twist’, Ebenezer Scrooge in ‘A Christmas Carol’, and Miss Havisham in ‘Great Expectations’. Dickens’ timeless novels and short stories are still widely read today and many have been adapted into countless TV programmes and films including the Academy Award-winning musical ‘Oliver’, and 'A Christmas Carol' which is well known worldwide and is a huge favourite movie for families to watch together at Christmas time.London-born Wilkie Collins (1824-1889) became known in Victorian England for his novels and plays, sometimes writing with Charles Dickens. His most famous works, "The Woman in White" (1859) and "The Moonstone" (1868), are examples of the first modern detective novels.

Who would have known that "the father of Science Fiction" also wrote satire about stuffed animals?H.G. Wells' short story 'The Triumphs of a Taxidermist' was first published anonymously in 1894 and reprinted in 'The Stolen Bacillus and Other Incidents' a year later. 'The Triumphs of a Taxidermist' sees the character Bellows visit a friend, the titular Taxidermist, who enthusiastically recounts tales of forgery, crime, and far-fetched claims to fame from his career in this humorous and satirical look at English culture.H.G. Wells (1866 – 1946) was a prolific writer and the author of more than 50 novels. In addition, we wrote more than 60 short stories, alongside various scientific papers. Many of his most famous works have been adapted for film and television, including ‘The Time Machine,’ starring Guy Pearce, ‘War of the Worlds,’ starring Tom Cruise, and ‘The Invisible Man,’ starring Elizabeth Moss. Because of his various works exploring futuristic themes, Wells is regarded as one of the ‘Fathers of Science Fiction.’