Engelske bøger

Kosrouschah the Sultan overhears three sisters daydreaming about their future husbands: the eldest wishes to marry the Sultan’s baker so she would never go hungry; the second wishes to marry the Sultan’s carpenter so she would never be homeless; the youngest wishes to marry the Sultan – who instantly falls in love with her. As time passes, however, the older sisters grow jealous of the Sultana, so they decide to take their revenge, kidnapping and abandoning her three children. Rescued and brought up by a humble gardener, the children must complete a magical quest to reunite their family. Discover the enchantment of this Cinderella-like fairy tale, the last of the 34 tales in the classic Arabian Nights collection, translated into English by Andrew Lang.A treasure-trove of timeless stories, the One Thousand and One Nights or Arabian Nights have been loved, imitated, and added to over many centuries. Similar to the fairy tales collected by the Brothers Grimm, the Arabian Nights are drawn from the folklore of India, Iran and the Middle East, and were collected in Arabic versions throughout the medieval period; others were added as recently as the eighteenth century. These stories of the exotic East have been popularised for new generations by film adaptations such as Disney’s Aladdin, starring Robin Williams and Gilbert Gottfried in 1992, and Will Smith in 2019, and Dreamworks’ Sinbad, starring Brad Pitt and Michelle Pfeiffer. They continue to inspire writers as varied as Salman Rushdie and Neil Gaiman, while numerous Bollywood and manga versions attest to their popularity around the world. These stories of magic, adventure and romance have shaped readers’ imaginations for generations, and are sure to be retold for years to come.This selection was translated by Andrew Lang from the French versions by Antoine Galland, who was the first to include the stories of Aladdin and Ali Baba. Born in Scotland in 1844, Lang was a scholar of ancient Greek, a journalist, historian, novelist and poet, and the author of 25 popular collections of fairy tales; his edition of the Arabian Nights’ Entertainment was published in 1898. He became a Fellow of the British Academy in 1906, and died in 1912.

What makes for an ideal slave-girl: beauty alone, or intelligence as well? Unfettered by political correctness, King Zinebi decides to settle the question by giving his vizir 10,000 gold pieces to buy the finest slave he can find. But when he purchases a beautiful, brilliant Persian girl, his son Noureddin inevitably falls in love with her. Now Noureddin and the fair Persian have only each other to cling to through tragedy, poverty, and courtly intrigues in this, the twenty-seventh of the 34 tales in the classic Arabian Nights collection, translated into English by Andrew Lang.A treasure-trove of timeless stories, the One Thousand and One Nights or Arabian Nights have been loved, imitated, and added to over many centuries. Similar to the fairy tales collected by the Brothers Grimm, the Arabian Nights are drawn from the folklore of India, Iran and the Middle East, and were collected in Arabic versions throughout the medieval period; others were added as recently as the eighteenth century. These stories of the exotic East have been popularised for new generations by film adaptations such as Disney’s Aladdin, starring Robin Williams and Gilbert Gottfried in 1992, and Will Smith in 2019, and Dreamworks’ Sinbad, starring Brad Pitt and Michelle Pfeiffer. They continue to inspire writers as varied as Salman Rushdie and Neil Gaiman, while numerous Bollywood and manga versions attest to their popularity around the world. These stories of magic, adventure and romance have shaped readers’ imaginations for generations, and are sure to be retold for years to come.This selection was translated by Andrew Lang from the French versions by Antoine Galland, who was the first to include the stories of Aladdin and Ali Baba. Born in Scotland in 1844, Lang was a scholar of ancient Greek, a journalist, historian, novelist and poet, and the author of 25 popular collections of fairy tales; his edition of the Arabian Nights’ Entertainment was published in 1898. He became a Fellow of the British Academy in 1906, and died in 1912.

Baba-Abdalla has worked his whole life to increase the fortune he was born with, and now owns eighty camels. On one of his business trips, he comes across a poor dervish, who reveals the location of a fortune in buried treasure. The dervish is willing to share it with Baba-Abdalla in exchange for forty camels – a fair price, surely? But as the proverb says, "the more one has, the more one wants". See the true cost of greed in "The Story of the Blind Baba-Abdalla", the thirtieth of the 34 tales in the classic "Arabian Nights" collection, translated by Andrew Lang.A treasure-trove of timeless stories, the One Thousand and One Nights or Arabian Nights have been loved, imitated, and added to over many centuries. Similar to the fairy tales collected by the Brothers Grimm, the Arabian Nights are drawn from the folklore of India, Iran and the Middle East, and were collected in Arabic versions throughout the medieval period; others were added as recently as the eighteenth century. These stories of the exotic East have been popularised for new generations by film adaptations such as Disney’s Aladdin, starring Robin Williams and Gilbert Gottfried in 1992, and Will Smith in 2019, and Dreamworks’ Sinbad, starring Brad Pitt and Michelle Pfeiffer. They continue to inspire writers as varied as Salman Rushdie and Neil Gaiman, while numerous Bollywood and manga versions attest to their popularity around the world. These stories of magic, adventure and romance have shaped readers’ imaginations for generations, and are sure to be retold for years to come.This selection was translated by Andrew Lang from the French versions by Antoine Galland, who was the first to include the stories of Aladdin and Ali Baba. Born in Scotland in 1844, Lang was a scholar of ancient Greek, a journalist, historian, novelist and poet, and the author of 25 popular collections of fairy tales; his edition of the Arabian Nights’ Entertainment was published in 1898. He became a Fellow of the British Academy in 1906, and died in 1912.

"Lady Susan" is perhaps the shortest and least known of Austen’s novels, dealing with the obnoxious flirting and social manners of Susan Vernon, a young widow who comes to visit her in-laws. Soon, a romance with a young man begins, and Lady Susan becomes indirectly responsible for the 16-year-old daughters attempt to escape from school due to an arranged marriage that is brewing.An entertaining and fast-paced novel about flirtatious machinations and cunning plans, "Lady Susan" is a petite, but extremely valuable gem in Austen’s treasury of novels. Recommended for fans of Jane Austen and readers in general.Jane Austen (1775-1817) is one of the most beloved British writers of all time. During her short life she published six novels: ´Sense and Sensibility´, ´Pride and Prejudice´, ´Mansfield Park´, ´Emma´, ´Northanger Abbey´ and ´Persuasion´, that are all considered as literary classics today. Her writing is full of sharp observations on the society in which she evolved, as well as ripe with timeless irony, and a solid dose of humour. She has created immortal characters that have inspired countless authors, novels, and movies such as Bridget Jones and Clueless.The most notable film adapted from a Jane Austen novel is Pride and Prejudice from 2005 starring Keira Knightley (Pirates of the Caribbean) and Matthew Macfadyen.

"The Relic" is a love story in which Henry Fontal, a young man, writes to his old friend Abbe to help him in a very strange predicament. His engagement to Abbe’s niece has collapsed due to a present he has brought back from his trip. Now he wants Abbe to assist him in any way possible in order for his beloved to fall in love with him once again. A light-hearted, entertaining, and somewhat religious tale, "The Relic" is about ordering one’s priorities and testing man's capabilities to love and understand.Guy de Maupassant (1850-1893) was a famous French writer, best known as a master of the short story. Master of style and dramatic narrative, Maupassant’s stories are mainly interested in the relationships between men and women, often found at the crossroads of life. One of his greatest influences was Gustave Flaubert, who introduced him to some of the central names of the time such as Emile Zola, Henry James, and Ivan Turgenev. Some of his best known works include the novels "Bel Ami" and "Une Vie", more than 300 short stories, travel books, and even an attempt at poetry.

‘Neighbours’ is a short drama by Chekhov about Zina, a young woman who leaves her home for a married man. This scandalous behaviour plagues the mind of Zina’s brother, Pyotr, who believes that she has been abducted and deceived but is too fearful to help her. As Zina’s family is ashamed of her behaviour, Pyotr sets out to bring her home before news of her affair is widely known. Pyotr confronts his sister and her lover but to achieve his goal he must overcome his cowardice. A story that explores the eternal clash between conservative and liberal values, ‘Neighbours’ is a social critique that contrasts Zina’s freedom and joy with the timid Pyotr’s fear of breaking social conventions. ‘Neighbours’ portrays Chekhov’s lyrical prose at its finest and features some of his most memorable characters. This dramatic and poignant short should be read by fans of Raymond Carver and John Cheever.A prolific writer of seven plays, a novel and hundreds of short stories, Anton Chekhov (1860-1904) is considered one of the best practitioners of the short story genre in literature. True to life and painfully morbid with his miserable and realistic depictions of Russian everyday life, Chekhov’s characters drift between humour, melancholy, artistic ambition, and death. Some of his best-known works include the plays 'Uncle Vanya', 'The Seagull', and 'The Cherry Orchard', where Chekhov dramatizes and portrays social and existential problems. His short stories unearth the mysterious beneath the ordinary situations, the failure and horror present in everyday life.

Follows Maria’s tumultuous journey home after receiving her salary from the school board. 'The Schoolmistress' features Chekhov’s much-celebrated realist prose as he illustrates the misery of the poor schoolmistress and her surroundings.While Maria must fight for respect from her superiors and the townsfolk, she dreams of a better life with the wealthy and handsome Hanov. Chekhov’s social commentary is timeless as Maria longs to have a higher social standing, whereas the wealthy Hanov does not appreciate his fortune. This character-driven drama tells an engaging tale of the struggle between accepting your situation and yearning for more. Fans of Jane Austen should read this short story for its poignant portrayal of a woman’s desires in an unequal society.A prolific writer of seven plays, a novel and hundreds of short stories, Anton Chekhov (1860-1904) is considered one of the best practitioners of the short story genre in literature. True to life and painfully morbid with his miserable and realistic depictions of Russian everyday life, Chekhov’s characters drift between humour, melancholy, artistic ambition, and death. Some of his best-known works include the plays 'Uncle Vanya', 'The Seagull', and 'The Cherry Orchard;, where Chekhov dramatizes and portrays social and existential problems. His short stories unearth the mysterious beneath the ordinary situations, the failure and horror present in everyday life.

Sidi-Nouman is happy with his new wife, Amina, except for one thing: her strange way of eating just a few grains of rice at each meal. One night, hearing her slip out of the house, Sidi-Nouman follows her to a cemetery, and discovers the terrible secret behind his wife’s peculiar diet. When he confronts her, Sidi-Nouman becomes the victim of magic. Will he be able to break the spell and turn the tables on Amina? Find out in this story of monsters, magic, and transformation, the thirty-first of the 34 tales in the classic Arabian Nights collection, translated into English by Andrew Lang.A treasure-trove of timeless stories, the One Thousand and One Nights or Arabian Nights have been loved, imitated, and added to over many centuries. Similar to the fairy tales collected by the Brothers Grimm, the Arabian Nights are drawn from the folklore of India, Iran and the Middle East, and were collected in Arabic versions throughout the medieval period; others were added as recently as the eighteenth century. These stories of the exotic East have been popularised for new generations by film adaptations such as Disney’s Aladdin, starring Robin Williams and Gilbert Gottfried in 1992, and Will Smith in 2019, and Dreamworks’ Sinbad, starring Brad Pitt and Michelle Pfeiffer. They continue to inspire writers as varied as Salman Rushdie and Neil Gaiman, while numerous Bollywood and manga versions attest to their popularity around the world. These stories of magic, adventure and romance have shaped readers’ imaginations for generations, and are sure to be retold for years to come.This selection was translated by Andrew Lang from the French versions by Antoine Galland, who was the first to include the stories of Aladdin and Ali Baba. Born in Scotland in 1844, Lang was a scholar of ancient Greek, a journalist, historian, novelist and poet, and the author of 25 popular collections of fairy tales; his edition of the Arabian Nights’ Entertainment was published in 1898. He became a Fellow of the British Academy in 1906, and died in 1912.

As the people of Persia celebrate the new year, an Indian stranger arrives at the Sultan’s court, riding a wooden horse. More than just a mechanical marvel, this horse has the power of flight, and can carry its rider halfway around the world in a single day. When the Sultan proposes to buy it for his son, though, the stranger agrees to exchange it for one thing: the Sultan’s daughter. Be transported by a tale of magic and love in "The Enchanted Horse", the thirty-third of the 34 tales in the classic Arabian Nights collection, translated into English by Andrew Lang.A treasure-trove of timeless stories, the One Thousand and One Nights or Arabian Nights have been loved, imitated, and added to over many centuries. Similar to the fairy tales collected by the Brothers Grimm, the Arabian Nights are drawn from the folklore of India, Iran and the Middle East, and were collected in Arabic versions throughout the medieval period; others were added as recently as the eighteenth century. These stories of the exotic East have been popularised for new generations by film adaptations such as Disney’s Aladdin, starring Robin Williams and Gilbert Gottfried in 1992, and Will Smith in 2019, and Dreamworks’ Sinbad, starring Brad Pitt and Michelle Pfeiffer. They continue to inspire writers as varied as Salman Rushdie and Neil Gaiman, while numerous Bollywood and manga versions attest to their popularity around the world. These stories of magic, adventure and romance have shaped readers’ imaginations for generations, and are sure to be retold for years to come.This selection was translated by Andrew Lang from the French versions by Antoine Galland, who was the first to include the stories of Aladdin and Ali Baba. Born in Scotland in 1844, Lang was a scholar of ancient Greek, a journalist, historian, novelist and poet, and the author of 25 popular collections of fairy tales; his edition of the Arabian Nights’ Entertainment was published in 1898. He became a Fellow of the British Academy in 1906, and died in 1912.

First published in 1925, ‘Gabriel Samara – Peacemaker’ is set in the future, in 1940 in a progressive Russia. Gabriel Samara, a dedicated and principled man, is visiting the United States seeking funding when he encounters the beautiful Catherine Borans, of royal Russian descent. Risk and danger ensue in this captivating futuristic tale from popular author E. Phillips Oppenheim.E. Phillips Oppenheim (1866-1946) was a hugely prolific and highly popular British author of novels and short stories. Born in Tottenham, London, Oppenheim left school as a teenager and worked for his leather-merchant father for 20 years prior to launching his literary career. Oppenheim published five novels under the pseudonym ‘Anthony Partridge’ before establishing his reputation as a writer under his own name. An internationally successful author, Oppenheim’s stories revolved mainly around glamourous characters, luxurious settings, and themes of espionage, suspense, and crime. He is widely regarded as one of the earliest pioneers of the thriller and spy-fiction genre as it is recognised today. Oppenheim’s incredible literary success meant that his own life soon began to mirror that of his opulent characters. He held lavish, Gatsby-style parties at his French Villa and was rumoured to have had frequent love affairs aboard his luxury yacht. Oppenheim’s success earned him the cover of Time magazine in 1927. Some of his most well-known novels include ‘The Great Impersonation’, ‘The Long Arm of Mannister’ and ‘The Moving Finger’.

Before Ali Cogia goes on a pilgrimage to Mecca, he hides a thousand pieces of gold in a jar of olives, and leaves it for safekeeping with a neighbour. But after seven years, the neighbour’s curiosity gets the better of him: he finds Ali’s fortune, and steals it. How will Ali be able to retrieve his wealth when he returns? Perhaps the answer lies in the wisdom of a little child... Discover the riches of "The Tale of Ali Cogia, Merchant of Bagdad", the thirty-second of the 34 tales in the classic Arabian Nights collection, translated into English by Andrew Lang.A treasure-trove of timeless stories, the One Thousand and One Nights or Arabian Nights have been loved, imitated, and added to over many centuries. Similar to the fairy tales collected by the Brothers Grimm, the Arabian Nights are drawn from the folklore of India, Iran and the Middle East, and were collected in Arabic versions throughout the medieval period; others were added as recently as the eighteenth century. These stories of the exotic East have been popularised for new generations by film adaptations such as Disney’s Aladdin, starring Robin Williams and Gilbert Gottfried in 1992, and Will Smith in 2019, and Dreamworks’ Sinbad, starring Brad Pitt and Michelle Pfeiffer. They continue to inspire writers as varied as Salman Rushdie and Neil Gaiman, while numerous Bollywood and manga versions attest to their popularity around the world. These stories of magic, adventure and romance have shaped readers’ imaginations for generations, and are sure to be retold for years to come.This selection was translated by Andrew Lang from the French versions by Antoine Galland, who was the first to include the stories of Aladdin and Ali Baba. Born in Scotland in 1844, Lang was a scholar of ancient Greek, a journalist, historian, novelist and poet, and the author of 25 popular collections of fairy tales; his edition of the Arabian Nights’ Entertainment was published in 1898. He became a Fellow of the British Academy in 1906, and died in 1912.

‘At Christmas Time’ is a masterful short story written late in Chekhov’s career that is divided into two parts. The first half follows an illiterate peasant family hiring an ex-soldier to write a letter to their estranged daughter as they ponder the mystery of her life. Chekhov’s wit is on full display here as the former soldier writes about the army instead of informing the daughter about her parents and hometown. The second part is more sombre as the letter is delivered to the daughter by her abusive husband and we learn what has transpired in her life. Chekhov’s fiery social critique is present in this short as he contrasts the warmth and love of hard village life with the coldness of upper-class luxury. ‘At Christmas Time’ displays Chekhov’s ability to combine irony and melancholy into an incredible work of art that distils a family saga across time and place into a few pages. This short story is Chekhov at his best and should be read by fans of Russian literature and beyond.A prolific writer of seven plays, a novel and hundreds of short stories, Anton Chekhov (1860-1904) is considered one of the best practitioners of the short story genre in literature. True to life and painfully morbid with his miserable and realistic depictions of Russian everyday life, Chekhov’s characters drift between humour, melancholy, artistic ambition, and death. Some of his best-known works include the plays 'Uncle Vanya', 'The Seagull', and 'The Cherry Orchard', where Chekhov dramatizes and portrays social and existential problems. His short stories unearth the mysterious beneath the ordinary situations, the failure and horror present in everyday life.

Set in Munich, this is a delightful short story from much-loved author Anthony Trollope. Young English bank clerk Herbert Onslow is working for small German banking firm Heine Brothers, where he encounters the beautiful and strong-willed Isa Heine, daughter of one of the banks partners. Love inevitably follows, but the path to their happiness will not be smooth.Anthony Trollope (1815 – 1882) was a Victorian writer and author of 47 novels. He also wrote an autobiography, short stories and plays, travel articles, reviews and lectures. A prolific writer, he made no secret of the fact that money was his motivation for writing – an admission which raised eyebrows among his literary contemporaries at the time. The amount of works Trollope authored are testament to his belief in hard work. His first successful novel was The Warden followed by its sequel, Barchester Towers. The Chronicles of Barsetshire are perhaps his most well-known series of novels, though many of his works have been adapted for TV and radio, starring many familiar faces such as Alan Rickman, David Tennant, Bill Nighy and Tom Hollander. Alongside his literary career, Trollope also worked for some time for the Post Office and is credited with the introduction of the iconic post box to Britain. A memorial to Anthony Trollope was unveiled in Poets’ Corner in Westminster Abbey in 1993.

Everyone knows the story of Aladdin and the genie of the lamp, thanks to the Disney film adaptations starring Robin Williams and Gilbert Gottfried in the 1992 animated feature, and Will Smith and Naomi Scott in Guy Ritchie’s 2019 live action version. Or do they? Though similar in some respects, the original Aladdin has no pet monkey or magic carpet, but a living mother, and not one but two genies at his command! Prepare to be surprised by a whole new Aladdin, in this, the twenty-eighth of the 34 tales in the classic "Arabian Nights" collection, translated by Andrew Lang.A treasure-trove of timeless stories, the One Thousand and One Nights or Arabian Nights have been loved, imitated, and added to over many centuries. Similar to the fairy tales collected by the Brothers Grimm, the Arabian Nights are drawn from the folklore of India, Iran and the Middle East, and were collected in Arabic versions throughout the medieval period; others were added as recently as the eighteenth century. These stories of the exotic East have been popularised for new generations by film adaptations such as Disney’s Aladdin, starring Robin Williams and Gilbert Gottfried in 1992, and Will Smith in 2019, and Dreamworks’ Sinbad, starring Brad Pitt and Michelle Pfeiffer. They continue to inspire writers as varied as Salman Rushdie and Neil Gaiman, while numerous Bollywood and manga versions attest to their popularity around the world. These stories of magic, adventure and romance have shaped readers’ imaginations for generations, and are sure to be retold for years to come.This selection was translated by Andrew Lang from the French versions by Antoine Galland, who was the first to include the stories of Aladdin and Ali Baba. Born in Scotland in 1844, Lang was a scholar of ancient Greek, a journalist, historian, novelist and poet, and the author of 25 popular collections of fairy tales; his edition of the Arabian Nights’ Entertainment was published in 1898. He became a Fellow of the British Academy in 1906, and died in 1912.

Someone has stolen a big grey rabbit from under the mayor’s nose, and suspicion immediately falls on the loafer Polyte. Mayor Lecacheur immediately sends the gendarmes to find the culprit, and feels that justice is just round the corner. However, the gendarmes find Polyte under the bed of Severin the farmer, and then the situation grows even stranger and funnier. An entertaining and fast-paced tale, "The Rabbit" is a simple story, told in an amusing manner that awards its readers with a hilarious twist in the end.Guy de Maupassant (1850-1893) was a famous French writer, best known as one of finest practitioners of the short story. Master of style and dramatic narrative, Maupassant’s stories are mainly interested in the relationships between men and women, often found at the crossroads of life. One of his greatest influences was Gustave Flaubert, who introduced him to some of the central names of the time such as Emile Zola, Henry James, and Ivan Turgenev. Some of his best known works include the novels "Bel Ami" and "Une Vie", more than 300 short stories, travel books, and even an attempt at poetry.

Everyone has imagined the boy or girl of their dreams – but what would happen if they appeared in the middle of the night, and disappeared in the morning? Camaralzaman is prince of an island near Persia; Badoura is Princess of China; both have been imprisoned for refusing to marry as their parents wished. But when a fairy and a genie magically bring them together one night, they fall in love and marry on the spot. Now they must search the world for one another, and find some way to make their parents accept their love. Be spirited away by this magical love-story, the twenty-sixth of the 34 tales in the classic Arabian Nights collection, translated by Andrew Lang.A treasure-trove of timeless stories, the One Thousand and One Nights or Arabian Nights have been loved, imitated, and added to over many centuries. Similar to the fairy tales collected by the Brothers Grimm, the Arabian Nights are drawn from the folklore of India, Iran and the Middle East, and were collected in Arabic versions throughout the medieval period; others were added as recently as the eighteenth century. These stories of the exotic East have been popularised for new generations by film adaptations such as Disney’s Aladdin, starring Robin Williams and Gilbert Gottfried in 1992, and Will Smith in 2019, and Dreamworks’ Sinbad, starring Brad Pitt and Michelle Pfeiffer. They continue to inspire writers as varied as Salman Rushdie and Neil Gaiman, while numerous Bollywood and manga versions attest to their popularity around the world. These stories of magic, adventure and romance have shaped readers’ imaginations for generations, and are sure to be retold for years to come.This selection was translated by Andrew Lang from the French versions by Antoine Galland, who was the first to include the stories of Aladdin and Ali Baba. Born in Scotland in 1844, Lang was a scholar of ancient Greek, a journalist, historian, novelist and poet, and the author of 25 popular collections of fairy tales; his edition of the Arabian Nights’ Entertainment was published in 1898. He became a Fellow of the British Academy in 1906, and died in 1912.

Set against a backdrop of the Chilean War of Independence, 'Gaspar Ruiz' is the story of the tumultuous rise and fall of a local peasant turned rebel soldier. An epic tale of remarkable irony and adventure, we follow Ruiz - who possesses an almost Herculean strength - from soldier to prisoner, to fugitive and finally colonel of the Spanish Army. Sardonically, his strength proves invaluable at saving his life multiple times, but is also ultimately the vehicle of his peril.Joseph Conrad's work went on to influence authors like George Orwell, John le Carré and F. Scott Fitzgerald.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.

Do you love Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice? How about Persuasion and Emma? Then you will love her unfinished novel "The Watsons".The story revolves around the life and misfortunes of Emma Watson after the death of her aunt. She moves to live with her distant father and his family, only to find out that there are family issues lurking deep beneath the surface that threaten to destroy her ambitions and desires."The Watsons" is an entertaining and sympathetic portrayal of family life, and will leave the reader wanting more.Jane Austen (1775-1817) is one of the most beloved British writers of all time. During her short life she published six novels: ´Sense and Sensibility´, ´Pride and Prejudice´, ´Mansfield Park´, ´Emma´, ´Northanger Abbey´ and ´Persuasion´, that are all considered as literary classics today. Her writing is full of sharp observations on the society in which she evolved, as well as ripe with timeless irony, and a solid dose of humour. She has created immortal characters that have inspired countless authors, novels, and movies such as Bridget Jones and Clueless.The most notable film adapted from a Jane Austen novel is Pride and Prejudice from 2005 starring Keira Knightley (Pirates of the Caribbean) and Matthew Macfadyen.

Haroun-al-Raschid is the Commander of the Faithful, the Caliph of Bagdad – and nearly dying of boredom. Looking for amusement, Haroun and his vizir Giafar (a kinder figure than in Disney’s Aladdin films) disguise themselves as foreign merchants, and go out to explore the city. The people they find in its streets and squares baffle and intrigue the Caliph no less than they will the reader of this, the twenty-ninth of the 34 tales in the classic Arabian Nights collection, translated into English by Andrew Lang.A treasure-trove of timeless stories, the One Thousand and One Nights or Arabian Nights have been loved, imitated, and added to over many centuries. Similar to the fairy tales collected by the Brothers Grimm, the Arabian Nights are drawn from the folklore of India, Iran and the Middle East, and were collected in Arabic versions throughout the medieval period; others were added as recently as the eighteenth century. These stories of the exotic East have been popularised for new generations by film adaptations such as Disney’s Aladdin, starring Robin Williams and Gilbert Gottfried in 1992, and Will Smith in 2019, and Dreamworks’ Sinbad, starring Brad Pitt and Michelle Pfeiffer. They continue to inspire writers as varied as Salman Rushdie and Neil Gaiman, while numerous Bollywood and manga versions attest to their popularity around the world. These stories of magic, adventure and romance have shaped readers’ imaginations for generations, and are sure to be retold for years to come.This selection was translated by Andrew Lang from the French versions by Antoine Galland, who was the first to include the stories of Aladdin and Ali Baba. Born in Scotland in 1844, Lang was a scholar of ancient Greek, a journalist, historian, novelist and poet, and the author of 25 popular collections of fairy tales; his edition of the Arabian Nights’ Entertainment was published in 1898. He became a Fellow of the British Academy in 1906, and died in 1912.

‘Beauties’ is a short story by Chekhov that tells the tale of a young schoolboy travelling through the countryside with his grandfather on a sweltering summer day. The boy is uninterested in his dreary dustbowl surroundings until they arrive at the house of an old friend and the boy becomes transfixed by an astonishingly beautiful young woman. ‘Beauties’ is a perfect encapsulation of Chekhov’s critically acclaimed writing style as the plot is minimal but his lyrical prose evokes a sense of enchantment and awe. Vivid imagery portrays the stunning beauty of both the young woman and the setting that will stay with the reader for as long as it stays with the mesmerised schoolboy. This short story’s meditation on the lasting impression of beauty makes it a perfect read for fans of ‘The Great Gatsby’ and Samuel Beckett, whose readers will also enjoy Chekhov’s realist writing style.A prolific writer of seven plays, a novel and hundreds of short stories, Anton Chekhov (1860-1904) is considered one of the best practitioners of the short story genre in literature. True to life and painfully morbid with his miserable and realistic depictions of Russian everyday life, Chekhov’s characters drift between humour, melancholy, artistic ambition, and death. Some of his best-known works include the plays 'Uncle Vanya', 'The Seagull', and 'The Cherry Orchard', where Chekhov dramatizes and portrays social and existential problems. His short stories unearth the mysterious beneath the ordinary situations, the failure and horror present in everyday life.

Mutiny, shipwrecks, cold, hunger and even polar bears are a part of this exciting adventure."The English at the North Pole" is the first part of Jules Verne’s novel "The Adventures of Captain Hatteras" from 1864. It tells the story of the ambitious and determined captain who will do whatever it takes to get to the North Pole. The journey is however not that easy and many obstacles are in the way. The sea around the pole turns out to be frozen so the captain and a part of his crew are forced to spend a long winter on the island "New America".Will they survive the freezing weather and possible attacks? Will the captain’s strength, perseverance and determination be able to oppose the obstacles? Find out in this exciting adventure novel.Jules Verne (1828-1905) was a French novelist who mostly wrote adventure fiction inspired by the scientific advances of the 19th century. With the help of editor Pierre-Jules Hetzel he wrote a series of books called "Extraordinary Travels", which includes "Journey to the Center of the Earth" (1864), "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea" (1870), and "Around the World in Eighty Days" (1873).There have been many film adaptations of Jules Verne’s books with the most notable being "Journey to the Center of The Earth" (2008) starring Brendan Fraser and Josh Hutcherson (The Hunger Games), "Around the World in 80 Days" (1956), and "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island" (2012) starring Dwayne Johnson.Widely popular with both children and adults, Verne is one of the most translated authors of all time, and still inspires people the world over.

‘Anyuta’ is a short story that portrays the key aspects of Chekhov’s writings: dry humour, disillusionment, and a realistic depiction of social issues. The story revolves around Anyuta, a poor woman living with a medical student, Stepan, who has little time for her. Stepan dreams of a better life and is torn between following his aspirations alone or resigning himself to destitution with Anyuta. Chekhov criticises the social standing of men and women as many male students have gone on to achieve greatness, while Anyuta’s life remains static. These feminist messages made the story controversial at the time and they are still significant today. ‘Anyuta’ is a poignant and compassionate tale about the difference between dreams and reality that depicts Chekov’s ability to find small moments of humour in melancholy moments and features striking portrayals of poverty. This short is recommended for avid Russian literature readers and its feminist aspects make it suitable for fans of novels such as ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’.A prolific writer of seven plays, a novel and hundreds of short stories, Anton Chekhov (1860-1904) is considered one of the best practitioners of the short story genre in literature. True to life and painfully morbid with his miserable and realistic depictions of Russian everyday life, Chekhov’s characters drift between humour, melancholy, artistic ambition, and death. Some of his best-known works include the plays 'Uncle Vanya', 'The Seagull', and 'The Cherry Orchard', where Chekhov dramatizes and portrays social and existential problems. His short stories unearth the mysterious beneath the ordinary situations, the failure and horror present in everyday life.

Why would the Captain jump into a volcano crater? And will he make it back out alive?"The Desert of Ice" is the second part of Jules Verne’s novel "The Adventures of Captain Hatteras" from 1864. Captain Hatteras and his crew who have survived the long winter on island "New America" continue their expedition to the North Pole. They discover an island with an active volcano and it turns out that the exact location of the pole is in the crater.Is this the end to the long, difficult and dangerous expedition? If nobody survives how will the rest of the world learn about it? Is it possible that the Captain survives, and is the information he gained more important and valuable than his own health and well being?Jules Verne (1828-1905) was a French novelist who mostly wrote adventure fiction inspired by the scientific advances of the 19th century. With the help of editor Pierre-Jules Hetzel he wrote a series of books called "Extraordinary Travels", which includes "Journey to the Center of the Earth" (1864), "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea" (1870), and "Around the World in Eighty Days" (1873).There have been many film adaptations of Jules Verne’s books with the most notable being "Journey to the Center of The Earth" (2008) starring Brendan Fraser and Josh Hutcherson (The Hunger Games), "Around the World in 80 Days" (1956), and "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island" (2012) starring Dwayne Johnson.Widely popular with both children and adults, Verne is one of the most translated authors of all time, and still inspires people the world over.

As part of her recovery from a devastating car accident, Grace Thomas embarks on a surprise cruise booked by her husband, Cameron. The accident still haunts Grace and she is a little anxious to be leaving her family, but excited to fulfil what has been a life-long dream of hers - cruising around the Mediterranean with some girlfriends - even if her husband's secretary, Chantelle is tagging along for the trip. Maybe this is a chance to start a fresh with this woman. But Chantelle appears to be everywhere Grace turns, and her instincts can’t all be wrong. Something is off. Not only does Chantelle resemble Grace, it soon becomes clear that she is desperate for Cameron’s attention, but at what lengths would she go to get it? Were Cameron's motives for sending Grace away on this cruise as admirable as she first thought and is her husband's relationship with the ever-present Chantelle as platonic as he claims? Grace's journey of self-discovery suddenly begins to feel rather sinister. Her friends are distant, Chantelle is incessantly playing with her mind, and Grace feels more lost and alone than ever. Then, she discovers that her husband has told the children she’s died. Grace's world is shattered. Everything she knows has been a lie and the truth has devastating consequences for everyone...Fans of T.M. Logan, C.L. Taylor and K.L. Slater won’t be able to put this one down.JA Andrews is the author of gripping twisty psychological thrillers, Mummy's Boy (2020), You Let Him In (2020) and I Let Her Go (2021).As well as writing fiction, JA Andrews enjoys reading a mix of genres, watching various reality TV and spending time with family and friends. He is a member of the Crime Writers Association.

**SHORTLISTED FOR THE GOLDSMITHS PRIZE 2022**A teacher asked me a question, and I opened my mouth as a sort of formality but closed it softly, knowing with perfect certainty that nothing would ever come out again.Ruby gives up talking at a young age. Her mother isn’t always there to notice; she comes and goes and goes and comes, until, one day, she doesn’t. Silence becomes Ruby’s refuge, sheltering her from the weather of her mother’s mental illness and a pressurized suburban atmosphere.Plangent, deft, and sparkling with wry humor, 'Somebody Loves You' is a moving exploration of how we choose or refuse to tell the stories that shape us.Perfect for fans of Avni Doshi, Ocean Vuong and Abi Daré.‘A sharply drawn world of wonder in elegant and lean prose. A fresh, innovative novel that is an ode to families, coming of age and sisterhood.’ Roger Robinson‘A truly enriching read, Somebody Loves You is a glorious debut novel. I took this book with me everywhere and kept returning to it. I loved every perfect choice of word and turn of phrase in this vivid and tender, poetic and beautiful book.’ Salena Godden‘Each sentence has the cadence of poetry, each phrase perfectly chosen, each word correctly weighed. This is a novel which reminds us memory and narrative are often not complete but rather are crystallised glimpses, which turn like a kaleidoscope through our mind.’ Andrew McMillan"Poet and former human rights lawyer Arshi (Dear Big Gods) makes her fiction debut with a delicate and enveloping portrayal of a British Indian family coping with a mother’s depression. "Everything worth saying can be written on your fingernail," believes Ruby, the narrator, who, at 11, rarely speaks. Her older sister, Rania, is a talker, a rebel, and an artist. Their father is unassuming and kind, and their mother, who feels most alive while gardening, sleeps her way through Britain’s winters. Ruby and Rania, while starkly contrasting, provide each other the support their mother cannot, especially when she’s recovering at a psychiatric hospital. Adults project their own beliefs onto the silent Ruby—some distrust her, while others, such as a teacher, seek to convert her to Christianity. However, as Ruby moves from primary to secondary school, her devilish tenacity takes root. The chapters, like Ruby, are concise, never rambling, but they contain startling depth. With piercing lines such as, "The day my sister tried to drag the baby fox into our house was the same day my mother had her first mental breakdown," Arshi opens the door into Ruby’s dysfunctional but authentic family. Each scene is packed with emotion and memory, and it’s all carried by the diction and imagery of a poem. It adds up to a beautiful whole." - Publishers WeeklyMona Arshi was born in West London, where she still lives. She worked as a human-rights lawyer with the NGO Liberty for a decade before receiving a Master’s in creative writing from the University of East Anglia. Her debut poetry collection Small Hands was published in 2015, winning the Forward Prize for Best First Collection. Mona Arshi regularly appears on BBC Radio 4. Her poems have been published in The Sunday Times, The Guardian and The Times of India and most recently the London Underground.

In the eighth instalment in the 'Aunt Jane' series of novels by L. Frank Baum, we join Uncle John, Patsy and Elizabeth as they head to California to visit their cousin Louise and her husband Arthur Weldon, who have just had their first child - a little girl named Jane. Displeased with Louise's choice of nurse for the newborn, Uncle John takes it upon himself to hire a new nurse who travels with them to California. The two nurses take an instant dislike to one another, and when they both disappear one day along with baby Jane, the search is on. A tense tale from the prolific author.-

First published in 1912, this is the seventh in the 'Aunt Jane' series by prolific author L. Frank Baum. The three cousins, Louise, Elizabeth and Patsy are staying at their vacation home in upstate New York with their wealthy Uncle John. Bored of having nothing to do, the girls decide to write and publish their own local newspaper, full of local news and gossip. Along the way, the young women meet some puzzling local characters including a mysterious young amnesiac and a talented bohemian artist, and face some opposition from angry workers at a local paper mill. -

Cousins Louise, Elizabeth and Patsy are debuted in high society in this, the fifth book in the Aunt Jane series by L. Frank Baum. Their Uncle John, keen that his young nieces shouldn't miss out on anything in life, asks a business acquaintance and his daughter Diana for help introducing the girls into society. Cunning Diana is happy to oblige at first, but the girls soon find themselves caught up in a tangled web of jealousy, plotting and even abduction in this thrilling instalment in the series from the popular author.-

First published in 1909, 'Aunt Jane's Nieces at Work' is the fourth book in the 'Aunt Jane' series by author L. Frank Baum. Louise, Elizabeth and Patsy hear that their friend Kenneth Forbes is running for the state legislature and is worried that he might lose. Though unable to vote in elections themselves at this time, the young women nonetheless prove themselves to be a formidable force; canvassing for votes, uncovering underhand dealings, and fighting corrupt politicians as they come to Kenneth's aid. -

The sixth in the 'Aunt Jane' series, this novel picks up a few days after the wedding of Louise to Arthur Weldon. While she is away enjoying her honeymoon, Uncle John decides that he and his two other nieces Elizabeth and Patsy, along with Patsy's father Major John, should escape the harsh New York winter for some winter sun in southern California. As the party travel across America they find a poor orphan facing a dilemma, and encounter unruly cowboys and wild coyotes. Packed full of adventure, this is an exciting read from the famous 'Oz' author L. Frank Baum.-