England

It took the publication of the lengthy work 'The Ring and the Book' to gain Robert Browning recognition in his lifetime. But today, the Victorian poet is more admired for these, his shorter poems, complete with their powerful dramatic monologues.The preface to 'Shorter Poems', by Teachers' College, New York, says the poems are perfect for the "tastes and capacities of readers of the high-school age".They are, but they are also perfect for the tastes and capacities of readers of all ages.With rhymes that are often discordant and sentences that defy literary convention, Browning's work is pioneering and challenging. He provokes thought and even defies understanding. Browning's work is perfect for fans of Percy Shelley, Lord Byron and W. H. Auden.Robert Browning (1812-1889) was a poet and writer in 19th century England and Florence.His initial work was heavily influenced by Percy Bysshe Shelley. Some of his early work did not received popular or critical acclaim, but the publication of 'Bells and Pomegranates' saw him produce what became his trademark dramatic monologue.In 1846 he married the poet Elizabeth Barrett and they moved to Florence. After his wife's death, Browning settled in England. In 1869-1869, 'The Ring and the Book' was serialised, telling a murder story from 10 different viewpoints. It was rated as his greatest work and his writing continued until he died in 1889 while visiting his son in Venice.

If you had the courage and money to lead a fast life, wouldn't you do so?'Confessions of a Young Man' is a memoir by Irish novelist George Moore who spent about 15 years in his teens and his 20s in Paris, and later in London as a struggling artist.Moore's 'confessions' are aesthetic. If there's more, you'll find a soul struggling to rid itself of Victorian morality. Of landed gentry, Moore moved from Ireland to Paris hoping to be a painter. He immersed himself in Degas and Manet and discussed Gautier and Baudelaire at his Montmartre haunt until dawn.This memoir was finished in his early 30s after he had decided to become a writer. He first tried his hand at journalism, but he found it stifling: ‘I longed to give a personal shape to something and this could not be achieved in an article.’ His memoir is youthfully all over the place, at times, but its alluring ideas are found on every page.This is a wonderful look into the mind of the younger George Moore.George Augustus Moore was an Irish novelist, short-story writer, poet, art critic and playwright. As a writer he is best known for his contribution to the natural realist genre of literature. He was amongst the first English-language writers to follow in the footsteps of the French realists, especially the writings of Émile Zola were influential in his work. Moore himself went on to influence fellow Irishman, James Joyce.Although Moore's work is often not considered to belong to the mainstream Irish and British literature of his time, he is widely accepted as being one of the first great modern Irish novelists.His works have also been adapted for film and TV such as 'Albert Nobbs' (2011) starring Glenn Close, Mia Wasikowska and Aaron Taylor-Johnson; and the 'Esther Waters' TV series from 1977 starring Gabrielle Lloyd, James Laurenson and Alison Steadman.

Throughout history, mankind has sought to harness the power of nature, solve its mysteries and use it for their own advantage. Time and time again, it is shown that mother nature cannot be overpowered, and yet time and time again mankind fails to heed repeated warnings.When Winter Wedderburn seeks to explore new species of orchid he makes a startling discovery about the power of mother nature. Alluring and beautiful, he cannot resist studying the unknown species, oblivious to the fate that met its discoverer.This short story by H. G. Wells tells us a lot about Victorian scientific discoveries such as those by Charles Darwin, and the excitement and mystique surrounding new and exotic creatures and plants.H. G. Wells (1866-1946) was a writer most well-known for science fiction titles such as 'War of the Worlds' and 'The Time Machine.' In many ways he is often considered to be a pioneer in the science fiction genre, though he also wrote short fiction, satire, social commentaries, biography and autobiography. He was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature on four occasions. In addition to writing, he was a teacher, historian and artist.

Eustacia Vye despises her boring country village of Egdon Heath. Beautiful, headstrong, and passionate, Eustacia longs to escape her home and lead a life of romance and adventure. And when Clym Yeobright, the eponymous native, returns from Paris, Eustacia decides that she will make him fall in love with her. Soon, their lives are intertwined in an endless labyrinth of passion, tragedy, and misfortune.One of Thomas Hardy’s most famous novels, ‘The Return of the Native’ caused outcry for its unapologetically bold female characters and illicit sexual content. Eustacia Vye is a heroine to rival the likes of ‘Vanity Fair's Becky Sharp or even ‘Bridgerton's' Daphne.Thomas Hardy (1840-1928) was an English writer of poetry, novels, and short stories. He belonged to the victorian realist tradition and was influenced by the writings of Romanticism. His novels strongly criticise Victorian society for constraining individuals regarding marriage, education, and religion: shunning happiness in the name of social propriety. Hardy’s works explore themes of love, class, and poverty with a painstaking devotion to realism. His best-known works include ‘Far From the Madding Crowd’, ‘The Mayor of Casterbridge’, ‘Tess of the d’Urbervilles’, and ‘Jude the Obscure’.

Written by the "father of science fiction", H.G. Wells, 'Men Like Gods' is a science fiction, dystopian novel that transports readers to another world - an advanced version of Earth. Mr. Barnstaple is a journalist for 'The Liberal', a London based newspaper, living but has grown tired of his job.Determinedly resolving to take a holiday he quits - not only his job - but his wife and family too. His holiday plans are soon altered however when, in a twist reminiscent of TV's 'Black Mirror', his vehicle, alongside two others, is suddenly transported to another world.The passengers find themselves in a place "the earthlings" call Utopia, and this intriguing new world is thousands of years ahead of humanity in its development.This science fantasy story is perfect for fans of Andy Weir and Antony Doeer.H.G. Wells (1866 – 1946) was a prolific writer and the author of more than 50 novels. In addition, he 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.’

‘Erewhon Revisited’ the sequel to ‘Erewhon’, Samuel Butler’s acclaimed first novel, finds adventurer Higgs returning to the mysterious, distant land of Erewhon. There he discovers its people ruled by a religious cult inspired by his hot-air balloon escape thirty years earlier.Devious professors Hanky and Panky have invented a new religion called ‘Sunchildism’ and Higgs, the unwitting ‘Sun Child,’ is not welcome. The professors are determined to preserve their grip on Erewhonians leaving Higgs in mortal danger. With the help of his newfound son, Higgs must once again escape Erewhon if he is to survive.Butler’s humorous, perceptive book is a penetrating satire of Christianity in Victorian England and is still as relevant and fresh today. ‘Erewhon Revisited’ is Samuel Butler’s last novel.Samuel Butler (1835-1902) was a revolutionary English novelist and critic. He is best known for the utopian novel ‘Erewhon’ (1872) and the posthumous, semi-autobiographical novel ‘The Way of All Flesh’ (1903). Both of which have remained in print ever since. ‘Erewhon’ is renowned as one of the first books to explore the idea of machine evolution. The English writer Aldous Huxley acknowledged the book's influence on his novel ‘Brave New World’, while George Bernard Shaw deemed Butler ‘the greatest English writer of the latter half of the nineteenth century.’

Swept out to sea in a boating accident, Henry Adams is penniless and in rags ashore in London. Whilst roaming the streets, his luck changes; two brothers hand him an envelope with no explanation. Inside lies a banknote worth one million pounds. But how can a penniless man prove that he legally possesses such a banknote? What urged Adams to sail away? Why did the two brothers give away their fortune?Combining wit, humour and humility, Mark Twain’s 19th century short story provides a social commentary ideal for fans of Steven Spielberg’s ‘Catch Me If You Can’. Made into a BBC Radio 4 adaptation, ‘The Million Pound Bank Note’ remains a funny and poignant tale of power and greed.Mark Twain, pseudonym of Samuel Langhorne Clemens (1835-1910) was an American humorist, lecturer, journalist and novelist. Celebrated today as the father of American literature, his work spans epic stories of boyhood such as ‘The Adventures of Tom Sawyer’ and ‘The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’, as well as travel narratives, such as ‘The Innocents Abroad’, ‘Roughing It’, and ‘Life on the Mississippi’. A friend to presidents, artists and royalty, he is remembered today as a popular public figure. Continuing his influence, Twain inspires Disney attractions, singer Tom Petty’s ‘Down South’ and was portrayed by Nathan Osgood in the 2018 comedy ‘Holmes and Watson’.

Freedom. A quality valued by many, and which is never restricted without consequence. Can a mother’s guidance ever be too much?One beautiful suit could be all it takes to break a family apart. Protection becomes a shell, a place to hide from reality, but also a prison. There is always a breaking point, and this breaking point takes the form of one piece of tissue paper. Is freedom the danger, or was the danger created by mother’s constraint?‘The Beautiful Suit’ is an exploration of society’s norms, and whether people’s behaviour determine them, or the norms determine people’s behaviour. Though it was first published in 1909, its themes and questions still ring true in today’s society.H. G. Wells (1866-1946) was a writer most well-known for science fiction titles such as 'War of the Worlds' and 'The Time Machine.' In many ways he is often considered to be a pioneer in the science fiction genre, though he also wrote short fiction, satire, social commentaries, biography and autobiography. He was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature on four occasions. In addition to writing, he was a teacher, historian and artist.

When your life’s path seems set in stone, who wouldn’t long for a bit of adventure?In 1910s England, everyone knew their place. But 13-year-old Bealby isn’t content to become a servant in a big country house. So he goes on the run from his duties. Over the course of a week, he joins up with a ragtag band of wanderers, and gets ensnared in a burglary plot.A satirical look at class and duty, "Bealby - A Holiday" is a comic gem from H.G. Wells. It was inspired by his own childhood, when he spent time as a draper’s apprentice. It makes for a fun read for Wells fans of all ages.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.

Love, true Love! For the lovely, widowed Lady Sherington, it bloomed in her thirty-sixth year, when she was still ravishing enough to pass as the twin of her daughter Trina.But her gentle heart is racked with doubt--for if she were to remarry, her inheritance would be lost, and the handsome Comte she wishes to wed needs a rich wife.Thankfully, she's blessed with a daughter who is both beautiful and smart and fight to solve all their problems. But will she save her late father's estate and her mother's heart... or must one be lost for the sake of the other?A cross-generation regency romance, perfect for fans of Georgette Heyer, Julia Quinn, and Daphne Du Maurier.In her lifetime, British author Barbara Cartland wrote over 700 novels and was most famous for her contemporary and historical romances. A prominent figure in London society, the young Cartland began her writing career as a gossip columnist for the Daily Express. It was partying in 1920's London that gave her inspiration for her first book, "Jigsaw", a racy society thriller.After marrying into the McCorquodale family, she began writing romance and holds a Guinness World Record for the most number of books published in one year: 191. Her books have been translated into many different languages, as well as adapted for stage and screen. She is beloved the world over and even counts the young Princess Diana as one of her many fans.

Nel 1850, appena otto anni dopo la creazione del Detective Branch di Londra, Charles Dickens dedica vari articoli al tema dell’indagine poliziesca, pubblicandoli sulle riviste Householde Words e All the Year Round (di cui è direttore). Le tecniche di investigazione dell’epoca, ancora relativamente nuove, rivelano in "Giù con la marea" una raffinatezza che dimostra l’estrema modernità della Scotland Yard del tempo. Dickens ci racconta di una nottata trascorsa in prima persona su un’imbarcazione della polizia fluviale, descrivendone i metodi con grande rigore giornalistico. Al centro del racconto c’è l’incontro con il casellante di Waterloo Bridge, un uomo con molte cose da raccontare...Questo audiolibro è stato realizzato in collaborazione con Edizioni Clichy.Charles Dickens (1812-1870) nasce a Portsmouth, figlio di un modesto impiegato della Marina Britannica. A causa dell’incarcerazione del padre (1824), è costretto, giovanissimo, a lavorare in una fabbrica di lucido da scarpe. Scampato a questa dura esperienza, nel 1827 entra in uno studio legale, per poi affermarsi come stenografo e cronista. Esordisce nel 1836 con "Sketches by Boz" (una raccolta di impressioni urbane) e col romanzo satirico "Il circolo Pickwick", grazie al quale ottiene grandissima fama. Considerato il più sensibile narratore dell’Età Vittoriana, è autore di molti romanzi a sfondo sociale. Fra i suoi capolavori più noti, si possono citare "Oliver Twist", "Tempi difficili", "David Copperfield" e "Cantico di Natale", oggetto di innumerevoli riadattamenti per il cinema, l’animazione e il fumetto.

Ecco a voi un brillante resoconto fatto da Charles Dickens sul controverso personaggio di Thomas Griffiths Wainewright, pittore londinese noto a tutti per la sua vita dissoluta... Wainewright – il cui spirito da dandy verrà descritto anche da altri grandi scrittori, come Oscar Wilde – è il protagonista di un caso giudiziario eclatante, consumatosi negli anni ’30 dell’Ottocento. Accusato di aver avvelenato la cognata, la suocera e uno zio, verrà incarcerato solo in seguito ad un’accusa di frode bancaria (per la quale sarà deportato nella colonia penale di Hobart, in Tasmania). Dickens ci offre una visione a tutto tondo di tale personaggio, divenuto quasi leggendario, se non altro grazie alle molte voci, non proprio lusinghiere, sul proprio conto. Come ad esempio quella secondo cui, nell’anello che portava al dito, avesse uno speciale comparto per la stricnina...Questo audiolibro è stato realizzato in collaborazione con Edizioni Clichy.Charles Dickens (1812-1870) nasce a Portsmouth, figlio di un modesto impiegato della Marina Britannica. A causa dell’incarcerazione del padre (1824), è costretto, giovanissimo, a lavorare in una fabbrica di lucido da scarpe. Scampato a questa dura esperienza, nel 1827 entra in uno studio legale, per poi affermarsi come stenografo e cronista. Esordisce nel 1836 con "Sketches by Boz" (una raccolta di impressioni urbane) e col romanzo satirico "Il circolo Pickwick", grazie al quale ottiene grandissima fama. Considerato il più sensibile narratore dell’Età Vittoriana, è autore di molti romanzi a sfondo sociale. Fra i suoi capolavori più noti, si possono citare "Oliver Twist", "Tempi difficili", "David Copperfield" e "Cantico di Natale", oggetto di innumerevoli riadattamenti per il cinema, l’animazione e il fumetto.

Ispirandosi alla vicenda già narrata in "Thomas Griffiths Wainewright ovvero, Janus Weathercock, l'avvelenatore", Dickens ci porta a contatto con la spietata realtà di una mente criminale, raccontandoci l’episodio di un agente assicurativo intento ad aiutare un altro personaggio – dai contorni misteriosi – a salvare la ragazza che ama dalle grinfie di un truffatore. Pubblicato originariamente sotto forma di articolo, il resoconto mette in luce gli aspetti più inquietanti dell’Inghilterra vittoriana. Con l’indole del giornalista e l’inventiva dello scrittore, Dickens mette così insieme le tessere di un mosaico, che può sia intrattenere con la forte impronta narrativa, sia trasmettere la memoria storica di un mondo a noi remoto, reso accessibile proprio dalla sua brillante penna.Questo audiolibro è stato realizzato in collaborazione con Edizioni Clichy.Charles Dickens (1812-1870) nasce a Portsmouth, figlio di un modesto impiegato della Marina Britannica. A causa dell’incarcerazione del padre (1824), è costretto, giovanissimo, a lavorare in una fabbrica di lucido da scarpe. Scampato a questa dura esperienza, nel 1827 entra in uno studio legale, per poi affermarsi come stenografo e cronista. Esordisce nel 1836 con "Sketches by Boz" (una raccolta di impressioni urbane) e col romanzo satirico "Il circolo Pickwick", grazie al quale ottiene grandissima fama. Considerato il più sensibile narratore dell’Età Vittoriana, è autore di molti romanzi a sfondo sociale. Fra i suoi capolavori più noti, si possono citare "Oliver Twist", "Tempi difficili", "David Copperfield" e "Cantico di Natale", oggetto di innumerevoli riadattamenti per il cinema, l’animazione e il fumetto.

Charles Dickens, oltre ad essere stato un grande romanziere, è stato anche l’attento testimone dell’avvento della polizia moderna. Risale al 1842, infatti, la nascita della prima sezione investigativa della London’s Metropolitan Police. In questo scenario, di fronte ai rischi della vita notturna, Dickens ha iniziato ad interessarsi alla vita degli agenti, stringendo amicizia con molti personaggi attivi nel settore. Fra questi, il detective Charles Frederick Field (1805-1874) è stato senz’altro il più emblematico: attraverso le sue bizzarre avventure – tutte vere – possiamo infatti immergerci nella quotidianità di un investigatore londinese di metà Ottocento, scoprendo, insieme a Dickens e alla sua pungente ironia, il lato romanzesco di un’esistenza irta di pericoli...Questo audiolibro è stato realizzato in collaborazione con Edizioni Clichy.Charles Dickens (1812-1870) nasce a Portsmouth, figlio di un modesto impiegato della Marina Britannica. A causa dell’incarcerazione del padre (1824), è costretto, giovanissimo, a lavorare in una fabbrica di lucido da scarpe. Scampato a questa dura esperienza, nel 1827 entra in uno studio legale, per poi affermarsi come stenografo e cronista. Esordisce nel 1836 con "Sketches by Boz" (una raccolta di impressioni urbane) e col romanzo satirico "Il circolo Pickwick", grazie al quale ottiene grandissima fama. Considerato il più sensibile narratore dell’Età Vittoriana, è autore di molti romanzi a sfondo sociale. Fra i suoi capolavori più noti, si possono citare "Oliver Twist", "Tempi difficili", "David Copperfield" e "Cantico di Natale", oggetto di innumerevoli riadattamenti per il cinema, l’animazione e il fumetto.

Se volete immergervi nella brumosa Inghilterra vittoriana, non vi è miglior guida di Charles Dickens, qui nelle vesti inedite di appassionato cronista investigativo. I nove racconti contenuti in "Guardie e ladri" – originariamente pubblicati come articoli – sono infatti altrettante cronache di eventi reali, trattati dall’autore con inventiva narrativa e rigore giornalistico. Dickens ci accompagna a conoscere i grandi detective dell’epoca (come il suo caro amico Field, protagonista di vari racconti), ci rende partecipi di rischiose missioni tra i sobborghi di Londra e ci illustra, attraverso vari aneddoti polizieschi, quelle che sono le concezioni sul crimine e le tecniche di indagine nel XIX secolo. Non manca, inoltre, una breve puntata in Italia, con l’intento di scoprire di più sulla famigerata polizia segreta di Napoli...Questo audiolibro è stato realizzato in collaborazione con Edizioni Clichy.Charles Dickens (1812-1870) nasce a Portsmouth, figlio di un modesto impiegato della Marina Britannica. A causa dell’incarcerazione del padre (1824), è costretto, giovanissimo, a lavorare in una fabbrica di lucido da scarpe. Scampato a questa dura esperienza, nel 1827 entra in uno studio legale, per poi affermarsi come stenografo e cronista. Esordisce nel 1836 con "Sketches by Boz" (una raccolta di impressioni urbane) e col romanzo satirico "Il circolo Pickwick", grazie al quale ottiene grandissima fama. Considerato il più sensibile narratore dell’Età Vittoriana, è autore di molti romanzi a sfondo sociale. Fra i suoi capolavori più noti, si possono citare "Oliver Twist", "Tempi difficili", "David Copperfield" e "Cantico di Natale", oggetto di innumerevoli riadattamenti per il cinema, l’animazione e il fumetto.

Non tutti sanno che Charles Dickens è stato uno dei primi reporter di cronaca nera: fra il 1850 e il 1867, sulle pagine di Household Words e All the Year Round (le riviste da lui dirette) ha infatti firmato molti articoli incentrati sul crimine e sulla neonata figura del detective. Nel presente contributo – che ci illumina sulla percezione che un uomo del tempo poteva avere, rispetto ai fenomeni criminali – Dickens illustra il caso di due noti malviventi, mettendoli a confronto con grande scrupolo critico e anticipando molti temi chiave della successiva criminologia. Il risultato è un prezioso documento di storia del pensiero morale, ma anche un bellissimo pezzo di prosa narrativa, nel tipico stile dell’autore di "Oliver Twist"...Questo audiolibro è stato realizzato in collaborazione con Edizioni Clichy.Charles Dickens (1812-1870) nasce a Portsmouth, figlio di un modesto impiegato della Marina Britannica. A causa dell’incarcerazione del padre (1824), è costretto, giovanissimo, a lavorare in una fabbrica di lucido da scarpe. Scampato a questa dura esperienza, nel 1827 entra in uno studio legale, per poi affermarsi come stenografo e cronista. Esordisce nel 1836 con "Sketches by Boz" (una raccolta di impressioni urbane) e col romanzo satirico "Il circolo Pickwick", grazie al quale ottiene grandissima fama. Considerato il più sensibile narratore dell’Età Vittoriana, è autore di molti romanzi a sfondo sociale. Fra i suoi capolavori più noti, si possono citare "Oliver Twist", "Tempi difficili", "David Copperfield" e "Cantico di Natale", oggetto di innumerevoli riadattamenti per il cinema, l’animazione e il fumetto.

Nel 1851 Charles Dickens accompagna il detective Charles Frederick Field (1805-1874) in una nottata a giro per i sobborghi londinesi. Il racconto che ne scaturisce – pubblicato sotto forma di articolo sulla rivista Household Words – è l’acuta ricostruzione dello squallore notturno di una grande metropoli. Avventurandosi fra taverne malfamate, vicoli bui e quartieri in mano alla malavita, Dickens, Field e i loro uomini toccano con mano i pericoli che si celano nelle periferie vittoriane, offrendo a chi legge l’opportunità di rivivere un’epoca remota, ma non per questo morta e sepolta. Con l’acume dei suoi maggiori romanzi a sfondo sociale, come "Oliver Twist" e "Tempi difficili", Dickens descrive la realtà dei suoi giorni senza moralismi, creando una perla nera di giornalismo, ma anche l’archetipo letterario per lo Sherlock Holmes di Arthur Conan Doyle...Questo audiolibro è stato realizzato in collaborazione con Edizioni Clichy.Charles Dickens (1812-1870) nasce a Portsmouth, figlio di un modesto impiegato della Marina Britannica. A causa dell’incarcerazione del padre (1824), è costretto, giovanissimo, a lavorare in una fabbrica di lucido da scarpe. Scampato a questa dura esperienza, nel 1827 entra in uno studio legale, per poi affermarsi come stenografo e cronista. Esordisce nel 1836 con "Sketches by Boz" (una raccolta di impressioni urbane) e col romanzo satirico "Il circolo Pickwick", grazie al quale ottiene grandissima fama. Considerato il più sensibile narratore dell’Età Vittoriana, è autore di molti romanzi a sfondo sociale. Fra i suoi capolavori più noti, si possono citare "Oliver Twist", "Tempi difficili", "David Copperfield" e "Cantico di Natale", oggetto di innumerevoli riadattamenti per il cinema, l’animazione e il fumetto.

Nel 1850, appena otto anni dopo la creazione del Detective Branch di Londra, Charles Dickens dedica vari articoli al tema dell’investigazione, pubblicandoli sulle riviste Householde Words e All the Year Round (di cui è direttore). Integrando la propria indole di romanziere col senso critico del giornalista, Dickens offre a chi legge l’affresco vivido di una Londra oscura e malfamata, abitata da malviventi ma anche da coraggiosi detective. Delle tre storie qui raccolte, ben due hanno come protagonista l’investigatore privato Charles Frederick Field (1805-1874), figura che ispirerà a Dickens l’ispettore Bucket di "Casa desolata" (1852). Fulcro degli aneddoti – tutti assolutamente reali – è l’acume del detective, costretto a muoversi con estrema scaltrezza in quella che, ai tempi in cui l’autore scrive, è ancora soltanto un’arte investigativa ai suoi esordi...Questo audiolibro è stato realizzato in collaborazione con Edizioni Clichy.Charles Dickens (1812-1870) nasce a Portsmouth, figlio di un modesto impiegato della Marina Britannica. A causa dell’incarcerazione del padre (1824), è costretto, giovanissimo, a lavorare in una fabbrica di lucido da scarpe. Scampato a questa dura esperienza, nel 1827 entra in uno studio legale, per poi affermarsi come stenografo e cronista. Esordisce nel 1836 con "Sketches by Boz" (una raccolta di impressioni urbane) e col romanzo satirico "Il circolo Pickwick", grazie al quale ottiene grandissima fama. Considerato il più sensibile narratore dell’Età Vittoriana, è autore di molti romanzi a sfondo sociale. Fra i suoi capolavori più noti, si possono citare "Oliver Twist", "Tempi difficili", "David Copperfield" e "Cantico di Natale", oggetto di innumerevoli riadattamenti per il cinema, l’animazione e il fumetto.

Nel 1850 Charles Dickens firma ben tre articoli riguardanti la vita e il lavoro del detective (figura nuovissima, a quei tempi, risalendo la creazione del Detective Branch di Londra a solamente otto anni prima). In quell’anno, alcuni fra i maggiori investigatori inglesi accettano di incontrarsi nella redazione di Household Words, la rivista diretta dallo stesso Dickens, per rispondere alle sue domande. Fra loro, immancabilmente, anche il grande Charles Frederick Field (1805-1874), amico personale dello scrittore. Attraverso il racconto appassionato delle proprie imprese, i detective offrono a chi legge il privilegio – più unico che raro – di venire a conoscenza di fatti reali, godendo al contempo della straordinaria verve narrativa di uno fra i maggiori romanzieri dell’Ottocento.Questo audiolibro è stato realizzato in collaborazione con Edizioni Clichy.Charles Dickens (1812-1870) nasce a Portsmouth, figlio di un modesto impiegato della Marina Britannica. A causa dell’incarcerazione del padre (1824), è costretto, giovanissimo, a lavorare in una fabbrica di lucido da scarpe. Scampato a questa dura esperienza, nel 1827 entra in uno studio legale, per poi affermarsi come stenografo e cronista. Esordisce nel 1836 con "Sketches by Boz" (una raccolta di impressioni urbane) e col romanzo satirico "Il circolo Pickwick", grazie al quale ottiene grandissima fama. Considerato il più sensibile narratore dell’Età Vittoriana, è autore di molti romanzi a sfondo sociale. Fra i suoi capolavori più noti, si possono citare "Oliver Twist", "Tempi difficili", "David Copperfield" e "Cantico di Natale", oggetto di innumerevoli riadattamenti per il cinema, l’animazione e il fumetto.

Ende des 18. Jahrhunderts: Harry Ludlow wurde einst aus der Royal Navy geworfen. Nun zieht er zusammen mit seinem jüngeren Bruder James als Freibeuter über die Meere. Doch statt Jagd auf fette Beute zu machen, stolpern die Ludlows regelmäßig in tödliche Intrigen. Gerade als die Brüder sich an Bord eines britischen Kriegsschiffs befinden, geschieht dort ein Mord. James wird über der Leiche gefunden und verdächtigt. Kann Harry die Unschuld seines Bruders zu beweisen?Dies ist der spannende Auftakt der Reihe um Kaperkapitän Harry Ludlow und seine Gefährten.Ende des 18. Jahrhunderts: Harry Ludlow schmeißt seinen Offiziersposition in der Royal Navy hin um fortan als Freibeuter über die Meere zu ziehen. Auf seinen Reisen stolpern er und seine Gefährten immer wieder in brenzlige Situationen und Mordfälle, die aufgeklärt werden wollen. Mit dieser fesselnden Reihe kommen nicht nur Fans von historischen Seefahrer-Romanen, sondern auch begeisterte Krimi-Leser auf ihre Kosten.David Donachie, 1944 in Edinburgh geboren, ist ein schottischer Autor, der auch unter den Pseudonymen Tom Connery und Jack Ludlow Bekanntkeit erlangte. Sein Werk umfasst zahlreiche Veröffentlichungen; besonders beliebt sind seine historischen Seefahrerromane.

Von ihren Eltern wenig beachtet, wächst die kleine Mary Lennox von Kindermädchen und Dienern umsorgt in Indien auf. Als eine schwere Krankheit ausbricht, sterben ihre Eltern und ihr Kindermädchen, woraufhin das Waisenkind zu ihrem Onkel nach England gebracht wird. Auch hier wird ihr wenig Fürsorge entgegengebracht. Auf ihren einsamen Streifzügen entdeckt sie einen mysteriösen und verwilderten Garten und macht es sich zur Aufgabe, das Geheimnis dahinter zu ergründen.Frances Hodgson Burnett (1849-1924) war eine britische Schriftstellerin. 1865 wanderte sie mit ihrer Familie in die USA aus. Sie war zweimal verheiratet. Von ihrem ersten Ehemann ließ sich Burnett scheiden, der zweite starb wenige Jahre nach ihrer Hochzeit. Ihr Lebenswerk umfasst zahlreiche Schriftstücke, am bekanntesten sind jedoch „Der kleine Lord" und „Der geheime Garten", die mehrfach verfilmt wurden.

What is "poor" about Miss Finch? Well, with a novel with names like "Mr Sebright" (he’s an eye specialist – "see bright", geddit?), it’s all about sight. You see, Lucilla Finch has been blind since infancy – until she meets the eccentric German doctor Herr Grosse who partially restores her sight. Far from treating her simply as a "poor" blind Victorian woman, this novel is conscious of the experience of blindness, particularly that of blindness and romance.Published a few years after his acclaimed mystery novel, "The Moonstone" (which starred Sarah Hadland in a recent BBC adaptation), Wilkie Collins now keeps up the mystery in "Poor Miss Finch". Having researched a real case of regained sight, Collins depicts great detail in Lucilla’s experience of colours whilst in the midst of a love triangle.Two brothers want Lucilla’s hand in marriage; their deception and plotting must be foiled before Lucilla unwittingly changes her life forever.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.

Young Dr. Oliver Trembath has arrived in the small mining town of St. Just, in Cornwall, where he learns about the tin and copper mines of the area and meets those who have worked them for generations. Romance and adventure ensues in this charming and informative historical adventure tale by popular children’s author R.M. Ballantyne.R.M. Ballantyne (1825-1894) was a Scottish artist and prolific author of mostly children’s fiction. Born in Edinburgh, Ballantyne was the ninth of ten children. At the age of 16 Ballantyne moved to Canada, where he worked for the Hudson’s Bay Company, travelling all over the country to trade for fur. He returned to Scotland in 1847 following the death of his father, and it was then that he began his literary career in earnest, writing over 100 children’s adventure books over the course of his life. Stories such as ‘The Coral Island’ and ‘The Young Fur Traders’ were hugely popular, and many of them drew on his own experiences of travelling throughout Canada. A stickler for detail, Ballantyne continued to travel widely to research the backgrounds and settings for his exciting stories. His tales became an inspiration for authors of the future, including ‘Treasure Island’ novelist Robert Louis Stevenson. Ballantyne spent the latter period of his life living in London and Italy for the sake of his health. He died in Rome in 1894 at the age of 68.

'A Double Rescue' is a short story that reads in stark contrast to the adventure writing, which Ballantyne is most notorious for. It is an evangelistic tale of a blithe young boy named Jack Matterby who is born into an English farming family of modest means but engaged in unwavering Christian faith.Jack loves his family and community for the richness of their faith in spite of their material poverty. But suddenly his father dies of shock when he receives a letter that he is financially ruined in the aftermath of his bank's collapse. Shortly thereafter, his grief-stricken mother dies in hospital. She had fallen into inextricable levels of debt when moving to London with Jack after the liquidation of the family farm.With nowhere left to go but the unforgiving London streets, Jack has never felt more lost and alone in his life. But little does he know that he is soon to be taken under the wing of a guardian angel who will take him to the shores of young Canada.A truly heartwarming short story showcasing human clemency shining through even the harshest circumstances. A must-read for fans of Daniel Defoe's 'Robinson Crusoe' and Walt Disney's 1960 movie 'Swiss Family Robinson' starring John Mills, Dorothy McGuire, James MacArthur and Janet Munro.R. M. Ballantyne was a Scottish writer specialising in the juvenile fiction genre. He was born as Robert Michael Ballantyne into a family of well-known printers and publishers in Edinburgh. At age 16 he travelled to Canada where he served with the Hudson's Bay Company for six years. He returned to Scotland in 1847 and published his first book the next year, 'Hudson's Bay: or Life in the Wilds of North America'. For several years he was employed by the publishing house Messrs Constable. But in 1856 he decided to leave the literature business. Instead he began writing a series of adventure stories for young readers.

An invisible killer, a family curse, a voodoo cult, a murdered prince, and a stolen salad dressing. Strange events call for a detective like no other, and Father Brown has a tendency to see to the heart of things. G. K. Chesterton’s famous priest-detective shines in this crime anthology, packed with mystery and paradox. From ‘The Absence of Mr. Glass’ to ‘The Head of Caesar’, Father Brown and his thief-turned-detective sidekick, Flambeau, return for a series of adventures that range from philosophical quibbles to the most fundamental matters of morality. This collection of crime short stories will tickle fans of Sherlock Holmes and Dirk Gently alike with satirical wit and enticingly clever cases.Gilbert Keith Chesterton (1874 – 1936) was an English writer, journalist, philosopher, and literary critic. An unparalleled essayist, he produced over four thousand essays during his lifetime, alongside eighty novels and two hundred short stories. Tackling topics of politics, history, philosophy and theology with tenacious wit and humour, G. K. Chesterton was often considered a master of the paradox. Himself both a modernist and devout Catholic, he is remembered best for his priest-detective short stories ‘Father Brown’, and his metaphysical thriller ‘The Man Who Was Thursday’. In his lifetime Chesterton befriended and debated some of the greatest thinkers of the age, such as George Bernard Shaw, H. G. Wells, and Bertrand Russell, while his works went on to inspire figures including T. S. Eliot, Michael Collins, and Mahatma Gandhi.

If you’ve seen "The Sixth Sense" with Bruce Willis, you’ll be familiar with Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome: deliberately making a person feel unwell in order to care for them. In "Jezebel’s Daughter", the poisonous Mrs Fontaine does exactly that in a plan to get her daughter, Minna, married. This is a story of romance and what happens when parents get too involved in their children’s marriages.Centred around a business based in London and Frankfort (or Frankfurt as we say today), "Jezebel’s Daughter" offers distinctive Victorian characters. Fritz Keller, the son of a partner of the business, is in love with Minna Fontaine. Meanwhile, the kindly proto-feminist Mrs Wagner runs the London office which employs women. She is caring for a patient, Jack, from the Bedlam psychiatric hospital.This thriller of a tale culminates when Mrs Fontaine, Mrs Wagner, and Jack all clash in a gothic plot that will determine the happy ending of Fritz and Minna.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.

You’ve gotta love those travel documentaries with celebrities awkwardly trying to make their interactions with locals seem impromptu and organic. Perhaps it’s best to let the writers express the escapism of travel. And why not leave travel writing to Wilkie Collins, the star of Victorian-era mystery and thriller novels? In "Rambles Beyond Railways", Collins exchanges his London ale for a Cornish pasty when he writes of his travels around Cornwall.While the Victorians were crazy about building railways, rail access didn’t extend to the whole of Cornwall. Instead, Collins goes by foot across Cornwall with his friend, Henry Brandling, who provided illustrations for the original publication. True to his love of the sensational, Collins explores the enchanting Cornish locations whence stories of ghostly shipwrecks and semi-mythical kings originated.Get lost in Collins’s Cornwall instead of Jeremy Clarkson’s ill-fitting jeans.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.

When you think of Charles Dickens’ ghost stories, you may first think of ‘A Christmas Carol’ and the ghosts that visit Scrooge. However, ‘The Trail for Murder’ is perhaps Dickens’ second best-known ghost tale. Written in 1865, ‘The Trial for Murder’ is a short story in which the ghost of a murder victim materialises to the foreman of the jury at his own murder trial. In this supernatural horror story, the ghost harasses the jurors and witnesses to ensure that his murderer is found guilty. While ‘The Trial for Murder' might not be considered scary by our modern-day standards it was one of the first ghost stories widely published and is a great read for fans of films like ‘The Sixth Sense’.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.

Dr Phil didn’t invent family drama. This Victorian novel might as well be given the Dr Phil caption of "I found out my parents weren’t married, and my cousin won’t give me my inheritance". A suspenseful yet poignant tale of the prejudices against illegitimacy, "No Name" captures the anxieties at the time – but also love stories – surrounding marriage.Two sisters, Magdalen and Norah Vanstone live an idyllic life in the English countryside with their wealthy parents. A tragedy upends their lives, suddenly losing their status in society. This new life brings Magdalen to York, then London, beginning her riveting tale of acting, marriage proposals, revenge, and even poison.A thriller that would put Dr Phil out of business, "No Name" emphasises romance in the face of rigid Victorian society.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.

"Little Novels" isn’t quite a "Little Women" spin-off, as the title might suggest. While you won’t be treated to Timothée Chalamet, you will be treated to fourteen short stories – or little novels (ah now the title makes sense).Wilkie Collins loved writing thrillers about characters proposing marriage who get caught up in dramatic circumstances and must solve a mystery. The thrilling mystery-solving element is the foundations of modern detective novels. While these little novels are true to Collins’s style, they are unique and captivating stand-alone stories. There’s even some supernatural and some social commentary thrown in there.A haunted priest, a sea captain falling in love in Polynesia, a princess falling in love with a secretary, the unsolved murder of a sleepwalker’s husband – these short stories will immerse you in a Victorian world of intrigue, romance, and male suitors who you might imagine looking like Timothée Chalamet.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.