The Arc
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Swashbuckling British adventurers find triumph and tragedy in nineteenth-century Afghanistan in this novella J. M. Barrie called "the most audacious thing in fiction." While on tour in India, a British journalist encounters Daniel Dravot and Peachey Carnehan, two foolhardy drifters with a plan. Claiming they've exhausted all the schemes and odd jobs they could find in India, the two are in search of an even greater adventure. They tell the journalist...
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A ne'er-do-well exploits his gentle daughter's beauty for social advancement in this masterpiece of tragic fiction. Hardy's 1891 novel defied convention to focus on the rural lower class for a frank treatment of sexuality and religion. Then and now, his sympathetic portrait of a victim of Victorian hypocrisy offers compelling reading.
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When her father has a crisis of conscious, Margaret Hale's life is turned upside down. Because her parents decide to move away from southern London, Margaret must leave behind the tranquil, rural life she's always known to settle in an industrial town called Milton. Though she does her best to assimilate, Margaret cannot help but feel trapped and hopeless in Milton, as she witnesses the brutal effects industrialization has on the environment and the...
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Mansfield Park is a study of three families-the Bertrams, the Crawfords, and the Prices-with the isolated figure of the heroine, Fanny Price, at its center. Fanny's quiet passivity, her steadfast loyalty and love for the son of the family who regard her as the poor relation, and who have taken her under their roof, are not appreciated until they are tried against the brilliant and witty Mary and Henry Crawford, the unfortunate consequences of whose...
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Jude the Obscure, the semi-autobiographical final novel from Thomas Hardy explores notions of surprising candor; within the eponymous protagonist lies the tragic truth of failed ambitions and relationships. In a fierce exploration of the darkness of love and the intellect, this is one of the great tragic novels of English literature.
Jude Fawley, an earnest boy from a rural English village, dreams of a life of academia despite his working-class background....
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The complex moral ambiguities of seduction and revenge make "Dangerous Liaisons" (1782) one of the most scandalous and controversial novels in European literature. Its prime movers, the Viscount de Valmont and the Marchioness de Merteuil - gifted, wealthy, and bored - form an unholy alliance and turn seduction into a game. And they play this game with such wit and style that it is impossible not to admire them, until they discover mysterious rules...
7) Nostromo
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"Nostromo, A Tale of the Seaboard" is set in the South American country of Costaguana, and more specifically in that country's Occidental Province and its port city of Sulaco. Though Costaguana is a fictional nation, its geography as described in the book resembles real-life Colombia. Costaguana has a long history of tyranny, revolution and warfare, but has recently experienced a period of stability under the dictator Ribiera. Charles Gould is a native...
8) UFO! Roswell
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"The government claimed they had recovered a UFO - they had a press release about it, No other government in the world has said 'We have a spacecraft,' and then the next day there's another press release that says, 'Never mind, it was just a weather balloon',"
Ben Smith, former CIA operative
In 1947, something crashed outside of Roswell, New Mexico and was brought to Roswell Army Air Field by Army officers. Since then, there have been many a discussion...
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Henrik Ibsen, the renowned Norwegian playwright, is celebrated for his influential contributions to modern theater. Born in 1828, Ibsen's early life was marked by financial struggles and personal hardships. However, his unwavering determination and artistic talent propelled him to become one of the most prominent figures in the world of drama. Ibsen's works, including "A Doll's House," "Hedda Gabler," and "Ghosts," challenged societal conventions,...
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Charles Dickens was an English writer and social critic who lived during the 19th century. He is considered one of the greatest novelists of the Victorian era and is known for his vivid portrayals of the social and economic conditions of the time. His works often addressed issues of poverty, social injustice, and class struggle, and he is credited with helping to raise public awareness of these issues. Some of his most famous works include "Oliver...
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"There is a time for many words, and there is also a time for sleep." - The Odyssey
"Hateful to me as the gates of Hades is that man who hides one thing in his heart and speaks another." - The Iliad
"Let your spear be your passport." - The Odyssey
Homer is one of the most important figures in ancient Greek literature, believed to have lived in the 8th century BC. He is most famous for his epic poems, the Iliad and the Odyssey, which are considered...
13) A 1001 Nights
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"A Thousand Nights and a Night," also known as Arabian Nights, is a timeless collection of Middle Eastern folktales and stories that has captivated readers for centuries. Compiled over many centuries, the book features a rich tapestry of narratives, including adventure, romance, magic, and morality tales. The collection is framed by the story of Scheherazade, a clever and resourceful storyteller who uses her wit and storytelling skills to save herself...
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After Vautrin helps Lucien overcome a mental breakdown, the two men decide to align forces in pursuit of social status and wealth. Operating under an alias, Vautrin offers to help Lucien redeem himself and move back to Paris, with the condition that Lucien follows his orders exactly. Happy to comply, the pair return to the capital city, living in excess and racking up a debt as they pretend they can afford this luxurious lifestyle. With a goal of...
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H.G. Wells, one of the most influential writers of science fiction and speculative fiction, has left an indelible mark on literature with his vast body of work. Wells's books, spanning across various genres, captivate readers with their imaginative narratives, thought-provoking concepts, and insightful social commentary. His novels, such as "The Time Machine," "The War of the Worlds," and "The Invisible Man," have become iconic and have helped shape...
17) Rainbow Valley
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When widower, John Meredith and his four children move to a new town, they quickly bond with Jem, Walter, Nan, Di, Shirley and Rilla Blythe. Despite their questionable reputation, they become close friends spending time at a place called, Rainbow Valley.
Anne and Gilbert Blythe are happily married with six children. Similar to their parents, Jem, Walter, Nan, Di, Shirley and Rilla are bright, kind and extremely perceptive. They soon meet a new...
18) Lesley Castle
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In the realm of classic literature, the name of Leslie Castle often occupies a quieter corner, overshadowed by the towering works of authors such as Jane Austen and Charlotte Brontë. However, in the rich tapestry of literary history, Leslie Castle by Anne Isabella Thackeray (later known as Mrs. Ritchie) stands as a charming and insightful novella that deserves recognition for its unique narrative style, character development, and themes that resonate...
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Welcome to the world of Jane Austen, one of the most beloved authors in the English language. Austen's works are known for their wit, social commentary, and romantic storylines that have captivated readers for generations.
This audiobook is an introduction to the life and works of Jane Austen and will provide a glimpse into her world and the literary legacy she left behind.
Lady Susan is an early epistolary novel by Jane Austen, which was written...
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Jane Austen's complete works form an enduring literary legacy that has captivated readers for generations. Her novels, characterized by wit, social commentary, and insightful character portrayals, offer a profound exploration of the societal norms and constraints prevalent during the Regency era in England. Austen's keen observations and astute critiques of the limitations imposed on women, particularly in matters of love and marriage, make her works...