Books in the World Classics series

Wealth, wit, natural grace, and an air of nobility makes the perfect 19th century French gentleman. Add a certain amount of pride and you have Viscount Gontran-Joseph de Signoles, not by chance called Handsome Signoles. His flawless life changes when he challenges a man to a duel and realises that some virtues can be found beyond one’s appearance. Explore the inner battle between a man and his deepest fears told by the master of the short story, Guy de Maupassant.Guy de Maupassant (1850 –1893) was a French author considered a father of the modern short story. During his prolific work life, he wrote 300 short stories, verse, travel books and novels. One of his most famous works, the novel Bel-Ami, inspired the 2012 movie with the same name, starring Robert Pattinson and Uma Thurman.

"The Diamond Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant portrays the complexities and consequences of keeping up appearances in the 19th century. Mathilde is a young and beautiful woman, struggling with the ordinary circumstances of her life and marriage. When she is invited to a fancy ball with her husband, she borrows a diamond necklace from a friend. To her horror, she finds the necklace to be gone by the end of the night. The couple must now find a way to quickly replace the necklace, but the cost turns out to be terribly high. The story has inspired film adaptations, such as the silent film The Necklace (1909).Guy de Maupassant (1850-1893) was a prolific French writer considered a pioneer in modern short story writing. Maupassant was a protégé of French writer Gustave Flaubert and is known for novels such as A Woman's Life and short stories including "The Horla" and "The Dumpling." Maupassant's stories fall into the Naturalist movement, often depicting social entanglements and complex human fates. They have inspired countless film adaptations including the French-Belgian drama called A Woman's Life (2016).

A widower and a loving father of three girls, old Taille is described as a model workman. He provides for his family with honest labour and enjoys a good reputation until his oldest daughter, Anna, runs away and mysteriously turns into one of the richest people in town. Can a family connection once broken be restored? Can money buy happiness and respect? Discover this complex family drama by the Master of the short story, Guy de Maupassant.Guy de Maupassant (1850 –1893) was a French author considered a father of the modern short story. During his prolific work life, he wrote 300 short stories, verse, travel books and novels. One of his most famous works, the novel Bel-Ami, inspired the 2012 movie with the same name, starring Robert Pattinson and Uma Thurman.

Though he is best known for his realist and deep realistic and psychological novels, Dostoevsky’s literary life produced memorable short stories as well. "Polzunkov" is a story that should not be skipped by the author’s fans and the connoisseurs of short story writing in general. It is a tale about a joke that misfired on the protagonist Polzunkov, whose expectations crash down headlong in the end. Another narrative that explores the theme of financial difficulties and misunderstood actions that inevitably lead to terrible outcomes.Fyodor Dostoevsky was a famous Russian writer of novels, short stories, and essays. A connoisseur of the troubled human psyche and the relationships between the individuals, Dostoevsky’s oeuvre covers a large area of subjects: politics, religion, social issues, philosophy, and the uncharted realms of the psychological. He is most famous for the novels "Crime and Punishment", "The Idiot", and "The Brothers Karamazov". His literary legacy was met with mixed feelings, but remains gargantuan in its influence.

Ardita is a young and rich flapper girl who is spending time at her uncle's yacht. She is not interested in the things her family wants to do; she would rather spend her time sunbathing and reading Anatol France. Besides that, she ends up having an argument with her uncle about her love life. The uncle decides to leave Ardita on the yacht while he is ashore.Soon there comes a change in the situation when a boat filled with seven men approaches the yacht – the men are pirates, and Ardita is more than excited about it!'The Offshore pirate' is F. Scott Fitzgerald's intriguing short story published in 1920.F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896–1940) is one of the greatest American novelists of the 20th century and author of the classics ‘Tender is the Night’ and ‘The Great Gatsby’. His writing helped illustrate the 1920s Jazz Age that he and wife Zelda Fitzgerald were in the centre of.

"A Simple Soul" is a not so simple story about a French maid, who experiences the vicissitudes of life to its full extent. A story that serves as the inspiration behind Julian Barnes’ "Flaubert’s Parrot", the book excels in a perfect mixture of realism and psychological insights. Flaubert constructed a totally different protagonist compared to his earlier novels, teeming with corrupt and vile characters. The attention to detail, picturesque descriptions, and the loving attitude of Félicité makes this story a perfect read for any fan of beautiful prose and selfless acts of love and kindness.Gustave Flaubert has earned his rightful place among the greatest French and Western writers. His literary career is famous for extraordinary style, exact dictum, and remarkable proportions of the depicted situations. Gently navigating the delicate line between romanticism and realism, Flaubert’s influence is undeniable. His best known works include the scandalous and overtly realistic "Madam Bovary", the historical novel "Salammbo" and the painting-inspired "The Temptation of Saint Anthony".

Guy de Maupassant's short story "The Night: A Nightmare" depicts a vivid portrayal of the streets of Paris. Our narrator roams the streets of the city after hours, embracing and explaining his love of night as he goes. Yet this time, the night takes a more a menacing turn and soon becomes a living nightmare for him. Maupassant 's story plunges into the darker places of the human psyche with colorful storytelling, taking the reader on a nocturnal and personal tour of historical 19th-century Paris landmarks. Guy de Maupassant (1850-1893) was a prolific French writer considered a pioneer in modern short story writing. Maupassant was a protégé of French writer Gustave Flaubert and is known for novels such as A Woman's Life and short stories including "The Horla" and "The Dumpling." Maupassant's stories fall into the Naturalist movement, often depicting social entanglements and complex human fates. They have inspired countless film adaptations including the French-Belgian drama called A Woman's Life (2016).

Situado en la iglesia londinense de San Bernabé, el protagonista, obnubilado por la belleza del templo, no da lugar a la sensación de miedo que le apareció al entrar. Al escuchar una música sombría y escalofriante proveniente del órgano, observa a un extraño organista que lo mira con una expresión de odio inimaginable y que de manera repentina y misteriosa desaparece mientras la música sigue sonando.Camino a su casa, el narrador intenta olvidar el absurdo episodio que experimentó hasta que oye una voz de alguien que decía llamarse el Rey de Amarillo, susurrando a su alma. Este escalofriante cuento lo mantendrá inquieto y con suspenso, hasta que en cierto punto la realidad se desgarra e irrumpen las orillas del tenebroso Lago Hali y las torres de Carcosa, donde es la Muerte es Dios...Robert William Chambers (1865 – 1933) nació en Brooklyn en el seno de una familia burguesa. Estudió en el New York Art Students League y en 1886 se mudó a París, donde convivió con el movimiento artístico bohemio, y donde expuso su obra en el salón de 1889. A su regreso a Nueva York, vendió ilustraciones a las principales revistas del momento. No obstante, a pesar de considerar la escritura como algo secundario, su pasión por contar historias lo llevó a publicar su primer libro, In the quarter en 1984 al cual le siguió El Rey de Amarillo, que lo convirtió en un maestro del cuento moderno de terror.Fue un escritor prolífico y sus obras alcanzaron un gran prestigio, llegando algunas a ser best-sellers. El dinero que obtuvo de ello lo invirtió en sus otras aficiones, entre las que se encontraba coleccionar mariposas y porcelana china. Chambers falleció a los sesenta y ocho años tras ser operado de una dolencia intestinal.

Pietarissa köyhä opiskelija Raskolnikov suunnittelee murhaavansa saidan koronkiskurin ja vievänsä tämän rahat. Eikö olisi parempi, että hän vapauttaa maailman tämän läsnäolosta ja auttaa kiskurin rahoilla itsensä ulos köyhyydestä maailmaan, missä voi tehdä jotakin hyödyllistä? Raskolnikov pohtii monista eri näkökannoista murhaa, jonka hän aikoo kirjassa toteuttaa. Voiko murhaa puolustella, mikäli sen teolla on korkeampi tarkoitus?Dostojevski kirjoitti jännityksentäyteisen Rikoksen ja rangaistuksen palattuaan viiden vuoden vastentahtoisesta maanpaostaan Siperiasta. Romaani julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran 12-osaisena jatkosarjana kirjallisuuslehdessä vuonna 1866. Rikos ja rangaistus on Dostojevskin tunnetuin romaani, ja siitä on tullut maailmankuulu sen sukelluksesta ihmismielen syvimpiin kolkkiin.Fjodor Dostojevski (1821–1881) syntyi Moskovassa ja kuoli 59-vuotiaana keuhkosairauteen Pietarissa. Dostojevski on yksi maailmankirjallisuuden suuruuksista ja tunnettu ihmismielen psykologian kuvauksistaan 1800-luvun Venäjällä. Hänen tunnetuimpiin teoksiinsa kuuluvat Rikos ja rangaistus, Idiootti sekä Karamazovin veljekset.

Sir Charles Baskervillen kuollessa yllättäen sydänkohtaukseen alkaa kylässä kiertää huhu kuoleman aiheuttaneesta, perhettä mahdollisesti jo sukupolvien ajan vainonneesta yliluonnollisesta jättiläiskoirasta. Kun suvun perillinen Sir Henry Baskerville saapuu Kanadasta Englannin Dartmoorin pimeille ja sumuisille nummille vastaanottamaan perintöään, kutsutaan tapausta tutkimaan skeptinen Sherlock Holmes. Oliko Sir Charles Baskervillen kuoleman takana todella sydänkohtaus vai kenties autioilla nummilla vaaninut eläin? Tuleeko Baskervillen tilusten uudesta omistajasta koiran seuraava uhri?Baskervillen koira on Sir Arthur Conan Doylen kolmas Sherlock Holmes -romaani. Baskervillen koira on yksi Doylen tunnetuimmista teoksista, ja sitä on versioitu myös valkokankaalla yli 20 kertaa.Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859–1930) oli brittiläinen kirjailija, joka tunnetaan parhaiten salapoliisi Sherlock Holmesin seikkailuista kertovasta jännityskirjallisuudesta. Hän julkaisi urallaan neljä romaania ja yli 50 novellia, joita tähdittää parivaljakko Sherlock Holmes ja tohtori Watson. Tarinat nähdään tärkeinä merkkipaaluina jännityskirjallisuuden historiassa.

The brewing of beer is regarded by many as a more or less mechanical operation, yet there is much more to it. Great is its debt of gratitude to the labours of scientific men. The aim of this work is therefore to show the number of scientific investigations of the first order of importance, which have given rise to the brewing industry.Alfred Chaston Chapman (1869-1932) was a British chemist, whose work was especially focused on brewing and fermentation. In 1920, he was elected into the Royal Society. Throughout his career, he was sought after by many institutions, spending time working both at the University of London, of Leeds, and at the Royal Microscopioal Society, amongst many others. He is most commonly remembered today for his book "Brewing".

Fortress-walled Saint Catherine's monastery on the Sinai Peninsula (Egypt) has been a pilgrimage site since its founding by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian in the 6th century. According to tradition, the monastery sits at the base of the mountain where Moses received the Tablets of the Law. Set in rugged country, it was for a very long time only accessible through a long camel-back journey across the barren desert. The monastery survived intact through the centuries, and as a result became a rich repository of religious history: icons, mosaics, books and manuscripts have been preserved through the ages in the monastery’s library."Our Journey to Sinai" by Agnes Bensly is the story of a visit to Saint Catherine's by a group of British scholars in the 1890's, who were drawn there in their quest for early Christian manuscripts. They were looking for a second century translation of the Gospels from the Greek into an Aramaic dialect called Syriac, a very rare and precious document. One of the group’s members, Agnes Smith Lewis, an accomplished linguist, has been to the monastery once before. During that visit, she had spotted a "palimpsest of most venerable appearance." Smith Lewis had recognized the hidden underwriting in this book to be in Syriac, "the native language of Our Lord and His disciples." This is the reason why the group has now decided to revisit Saint Catherine's, in the hope of finding and copying that ancient text. Their trip is vividly described by Agnes Bensly, portraying bustling Cairo, Bedouins crossing the desert with their camels, the monks and monastery life of Saint Catherine, the breathtaking climb up the 3000 stone steps to the top of Mount Sinai, and what they found in the mysterious manuscript they had come so far to see."Our Journey to Sinai" is a wonderful travel book and an intimate portrait of Saint Catherine's monastery, a monastery which is today a World Heritage Site.Agnes Dorothea Bensly (born Von Blomberg), was born in 1834 in Postdam, Prussia (current Germany). The daughter of Baron Eduard von Blomberg, she married the Orientalist and biblical scholar Robert Lubbock Bensly (1831-93) in 1860. The Cambridge man had been studying Syriac in Bonn and Halle. He made two short visits to Egypt and Sinai but died a few days after his return from his last trip. Agnes lost her sight shortly after, but she wanted to have his work published, and as such, wrote "A Journey to Sinai" in braille. She passed away on the 22nd December 1900, in England.

A short novel about the final hours of a man sentenced to death, "The Last Day of a Condemned Man" can be read as a social critique and revolt against the institution of the death penalty. The protagonist wakes up every day with the same thought in his head, and a small grain of hope in his heart. He recalls his past errors of the time before his imprisonment, painting a sympathetic and apologetic picture of human condition. But his path does not lead backwards, only forward. And there awaits the guillotine. Victor Hugo (1802-1885) was a prolific French poet, playwright, novelist, essayist, and statesman. His name is often associated with the Romantic movement in France. He was also an ardent politician, supporting republicanism. His best known works include "Les Miserables", "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame", "The Man Who Laughs", witnessing countless big screen adaptations.

Quentin Durward is a young Scottish archer who comes to France in order to serve in the Scottish Guard of Louis XI. Durward is sent on a deadly mission by the sneaky and evil king of France. Can he however accomplish it and preserve his life at the same time, or he will face the death? Will he find the real love and fame, or he will encounter the disappointment of leaving Scotland?"Quentin Durward" is a historical novel about chivalry, adventure and romance by Sir Walter Scott, published in 1823.Sir Walter Scott (1771 – 1832) was a Scottish writer, poet and historian who is considered as the creator of the historical novel. By profession Scott was a lawyer and legal administrator, but the fascinating history and culture of his native Scotland inspired him to become a writer. Some of his most popular titles are "Waverley", "Ivanhoe", "The Lady of the Lake" and "Redgauntlet", which has also served as an inspiration for many authors.

How far will a man go for love? The short story "St. John's Eve" by Nikolai Gogol from the 19th century recounts the sinister events that transpired in a poor hamlet generations ago, as relayed by the narrator's grandfather. In a village that no longer exists, a young man called Petro falls head over heels for a beauty, whose father disapproves of the union. Petro is determined to win the hand of the woman of her choosing and solicits an ominous local associated with the devil himself to help him. The consequences are wicked and dangerous and cannot be reversed. The story provided inspiration for Modest Mussorgsky's tone poem Night on Bald Mountain and was adapted into the Soviet-Ukrainian movie The Eve of Ivan Kupalo (1968). Ukrainian-born writer and dramatist Nikolai Gogol (1809-1852) is considered one of the most prominent figures in Russian literature. His unconventional works are often touched by folklore or a hint of the unusual, providing the reader with surprising turns and characters. Gogol has been attached to a range of different literary styles, including Russian literary realism and even surrealism. His stories include the short story "The Nose" and the famous satirical novel Dead Souls. Gogol's works have inspired numerous stage, film and television adaptations including the movie Inspector General (1949), based loosely on his play with the same name.

"The Fair at Sorochyntsi" by Nikolai Gogol is a short story set in a Ukrainian village in 1800. A man travels with his daughter and wife to a fair to sell some of their belongings. Their lives are quickly turned upside down when a young cossack asks for the hand of the daughter and a demon makes an appearance. The story mixes the macabre with humor, yet with romance at its core. "The Fair at Sorochyntsi" was also turned into a comic opera by Modest Mussorgsky, though unfinished and completed by others after his death.Ukrainian-born writer and dramatist Nikolai Gogol (1809-1852) is considered one of the most prominent figures in Russian literature. His unconventional works are often touched by folklore or a hint of the unusual, providing the reader with surprising turns and characters. Gogol has been attached to a range of different literary styles, including Russian literary realism and even surrealism. His stories include the short story "The Nose" and the famous satirical novel Dead Souls. Gogol's works have inspired numerous stage, film and television adaptations including the movie Inspector General (1949), based loosely on his play with the same name.

"A most extraordinary thing happened in St. Petersburg on the twenty-fifth of March." The opening lines of "The Nose", one of Gogol’s best-known stories, and quite possibly the most absurd, are just as promising as any of his works. The simple yet extraordinary plot follows the story of the civil servant Major Kovalyov who wakes up one morning to discover his nose has left his face and is living a life of its own. Strange as it may seem, the nose has even surpassed him by attaining a higher rank! The story is a brilliant portrayal of the preoccupation with social rank in Imperial Russia, a biting satire of the bureaucrats’ pursuit of higher position within the Table of Ranks. A masterful combination of brilliant words, witty imagination, and unparalleled humor, it remains one of the most striking stories of all times. It is believed to have influenced masterpieces of world literature, including Dostoevsky's "The Double," Stevenson's "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde", and Kafka’s "Metamorphosis". Nikolai Gogol (1809-1852) was a Ukrainian-born Russian humorist, novelist, and dramatist whose work played a crucial role in the direction of Russian literature. He was considered to be one of the leading figures of Russian realism. His novel "Dead Souls", a satire of the political corruption in the Russian Empire, is viewed by many literary historians as the first great Russian novel. Among his contributions to Russian and world literature are the surrealistic and grotesque "The Nose" and "The Mantle", the satirical "The Government Inspector/The Inspector General", the historical novel "Taras Bulba", the comedy "Marriage", the humorous short stories "Diary of a Madman" and "The Tale of How Ivan Ivanovich Quarreled with Ivan Nikiforovich". His works have influenced generations of readers and still continue to impress with their subtle psychologism and matchless style.

With his sense of humor and ability to observe, Nikolai Gogol presents the world with stories of little people: the weak and fragile people who try to hold on to life in the gloomy cities of Russia. "The Mantle", which is listed among his masterpieces, describes how Russian bureaucracy turns everyone into a ghost of each other. It tells the tragicomic story of a poor low-ranking official named Akakiy Akakiyevich Bashmachkin, a faint character living on the margins of society who spends all his time diligently copying documents. Drawn into bureaucratic mechanisms of modern life, humiliated, and despised, hе finds solace in his fondest dream: a mantle that will protect him from the cold in the winter. This humble dream, however, will cost him way too much and will turn his life upside down...Adapted into a variety of stage and film interpretations, the story is a major milestone in Russian literature, as expressed by in a quote often attributed to Fyodor Dostoyevsky: "We have all come out from under Gogol's Mantle". Nikolai Gogol (1809-1852) was a Ukrainian-born Russian humorist, novelist, and dramatist whose work played a crucial role in the direction of Russian literature. He was considered to be one of the leading figures of Russian realism. His novel "Dead Souls", a satire of the political corruption in the Russian Empire, is viewed by many literary historians as the first great Russian novel. Among his contributions to Russian and world literature are the surrealistic and grotesque "The Nose" and "The Mantle", the satirical "The Inspector General", the historical novel "Taras Bulba", the comedy "Marriage", the humorous short stories "Diary of a Madman" and "The Tale of How Ivan Ivanovich Quarreled with Ivan Nikiforovich". His works have influenced generations of readers and still continue to impress with their subtle psychologism and matchless style.

Listed among the most beloved Russian plays, "The Inspector General" is a vivid portrayal of human greed and foolishness. Savagely criticizing the political corruption of Imperial Russia, the play tells the story of Khlestakov, an irresponsible impostor who is mistakenly taken for a dreaded government inspector by the corrupt and self-serving provincial officials of a small town in Tsarist Russia. Knowing their own flaws, the officials hope that their bribes and banquets will turn his attention away from their dishonest administration. And Khlestakov’s decision to take advantage of the situation leads to hilarious situations and unexpected twists..First performed in 1836, the play transcended its own time and became a highly appreciated satire of universal human failings. It has been much adapted, from numerous film versions with actors such as Dany Kaye, Tony Hancock, Rick Mayal, and Yevgeny Mirono, to recent theatrical adaptations by Jeffrey Hatcher, David Harrower and Roddy Doyle.Nikolai Gogol (1809-1852) was a Ukrainian-born Russian humorist, novelist, and dramatist whose work played a crucial role in the direction of Russian literature. He was considered to be one of the leading figures of Russian realism. His novel "Dead Souls", a satire of the political corruption in the Russian Empire, is viewed by many literary historians as the first great Russian novel. Among his contributions to Russian and world literature are the surrealistic and grotesque "The Nose" and "The Mantle", the satirical "The Inspector General", the historical novel "Taras Bulba", the comedy "Marriage", the humorous short stories "Diary of a Madman" and "The Tale of How Ivan Ivanovich Quarreled with Ivan Nikiforovich". His works have influenced generations of readers and still continue to impress with their subtle psychologism and matchless style.

Dangers and romance intertwine in one in the adventure novel "Martin Paz" from 1852. The Indian chief Martin Paz falls in love with a girl named Sarah. Sarah’s father, Samuel, has however already arranged the marriage of his daughter to the influential and wealthy mestizo Certa. Martin Paz will fight for his love and for her freedom. What he will find about Samuel is however something he could not have expected. Will Paz manage to rescue Sarah from the vicious hands of Certa? How will he get her out from the "abyss" she is sinking into? Can he save her yet again after his own people stab a knife in his back? Will Martin and Sarah be finally together or the death is going to win the round this time? 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). Widely popular with both children and adults, Verne is one of the most translated authors of all times, and still inspires people the world over.

The short story "Konovalov" (1897) is an example of Maxim Gorky’s autobiographical writing, depicting the suicide of a quiet prisoner, Konovalov, whom Gorky decides to immortalize on the page. The narrative follows the chronological life of the main character, constructed from the memory of the narrator himself, adding a tinge of authenticity. The story brings some existentialist philosophies to mind, coating the ordinary situations with an air of nostalgia and universality, so characteristic of Gorky’s entire oeuvre. Maxim Gorky has its place among the most talented and original Russian modern writers. A five-time Nobel Prize nominee, Gorky’s position in Russian literature is undisputable. He led a turbulent life of an exile, a dissenter, and a Bolshevik associate, which severely marked his literary endeavours. A strong supporter of Russia’s political, social, and cultural transformation, Gorky’s name still echoes in the annals of history. His best-known works include "The Lower Depths", "My Childhood,", "Mother", and "Children of the Sun".

In Nikolai Gogol's short story "May Night, or the Drowned Maiden," a single night ends up changing the lives of many. Young Levko is the son of the head of a Ukrainian village and madly in love with a maiden named Hanna. To Levko's dismay, his father attempts to break off the romance in secret. What follows is a night during which both the alive and dead seek vengeance. In this tale wrapped in mysterious folktale, family ties are put to the test and characters are faced with a lesson or two. The story was adapted into two operas in the late 19th century and a Soviet film in 1952.Ukrainian-born writer and dramatist Nikolai Gogol (1809-1852) is considered one of the most prominent figures in Russian literature. His unconventional works are often touched by folklore or a hint of the unusual, providing the reader with surprising turns and characters. Gogol has been attached to a range of different literary styles, including Russian literary realism and even surrealism. His stories include the short story "The Nose" and the famous satirical novel Dead Souls. Gogol's works have inspired numerous stage, film and television adaptations including the movie Inspector General (1949), based loosely on his play with the same name.

"He tried to rise, but two ill-savoured Tartars were already sitting on him and binding his hands behind his back."Two Russian soldier are kidnapped by their rivals while serving in the Caucasus. One is resourceful and optimistic and spends his time in captivity looking for a way to escape; the other is pessimistic and lazy and only complains. One day, they try to escape.The Prisoner in The Caucasus is based on a real incident from Tolstoy’s soldier days. It is about the power of military brotherhood and being of use to your enemy. Tolstoy helps the reader see the human side in every character and underlines all the things people have in common across enemy lines.Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) was a Russian author, a master of realistic fiction and one of the world’s greatest novelists. Tolstoy’s major works include "War and Peace" (1865–69) and "Anna Karenina" (1875–77), two of the greatest novels of all time and pinnacles of realist fiction. Beyond novels, he wrote many short stories and later in life also essays and plays.

M. de Rênal is the mayor of a provincial town named Verrières, who hires Julien Sorel as a private teacher for his child. Sorel desires to become a real man and follow the steps of his hero – Napoleon. The young man thinks that it is his duty to seduce the mayor’s wife and they become lovers. However, their little secret will soon be revealed. Who will find out about the love affair? What is going to happen with the two lovers? Will mayor M. de Rênal also find out or the truth will be hidden from him? Find all the answers in Stendhal’s novel "The Red and the Black" from 1830.Stendhal (1783-1842), the pseudonym of Marie-Henry Beyle, was a French writer. A pioneer of literary realism, he is best known for his novels "The Red and the Black" (1830) and "The Charterhouse of Parma" (1839).

"The Old World Landowners" is a short story written in 1835. It is the first tale in the "Mirgorod" collection by Nikolai Gogol. The story is a vivid representation of the old-fashioned way of life in early nineteenth century rural Ukraine, а portrayal of the quiet life and the touching story of an elderly couple and their love for each other. With its dialogues and characters of Classical Russian literature, the story attempts to tell its readers how insignificant things can create a chain of unfortunate events that affect the stability of the strongest realities and completely change one’s life. The story is believed to be an ironic reworking of the Baucis and Philemon legend from Ovid's "Metamorphoses".Nikolai Gogol (1809-1852) was a Ukrainian-born Russian humorist, novelist, and dramatist whose work played a crucial role in the direction of Russian literature. He was considered to be one of the leading figures of Russian realism. His novel "Dead Souls", a satire of the political corruption in the Russian Empire, is viewed by many literary historians as the first great Russian novel. Among his contributions to Russian and world literature are the surrealistic and grotesque "The Nose" and "The Mantle", the satirical "The Inspector General", the historical novel "Taras Bulba", the comedy "Marriage", the humorous short stories "Diary of a Madman" and "The Tale of How Ivan Ivanovich Quarreled with Ivan Nikiforovich". His works have influenced generations of readers and still continue to impress with their subtle psychologism and matchless style.

In seguito alla condanna della Chiesa cattolica per il romanzo "Il Santo", Antonio Fogazzaro tenta, invano, con quest’ultima opera, di rientrare nel cattolicesimo. Il romanzo, attraverso la vicenda del protagonista, discepolo del santo Piero Maironi, affronta ancora una volta il tema della riforma religiosa. Pur avendo fatto atto di sottomissione, Fogazzaro continuò a ribadire la convinzione della necessità di un rinnovamento delle istituzioni ecclesiali che le rendessero aperte alle esigenze dello spirito moderno. Fogazzaro scrisse di aver voluto, col nuovo romanzo, presentare una "propaganda religiosa e morale conforme alle mie profonde convinzioni cristiane e cattoliche, ottenuta rappresentando un'anima ignara delle lotte che oggi straziano la Chiesa, penetrata di Vangelo e ferma nelle credenze tradizionali", così che il libro deluse tanto i cattolici progressisti che i conservatori e fu condannato dalla Chiesa.Antonio Fogazzaro (1842-1911) è stato uno scrittore e poeta e senatore del Regno d'Italia. Dotato di una viva sensibilità romantica, Antonio Fogazzaro rappresenta nella storia della narrativa italiana dell’ultimo ventennio dell’Ottocento l’insorgere di una "coscienza inquieta", alla ricerca di un rapporto tra tradizione cattolica e cultura contemporanea. Nacque a Vicenza nel 1842 da una famiglia benestante di fervidi sentimenti cattolici e antiaustriaci ed ebbe come primo maestro il poeta Giacomo Zanella, insigne come studioso e come patriota. Laureatosi in legge, si trasferì a Milano dove entrò a contatto con gli artisti della Scapigliatura, ma torno presto a Vicenza per dedicarsi all'attività letteraria. Educato ad una scrupolosa osservanza religiosa, smarrì la fede dall'adolescenza, ma si riaccostò a convinzioni religiose dopo un lungo travaglio di cui si hanno tracce nella problematica varia e complessa delle sue opere. Fu molto interessato alle conquiste scientifiche e alle idee dell'evoluzionismo darwiano; fu anche molto attivo politicamente, mentre fu guardato con sospetto dalla Chiesa per certe idee progressiste in campo religioso.

Lo scrittore britannico Oscar Wilde (1854-1900), accanto alle sue celebri opere teatrali e al romanzo "The picture of Dorian Gray", autentico (o quasi) manifesto del movimento letterario decadentista, è autore di un pugno di raccolte di racconti, due dei quali, "La sfinge senza segreti" (The sphinx without a secret) e "Il milionario modello" (The model millionaire), vengono qui presentati. Questi due racconti apparvero entrambi per la prima volta su The World nel 1887 e furono poi raccolti nell'antologia "Lord Arthur Savile's crime and other stories", pubblicata nel 1891. In queste due brevi storie si trovano compendiate in maniera paradigmatica alcune delle caratteristiche tipiche della sua narrativa, quali il gusto per l'aforisma e per il paradosso, esemplificate nelle battute iniziali e soprattutto finali di entrambi i racconti, che in un certo qual modo ne racchiudono il senso stesso.Questa raccolta contiene : "La sfinge senza segreti" e "Il milionario nodello"Oscar Wilde, nato e cresciuto a Dublino in un ambiente colto e spregiudicato, studiò a Oxford dove ebbe come maestri J. Ruskin e W. Pater. Il suo ingegno brillante, i suoi successi letterari e le sue pose eccentriche lo imposero come una delle personalità dominanti nei circoli artistici e nei salotti mondani sia inglesi che francesi. Visse prevalentemente tra Parigi e Londra, ma con frequenti viaggi in Italia, Grecia e Nordafrica. Nel 1884 sposò Constance Lloyd, da cui ebbe due figli, ma ben presto il matrimonio naufragò. Tutta l’aristocrazia e la classe dirigente di cui era stato fino a poco prima l’idolo lo abbandonarono a causa della sua relazione con lord Alfred Douglas, che in particolare gli mise contro il padre di questi, marchese di Queensberry. In un processo che suscitò enorme scalpore, fu condannato per omosessualità a due anni di lavori forzati (1895). Scontata la pena, in miseria e abbandonato da tutti, si rifugiò in Francia dove morì tre anni dopo. Nel 1891 uscì il suo romanzo più celebre Il ritratto di Dorian Gray (The picture of Dorian Gray), massima espressione del decadentismo e dell’estetismo. La sua opera è inseparabile dalla sua vita. Non solo predicò l’estetismo, ma volle vivere la propria vita come un’opera d’arte. Il tentativo di conciliare istanze di ribellione e mondanità si riflette nell’atteggiamento verso la società vittoriana, criticata ferocemente ma anche blandita.

"La sfinge senza segreti" è un racconto apparso per la prima volta su The World nel 1887 e poi incluso nell'antologia "Lord Arthur Savile's crime and other stories", pubblicata nel 1891. In questa breve storia ritroviamo compendiate in maniera paradigmatica alcune delle caratteristiche tipiche della narrativa di Wilde, quali il gusto per l'aforisma e per il paradosso, esemplificate nelle battute iniziali e soprattutto finali, che in un certo qual modo ne racchiudono il senso stesso. La Sfinge senza segreti verte tutto su una donna che misteriosamente ogni settimana in un dato giorno e in una data ora si reca in un appartamento e vi esce solo dopo alcune ore. Il tutto viene fatto con tale segretezza e precisione, da far pensare al protagonista che la donna nasconda per l'appunto un segreto inconfessabile (è ricattata? ha un amante? vede un parente in difficoltà finanziarie e non può dirlo al marito?). Le ipotesi si sprecano, finché il protagonista non parla con un vicino che gli svela l'arcano. La donna non ha nessun amante o parente o ricattatore, siede per alcune ore vicino alla finestra e basta, per poi tornare a casa sua.Oscar Wilde, nato e cresciuto a Dublino in un ambiente colto e spregiudicato, studiò a Oxford dove ebbe come maestri J. Ruskin e W. Pater. Il suo ingegno brillante, i suoi successi letterari e le sue pose eccentriche lo imposero come una delle personalità dominanti nei circoli artistici e nei salotti mondani sia inglesi che francesi. Visse prevalentemente tra Parigi e Londra, ma con frequenti viaggi in Italia, Grecia e Nordafrica. Nel 1884 sposò Constance Lloyd, da cui ebbe due figli, ma ben presto il matrimonio naufragò. Tutta l’aristocrazia e la classe dirigente di cui era stato fino a poco prima l’idolo lo abbandonarono a causa della sua relazione con lord Alfred Douglas, che in particolare gli mise contro il padre di questi, marchese di Queensberry. In un processo che suscitò enorme scalpore, fu condannato per omosessualità a due anni di lavori forzati (1895). Scontata la pena, in miseria e abbandonato da tutti, si rifugiò in Francia dove morì tre anni dopo. Nel 1891 uscì il suo romanzo più celebre Il ritratto di Dorian Gray (The picture of Dorian Gray), massima espressione del decadentismo e dell’estetismo. La sua opera è inseparabile dalla sua vita. Non solo predicò l’estetismo, ma volle vivere la propria vita come un’opera d’arte. Il tentativo di conciliare istanze di ribellione e mondanità si riflette nell’atteggiamento verso la società vittoriana, criticata ferocemente ma anche blandita.

In seguito alla condanna della Chiesa cattolica per il romanzo "Il Santo", Antonio Fogazzaro tenta, invano, con quest’ultima opera, di rientrare nel cattolicesimo. Il romanzo, attraverso la vicenda del protagonista, discepolo del santo Piero Maironi, affronta ancora una volta il tema della riforma religiosa. Pur avendo fatto atto di sottomissione, Fogazzaro continuò a ribadire la convinzione della necessità di un rinnovamento delle istituzioni ecclesiali che le rendessero aperte alle esigenze dello spirito moderno. Fogazzaro scrisse di aver voluto, col nuovo romanzo, presentare una "propaganda religiosa e morale conforme alle mie profonde convinzioni cristiane e cattoliche, ottenuta rappresentando un'anima ignara delle lotte che oggi straziano la Chiesa, penetrata di Vangelo e ferma nelle credenze tradizionali", così che il libro deluse tanto i cattolici progressisti che i conservatori e fu condannato dalla Chiesa.Antonio Fogazzaro (1842-1911) è stato uno scrittore e poeta e senatore del Regno d'Italia. Dotato di una viva sensibilità romantica, Antonio Fogazzaro rappresenta nella storia della narrativa italiana dell’ultimo ventennio dell’Ottocento l’insorgere di una "coscienza inquieta", alla ricerca di un rapporto tra tradizione cattolica e cultura contemporanea. Nacque a Vicenza nel 1842 da una famiglia benestante di fervidi sentimenti cattolici e antiaustriaci ed ebbe come primo maestro il poeta Giacomo Zanella, insigne come studioso e come patriota. Laureatosi in legge, si trasferì a Milano dove entrò a contatto con gli artisti della Scapigliatura, ma torno presto a Vicenza per dedicarsi all'attività letteraria. Educato ad una scrupolosa osservanza religiosa, smarrì la fede dall'adolescenza, ma si riaccostò a convinzioni religiose dopo un lungo travaglio di cui si hanno tracce nella problematica varia e complessa delle sue opere. Fu molto interessato alle conquiste scientifiche e alle idee dell'evoluzionismo darwiano; fu anche molto attivo politicamente, mentre fu guardato con sospetto dalla Chiesa per certe idee progressiste in campo religioso.

"All the World" (1919) takes place in the aftermath of the Great War. The soldiers are back but they are struggling to settle down again, and so are the women who worked so hard during the war as well. One Sunday, after Dr. Ward’s sermon, something happens that will turn the life in his town upside down.Charles Monroe Sheldon (1857-1946) was a Congregationalist minister from New York and a leader of the Social Gospel movement, a Protestant group that applied Christian ethics to social issues. In 1896, he published his novel "In His Steps," which is a fictionalisation of the themes he discussed in his sermons. It asked the question: "What would you Jesus Do?", a way of thinking that became popular in the 20th century. Sheldon was also a vegetarian and an animal rights defender.