Perhaps one of the greatest novels ever written, «Anna Karenina» follows the self-destructive path of a beautiful, popular, and sensual Russian aristocrat. The lovely Anna seems set in a respectable marriage with the powerful statesman Karenin, yet their lack of passion breeds the discontent she fully faces upon meeting the elegant and affluent officer Count Vronsky. Soon convinced that allowing herself to deeply love this man will enable her to ...
"Germinal" is Emile Zola's realistic depiction of the coalminers' strike in northern France in the 1860s. The story centers on Etienne Lantier, a young migrant worker who arrives at the coalmining town of Montsou in search of work as a coalminer. Set against a backdrop of extreme poverty and oppression, «Germinal» is the story of the idealistic but naive Etienne, who embraces the ideals of the socialistic movement and goes on to l ...
An important work of Spain's Golden Age of literature as well as the first known picaresque novel, «The Life of Lazarillo de Tormes and of His Fortunes and Adversities» portrays the clever ploys of a young Salamancan boy determined to outsmart his long string of masters. This Spanish novella was first published in 1554, during the Spanish Inquisition, by an author who wished to remain anonymous due to the work's heretical content. Scho ...
"The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" is a much loved and classic work of 19th century American literature. It is the story of Tom, a rambunctious young lad who lives with his Aunt Polly. Tom is a boy who doesn't much like going to school and throughout the book does everything he can to get out of it. Near the beginning of the novel Tom exhibits his keen wit by convincing some boys to paint his Aunt Polly's fence that he has been punish ...
Widely acknowledged to be the masterpiece of Trollope's prolific Victorian career, «The Way We Live Now» is the scathing satire he wrote upon returning to England after traveling abroad. In seeking to discuss the deceit and dissipation he found, Trollope spared no iniquitous aspect he perceived in business, politics, social classes, literature, and various vice-related activities. The result of his efforts is an impressive array of characte ...
One of the most loved adventure stories of all time, «Treasure Island» is the swashbuckling tale of the search for hidden treasure. When an old sea captain by the name of Billy Bones dies at the inn of Jim Hawkins' parents, Jim and his mother discover a treasure map among his belongings. Jim shows the map to some local acquaintances, Dr. Livesey and Squire Trelawney and together they plan an expedition to find the treasure. Together they se ...
The second work of the Palliser series, also called the Parliamentary Novels, «Phineas Finn» follows the unpredictable political career of a handsome young Irishman in London. Son of a doctor and himself an unsuccessful law student, the charming Finn becomes involved in both the elections of Parliament and a sequence of romantic struggles. Amidst the troughs and ridges of his chosen profession, Finn becomes involved in turn with first his patron ...
First published with great success in 1814, Scott’s first novel is set in the Scotland of 1745, amidst the Jacobite uprising. Widely considered the first English historical novel, this story of self-discovery follows the young Edward Waverley, an English soldier in the Hanoverian army. He is sent to Scotland, and there he visits both the Lowlands and the Highlands. Waverley meets both lairds and chieftains, and he is soon caught up in both the J ...
Set in the hills of the Ozark Mountains, «The Shepherd of the Hills», is Harold Bell Wright's mostly fictional tale of mountain folklore. The story is principally concerned with the relationship of Grant Matthews, Sr. and «the shepherd» a wise old man who has chosen the peace of the backwoods over the hustle and bustle of the city. Set against this story is also the love affair between the pretty young Samantha Lane and Grant Matthews, Jr. ...