LITMIR.BIZ

“The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” is considered by many to be the greatest of all American novels. This sequel to Twain’s “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,” is a first person narrative told by its title character. The novel picks up where “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” leaves off. Huck Finn who is now wealthy with the discovery of treasure at the end of “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” finds himself in great danger from his abusive drunkard father who wishes to cash in on Huck’s fortune. Fearing for his life Huck believes that he must run away from his home with the Widow Douglas and her Sister, Miss Watson. Huck fakes his own death and escapes to Jackson’s Island. There he finds Miss Watson’s escaped slave, Jim. Together they escape down the Mississippi River on a raft. “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” is a story told in the time of slavery with language that embodies the regional dialects that are common to Twain’s work and the Mississippi River Valley in which Twain grew up. The novel is as much a biting and satirical commentary on slavery, religion, and civilized society as it is a light-hearted comedy and buddy travel story through Midwestern 19th century America. This edition includes an introduction by Brander Matthews and a biographical afterword.

Подробнее

Victor Hugo’s literary masterpiece, “Les Miserables,” was first published in 1862 and would ultimately establish the author as one of the most gifted and influential writers of his time. The novel is principally concerned with the story of ex-convict Jean Valjean, a man who is initially imprisoned for stealing bread for his starving family, and because of numerous escape attempts ends up being imprisoned for a period of nineteen years. Jean Valjean, despite his efforts to become a force for good in the world cannot escape the consequences of his criminal past. The novel paints a picture of nineteen century Paris, in all its gritty detail, as a time of great conflict. Themes of moral redemption, politics, justice, and human rights are vividly expressed as Hugo follows the lives and struggles of the lower classes of Parisian society in the 19th century. This sprawling epic is at once a brilliant fictional narrative and a sharp criticism of the social and economic injustice that the countless impoverished peoples of the world have faced. A tale of heroism and love, “Les Miserables,” is justifiably regarded as one of the greatest novels ever written. This edition follows the translation of Isabel F. Hapgood.

Подробнее

Due to a lack of biographical evidence regarding the identity of Homer it has been suggested that the two great works attributed to him, the “Iliad” and the “Odyssey” may, in fact, be the work of multiple authors passed down through a long oral tradition. While scholarship on the subject will likely never definitely prove one way or the other, it is now generally accepted that these two great epic poems are the work of a single Greek author, Homer, who lived sometime during the 9th century BC. Set during a few weeks in the final year of the Trojan War, “The Iliad” is a classical epic poem concerning a quarrel between King Agamemnon and the warrior Achilles. While encompassing just a brief period of the Trojan War the poem relates events leading up to and following the few weeks that encompass the setting of the poem giving the reader a comprehensive perspective of the Trojan War. Part romanticized historical narrative, part mythological epic, the “Iliad” is widely recognized as one of the most important works from classical antiquity. Along with the “Odyssey,” it would establish Homer as one the most influential authors to ever have lived. This edition follows the prose translation of Samuel Butler and includes an introduction by H. L. Havell.

Подробнее

German philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche was one the most controversial figures of the 19th-century. His evocative writings on religion, morality, culture, philosophy, and science were often polemic attacks against the established views of his time. First published between 1883 and 1891, “Thus Spoke Zarathustra” is a philosophical novel which details the fictional travels and teachings of Zarathustra, known also as Zoroaster, the Persian prophet and founder of Zoroastrianism. Nietzsche’s portrayal of Zarathustra is not strictly historical but rather an unconventional one which turns traditional morality on its head. Utilizing a unique and experimental style, the work presents in narrative form the beginnings of Nietzsche’s moral philosophy that he would address more explicitly in “Beyond Good and Evil” and “On the Genealogy of Morals.” The work also addresses many of Nietzsche’s other philosophical concepts including that of the Übermensch, or a self-mastered being who has achieved his ultimate potential; the eternal recurrence, the idea that the universe has some self-repeating quality; and the will to power, or the concept that ambition is the primary driving force in humans. As thought-provoking as ever, “Thus Spoke Zarathustra” remains as one of the most unique philosophical works ever written. This edition is translated by Thomas Common, includes introductions by Willard Huntington Wright and Elizabeth Forster-Nietzsche, and notes by Anthony M. Ludovici.

Подробнее

During a boat trip up the Isis River with Reverend Robinson Duckworth and the three young daughters of Henry Liddell, one of whom is named Alice, Lewis Carroll, the pen name of Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, invents a story about a bored little girl named Alice who goes looking for an adventure. Several years later this tale would be forever immortalized as “Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.” The story begins with Alice idly passing away the time next to a river when she sees a White Rabbit in a waistcoat with a pocket watch pass by. She follows the rabbit down the rabbit hole and ends up in the fantasy world of Wonderland. “Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.” is filled with a plethora of interesting and fantastical creatures. Along with the persistently tardy White Rabbit, Alice encounters a blue Caterpillar smoking a hookah, the mischievously grinning Cheshire Cat, a Mad Hatter, a March Hare, and a sleepy little Dormouse, whom she attends a tea party with, the King and Queen of Hearts, along with many other curious characters. Beloved my millions of children and adults ever since its first publication, “Alice's Adventures in Wonderland” is a classic tale of fantasy that has been cherished by readers ever since its first publication and will surely delight for many years to come. Also included in this volume is the sequel, “Through the Looking-Glass.” This edition includes all the original illustrations by John Tenniel and a biographical afterword.

Подробнее

First published at the end of 1815, Jane Austen’s “Emma” is the story of Emma Woodhouse, a young girl from a good home that does not need the financial support of a husband and is determined not to marry. Emma however is not opposed to the idea of marriage for others and is determined to play matchmaker between the local citizens. Greatly overestimating her own matchmaking abilities, the headstrong young girl is blind to the dangers of meddling in the affairs of others. When she confuses the attentions of Mr. Elton, the local vicar, as interest for her friend Harriet Smith, she briefly ruins the opportunity for Harriet to marry a respectable, educated, and well-spoken young farmer named Robert Martin. When Mr. Elton rejects the idea of being matched with Harriet, the girl is heartbroken, and Emma begins to realize that her actions although well-intended maybe doing more harm than good. In spite of Emma’s resolve not to marry she is presented with opportunities for romance throughout the book and eventually considers the prospect of marriage. “Emma,” a lively comedy of manners, is a classic story of 19th century romance and relationships. This edition includes an introduction by Austin Dobson and a biographical afterword.

Подробнее

First serialized in the pulp magazine “All-Story Magazine” between February and July of 1912, “A Princess of Mars” is the first novel in Edgar Rice Burroughs’s classic “Barsoom” series, set on the planet Mars. At the center of the series is the protagonist John Carter, a Confederate Captain of the American Civil War, who finds himself mysteriously transported to the planet Mars. Upon arrival John Carter discovers that the lower gravity of the planet has endowed him a super human strength and agility. This prowess helps him to win the allegiance of the Tharks, a nomadic war-like tribe of green six-limbed aliens. Edgar Rice Burroughs’s Mars is a desert world, a dying planet which is caught in the conflict between the “Green Martians”, or the Tharks, and the “Red Martians”, a group of humanoids who inhabit a loose network of city-states and control the planet’s canals and agriculture. John Carter soon finds himself embroiled in the political conflict between the two “Red Martian” city states of Zodanga and Helium when he rescues and falls in love with the beautiful Dejah Thoris, Princess of Helium. “A Princess of Mars” is both a romantic adventure and a science fiction tale of fantasy which has been an inspiration to countless science fiction writers ever since its first publication. This edition includes a biographical afterword.

Подробнее

First published in 1861, “Silas Marner” is George Eliot’s tale of an English linen weaver. When Silas is falsely accused of stealing the funds of the small Calvinist congregation to which he belongs, his fiancé breaks off their engagement and he flees in shame to the English Midlands settling near the rural village of Raveloe in Warwickshire. Here he lives alone quietly plying his trade in the pursuit of gold. After awhile Silas has amassed a small fortune but when he returns one day to his cottage he finds his stash of gold stolen. Devastated by this loss, Silas sinks into a deep state of gloom. His life soon changes though when he finds a young girl resting in his home. The child’s mother, Molly, is the opium addicted estranged wife of fellow villager Godfrey Cass. Silas finds Molly dead in the snow where she has laid down to rest after taking some opium. Silas adopts the young girl whom he names Eppie. Despite the loss of his fortune Silas finds a new treasure in the golden-haired young girl, giving his life a new meaning. Eliot’s tale is a relatively simple one however it is noted for its realism concerning human relationships and in how it deals with the themes of religion in society, custom and tradition, status and community, and the impact of industrialization in 19th century England. This edition includes an introduction by Esther Wood and a biographical afterword.

Подробнее

When Sir Charles Baskerville is found suspiciously dead, his friend, Dr. James Mortimer asks Sherlock Holmes to look into the death. While the cause of death is determined to be a heart attack, Mortimer suspects foul play and fears that Sir Charles’s nephew and sole heir, Sir Henry Baskerville, may be in danger next. At the center of the investigation is the curse of the Baskervilles, which dates back to the time of the English Civil War. Supposedly the family’s ancestor, Hugo Baskerville, sold his soul to the devil, and the family has been haunted by a large spectral hound ever since. Because Sir Charles was found with a look of horror on his face when he died, appeared to be running away from something, and large paw prints had been found near his body, there is reason to believe that the “Hound” may have returned. The details of the case spark the interest of Sherlock and he agrees to take up the case. “The Hound of the Baskervilles,” is the third of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes novels and is widely regarded as one of his best. This edition includes a biographical afterword.

Подробнее

First published in 1813, “Pride and Prejudice” is a story set in the English countryside outside of London during the early 19th century which centers on the life of Elizabeth Bennet, the second of five sisters who are all unmarried. When a wealthy and sociable young gentleman, Charles Bingley, rents the nearby manor of Netherfield Park the opportunity to find husbands presents itself. While attending a ball the Bennets meet Charles Bingley and his friend Fitzwilliam Darcy for the first time. Charles and Jane, Elizabeth’s older sister, form a quick friendship, while Fitzwilliam shows little interest in Elizabeth by refusing to dance with her. Darcy is a wealthy handsome intelligent young gentleman who suffers from a social awkwardness that makes him appear to be overly prideful. In the weeks that follow Elizabeth and Darcy find themselves repeatedly forced into each other’s company allowing Elizabeth to overcome the prejudice of her first impression and open herself up to the idea of a romance between the two. A classic novel of manners, “Pride and Prejudice” is arguably Jane Austen’s most popular novel. This edition includes an introduction by William Dean Howells, forty illustrations by Charles Edmund Brock, and a biographical afterword.

Подробнее