The Time Machine
‘The Time Machine’, first novel by H. G. Wells, published in book form in 1895. The novel is considered one of the earliest works of science fiction and the progenitor of the “time travel” subgenre. A nameless Time Traveler is hurtled into the year 802,701 by his elaborate ivory, crystal, and brass contraption. The […]
The Invisible Man
‘The Invisible Man’, science-fiction novel by H.G. Wells, published in 1897. The story concerns the life and death of a scientist named Griffin who has gone mad. Having learned how to make himself invisible, Griffin begins to use his invisibility for nefarious purposes, including murder. ‘The Invisible Man’ explores such themes as isolation, community, science, […]
Sense & Sensibility
‘Sense and Sensibility’, novel by Jane Austen, was published anonymously in three volumes in 1811. The satirical, comic work offers a vivid depiction of 19th-century middle-class life. ‘Sense and Sensibility’ tells the story of the impoverished Dashwood family, focusing on the sisters Elinor and Marianne, personifications of good sense (common sense) and sensibility (emotionality), […]
Emma
Emma, a novel by Jane Austen, was published in three volumes in 1815. Set in Highbury, England, in the early 19th century, the novel centers on Emma Woodhouse, a precocious young woman whose misplaced confidence in her matchmaking abilities occasions several romantic misadventures. Austen structures the novel around various courtships and romantic connections and presents […]
Nineteen Eighty-four
‘Nineteen Eighty-four’, or ‘1984’, a novel by English author George Orwell was published in 1949 as a warning against totalitarianism. The chilling dystopia made a deep impression on readers, and his ideas entered mainstream culture : “Big Brother is watching you”, “Who controls the past controls the future”, “War is peace,” etc.
The Necklace and Other Stories
Guy de Maupassant published ‘The Necklace’ on 17th February 1884 in a newspaper. It was an immediate success. The story revolves around a selfish lady named Matilda who is unsatisfied with her middle-class life and desires to enter high-class society. One day, Matilda and her husband are invited to a party at the minister’s house. […]
The Importance of Being Earnest
‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ is the most renowned of Oscar Wilde’s comedies. It’s the story of two bachelors, John ‘Jack’ Worthing and Algernon ‘Algy’ Moncrieff, who create alter egos named Ernest to escape their tiresome lives. They attempt to win the hearts of two women who, conveniently, claim to only love men called Ernest. […]
The Picture of Dorian Grey
‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ is the story of one beautiful, innocent young man’s seduction, moral corruption, and eventual downfall. The story begins in the art studio of Basil Hallward, who is discussing a current painting with his witty friend Lord Henry Wotton. Henry thinks that the painting, a portrait of an extraordinarily beautiful young […]
The Best of Saki
The best of Saki is a collection of short stories by Hector Hugh Munro. Hector Hugh Munro was a witty British author who published under the pen name SAKI or H.H. Munro. The inspiration for the pen name “Saki” is unknown, it may be based upon a character in a poem or on a South […]
Sherlock Holmes Series I-IV
Sherlock Holmes, a mastermind detective, first appeared in Conan Doyle’s ‘A Study in Scarlet’, published in Beeton’s Christmas Annual of 1887. As the world’s first and only “consulting detective,” he pursued criminals throughout Victorian and Edwardian London, the south of England, and continental Europe. Although the fictional detective had been anticipated by Edgar Allan Poe […]
