Bøker utgitt av Read & Co. Classics

Orlando is one of Virginia Woolf's most-celebrated works. A cornerstone in feminist literature, the novel explores the complexities of gender, identity, sexuality, and self-discovery.'Love, the poet has said, is woman's whole existence.'Orlando follows the titular character over a period of 300 years as he miraculously transforms from a man into a woman. Opening while Orlando is living in Elizabethan England as a nobleman, we observe as he shifts through centuries and identities while Woolf compares the societal roles of men and women throughout history. Often marked as the first literary text to explore transgender characters, Orlando challenges traditional gender roles, dismissing the idea of gender binaries and the constraints of the patriarchy.First published in 1928, Orlando was written as a mock biography for Woolf's close friend and lover, Vita Sackville-West, as a dedication of love. Woolf is widely hailed as having been key to the first wave of feminism, and Orlando stands as a testament to her groundbreaking vision.

Arsène Lupin vs. Herlock Sholmes is a collection of two adventures which feature a match of wits between Lupin and Herlock Sholmes, a transparent reference to Sherlock Holmes, the hero of Conan Doyle's detective stories. This early work by Maurice Leblanc was originally published in English in 1910 and we are now republishing it with a brand new introductory biography. Maurice Marie Émile Leblanc was born on 11th November 1864 in Rouen, Normandy, France. He was a novelist and writer of short stories, known primarily as the creator of the fictional gentleman thief and detective, Arsène Lupin. Leblanc spent his early education at the Lycée Pierre Corneille (in Rouen), and after studying in several countries and dropping out of law school, he settled in Paris and began to write fiction. From the start, Leblanc wrote both short crime stories and longer novels - and his lengthier tomes, heavily influenced by writers such as Flaubert and Maupassant, were critically admired, but met with little commercial success. Leblanc was largely considered little more than a writer of short stories for various French periodicals when the first Arsène Lupin story appeared. It was published as a series of stories in the magazine 'Je Sais Trout', starting on 15th July, 1905. Clearly created at editorial request under the influence of, and in reaction to, the wildly successful Sherlock Holmes stories, the roguish and glamorous Lupin was a surprise success and Leblanc's fame and fortune beckoned. In total, Leblanc went on to write twenty-one Lupin novels or collections of short stories. On this success, he later moved to a beautiful country-side retreat in Étreat (in the Haute-Normandie region in north-western France), which today is a museum dedicated to the Arsène Lupin books. Leblanc was awarded the Légion d'Honneur - the highest decoration in France - for his services to literature. He died in Perpignan (the capital of the Pyrénées-Orientales department in southern France) on 6th November 1941, at the age of seventy-six. He is buried in the prestigious Montparnasse Cemetery of Paris.

Discover the enchanting world of L. M. Montgomery in this collection of her short stories, published between 1905 and 1906. These timeless tales capture the magic of childhood and the joys and challenges of growing up.Set in the nostalgic backdrop of Prince Edward Island, these beloved stories introduce readers to new characters and adventures, all imbued with the warmth and charm that have made Montgomery's works best sellers for generations. One of the most cherished Canadian authors, Montgomery brings to life themes of love, loss, growing up, and friendship. Each tale is a sentimental journey, perfect for anyone who enjoys the classic storytelling of Anne Shirley and her friends in the Anne of Green Gables series.First published between 1905 and 1906, this short story collection is a testament to the enduring legacy of one of literature's most beloved authors, offering a treasure trove of tales that will be cherished for generations to come.

Written in Virginia Woolf's signature stream-of-consciousness style, this short story offers readers a glimpse into the intricate workings of the human mind through a seemingly ordinary train journey.As an unnamed narrator travels from London to the South Coast of England, she creates fictional lives for the other passengers aboard the train. Focusing her attention on the woman sitting across from her, she constructs an elaborate story, inventing a new identity for the stranger, weaving together fragments of imagination and reality based purely on the look in her eyes. This brief yet powerful narrative explores the boundaries between fiction and reality, revealing how the stories we tell ourselves can shape our perceptions of others.An Unwritten Novel was first published in 1920, written by Woolf in defence of her new, distinctive stream-of-consciousness method. This short story is open to many interpretations and analyses, not to be missed by collectors of Woolf's work. This new Read & Co. Classics edition is complete with the introductory essay 'How Should One Read a Book?'.

Spanning five decades, The Years traces the lives, struggles, and evolving relationships of the Pargiter family. While the novel's scope is epic, Virginia Woolf's writing remains deeply personal and intimate.The Years, published in 1937, is Woolf's final novel released during her lifetime, and it stands as one of her most ambitious and intricately crafted works. She masterfully blends the passage of time with the nuanced exploration of individual lives, creating a richly layered narrative that reflects the social and political transformations of the early twentieth century. Through its unique structure and profound insight, The Years offers a poignant meditation on memory, change, and the enduring bonds of family.Published by Read & Co. Classics, this new edition of The Years is enhanced with a specially commissioned biography of Woolf, providing readers with a deeper understanding of the author's life and legacy. This timeless novel is a must-have for anyone interested in Woolf's work and the evolution of modern literature.

Between the Acts is Virginia Woolf's final novel, completed just before her death and set against the backdrop of an English village on the brink of World War II. The novel centres around the performance of a play during a rustic village festival, capturing the intricacies of life, art, and the impending sense of change. Richly lyrical, much of the narrative is written in verse, showcasing Woolf's mastery of language and her ability to blend the everyday with the poetic. This poignant and reflective work is a must-read for fans of Woolf's groundbreaking literature, offering a unique insight into her thoughts and creative vision during the final years of her life.First published in 1941, Between the Acts stands alongside Woolf's other seminal works, such as To the Lighthouse (1927), Orlando (1928), and A Room of One's Own (1929), as a testament to her enduring influence on modern literature.

This early work by James Joyce was originally published in 1939 and we are now republishing it with a brand new introduction. 'Finnegans Wake' is a an experimental novel of comic fiction. James Joyce was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1882. He excelled as a student at the Jesuit schools Clongowes and Belvedere, and then at University College Dublin, where he studied English, French, and Italian. Joyce produced several prominent works, including: 'Ulysses', 'A Portrait of the Young Artist', 'Dubliners', and 'Finnegans Wake. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential writers of the early twentieth century and his legacy can be seen throughout modern literature.

This semi-autobiographical short story details how Charlotte Perkins Gilman suffered from postpartum depression and was forced to endure lonely isolation intended to cure hysteria.An unnamed woman regales her story through diary entries as she suffers through enforced isolation. Following a bout of postpartum psychosis, the woman is prescribed bed rest by her physician husband. The couple rent an old mansion in the countryside, and the woman is trapped in an upstairs room with loathsome yellow wallpaper that slowly takes over her mind. She's banned from working or writing and does so secretly while commenting on society's complex patriarchal oppression.First published in 1892, Charlotte Perkins Gilman's The Yellow Wallpaper is an early feminist short story and an important piece of American literature. This volume features an author biography as well as her essay, 'Why I Wrote the Yellow Wallpaper', not to be missed by fans of feminist writings.

Written in the style of a factual account, this extraordinary novel details the experiences of a Norwegian sailor named Olaf Jensen, who sails to the centre of the earth through an entrance located at the North Pole. On his deathbed, Olaf recounts the two years he spent with Earth¿s internal residents ¿ 12 foot tall beings whose capital city is purportedly the original Garden of Eden, and whose continued existence is facilitated by a ¿smokey¿ sun at the centre of the planet. Although a remarkable and entertaining tale for any reader, this book is a must-have for anyone interested in the ¿Hollow-Earth¿ theory and early speculative fiction around the topic. The subsurface world of Agharta is a recurring motif in paradisiacal mythos from around the world - the Valhalla of Norse mythology, Shangri-la, Tibet¿s Shambhalla, the Belovodia of Siberian shamanism ¿ and as such this novel constitutes both a thoroughly entertaining and informative read. Willis George Emerson was an American writer, newspaperman, lawyer, and politician. Published in 1908, The Smokey God was his sixth book amongst other such as: The Man who Discovered Himself (1919), The Treasure of Hidden Valley (1915), and Winning Winds (1885). The Smokey God has been republished here with an introductory biography of the author.

¿The Death of Ivan the Terrible¿ was published in 1886. Influenced by Shakespeare, "The Death of Ivan the Terrible" is a historical drama and the first part of Tolstoy's famous dramatic trilogy. All of the three plays were banned upon publication. Considered to be one of the most important works of nineteenth century Russia, the plot revolves around the life of Ivan IV of Russia. Ivan the Terrible brought Russia from the medieval state to an empire, at the cost of both his people and economy. Prone to paranoia and rage, he also killed his heir and eldest son, which would lead to the "Time of Troubles" for the Russian dynasty. A classic of Russian literature and history not to be missed by fans and collectors of Tolstoy's seminal work. Count Aleksey Konstantinovich Tolstoy (1817 - 1875) was a highly regarded poet, novelist and playwright of his time and also second cousin to Leo Tolstoy. Although his plays were the most famous of his works, he also gained fame from his satirical pieces. Other notable works by this author include: "Tsar Fyodor Loannovich" (1868) and "Tsar Boris" (1870). Read & Co. Classics is proudly republishing this classic now complete with a specially-commissioned new biography of the author.

One of the most famous works of French literature, The Three Musketeers is a classic swashbuckler novel of adventure, sword fights, humour, and romance.Delve into a fast-paced world of danger and espionage as d'Artagnan travels to Paris in the hopes of joining the Musketeers of the Guard. Set in France in the 1620s, this gripping story tells the tale of a brave swordsman and his friendship with the most dauntless guards in Paris: the three musketeers. Follow the four friends' adventures as they face the ruthless Cardinal Richelieu and his gorgeous spy, Milady. As brave d'Artagnan finds himself surrounded by conspiracy and peril, he realises he's falling in love, but this blossoming romance is doomed from the start...First published in 1844, Alexandre Dumas's thrilling novel is a timeless must-read for fans of historical adventure fiction.

In an endeavour to write a book that captures the very essence of Englishness, a young Scot finds himself in 1920s England. To this end, he finds himself in typical English situations and circumstances, including participation in rural sports, international diplomacy, weekend trips to the country, and a village cricket match; all set to the backdrop of a nation going through significant social upheaval. This eloquent and affectionate novel will appeal to those with an interest in English culture and history, and it would make for a charming edition to any collection. Archibald Gordon Macdonell (1895 - 1941) was a Scottish writer, broadcaster, and journalist. Other notable works by this author include: "How Like An Angel" (1934), "The Autobiography of a Cad" (1938), and "Napoleon and his Marshals" (1934). Many vintage books such as this are becoming increasingly scarce and expensive. It is with this in mind that we are republishing this volume now in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition complete with a specially commissioned new biography of the author. This book was first published in 1935.

This vintage book contains A. G. Macdonell's 1938 novel, "The Autobiography of a Cad". Written as a memoir of the life of Edward Fox-Ingleby, it spans from with his earliest memories of his family's estate and his time at Eton and Oxford, to his becoming a Tory minister in 1930s England. His memoir reads like an attempt to justify his obviously immoral life-a life filled with backstabbing, misogyny, and deviousness. In spite of this, Edward portrays himself as a misunderstood gentleman of the first order. A hilarious and intelligent novel and not to be missed by fans of Macdonell's work. A. G. Macdonell (1895-1941) was a Scottish novelist and journalist. His most famous works include: "lords and Masters", a blunt and prescient satire and "England, Their England" (1933), a classic satirical novel that affectionately explores English urban and rural society. Many vintage books such as this are increasingly scarce and expensive. We are republishing this volume now in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition complete with its original artwork and text.