Tales of men and ghosts - edith whartonová - e-kniha

eBook: HUBERT GRANICE, pacing the length of his pleasant lamp-lit library, paused to compare his watch with the clock on the chimney-piece. Three minutes to eight. In exactly three minutes Mr. Peter Ascham, of the eminent legal firm of Ascham and Pettilow, would have his punctual hand on the door-bell of the flat. It was a comfort to reflect that Ascham was so punctual - the suspense was beginning to make his host nervous. And the sound of the door-bell would be the beginning of the end - after that there'd be no going back, by God - no going back! (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: \'The Descent of Man, and Other Stories,\' is a collection of short stories from the author of such greats as \'The Age of Innocence,\' and \'Ethan Frome.\' Through these sharply-observed tales, Wharton explores the nature of relationships and marriage, compromise, regret – and even throws in a ghost story for good measure. Her writing is peppered with incisive social detail, helping the backdrop to each story breathe as deeply as the characters. A superb book for those who want to get to know this extraordinary novelist a little better.- (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: A masterclass in psychological and supernatural storytelling, \'The Triumph of Night\' follows George Foxon who, one snowy, moonlit night, finds himself in the company of a sick young man and his wealthy uncle. However, Foxon is haunted by a spectre that only he can see. With more than a whiff of Stanley Kubrick\'s \'The Shining\' about it, \'The Triumph of Night\' is a supremely spooky take on the horror genre. - (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: \'The Valley of Decision\' is Wharton\'s first full-length novel. Set in 18th Century, it follows the rising fortunes of Odo Valsecca who, on becoming a man, inherits a dukedom. With the French Revolution a constant shadow, Valsecca must decide whether to fully assume the responsibilities that come with power or whether to ally himself to his working-class roots. A fascinating read, Wharton peppers the tale with plenty of historical detail and insights into human nature. Romantic, dramatic, and elegantly written, this book is perfect for fans of Julia Quinn\'s \'Bridgerton\' series.- (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: A rare work of nonfiction from Edith Wharton, The Writing of Fiction contains timeless advice on writing and reading well from the first woman ever to win a Pulitzer Prize—now with a new introduction by Brandon Taylor.In 1921, Edith Wharton won a Pulitzer Prize for her first novel, The Age of Innocence. Over the course of her career, she would continue to produce beloved, bestselling work—from The House of Mirth to The Custom of the Country—and gained a reputation for her incisive critiques of her upper-class social circle. To each new generation of readers, her work remains fresh, formally remarkable, and endlessly entertaining.The Writing of Fiction is a window into Wharton’s mind as she ponders the intertwined arts of writing and reading. Wharton provides invaluable insight on the subjects of character, the challenge of finely-tuned short stories, the construction of a novel, and more. Beyond a treatise on craft, The Writing of Fiction is a sweeping meditation by a masterful practitioner and a rare chance to experience the inimitable voice of one of America’s most influential novelists. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: Edith Wharton was devoted to the French people and their culture. During the First World War, while living in France and devoting herself to numerous war and relief efforts, she wrote several essays about the French and the unique attributes of their civilization, having in mind particularly the need for both Americans and the English to understand the ways of a people whose nation they were defending in the Great War. These pieces were first published in book form in 1919, under the title French Ways and Their Meaning. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: Considered wildly controversial at the time of its release, \'The Fruit of the Tree\' is a departure from the norm for Edith Wharton. While her trademark eye for social detail and psychological insights are present and correct, this novel deals with more melancholic themes, such as divorce, addiction, euthanasia, poor working conditions, and extravagance. It follows the story of George Amhurst, the assistant manager of a textile mill in New England. While his heart might be in the right place, when he marries the widow of a mill owner, he might be forced to compromise in his ideals. A striking book from the pen that wrote \'The Age of Innocence,\' which became a film, starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Daniel Day-Lewis. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: \'The Hermit and the Wild Woman\' is a collection of short stories through which Wharton explores the themes of choice and morality. A surprising read, the stories feature a wide variety of central protagonists, including a lawyer\'s wife, a struggling artist, a governor, and a monk living in cloisters. Shot through with wry humour, cultural criticism, and psychological observations, this book is perfect for fans of Wharton, who want to get to know the author a little better. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: \'Kerfol\' is one of Wharton\'s more unusual ghost stories, in that the ghosts of the piece aren\'t human. Chilling and tragic, this tale tells of Anne de Cornault, who is considering buying an estate in France. We discover that the estate, \'Kerfol,\' (which translates from the Breton as \'house of madness\') was once the scene of a murder. An atmospheric read, \'Kerfol\' is an exploration of an unhappy marriage and revenge from beyond the grave. A perfect spine-tingler from the pen of a master storyteller. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: The third of Wharton\'s published works, Sanctuary\' is a generational tale of love, education, secrecy, blame, and moral responsibility. Setting the template for films such as \'Minority Report,\' starring Tom Cruise, \'Sanctuary\' begs the question of whether it is right to pre-empt and act upon moral crimes that are yet to happen. When Kate discovers that her fiancée hides a terrible secret, will she leave him or see the wedding through? A thought-provoking read for those with an interest in the way men and women interacted in the early 1900s. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: Xingu\' is a short story about a woman\'s luncheon club devised as a means of keeping its members up to date with the latest goings on in the world. After the glamorous novelist Osric Dane stuns the other women with her bored disposition and blunt questions, the conversation is left stale – that is, until the previously quiet Mrs. Roby mentions the topic of Xingu. Thought mad by the rest of her peers, Mrs. Roby is suddenly engaged by a now-inquisitive Ms. Dane, and subsequently the rest of the party becomes entirely engrossed with the mystery of Xingu. A witty and veritably comical narrative sure to entertain all who read it, \'Xingu\' is a masterpiece of short story-writing and is a must-read for fans of Wharton\'s seminal work. Edith Wharton (1862 - 1937) was a Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist, short story writer, and designer. This antique book was originally published in 1916, and we are proud to republish it now, complete with a new introductory biography of the author. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: While Wharton is best known for her searing autopsies on American aristocracy, ‘Verses’ reveals a more introspective side of the author. This was her first work, published by her parents, and swiftly to be followed by ‘The House of Mirth’ and ‘The Age of Innocence,’ the ladder which was adapted for the silver screen in 1993, starring Daniel Day-Lewis, and Michelle Pfeiffer. ‘Verses’ reveals Wharton’s love for Shakespeare, in poems such as ‘Heaven,’ and ‘Maiden Arise.’ Through her work, the author explores the themes of life, love, and death, and sets aside some well-chosen words to write about the changing of the seasons. A wonderful read for Wharton fans who want to get to know the glass ceiling breaking author a little bit better. Edith Wharton (1862 – 1937) was an American designer and novelist. Born in an era when the highest ambition a woman could aspire to was a good marriage, Wharton went on to become one of America’s most celebrated authors. During her career, she wrote over 40 books, using her wealthy upbringing to bring authenticity and detail to stories about the upper classes and she went on to become the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize in Literature, for her novel \'The Age of Innocence\'. She moved to France in 1923, where she continued to write until her death. Her works have been adapted to the screen countless times. The most recent examples are Martin Scorsese\'s \'The Age of Innocence\' (1993) starring Michelle Pfeiffer, Daniel Day-Lewis and Winona Ryder and Terence Davies\' \'The House of Mirth\' (2000) starring Gillian Anderson and Eric Stoltz. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: Deep dive into American literature’s famous female writer with this remarkable collection of ‘Selected Edith Wharton’. Detailing the lives, loves and losses of a country’s people, we’ll start our journey with the isolated farmer and his mean and merciful wife in ‘Ethan Frome’. Next, we’ll explore a women’s pride and position in early 20th-century society in ‘Summer’. We’ll then head to the big smoke as Undine Spragg urges her parents to take action in ‘The Custom of the Country’. In ‘The House of Mirth’, we challenge a woman’s chances and choices. Whilst ‘Glimpses of the Moon’ sees a wealthy couple’s expectations shattered, we’ll explore the highs and lows of high society in ‘The Age of Innocence.’ Weaving together a thrilling collection of social status, chances, and choices for American society, ‘Selected Edith Wharton’ is the perfect companion for fans of ‘The Great Gatsby’, starring Leonardo Dicaprio. Edith Wharton (1862-1937) was an American novelist, short story writer, and the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Literature. Her work spans ‘The Age of Innocence’, ‘The House of Mirth’, and ‘Ethan Frome’ – all of which were widely adapted for the screen in the 20th century. Inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 1996, Wharton remains today a huge influence on American English literature and culture. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: After self-imposed exiled in Italy, Mrs Lidcote is returning to New York, full of trepidation about her divorced daughter\'s remarriage. Mrs Lidcote is a divorcee herself and only too aware of what it means in social circles. Can she change her daughter\'s future and reconcile her own past? \'Autre Temps\' is a heartfelt exploration of the changing attitudes to divorce and women. Wharton perfectly captures the sneering attitudes of the older generation, setting them against the more open-minded attitudes of younger people. A touching and fascinating read, ´Autres Temps´ is perfect for fans of Camille Pagán\'s ´Everything Must Go´.Edith Wharton (1862 – 1937) was an American designer and novelist. Born in an era when the highest ambition a woman could aspire to was a good marriage, Wharton went on to become one of America\'s most celebrated authors. During her career, she wrote over 40 books, using her wealthy upbringing to bring authenticity and detail to stories about the upper classes. She moved to France in 1923, where she continued to write until her death. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: Having lived in France during the First World War, it\'s no surprise that Wharton documented the impact on her spiritual homeland, both in fiction and non-fiction. \'Coming Home\' is told from the perspective of an American aid worker, who helps a wounded French soldier, Jen Réchamp. A bond between the two sees them travel to Jean\'s home to see that everything is as it should be. While Wharton might be better known for her high-society satires, \'Coming Home\' reveals an author who can capture the horrors of war and the heroic spirits of those who choose to stand against it.A gripping insight into how the First World War was perceived in France, Wharton\'s ´Coming Home´ will delight fans of other WWI narratives such as Sam Mendes\' Oscar-nominated movie ´1917´. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: \'Crucial Instances\' was the second collection of Wharton\'s short stories to be published. Of the seven, \' A Dialogue\' is presented as a short play. This collection shows the breadth of Wharton\'s abilities, with stories ranging from the \'feelgood\' to a Gothic, supernatural outing. Shorter stories seemed to serve as a focus for Wharton and her writing is exceptionally precise and memorable when faced with these parameters. A great read for Wharton fans and those new to her work. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: While she might be better known for taking aim at American high society, Wharton was also a prolific travel writer. \'In Morocco\' chronicles her visit to North Africa, at the tail-end of the First World War. Written at a time when the country was relatively unexplored, her writing perfectly captures the Moroccan architecture, towns, deserts, culture, tradition, and people. A fascinating read for anyone who enjoys other travel writers like Michael Palin and for those who want to explore Morocco before the advent of international tourism. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: While \'The Choice\' might be one of Wharton\'s shorter stories, it nonetheless showcases her talents as a master storyteller. \'The Choice\' focuses on the dilemma faced by Cobham Stilling, who is quickly burning the family fortune, much to the horror of his wife and lawyer. Packed with social detail and keen psychological insights, Wharton creates well-rounded characters and presents the reader with a choice that many of us would not like to have to make. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: One of Wharton\'s earliest works, \'The Marne\' offers a fascinating insight into the shadow cast by the First World War. When 15 year-old American, Troy Belknap, is on his annual holiday in France, war breaks out. While Troy would love to fight for the French but is too young for service. Will he be able to live with himself or will frustration swallow him up? \'The Marne\' is a culturally-significant story and one that allows us to see and experience France as the author herself did. A thrilling and thought-provoking story from one of America\'s greatest novelists.- (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: Wharton\'s fifth novel, \'The Reef\' is widely thought to be partly autobiographical. When American diplomat, George Darrow, bumps into aspiring actress, Sophy Viner, the relationship he has with his former love, Anna Leath, is challenged. Through this tale, Wharton explores the human condition, examining how those from different classes interact, whether it is better to tell the truth and harm or lie and protect, the nature of trust, and the nature of forgiveness. Written with Wharton\'s trademark sensitivity, this book is ideal for those who like their romance served up in a compelling and realistic way. Edith Wharton (1862 – 1937) was an American designer and novelist. Born in an era when the highest ambition a woman could aspire to was a good marriage, Wharton went on to become one of America\'s most celebrated authors. During her career, she wrote over 40 books, using her wealthy upbringing to bring authenticity and detail to stories about the upper classes. She moved to France in 1923, where she continued to write until her death.- (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: \'The Spark\' is the third of four books set in Old New York. When Hayley Delane discovers that there\'s more to his mentor than meets the eye, he realises that he needs to change his way of thinking. \'The Spark\' is a poignant and often funny exploration of the relationship between two men. At the same time, Wharton uses the novella to take some acerbic pot-shots at a society where appearance seems to carry more weight than genuine goodness. An elegant and humorous story about stories themselves.- (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: Tense and atmospheric, \'The Touchstone\' follows the trials and tribulations of New York lawyer, Stephen Glennard. When we meet Glennard, he is unable to afford to marry his girlfriend, Alexa Trent. However, when he reads an advertisement seeking information about the deceased novelist, Margarey Aubyn, he is faced with a moral dilemma. Should he sell the letter she wrote him, even though he spurned her romantic advances? A taut novella, \'The Touchstone\' is a fascinating take on the classic ghost story.- (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: Now that he\'s turned 21, Lewis Raycie has been sent to travel Europe to form his tastes and fortify his judgments. Lewis\' father packs him off with $5,000 and the instruction to return with art by Raphael. However, while traveling, Lewis becomes entranced with the works of other artists and returns with those instead. \'False Dawn\' is an intricate and intimate examination of social climbing, social artifice, and the purpose of art. A superb read, peppered with evocative descriptions of the places that our protagonist visits on his Grand Tour.A mix of travel writing and historic fiction, people who like \'Around the World in 80 Days\' by Jules Verne, which has recently been reproduced with David Tennant as Phileas Fogg, will enjoy this entertaining read. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: \'Fighting France\' is a collection of essays, written by Wharton, on the outbreak of the First World War. Having returned to her beloved France to work with the Red Cross, Wharton began detailing the impact of the conflict on her spiritual homeland. While she uses her literary talents to paint a harrowing picture of the devastation caused by the war, she always puts people, rather than places, under the spotlight. A fascinating read from the time of Downton Abbey for anyone interested in military history and exceptional journalism of the early 20th Century. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: Sit back, relax, and join Edith Wharton on her journey through early 20th century Italy. A seasoned traveller, \'Italian Backgrounds\' condenses a decade\'s worth of Edith Wharton\'s journeys through Italy, into one work. A chronicle rather than a novel, Wharton perfectly captures the essence, architecture, countryside, and people she comes across on her sojourn. Her adventure starts in Swiss Splügen, where she and her party must decide which road to take. As the journal unfolds, we are whisked through some famous Italian cities, such as Venice, Rome, and Milan, explore the likes of Lake Como and visit smaller towns and villages.In typical Wharton style, no detail is left undocumented, creating a book that is as rich in historical context as it is in its evocative description. A superb read for Wharton fans and those interested in history and travel. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: Well -- I failed to sell the Works, and that increased my discontent. I went through moods of cold unsociability, alternating with sudden flushes of curiosity, when I gloated over stray scraps of talk overheard in railway stations and omnibuses, when strange faces that I passed in the street tantalized me with fugitive promises. I wanted to get away, among things that were unexpected and unknown; and it seemed to me that nobody about me understood in the least what I felt, but that somewhere just out of reach there was some one who did, and whom I must find or despair. . . . (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: While she might be best known as the author of \'The Age of Innocence\' (adapted for film, and starring Michelle Pfeiffer, and Daniel Day-Lewis), Edith Wharton wrote an extensive range of novels, journals, and poetry. Containing 24 poems, \'Artemis to Actaeon\' muses on the themes of life, love, death, and the passing of time, with a few well-chosen words set aside for her beloved France. As the title suggests, there is plenty of classical inspiration as Wharton draws on ancient legends surrounding mythical figures, such as Orpheus, and Actaeon. Her writing is lyrical and has a yearning quality to it, particularly in poems such as \'All Souls,\' and \'Vesalius in Zarate.\' A superb collection for those familiar with Wharton\'s work, and those new to her. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: A short story with a punch, \'Madame de Treymes\' follows lovelorn John Durham as he travels to France to court his old love, Fanny Frisbee. While Fanny is separated from her husband, she is still married, and it looks unlikely that he\'ll agree to a divorce. Can Fanny\'s sister-in-law, the eponymous \'Madame de Treymes\' help the course of true love? An intriguing read, this book might sound like a simple romance, but there are darker themes at work. Ideal for those who already admire Wharton\'s work and those just getting to know her. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: The earliest collection of short stories from Edith Wharton, \'The Greater Inclination\' documents the beginning of an outstanding literary career. The book contains seven short stories and one two-act play. In typical Wharton style, the tales deal with the themes of love, marriage, death, deception, American society, and the true intent of art. Wharton\'s eye for the minutiae of social conventions and interactions breathes life into each story. A superb book for those who want to see where it all started. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: The story follows the life of Tina, a young woman caught between the mother who adopted her - the beautiful, upstanding Delia - and her true mother, her plain, unmarried ‘aunt’ Charlotte, who gave Tina up to provide her with a socially acceptable life.The three women live quietly together until Tina’s wedding day, when Delia’s and Charlotte’s hidden jealousies rush to the surface. Originally serialized in The Red Book magazine in 1922, The Old Maid is an examination of class and society as only Edith Wharton could undertake. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook:,Pokud byste se krásné Newyorčanky Lily Bartové zeptali, co vlastně od života chce, obrátila by k vám svůj okouzlující pohled, nadechla by se… a pak by se pravděpodobně zarazila. Její osud je totiž plný paradoxů: je půvabnější než všechny její vrstevnice, ale ty už se dávno vdaly; zdá se být jako stvořená pro svět americké smetánky přelomu devatenáctého a dvacátého století, plný okázalého bohatství i citové chudoby, předstíraných ctností i skrývaných neřestí, ale pokaždé, když se objeví příležitost stát se jeho oslňující královnou, couvne a hledá své štěstí jinde. A tak se v jejím srdci, jen na první pohled ledovém, sváří láska i nenávist. To ovšem její četní nápadníci, kteří jí k nohám skládají vyznání i dary, netuší – jako by ji považovali jen za ten nejkrásnější šperk, jenž jim ještě chybí, aby dotvořil lesk jejich společenského postavení. Jsou tu ale i jiní. Lawrence Selden, mladý právník, kterého jako by společnost bohatých a mocných přitahovala a odpuzovala zároveň, se snaží vidět Lily takovou, jaká ve skutečnosti je. I ona by mu ráda dala přednost před mnohem movitějšími – ale také prázdnějšími – ctiteli. To, že je tento cit oboustranný, však ještě neznamená, že dojde naplnění… Ve strhujícím dvoudílném románu americké klasičky Edith Whartonové – mimochodem vůbec první ženy, která získala Pulitzerovu cenu – před námi ožívá mistrně vykreslená plejáda postav, které prožívají svůj „americký sen“ a touží po ukojení svých vášní ve víru sebevědomí i nejistoty. Autorka, jež byla součástí světa „horních deseti tisíc“, avšak dokázala si od něj zachovat kritický odstup, ho vidí bez příkras, ale také s pochopením a humorem. I proto je její sonda do duše vášnivé ženy, kterou by dnešní „arbitři morálky“ označili za „zlatokopku“, čtivá i dnes. Z anglického originálu The House of Mirth přeložila Jana Srbová. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook:,Ve strhujícím dvoudílném románu americké klasičky Edith Whartonové – vůbec první ženy, která kdy získala Pulitzerovu cenu – před námi ožívá mistrně vykreslená plejáda postav, jež prožívají svůj „americký sen“ a touží po ukojení svých vášní ve víru sebevědomí i nejistoty. Autorka, jež byla součástí světa „horních deseti tisíc“, avšak dokázala si od něj zachovat kritický odstup, ho vidí bez příkras, ale také s pochopením a humorem. I proto je její sonda do duše vášnivé ženy, kterou by dnešní „arbitři morálky“ označili za „zlatokopku“, čtivá i dnes. Lily Bartová, mladá žena obdařená nevšední krásou a výjimečným charismatem, jako by byla těmito mocnými zbraněmi naopak stahována do stále nižších pater společenského žebříčku. Ztrácí postavení privilegovaného hosta bohatých dam a stává se sice exkluzivní, leč snadno dostupnou ozdobou, kterou si nárokují muži, jimiž ještě přednedávnem opovrhovala. Ztráta dědictví po puritánské tetě, nutnost splatit dluh zamilovanému spekulantovi a skutečnost, že ji jedna z jejích „přítelkyň“ téměř doslova hodila přes palubu luxusní jachty, aby si udržela podváděného manžela, ji přivádějí na samý okraj mondénní společnosti – jak sama trefně říká: na rub tapiserie, kde se jednotlivé konce místo toho, aby tvořily krásný vzor, zmateně zauzlují. A když selžou i poslední pokusy, při nichž „klesne“ až k manuální práci a podřadnému penzionu, přicházejí vhod zoufalé možnosti – lahvička s lékem, z nějž se ovšem snadno může stát jed, kompromitující dopisy či všeho schopný ctitel… Ano, právník Lawrence Selden, jehož ukrývá za bariérou hrdé krásy hluboko v srdci, je stále nablízku, avšak dokáže Lily Bartovou, která do skutečně pomocných rukou spíše kouše, než aby je hladila, zachraňovat znovu a znovu, když odměna je tak nejistá? Z anglického originálu The House of Mirth přeložila Jana Srbová. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: Set against the rigid social backdrop of New York in the 1870s, \'New Year\'s Day\' tells the tale of Lizzie Hazeldean, who needs to find a way of making money. With her husband ill and ladies of leisure looking down their respective noses at her, she is faced with some difficult decisions. Old New York is beautifully described in this, the last of Wharton\'s novellas set here, and the social conventions of the time don\'t escape her critical eye. With an unexpected plot twist, this is a superb read for Wharton fans and those who want to get to know her work. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: Her beloved France was torn apart by the First World War and yet Edith Wharton still felt compelled to put pen to paper. Inspired by some of her own experiences, \'A Son at the Front\' tells the story of George, who is enlisted into the French Army. However, the focus falls firmly on the family left George\'s divorced mother and father, and his stepfather. To make matters even more complicated, George\'s parents are American, leaving them feeling like strangers in a strange land.\'A Son at the Front\' explores themes of social expectations, unfulfilled dreams, pride, and broken marriages. While Wharton is better known for her searing satires on the American upper classes, \'A Son at the Front\' is one of many books featuring France and the First World War. A gripping read from one of the most celebrated authors of the 20th Century.- (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: Shedding the turn-of-the-century social confines she felt existed for women in America, Edith Wharton set out in the newly invented \"motor-car\" to explore the cities and countryside of France. In A Motor-Flight Through France, originally published in 1908, Wharton combines the power of her prose, her love for travel, and her affinity for France to produce this compelling travelogue.Now back in print, this edition of will interest students of American literature as well as those who wish to see France through the eyes of a great American writer. The introduction analyzes Wharton\'s use of the genre of travel writing and places Wharton\'s work in the context of her life and times. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

This luxurious hardback anthology brings together 15 classic ghost stories by some of the genre's most acclaimed writers, presented in a beautiful gift edition with gilded page edges.This ghoulish collection is a perfect companion for lovers of the paranormal, featuring classic tales from Golden Age of the ghost story. Inside you will find haunted mansions, dark crypts, vengeful curses, silent specters and other supernatural delights of the genre, artfully conjured by the likes of Edgar Allan Poe, Sheridan Le Fanu and M. R. James.Stories include: 'The Oval Portrait' by Edgar Allan Poe 'The Wailing Well' by M. R. James 'The Withered Arm' by Thomas Hardy 'Afterward' by Edith Wharton 'A Ghost' by Guy de Maupassant 'An Account of Some Strange Disturbances in Aungier Street' by Sheridan Le Fanu This beautiful collection is presented with silver gilded page edges, ivory paper and wonderfully gothic endpaper illustrations, making it a wonderful gift for any horror lover. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

Lily Bart is twenty-nine, beautiful and charming. She has expensive tastes, loves to gamble and socializes with the wealthy upper-class families of New York. But her meagre finances are dwindling and her place in society is slipping away from her. Her only hope of security is to find a suitable husband. However, Lily has an independence of spirit that stands in the way of her committing to the suitors available to her. As her options diminish, her friends become her enemies and her situation grows increasing perilous.In The House of Mirth, Edith Wharton gives us a witty and piercingly insightful dark satire about the privileged society of early twentieth-century New York.This beautiful Macmillan Collector's Library edition of The House of Mirth features an introduction by novelist Danuta Reah.Designed to appeal to the booklover, the Macmillan Collector's Library is a series of beautiful gift editions of much loved classic titles. Macmillan Collector's Library are books to love and treasure. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

Edith Wharton's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Age of Innocence, is both a poignant story of frustrated love and an extraordinarily vivid, delightfully satirical record of a vanished world. Part of the Macmillan Collector's Library; a series of stunning, clothbound, pocket sized classics with gold foiled edges and ribbon markers. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover. This edition features an introduction by award-winning novelist, Rachel Cusk. As the scion of one of New York's leading families, Newland Archer has been born into a life of sumptuous privilege and strict duty. But the arrival of the Countess Olenska, a free spirit who breathes clouds of European sophistication, makes him question the path on which his upbringing has set him. As his fascination with her grows, he discovers just how hard it is to escape the bonds of the society that has shaped him. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: ‘Tales of Terror and Mystery’ is a volume of 13 short stories from the prolific ‘Sherlock Holmes’ author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Stories in the collection include the mystery of a disappearing train in ‘The Lost Special’ and the surprising science-fiction story ‘The Horror of the Heights’. Full of classic Doyle mystery, this collection also includes some wonderful terror tales from the much-loved author. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930) was a British author, best known as the creator of the world-famous detective Sherlock Holmes. Born in Edinburgh, he was educated in England and Austria before studying medicine at the University of Edinburgh. It was during his time at university that Doyle began writing short stories, submitting them to magazines and journals. His first Sherlock Holmes novel, ‘A Study in Scarlet’ was written in just three weeks and published in 1887 to favourable reviews, and more Sherlock adventures followed. By 1893, Doyle was growing tired of Sherlock and attempted to kill him off in the story ‘The Final Problem’, but public outcry caused him to resurrect the famous detective. He featured in a total of 56 short stories and four novels along with his trusty sidekick Dr Watson and made Doyle one of the best-paid authors of the time. The stories have been adapted multiple times; most recently in the successful BBC series ‘Sherlock’ starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman. Later literary works included the Professor Challenger series which began with ‘The Lost World’, in which Challenger sets out to find evidence of prehistoric life. The book inspired numerous adaptations, including the films ‘Jurassic Park’ and ‘The Lost World’. In later life Doyle became captivated by the world of spiritualism and the occult and published non-fiction works about his beliefs including ‘The Coming of the Fairies’. Arthur Conan Doyle died at home in 1930. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

'I want – I want somehow to get away with you into a world where words like that – categories like that – won't exist. Where we shall be simply two human beings who love each other, who are the whole of life to each other; and nothing else on earth will matter.’ Newland Archer, a successful and charming young lawyer conducts himself by the rules and standards of the polite, upper class New York society that he resides in. Happily engaged to the pretty and conventional May Welland, his attachment guarantees his place in this rigid world of the elite. However, the arrival of May’s cousin, the exotic and beautiful European Countess Olenska throws Newland’s life upside down. A divorcee, Olenska is ostracised by those around her, yet Newland is fiercely drawn to her wit, determination and willingness to flout convention. With the Countess, Newland is freed from the limitations that surround him and truly begins to ‘feel’ for the first time. Wharton’s subtle exposé of the manners and etiquette of 1870s New York society is both comedic, subtle, satirical and cynical in style and paints an evocative picture of a man torn between his passion and his obligation. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: ‘The Great Keinplatz Experiment’ is a collection of short stories by the prolific ‘Sherlock Holmes’ author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Due to Doyle’s fascination with the supernatural, several of the stories have a supernatural element. Stories in the collection include Egyptian archaeology thriller ‘Lot No. 249’ and the dark, atmospheric séance story in ‘Playing with Fire’. Full of humour as well as mystery, this is a fascinating collection of stories from Doyle. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

Newland je v rozpakoch. Všetci muži uprene hľadeli smerom k miestu, kde sedela May s mamou a tetou. Nepoznal dámu v zvláštnych šatách a netušil, prečo boli všetci takí šokovaní, že ju vidia. Newland Archer, dedič jednej z najlepších newyorských rodín, chce riadne manželstvo, ako si to žiada newyorská spoločnosť V jeden večer spozná Mayinu sesternicu, grófku Ellen Olenskú. Táto exotická a krásna žena sa vrátila z Poľska do New Yorku po záhadnom škandále. Newland musí zvádzať boj medzi povinnosťou a záhadnosťou, medzi tradíciou a silou lásky. CEFR Level: B1 (patro.cz)

eBook: Tales of All Countries is a collection of stories in two volumes; the first was published in 1861, the second in 1863. In a variety of settings, the stories bring into consideration the societies and cultures of various countries, the fidelity of human nature, and the existence of universal ethics and values. An Unprotected Female at the Pyramids, The Man Who Kept His Money in a Box, and Mrs. General Talboys are some of the works included in this collection. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

Introducing Little Clothbound Classics: irresistible, mini editions of short stories, novellas and essays from the world's greatest writers, designed by the award-winning Coralie Bickford-SmithCelebrating the range and diversity of Penguin Classics, they take us from snowy Japan to springtime Vienna, from haunted New England to a sun-drenched Mediterranean island, and from a game of chess on the ocean to a love story on the moon. Beautifully designed and printed, these collectible editions are bound in colourful, tactile cloth and stamped with foil.A novella regarded by Edith Wharton as one of her very best, Summer tells the tale of forbidden sexual passion and thwarted dreams set against the backdrop of a lush summer in rural Massachusetts. A sensation on first publication, its honest depiction of a young woman attempting to live on her own terms remains as vital today as it was in 1917. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: Also published under the title ‘The Distributors’, ‘The Ghost Society’ by E. Phillips Oppenheim follows the story of secret society ‘The Ghosts’. Bored with London society, Lord Evelyn Madrecourt, along with seven like-minded individuals have founded this secret association. Seeking stimulation, the group decide to play fast and loose with the fortunes of others, making them enemies of many. There is romance as well as mystery along the way, in this enjoyable short story from the Victorian author. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: Trained in philosophy and medicine, the writer, translator, scholar, and political and cultural activist Siegfried Kapper (1821–1879) devoted significant effort to the advancement of Jewish culture in Bohemia, Jewish emancipation, and to the commitment of Jews to contemporary Czech society. The three stories in this collection, which first appeared in the press in the 1840s and were posthumously published as a collection at the end of the century, offer a Romantic and folkloric vision of Jewish culture in Prague. The first story, “Genenda”, displays Kapper’s operatic eye for detail and drama with its account of a dutiful rabbi’s daughter being swept away by a dashing young man, a Christian nobleman disguised as a Jew, a deceit that ends in tragedy. “The Curious Guest” is an intricate tale of a quest for wisdom and power that inevitably leads to the undoing of the arrogant protagonist. The final story, “Glowing Coals”, is a supernatural tale of romantic desire and revenge, displaying Kapper’s skill at deploying the tropes of folklore for dramatic literary effect. The collection not only provides a colorful snapshot of nineteenth-century Czech-Jewish culture but also resonates with universal human themes that transcend a single national experience. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

One of American fiction's finest and most intense narratives, Ethan Frome tells a story of ill-starred lovers and their tragic destinies. Ethan works his unproductive farm and struggles to maintain a bearable existence with his difficult, suspicious, and hypochondriac wife, Zeenie. But when Zeenie's vivacious cousin enters their household as a 'hired girl', Ethan finds himself obsessed with her and with the possibilities for happiness she comes to represent. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: Short, witty and exciting collection of short stories, “Tales of the Jazz Age” is by Francis Scott Fitzgerald, the author of \'The Great Gatsby\'. Divided into three parts, the tales are grouped into serious stories, non-sensical narratives, and fantasies. Among the most famous stories are the greedy and sinister \'The Diamond as Big as the Ritz\', the utterly amusing and ridiculous \'The Camel’s Back\', and the intriguing \'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button\', which has since been adapted into an award-winning film starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett. It is a great read for anyone having an interest in the Jazz Age, 1920\'s stories or Fitzgerald’s fiction; and perfect for those who need something short and snappy to read on the go. 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’, ‘The Great Gatsby’ and \'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button\', all of which have been adapted in to successful film adaptations. His writing helped popularise the 1920s Jazz Age that he and wife Zelda Fitzgerald were in the centre of. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: Tales and Stories (1891) is a collection of short fiction by Mary Shelley. Despite her reputation as one of the foremost English novelists of the nineteenth century, Shelley also wrote numerous stories for magazines and other publications, earning a reputation as a gifted storyteller in all forms of fiction. In “The Sisters of Albano,” a traveler resting on the banks of an Italian lake strikes up a conversation with a beautiful Countess. Inspired by the history and landscape of the region, the Countess tells the tragic story of a local family. During the French occupation of Italy under Napoleon’s rule, Anina and Maria live vastly different lives. Maria, the older sister, is a nun at the convent of Santa Chiara in Rome, while Anina, the younger, is in love with a mysterious outlaw named Domenico. When the French arrive in Albano, Anina goes searching for Domenico, who has gone into hiding with other members of the local resistance. After the young girl is arrested and sentenced to die for violating an officer’s orders, Maria, dressed in her religious habit, appeals to the French on her sister’s behalf. In “Ferdinando Eboli,” a Neapolitan Count bids farewell to his young fiancée before going off to fight for his king. When he returns, he finds that an impostor has taken over his estate—and married the unsuspecting Adalinda. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Mary Shelley’s Tales and Stories is a classic of English literature reimagined for modern readers. (knihydobrovsky.cz)

eBook: ———The Captivating Visual Journey Right on Your Smartphone——— Discover Prague Castle Like Never Before with Our Unique Audio-Visual Guide❗️ Embark on an extraordinary journey through the crown jewel of Prague—Prague Castle—with this exclusive audio-visual guide. Unveil the stories of kings, builders, and saints while exploring hidden corners of this magnificent site. Our goal is to transform your visit into an unforgettable experience, showcasing the grandeur of the Czech Republic\'s most prestigious castle in ways you\'ve never seen before❗️ Did you know Prague Castle is the largest inhabited castle complex in Europe❓ Or that Emperor Rudolf II held luxury markets in the grand Vladislav Hall, the largest of its time❓ And did you know artists like Alfons Mucha contributed to the cathedral\'s stunning decorations❓ Dive into these fascinating tales and much more with our unique guide. —————- Highlights: > In-Depth Biographies: Learn about the saints, rulers, builders, and artists connected to Prague Castle. > Stunning Photography: Over 120 high-quality photos, capturing hidden and hard-to-reach treasures. > Immersive Audio: Enjoy audio commentaries for a truly engaging experience. (GOLD and BLUE Edition) > User-Friendly Design: Designed with a sleek, modern aesthetic, our guide is optimized for easy access on your smartphone. —————- Download a sample of MATEO GUIDES and make your Prague walks unlike any before! (knihydobrovsky.cz)