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The Hot Rock: A Graphic Adaptation (The Dortmunder Novels #1)
by Donald E. WestlakeEdgar Award Finalist: A comical crime caper &“filled with action and imagination&” (The New York Times Book Review). John Dortmunder leaves jail with ten dollars, a train ticket, and nothing to make money on but his good name. Thankfully, his reputation goes far. No one plans a caper better than Dortmunder. His friend Kelp picks him up in a stolen Cadillac and drives him away from Sing-Sing, telling a story of a $500,000 emerald that they just have to steal. Dortmunder doesn&’t hesitate to agree. The emerald is the crown jewel of a former British colony, lately granted independence and split into two nations: one for the Talabwo people, one for the Akinzi. The Akinzi have the stone, the Talabwo want it back, and their UN representative offers a fine payday to the men who can get it. It&’s not a simple heist, but after a few years in stir, Dortmunder could use the challenge.
The House of Mirth
by Edith WhartonLily Bart is a beautiful socialite, born into a world of wealth and luxury – a world that threatens to slip through her fingers. The death of her parents and drying up of her family estate threaten to wrench her from the high-class lifestyle of her birth, unless she can secure a marriage to a wealthy young man. But Lily is growing older, and her window of marriageability is getting smaller. A penchant for gambling at bridge, and a secret desire to break free of the claustrophobic expectations of her social class, add extra complication to Lily’s already fraught situation.
The House of Mirth
by Edith WhartonAlthough beautiful Lily Bart comes from a privileged background, she has fallen into poverty. The world she knows is changing with the advent of "new money." On the one hand she craves a life of luxury; on the other, she wants a relationship that will offer her real love. Her downward social trajectory begins when she rejects several proposals and falls in love with a man, Lawrence Selden, who lacks money and vacillates about marriage. Various unfortunate decisions—including her inadvertent acceptance of money from the unscrupulous husband of a friend—further hasten her social decline and may even lead to huge scandal.
Hurricane Reef
by Bryce WaltonWhile visiting his uncle and cousin on a Caribbean island, Steve spends the summer performing science projects and collecting data that will help him win a Science scholarship to study oceanography at the U.S. Government Marine Science Institute at the University of Miami. Surviving a hurricane gives him a new outlook on life.
Indian Boyhood
by Charles EastmanCharles Eastman, or Hakadah, as his Sioux relatives and fellow tribesmen knew him, as a full-blooded Indian boy learned the reticent manners and stoical ways of patience and bravery expected of every young warrior in the 1870's and 1880's. The hunts, games, and ceremonies of his native tribe were all he knew of life until his father, who had spent time with the white man, came to find him. Indian Boyhood is Eastman's first-hand reminiscence of the life he led until he was fifteen with the nomadic Sioux. Left motherless at birth, he tells how his grandmother saved him from relatives who offered to care for him "until he died." It was that grandmother who sang him the traditional Indian lullabies which are meant to cultivate bravery in all male babies, who taught him not to cry at night (for fear of revealing the whereabouts of the Sioux camp to hostile tribes), and who first explained to him some of the skills he would need to survive as an adult in the wilds. Eastman remembers the uncle who taught him the skills of the hunt and the war-path, and how his day began at first light, when his uncle would startle him from sleep with a terrifying whoop, in response to which the young boy was expected to jump fully alert to his feet, and rush outside, bow in hand, returning the yell that had just awakened him. Yet all Indian life did not consist in training and discipline. In time of abundance and even in famine, Indian children had much time for sport and games of combat — races, lacrosse, and wrestling were all familiar to Eastman and his childhood friends. Here too are observations about Indian character, social custom, and morality. Eastman describes the traditional arrangements by which the tribe governed itself — its appointed police force, hunting and warrior scouts, and its tribal council, and how the tribe supported these officers with a kind of taxation. Eastman also includes family and tribal legends of adventure, bravery, and nature that he heard in the lodge of Smoky Day, the tribe historian. But Eastman's own memories of attacks by hostile tribes, flights from the white man's armies, and the dangers of the hunt rival the old legends in capturing a vision of life now long lost.
The Island at the End of the World
by Sam TaylorThrough the eyes of eight-year-old Finn we find ourselves on a small island, surrounded by nothing but sea. Finn lives here with his Pa, his elder sister Alice and his younger sister Daisy, and has no memory of any world but this one. All he knows of the past comes from the songs and stories of his father, which tell of the great flood that drowned all the other inhabitants of the earth, a deluge their family survived thanks to the ark in which they now live. Alice, however, has entered adolescence, and treasures vague memories of her dead mother and of life before the flood. As her relationship with her father changes, she begins to see holes in his account of the past, and desperately seeks contact with the outside world. And when a boy, a stranger, is washed up on the shore, apparently in answer to the message she sent in a bottle, it appears they may not be alone after all. Set in the near future, told from three different viewpoints and written in extraordinary prose, The Island at the End of the World is an original, moving exploration of family love, truth and lies, and how strange and frightening it can feel for a child to discover the adult world.
It Can't Happen Here
by Sinclair LewisWritten during the Great Depression, It Can’t Happen Here, Sinclair Lewis’s novel satirizing American politics, describes the rise of a totalitarian regime in the United States. When Berzelius “Buzz” Windrip is elected president of the United States, he does so by inciting fear and dissent, promising massive economic and social changes in order to regain America’s prominence in the world. Once in office, he moves quickly to gain total control of the government and empowers a ruthless paramilitary force to carry out his rule and suppress all those who stand in his way. Depicting a frightening world where fascism has taken hold in America, Lewis’s novel is a prescient and alarming tale of power, corruption, and how easily democracy can fall prey to manipulation. Described by the Guardian as “the 1935 novel that predicted the rise of Donald Trump,” It Can’t Happen Here is as timely now as it was when it was first published.
Ivanhoe: A Romance
by Walter ScottIvanhoe is a historical novel by Sir Walter Scott, first published in 1820. Ivanhoe is set in 12th-century England, with colourful descriptions of a tournament, outlaws, a witch trial and divisions between Jews and Christians. When Ivanhoe is disinherited by his nobleman father, he sets off to restore his place in the world and reclaim the hand of his beloved Lady Rowena. Ivanhoe has been credited for increasing interest in romance and medievalism. It has also had an important influence on popular perceptions of Robin Hood, Richard the Lionheart and King John.
Johnny Got His Gun: Johnny Cogió Su Fusil (Film Ink Ser.)
by Dalton TrumboThis is no ordinary novel. This is a novel that never takes the easy way out: it is shocking, violent, terrifying, horrible, uncompromising, brutal, remorseless and gruesome...but so is war. Written from the perspective of one man's thoughts, often a stream of consciousness with its own punctuation style, even the title takes on new meaning. Published in 1939, the book itself has a history, partially described by the author in introductions in 1959 and 1970. A compelling novel about war that is still relevant today, this story is not to be missed. Note: The author does not follow standard American spelling.
Jude the Obscure
by Thomas HardyPowerful and controversial from its 1895 publication to the present, Jude the Obscure scandalized Victorian critics, who condemned it as decadent, indecent, and degenerate. Between its frank portrayals of sexuality and its indictments of marriage, religion, and England's class system, the novel offended a broad swath of readers. Its heated reception led the embittered author to renounce fiction, turning his considerable talents ever afterward to writing poetry.Hardy's last novel depicts a changing world, where a poor stonemason can aspire to a university education and a higher place in society--but where in reality such dreams remain unattainable. Thwarted at every turn, Jude Hawley abandons his hopes, is trapped into an unwise marriage, and pursues a doomed relationship with his free-spirited cousin, Sue Bridehead. The lovers find themselves equally incapable of living within the conventions of their era and of transcending its legal and moral strictures. Hailed by modern critics as a pioneering work of feminism and socialist thought, Hardy's tragic parable continues to resonate with readers.
King Lear: A Tragedy
by William ShakespeareKing Lear, growing old and too tired to reign, decides to divide his realm amongst his three daughters, leaving the largest share to the one who loves him the most. His two eldest daughters, Goneril and Regan, foolish and deceitful children, are rewarded for their insincere flattery. His youngest daughter, Cordelia, however, speaks honestly and truthfully, which enrages the old king. He disinherits Cordelia, and then drives himself to madness, left to wander the heath with only his Fool, his servant Caius, and the madman Tom O'Bedlam for company. Once reunited with Cordelia, Lear is too late repents his rashness, and must face the tragic consequences of his choices.
Lost Island
by Phyllis A. WhitneyFrom a New York Times–bestselling author: An island off the Georgia coast holds the memory of a broken heart and the secrets of a woman’s past. It’s been years since Lacey Ames last saw Hampton Island, where she grew up amid the sandy marshes with her childhood sweetheart, Giles Severn, and her cousin Elise—and where Elise had stolen the man Lacey loved. Lacey never forgot the hurt and betrayal she once suffered at Giles’s grand family home of Sea Oaks, but a curious and compelling summons from Elise prompts her return. Once Lacey arrives, she realizes how little has changed. Giles is still the handsome charmer she fell in love with, and Elise is still the wily seductress whose succession of lovers has risked a family scandal. But when a series of anonymous harmless pranks turns threatening, Lacey must finally confront the past—and a decade-old secret from one haunting summer at Sea Oaks. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Phyllis A. Whitney including rare images from the author’s estate.
The Mansion: A Novel of the Snopes Family (Vintage International Ser.)
by William FaulknerIn the final novel of the Snopes family trilogy, following The Hamlet and The Town, William Faulkner charts the downfall of Flem Snopes at the hands of his relative Mink Snopes, aided by Flem&’s deaf daughter Linda, through three different narrators affiliated with the Snopes family. The Mansion takes place in Faulkner&’s mythical Yoknapatawpha County and thematically explores the South&’s displaced economic landscape and racial and social tensions. Penguin Random House Canada is proud to bring you classic works of literature in e-book form, with the highest quality production values. Find more today and rediscover books you never knew you loved.
Masterman Ready: The Wreck of the "Pacific"
by Frederick MarryatThis is a vivacious juvenile novel that captures exhilarating adventures related to sea life. The novel is full of wit and excited accounts based on Marryat's practical experiences. It is a marvelous specimen of nautical fiction and worthy to be read by those who have passion for invigorating and exciting ventures.
Measure for Measure
by William ShakespeareWhen the Duke of Vienna leaves the city under the governance of Angelo, a strict judge, Claudio and Juliet find themselves in violation of Vienna's severe morality laws. With Claudio's life at risk, Isabella, his sister and a novice nun, agrees to plead the case before Angelo. The duke, disguised as a friar, helps Isabella when it becomes apparent Angelo will only help if she compromises herself, and her beliefs. One of Shakespeare's more complex comedies, Measure for Measure examines ethical and moral issues that still resonate today.
Mexikanische Nächte - Zweiter Teil (Classics To Go)
by Gustave AimardAus dem Buch: "Am 2. Juli 18.., kamen gegen vier Uhr Nachmittags, in dem Augenblicke, wo die schon tief am Horizonte stehende Sonne nur noch schräge Strahlen auf die von der Hitze durchdrungene Erde wirft und die sich erhebende Brise die glühende Atmosphäre zu erfrischen beginnt, zwei gut berittene Reisende aus einem dichten Jucca-, Bananen- und Bambusgehölz und schlugen einen staubigen Weg ein, der in ununterbrochenen Stufenreihen zu einem Thale führte, worin ein klarer, durch das Grün sich hinschlängelnder Bach eine sanfte Kühlung unterhielt..."
Much Ado About Nothing
by William ShakespeareTwo couples—Benedick and Beatrice, and Hero and Claudio—must overcome deception, gossip, and, occasionally, their own misplaced pride if their love is to persevere.
Ninteen Eighty-Four
by George OrwellGeorge Orwell's dystopian masterpiece, Nineteen Eighty-Four is perhaps the most pervasively influential book of the twentieth century, published with an introduction by Ben Pimlott in Penguin Modern Classics. 'Who controls the past controls the future: who controls the present controls the past' Hidden away in the Record Department of the sprawling Ministry of Truth, Winston Smith skilfully rewrites the past to suit the needs of the Party. Yet he inwardly rebels against the totalitarian world he lives in, which demands absolute obedience and controls him through the all-seeing telescreens and the watchful eye of Big Brother, symbolic head of the Party. In his longing for truth and liberty, Smith begins a secret love affair with a fellow-worker Julia, but soon discovers the true price of freedom is betrayal. If you enjoyed Nineteen Eighty-Four, you might like Orwell's Animal Farm, also available in Penguin Modern Classics. 'His final masterpiece . . . enthralling and indispensible for understanding modern history' Timothy Garton-Ash, New York Review of Books 'The book of the twentieth century . . . haunts us with an ever-darker relevance' Independent
The Once & Future King
by T. H. WhiteThe definitive modern take on the timeless tale of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round table. The legends of King Arthur date back to medieval Europe, and have become some of the dominant myths of Western culture. In The Once & Future King, T. H. White reinvents the story for a modern audience. The novel starts by introducing the reader to a young Arthur - just a child, and far from the King he will become - as he is raised by the wizard Merlyn, and moves on to chronicle his rise to Kingship, the affair between Guinevere and Lancelot, and the eventual destruction of the round table. The first section, released independently as The Sword in the Stone, was adapted into an animated film by Walt Disney Pictures. Penguin Random House Canada is proud to bring you classic works of literature in e-book form, with the highest quality production values. Find more today and rediscover books you never knew you loved.
Phoebe
by Patricia DizenzoPhoebe was sixteen--sweet sixteen--when she realized there would be no turning back to childhood games. For she had ventured into the adult world with its complex rules--and lost. She was pregnant ... and terribly frightened. Desperately she sought someone--anyone--to guide her in the awesome decisions she knew she had to make. There was her mother, with whom she shared the shrill anger and combat of adolescence, while her father--always controlled and remote--remained aloof. And dear, funny Paul, father of the unwanted child, who was so much the young boy discovering his maleness. Just two months ago life was safe, sunny and promising and the hours spent with him were a sweet exploration of love. Now there was only a raw, aching reality and the agonizing search for a way out ...
The Picture of Dorian Gray
by Oscar WildeOscar Wilde's only novel. Dorian Gray sells his soul in a bid to maintain eternal youth and beauty. Only his portrait will age. As with all such bargains, however, there will be a reckoning.
The Picture of Dorian Gray
by Oscar WildeOscar Wilde's only novel. Dorian Gray sells his soul in a bid to maintain eternal youth and beauty. Only his portrait will age. As with all such bargains, however, there will be a reckoning.
The Picture of Dorian Gray
by Oscar WildeDorian Gray believes that the true value of life is revealed only in the pursuit of beauty. As a result, Dorian sells his soul so that a beautiful painting of him will age, while he remains forever young.
A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man
by James JoyceSet in Joyce's native Ireland, the story follows life of a young man Stephen and his transformation from child to artist. <P> <P> In five chapters, we are taken through Stephen's early childhood in Ireland and confinement at boarding school, his dalliances with theatre and hiring prostitutes, his retreat from sensory excess into religious devotion, his retreat from religious devotion into aesthetic, ascetic excess, and, ultimately, his retreat from Ireland and fellowship in favour of destiny.