Let’s be clear. We are all equal under the law. However, even in these more modern times that is not an absolute and still remains a distant ambition for many. In the days when Britain ruled the waves and bestrode the world as its policeman and plunderer in chief it also subjugated half of its own people to second class status. Women were chattel and property. There were some exceptions based on wealth and birthright but for the overwhelming majority your lot was to fall in with the rules and do as you were told. Many did.But whilst male society sought to place obstacles in the path to equality, it could not deny their literary talents, which many times they circumvented by using male pseudonyms. However, the soaring sales of magazines and periodicals during the Victorian Age meant they had voracious appetites for literature, whatever the sex of its gender.Dozens of authors appeared to fill the need. Narratives had new ideas. Characters were emboldened by societal changes and the female voice taking responsibility.The women included here are talents that dazzle. Put them up against anyone and they rise to the top. Whether they remain with an avid readership today or faded to obscurity with the passing of the times their quality remains undimmed. 1 - Women of Wonder - Suicide - An Introduction2 - The Legacy by Virginia Woolf3 - The Voyage by Katherine Mansfield4 - Paul's Case by Willa Cather5 - Cohen of Trinity by Amy Levy6 - The Mourner by Mary Shelley7 - The Quadroons by Lydia Maria Child8 - An Outcast of the People by Bithia Mary Croker9 - Blessed Are the Meek by Mary Webb10 - When Spirits Steal by Philippa Forest11 - The Cold Embrace by Mary Elizabeth Braddon12 - The Oculist by Catherine Wells13 - Sokratics in the Strand by Amy Levy
There is something about the number 3. The Ancient Greeks believed 3 was the perfect number, and in China 3 has always been a lucky number, and they know a thing or two. Most religions also have 3 this and 3 that and, of course, in these more modern times, three’s a crowd may be too many, except when it’s a ménage à trois. It seems good things usually come in threes.Whatever history and culture says WE think 3, a hat-trick of stories, is a great number to explore themes and literary avenues that classic authors were so adept at creating.From their pens to your your ears.
Being curious, learning from all of our experiences, is one of our most pleasing traits as human beings. In this series we examine particular facets of ourselves and, with the aid of many classic authors, delve into characters and stories that not only entertain us, but inform us on how short stories can help us both deal and understand issues that touch and weave into our lives with the words and narratives of many wise talents.The evil stain of Racism blights much of humanity. Our own ambition to be seen as better than the rest can sometimes, without any evidence to the contrary, spill over into corrosive thoughts and actions based on colour, religion and culture. These stories examine and reveal much about this appalling travesty. 01 - Lessons From Literature - Racism - An Introduction2 - The Scapegoat by Paul Laurence Dunbar3 - Desiree's Baby by Kate Chopin4 - The Stones of the Village by Alice Dunbar Nelson5 - The Brothers by Louisa May Alcott6 - Breaking the Color Line by Annie McCary7 - The Octoroon's Revenge by Ruth D Todd8 - The Hoodoo by Martha Gruening9 - The Quadroons by Lydia Maria Child10 - The Wife of His Youth by Charles W Chesnutt11 - Talma Gordon by Pauline E Hopkins12 - The City of Refuge by Rudolph Fisher
Short stories have always been a sort of instant access into an author's brain, their soul and heart. A few pages can lift our lives into locations, people and experiences with a sweep of landscape, narration, feelings and emotions that is difficult to achieve elsewhere.In this series we try to offer up tried and trusted 'Top Tens' across many different themes and authors. But any anthology will immediately throw up the questions - Why that story? Why that author? The theme itself will form the boundaries for our stories which range from well-known classics, newly told, to stories that modern times have overlooked but perfectly exemplify the theme. Throughout the volume our authors whether of instant recognition or new to you are all leviathans of literature.Some you may disagree with but they will get you thinking; about our choices and about those you would have made. If this volume takes you on a path to discover more of these miniature masterpieces then we have all gained something.Those taken away by their own hand leave many questions and many sorrows. In this volume ten of our vaunted authors share stories of tragedy and the early demise of characters who take a tortured path of no return.01 - The Top 10 - Suicide - An Introduction02 - In the Penal Colony by Franz Kafka03 - Suicides by Guy de Maupassant04 - The Victory by Rabindranath Tagore05 - Paul's Case by Willa Cather06 - Claude Gueux by Victor Hugo07 - The Mourner by Mary Shelley08 - A Slav Soul by Alexander Kuprin09 - Cohen of Trinity by Amy Levy10 - A Passion in the Desert by Honoré de Balzac11 - The Quadroons by Lydia Maria Child
Antoine Breguet is an old watchmaker who wants to retire. One of his two apprentices is going to take his place, but which one? Who is better qualified and who will impress the watchmaker's granddaughter more? The two men are ready to compete. Whoever comes up with the best, most exquisite and intricate creation will inherit Breguet's shop. However friendship and love stand in the way. What will happen with the two friends and their future as watchmakers? Find out in Lydia Child's 'The Rival Mechanicians'.
B. J. Harrison started his Classic Tales Podcast back in 2007, wanting to breathe new life into classic stories. He masterfully plays with a wide array of voices and accents and has since then produced over 500 audiobooks. Now in collaboration with SAGA Egmont, his engaging narration of these famous classics is available to readers everywhere.
Lydia Maria Child was an American writer who lived in the period 1802-1880. Her works often depicted antislavery related issues. She was women's rights activist and Native American rights activist and she took on those topics in some of her stories as well. This brought her a wide audience, but there were also many people who could not understand and criticised her social position and works. Some of her best known stories are 'An Appeal in Favor of That Class of Americans Called Africans', a work related to the history of slavery, 'The Frugal Housewife', a book depicting women's rights and 'An Appeal for the Indians', a story about the Native Americans and their lives as oppressed members of the society.
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