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Boule de Suif (1880) is a short story by the late-19th century French writer Guy de Maupassant. It is arguably his most famous short story, and is the title story for his collection on the Franco-Prussian War, entitled "Boule de Suif et Autres Contes de la Guerre" ("Boule de Suif and Other Stories of the War"). John Ford said that his film Stagecoach was in many ways a western rewrite of Boule de Suif. (Summary by Wikipedia)

LibriVox volunteers bring you 22 recordings of A Backward Spring by Thomas Hardy.This was the Weekly Poetry project for March 19, 2023. ------While Hardy wrote poetry throughout his life and regarded himself primarily as a poet, his first collection was not published until 1898. Initially, he gained fame as the author of novels such as Far from the Madding Crowd (1874), The Mayor of Casterbridge (1886), Tess of the d'Urbervilles (1891), and Jude the Obscure (1895). During his lifetime, Hardy's poetry was acclaimed by younger poets (particularly the Georgians) who viewed him as a mentor - ...

There can really be no excuse for this last book of trite and beautiful sayings. I do not attempt, in any way, to palliate this great wrong. I would not do so even if I had an idea what palliate meant. . . . I have taken great care to thoroughly eradicate anything that would have the appearance of poetry in this work, and there is not a thought or suggestion contained in it that would soil the most delicate fabric.Do not read it all at once, however, in order to see whether he married the girl or not. Take a little at a time, and it will cure gloom on the "similia simili-bus curanter" ...

Thornton Chase is commonly recognized as the first convert to the Bahá’í Faith of Occidental background. During his life he organized many Bahá’í activities in Chicago and Los Angeles and was considered a prominent Bahá’í. In 1894, Chase met Ibrahim Kheiralla, a Bahá’í from Beirut who had recently come to the United States. Chase and a small group of Chicagoans began to study the Bahá’í Faith with him. By 1895 he had completed the class and become a Bahá’í. In 1907 Chase was able to go on pilgrimage. Though Chase was able to be with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Akka for only ...

The novella “The Ball at Sceaux” is part of Balzac’s great life work — the expansive fiction series titled “The Human Comedy.” The central character is Émilie de Fontaine, youngest daughter of a noble but impoverished family in post-revolutionary France. Her hapless father hopes to find her a good marriage, but Émilie, spoiled and willful, has repeatedly turned away suitors. She has a list of requirements for any prospective husband, one of which is that he must, of course, be “the son of a peer of France.” (The peerage was an elite aristocratic distinction.) She holds firm ...

The author provides a fascinating look at the emerging science of bacteriology at the start of the twentieth century including early progress in understanding and preventing diseases such as tuberculosis and diphtheria. The book also includes chapters on the spread of disease through close contact with infected persons as well as from contaminated drinking water and milk. Water purification methods as well as the stability of various disease-causing organisms to extremes of heat and cold is discussed. The final chapter includes a very interesting discussion of the development of anti-venoms ...

LibriVox volunteers bring you 16 recordings of the haunting Ballad of Another Ophelia by D. H. Lawrence. This was the Fortnightly Poetry project for March 24, 2013.

Step into one of the most chilling and influential ghost stories ever written. The Turn of the Screw by Henry James follows a young governess who arrives at a remote English country estate to care for two seemingly innocent children. As strange events begin to unfold, she becomes convinced that the house is haunted by malevolent spirits determined to influence the children. Blending psychological suspense, mystery, and supernatural horror, this classic novella keeps listeners questioning what is real and what exists only in the mind. Henry James masterfully creates an atmosphere of tension and...

The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton is one of the most celebrated novels of American literature, offering a captivating portrait of love, duty, and social expectations in New York’s Gilded Age. First published in 1920 and awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1921, this timeless classic explores the hidden tensions beneath the polished surface of high society.Set in the elegant world of 1870s New York, the story follows Newland Archer, a wealthy and respected gentleman engaged to the beautiful and innocent May Welland. His future appears secure and perfectly arranged according to the ...

Die Novelle "Bahnwärter Thiel" entstand 1887 und gehört zu den herausragenden Werken des Naturalismus. Thiel ist ein in sich gekehrter Mensch, der nicht viele Worte macht, sich jedoch mit den Nachbarskindern abgibt und seinen Beruf mit Hingebung ausführt. Er gerät in einen wachsenden inneren Konflikt, als seine Frau Minna stirbt und er sich wieder verheiratet um die Versorgung seines Sohnes Tobias abzusichern. Er versucht trotz wachsender Spannungen sein Leben in den gewohnten Bahnen zu halten, sieht sich jedoch mehr und mehr unfähig dazu. (Zusammenfassung von Eva K.)

The Importance of Being Earnest is a classic comedy of manners in which two flippant young men, in order to impress their respected beloveds, pretend that their names are “Ernest,” which both young ladies believe confers magical qualities on the possessor. It was first performed for the public on February 14, 1895 at the St. James’ Theatre in London, and is regarded by many critics and scholars as being the wittiest play in the English language. (Summary from Wikipedia.org)Characters:John Worthing, J.P. - Read by John GonzalezAlgernon Moncrieff - Read by Gord MackenzieRev. Canon Chasuble...

Oscar Wildes Kunstmärchen bieten dem Leser (und Hörer) Zugang zu zauberhaften, filigran gestalteten Welten. Liebe, Leidenschaft, Aufopferung und Läuterung sind einige der vom Erzähler prachtvoll in Szene gesetzten Motive. Wildes Erzählungen spannen eine Bogen von augenzwinkernd-satirischer Gesellschaftkritik über philosophische Einsichten zu einem alles unterliegenden tiefgehenden Appell an die Menschlichkeit. (Zusammenfassung von GardenerOfStars)

This is a volume of poetry by Dora Sigerson Shorter. This volume contains seven of Ms. Shorter's Ballads, a series of miscellaneous poems, and finally two narrative poems. While the topics of the poems and ballads are all unique, many of them share the atmosphere of a fairy tale. - Summary by Carolin

A story of two sets of lovers and the development of their relationships, set in rural France in the mid 19th century. - Summary by PeterTucker

Part almanac, part encyclopedia, part dictionary, Nathaniel C. Fowler, Jr. gives us his idea of important, but sometimes obscure, facts that he thinks should be in our bank of general knowledge. He includes a large section on medical emergency and health. Items are arranged in alphabetical order, so there is no logical presentation, but reference is made easy. Or, it is just interesting browsing, and a glimpse into the world of the early twentieth century. - Summary by Larry Wilson

This class project is a collection of seventeenth- and eighteenth-century verse by women, focusing first on women as writers. It has been coordinated by the students' teacher, Tonya Howe.

A book for students of history to test their knowledge and to direct their studies. As the title tells us, this is a book of 1001 questions, with answers, regarding world history. - Summary by KevinS

Cakes and more cakes! All of these ten recipes promote the use of Homogenized Spry Shortening. From Chocolate Rapture Cake to Hawaiian Lei Cake, and chapters on frosting, you'll find some luscious offerings for the whole family. - Summary by Larry Wilson

This is what people were reading in 1903, short stories, poetry, and non-fiction articles. (Summary by BellonaTimes)

Here are compiled 101 recipes for Mexican dishes including soup, fish, meat, fowl, vegetables, meat dumplings, desserts, enchiladas, tamales, and olla podrida.- Summary by Larry Wilson