Classic English Style

The poet Apollonius is best remembered for the epic myth of Jason and the Argonaut’s quest for the Golden Fleece. The Argonautica is considered one of the finest epics of antiquity, and consists of four books.

Introducing Science Fiction Short Stories Vol. 04 by The Shadowplay Collective, a thrilling collection of short stories that will take you on a journey through the unknown depths of space and time. With each story, you'll be transported to a new world, where nothing is as it seems and anything is possible. This is a must-read for all science fiction fans who crave adventure and excitement. Set in a variety of futuristic landscapes, Science Fiction Short Stories Vol. 04 by The Shadowplay Collective explores the limits of human imagination and what it means to be truly alive. From the depths ...

Emily Inglethorp, the rich mistress of Styles Court manor, is found dead. Poisoned. Hercule Poirot is called upon to investigate the death by Captain Hastings, who is a guest at the manor. Though a retired detective, Poirot steps in to unravel the truth. Who could have killed her? And why? The husband who would inherit the wealth or her stepson?

A collection of classic erotic poetry including "The Kiss", "A Woman Waits For Me", and "Between Your Sheets".

The Iliad of Homer is the earliest work of European literature that we have. Created in the eighth century BC it has continued to arouse interest for over 2000 years. The author intended it to be heard, as delivered by a bard or rhapsode who had made the presentation of Greek epic poetry his profession, and who had command of the vocal resources and the dramatic power to move his audience.

The Iliad - attributed to Homer - is the most famous ancient Greek epic poem. It recounts the struggle between King Agamemnon and the hero Achilles during the final months of the Trojan War, with frequent detours into earlier legends and myths. In its portrayal of battle scenes and the constant interventions of the gods, The Iliad explores themes of wrath, glory, and fate, and has provided the subject matter for many later Greek, Roman, and Renaissance writings.

This poetic exploration of the subject of love was composed in Italy 1821, and published anonymously, as the poet wished its circulation to be restricted to the "esoteric few." The title means "concerning or about a little soul", the subject, in this case, being Shelley's inamorata of the time, Countess Teresa (designated "Emily" in the poem) Viviani, a young woman who was immured in the Convent of Saint Anna by her father. Shelley had had a number of contacts with her by letter and in person.

This is a story from the Chilling Ghost Stories collection. The Raven, by Edgar Allan Poe, tells of a talking raven's mysterious visit to a distraught lover, tracing the man's slow fall into madness. First published in January 1845, the poem is often noted for its musicality, stylized language, and supernatural atmosphere.

Among his many other attributes, James Elroy Flecker was a skilled linguist and an expert translator of Latin poetry. In 1913, he planned to write a book to be entitled An interpretation in blank verse of Virgil, Aeneid VI, based on the poetic value of the sounds, together with Latin text and ten prefaces. The surviving translation consists of lines 1-19 and 264-547 from book six, which describe Aeneas' encounter with Sibyl and his visit to the underworld.

Many masters employed the form of the sonnet, including Petrarch, Spenser, Shakespeare, Keats, and Robert Bridges. However, the most celebrated, and oft quoted, examples are to be found in the collection by Shakespeare, first published in 1609. In the 154 poems, Shakespeare surveys and dissects the subject of love in all its guises, and its relationship with youth, age, illness, death, and memory.

This remarkable poem, dedicated to Queen Elizabeth I, was Spenser's finest achievement: the first epic poem in modern English. The Faerie Queene combines dramatic narratives of chivalrous adventure with exquisite and picturesque episodes of pageantry. At the same time, Spenser is expounding a deeply-felt allegory of the eternal struggle between Truth and Error.

Perhaps Poe's most famous work, "The Raven" was first published in 1845 in the New York Evening Mirror. Known for its tight rhymes and rhythm and the repetitive response given by the eponymous raven - "nevermore" - the poem focuses on that raven and a forlorn man who is distraught over his lost lover, Lenore.

Caliban is a major character in The Tempest by Shakespeare. He is a deformed monster, the offspring of Sycrorax, a witch. Prospero, a magician who presides over the island where Caliban dwells, has made him a servant. This galls Caliban's spirit, as he believes himself to be the rightful ruler of the island. Setebos is the deity who was worshipped by Sycorax and is mentioned by Caliban in two scenes.

Rabindranath Tagore was a Bengali writer born in Calcutta, India. Tagore was a Nobel laureate for literature (1913), one of India's greatest poets and the composer of independent India's national anthem. Stray Birds contains 320 poems on nature, man, and his environment. They were written in Bengali before being translated into English by the poet himself. These short poems are often just a fleeting line or two, and similar to the haiku form, but their potent imagery make them stay in the mind.

Wolfram von Eschenbach, a knight and a poet from 13th century Germany, is the author of this Arthurian romance. Parzival is the revival and completion of a narrative left incomplete by its initiator Chrétien de Troyes. It follows Parzival from his boyhood and career as a knight at the court of King Arthur to his ultimate achievement as King of the Temple of the Grail. This is both a tale of chivalry, and an epic quest for spiritual insight, as the hero Parzival must overcome his pride, and learn to be humble before he can finally win the Holy Grail.

Jean-Michel La Grenouille has a lot going for him. He's a prince. Handsome. Filthy rich. And definitely charming. But he also spent his first few years as a fly-catching, pond-dwelling frog. All that saved him was the kiss of The One, the girl who saw nobility through his slimy form and fell into True Love. Okay, fine. Technically she was a toddler who tried to eat him, but whatever. The curse broke, and as long as he finds and marries her by his 30th birthday, he's a free man.

From Cover to Cover and Sea to Shining Sea: The Authors who gave America its Voice Instant American Literature delves into our rich literary heritage. Filled with quirky facts and lively illustrations, this spirited survey visits the war-torn trenches with Stephen Crane, creeps through the nightmarish realm of Edgar Allan Poe, and ponders Walden Pond with henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson. If you don’t know who (or what!) Natty Bumppo is or which legendary torne made famous the words “Simplicity! Simplicity! Simplicity! Then this book is for you. In this vastly informative ...

Embark on an exhilarating literary journey with "Science Fiction Novels Vol. 03: Five Science Fiction Novels" - a remarkable anthology crafted by the visionary authors of the Shadowplay Collective. Delve into the captivating worlds of the Golden Age of Science Fiction as you immerse yourself in five extraordinary tales that push the boundaries of imagination. In "Galactic Colonization," witness humanity's audacious quest to explore the cosmos and establish colonies on distant celestial bodies. Join intrepid pioneers as they navigate uncharted territories, encounter alien civilizations, and ...

"Science Fiction Novels Vol. 07: Five Science Fiction Novels" - an extraordinary collection of literary treasures penned by the remarkable talents of the Shadowplay Collective. Drawing inspiration from the revered Golden Age of Science Fiction, these gripping tales will transport you to fantastical worlds brimming with excitement, wonder, and adventure. Uncover the enigmatic nature of "The Unpredictable He" as you journey alongside complex characters grappling with extraordinary abilities. Intrigue, suspense, and unexpected twists await in this thrilling exploration of the human condition ...

Prepare to be captivated by "Science Fiction Novels Vol. 02: Five Science Fiction Novels," - a breathtaking anthology penned by the visionary authors of the Shadowplay Collective. Delve into the realms of the Golden Age of Science Fiction as you embark on an extraordinary journey through five captivating tales that will ignite your imagination and leave you spellbound. In "Captive," immerse yourself in a high-stakes game of survival where protagonists are thrust into a world of intrigue, danger, and captivity. Unravel the mysteries behind their imprisonment as they navigate treacherous ...