European Fiction

In Preface to Paradise Lost, the Christian apologist and revered scholar and professor of literature closely examines the style, content, structure, and themes of Milton’s masterpiece, a retelling of the biblical story of the Fall of Humankind, Satan’s temptation, and the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. Considering the story within the context of the Western literary tradition, Lewis offers invaluable insights into Paradise Lost and the nature of literature itself, unveiling the poem’s beauty and its wisdom.

Le second empire vu sous l'angle des Rougon, archétypes de la bourgeoisie ambitieuse et parvenue.

L'éminent professeur de minéralogie Otto Lidenbrock découvre un jour, caché dans un manuscrit dont il vient de faire l'acquisition, un parchemin rédigé en caractères runiques dont le sens lui demeure obscur. Dès lors, il n'a de cesse de décrypter ce mystérieux message, aidé par son neveu Axel Lidenbrock. Ils découvrent alors quelque chose d'incroyable : le rédacteur du message serait un certain Arne Saknussemm, un alchimiste qui aurait vécu au seizième siècle, et qui aurait découvert un passage vers le "Centre de la Terre".

While the Battle of Berlin in 1945 is widely known, the horrific story of the Halbe Kessel remains largely untold. In April 1945, victorious Soviet forces encircled 80,000 men of the German 9th Army in the Halbe area, South of Berlin, together with many thousands of German women and children. The German troops, desperate to avoid Soviet capture, battled furiously to break out toward the West, where they could surrender to the comparative safety of the Americans.

Troisième volet des trépidations de Valeria et sa bande d'amies. Dans ce troisième volet de la saga, Valeria regrette de s'être emballée pour Victor. Certes, leurs ébats sont toujours aussi torrides. Mais à quoi tout cela rime-t-il ? Empêtrée dans les préparatifs d'un mariage bien plus pompeux que ce qu'elle aurait voulu, Carmen ne sait plus où donner de la tête.

"Le pépiement matinal des oiseaux semblait insipide à Françoise. Chaque parole des 'bonnes' la faisait sursauter ; incommodée par tous leurs pas, elle s'interrogeait sur eux ; c'est que nous avions déménagé."

Real French people don’t speak like your textbook…so it’s no wonder you feel unprepared when it’s your turn to speak! Try the StoryLearning Method, and dive into a real-world, gripping drama between six characters that helps you learn authentic spoken French in the process.

Véritable guide de combat rhétorique, Schopenhauer nous invite, afin de convaincre en public, à ne reculer devant rien. Pour avoir toujours raison, il faut ainsi utiliser des stratagèmes tels que manipuler les réponses, utiliser une contre-proposition absurde, ou retourner les arguments de l'adversaire contre lui-même.

Aujourd'hui, grâce à la succession Marcel Pagnol, la Librairie Sonore des éditions Frémeaux & Associés a l'honneur de présenter cet enregistrement totalement inédit de l'un des textes francophones les plus connus au monde - dans la lecture de son auteur en personne ! Plus qu'un testament posthume, la voix de Marcel Pagnol nous révèle un imaginaire intemporel qui est l'un des plus beaux chants d'amour à la Provence de notre patrimoine littéraire ; un véritable hymne à la vie devenu l'un des fleurons de la mémoire collective des Français de toutes générations.

Originally published in 1778, Evelina is Frances Burney's first and most beloved novel. It was a landmark in the development of the novel of manners and went on to influence such enduringly popular authors as Jane Austen. By turns hilarious and grim, witty and lyrical, the story follows young Evelina as she leaves the seclusion of her country home and enters into late eighteenth-century London society - both its pleasures and its dangers. Life in eighteenth-century England is vividly rendered as Evelina is educated in the ways of the world and, eventually, love.

From the author of The Christmas Hirelings comes this Audible Exclusive production of Mary Elizabeth Braddon’s classic sensation novel Lady Audley’s Secret. English actress Olivia Poulet gives an assured and captivating narration; a cornerstone of the genre and a scandal at the time of its publication, Lady Audley’s Secret is an entertaining and shocking tale of high drama and shifting perceptions.

Political alliances are beginning to rupture, and no state is immune: England, France, the Holy Roman Empire, Milan Genoa, Venice, Constantinople . . . Every mercenary knight must sharpen his sword and prepare for battle. But Sir William Gold has other problems. Just to reach Europe, he must capture its most unassailable fortress. He must also protect his liege lord, the Green Count, from assassins hell-bent on his death.

Albion continues to be divided by revolt and bloodshed, as alliances collapse and are made anew. Driven obsessively for glory, the upstart Bellamus and his exiled queen Aramilla are marshalling resistance and building a powerful army. Returning to the Hindrunn, Keturah is forced to fend for herself, battling enemies on all sides just when she is most in need of a place of safety. And all the while, the young Black Lord must deal not only with the aftermath of a great betrayal, but the cold shadow of the Kryptea, threatening to destroy everything he has fought for...

What could possibly make a proper gentleman come completely undone? What if Elizabeth Bennet accepted the proposal of another before she met Mr. Darcy again? In Abigail Reynolds' bold and playful retelling of the Austen classic, a devastated Mr. Darcy must decide how far he is willing to go to win the woman he loves. Consumed by jealousy, he knows that winning her will throw them both into scandal and disgrace, but losing her is unbearable. Mr. Darcy is going to have to fight for his love, and his life. . .

"Le Journal d'un curé de campagne", considéré comme le chef-d'œuvre de Georges Bernanos, est le journal intime d'un jeune prêtre de village dans le nord de la France. De nature passionné et nourri d'idéaux, il confie ses espoirs, ses pensées, ses doutes, ses quêtes et dresse le portrait d'une communauté villageoise, de petites gens, de nobles et de plus fortunés qu'il voudrait "élever" malgré une santé fragile. Paru en 1936, il reçoit le Grand prix du roman de l'Académie française.

Improve your Italian skills and grow your vocabulary with these 10 entertaining Italian short stories! The best part of learning a new language is experiencing the culture and diving into activities that will enrich your life and vocabulary. The best way to learn a new language is by reading/listening, and in this Italian book, each captivating story will engage your mind and help you improve your Italian.

Tom Jones, a foundling, is brought up by the kindly Mr. Allworthy as if he were his own son. Forced to leave the house as a young man after tales of his disgraceful behavior reach his benefactor's ears, he sets out in utter despair, not only because of his banishment but because he has now lost all hope of gaining the hand of the beautiful Sophia. But she too is forced to flee her parental home to escape an undesirable marriage and their stories and adventures intertwine.

Considered to be French novelist Victor Hugo's masterpiece, Les Miserables, which was published in 1862, is a sprawling historical and philosophical epic that covers from 1815 through the Paris Uprising in 1832. Notable for its many subplots and digressions from the main storyline, the novel's stated aim is a progress from evil to good, from injustice to justice, from falsehood to truth, which can be seen most clearly in the story of the central character Jean Valjean, an ex-convict who struggles to shake the sins of his past and become a good man.

Trolls haunt the snowy forests, and terrifying monsters roam the open sea. A young woman journeys to the end of the world, and a boy proves he knows no fear. This collection of 16 traditional tales transports readers to the enchanting world of Nordic folklore. Translated and transcribed by folklorists in the 19th century, and presented here unabridged, the stories are by turns magical, hilarious, cozy, and chilling. They offer a fascinating view into Nordic culture and a comforting wintertime listen.

Premier volume du diptyque L'Eau des collines, Jean de Florette est l’histoire du père de Manon, le bossu qui s’est échiné en vain à chercher l’eau dans les collines. Ce roman provençal aux dialogues savoureux est lu avec verve par Vincent Fernandel.