Historical Fiction Classics

Set against the colorful and magical backdrop of Ireland, The Grey Horse chronicles a time when the Irish people suffered under harsh English overlords who sought to destroy their culture and way of life. Into the Irish town of Carraroe, a magnificent, completely grey stallion appears. The horse brings with him the promise of better times and magical happenings, for he is actually the shape-shifted form of Ruairi MacEibhir, journeyed to a time of danger in order to win the hand of the woman he loves.

Now a major motion picture from MGM and Paramount studios, the story follows Judah Ben-Hur, a Jewish nobleman whose childhood friend, Messala, betrays him. Accused of trying to murder the new Roman governor in Jerusalem, Judah is sentenced to the galley ships and vows to seek revenge against the Romans and Messala. But a chance encounter with a carpenter from Nazareth sets Judah on a different path.

With the help of Krosp, Emperor of All Cats, Agatha has escaped from the massive airship known as Castle Wulfenbach. After crashing their escape dirigible, Agatha and Krosp fall in with Master Payne’s Circus of Adventure, a traveling troupe of performers dedicated to staging Heterodyne shows - dramatizations of the exploits of Bill and Barry Heterodyne and their allies - who are unaware of Agatha’s connection to the Heterodyne line.

Like most gentiles in Nazi-occupied Paris, architect Lucien Bernard has little empathy for the Jews. So when a wealthy industrialist offers him a large sum of money to devise secret hiding places for Jews, Lucien struggles with the choice of risking his life for a cause he doesn't really believe...

This classic story of adventure during the Scottish war for independence follows the exploits of young Archie Forbes as he fights in defense of his family and his nation. Archie crosses paths with such iconic figures of Scottish history as William Wallace and Robert the Bruce in Henty's beloved historical fiction title. This edition includes the full, unabridged text of In Freedom's Cause. In addition, it includes clear yet extensive discussion questions and study tools to help readers more easily understand this classic text.

Unlike most dreamers, Celeste made it in Hollywood—albeit as a Fée Gardienne in a magical, centuries-old sisterhood. Yet her excitement is tempered by the death of the Gardiennes’ leader, making Celeste and her fellow fairy godmother Anaïs caretakers of the sacred elder staff. Charged with returning the ancient relic to Paris, they set off for New York City to catch a steamship to France. But the 1920s Big Apple roars with danger in ways Celeste and Anaïs never anticipated.

Considered his masterpiece, The Scarlet Letter is Hawthorne's story of Hester Prynne and her daughter, Pearl, conceived through an adulterous affair with a Puritan pastor in 17th century Boston. From start to finish, the book explores the themes of law, guilt, and sin. Since its appearance in 1850, this magnificent book has been a perennial favorite among young and old, though it was extremely controversial when it was first published.

Summer, 1947. Kate Herrick, a war widow, returns to her childhood home for a final visit before the house is sold. But Rose Cottage is not the idyllic paradise she remembers from her youth and someone has been there before her. As Kate uncovers an old secret that haunts the home she thought she knew, she is forced to confront a dark truth from her own past.... Beyond the weedy garden with its riot of rose bushes, nothing had changed. And someone was crossing the bridge to approach the garden gate. Someone I knew well....

His practice newly established, metaphysician Ned Mathey can't afford to turn away any clients. But the latest Londoner to seek Ned's magical aid gives him pause: Mr. Edgar Nevett, an arrogant banker, is the father of the bully who made Ned's life hell at boarding school. Nevertheless, Ned accepts the commission to ensure the Nevett family silver bears no ancient or modern curses, and then prepares to banish the Nevett family to unpleasant memory again.

The land outside of the Old City was supposed to be green, lush, hopeful. A place where Alice could finally rest, no longer the plaything of the Rabbit, the pawn of Cheshire, or the prey of the Jabberwocky. But the verdant fields are nothing but ash - and hope is nowhere to be found. Still, Alice and Hatcher are on a mission to find his daughter, a quest they will not forsake even as it takes them deep into the clutches of the mad White Queen and her goblin or into the realm of the twisted and cruel Black King. The pieces are set, and the game has already begun.

Notre-Dame de París cuenta la historia de la gitana Esmeralda, quien en compañía de su cabra Djali toca la pandereta y baila en las calles de París para subsistir, hasta que se la acusa de haber asesinado al capitán Phoebus, su amado, y se la condena a la horca. Sin embargo, el jorobado Quasimodo, campanero de Notre-Dame, quien tras su deformidad esconde un corazón sensible y sediento de amor, luchará para salvar a la gitana.

Considered one of Sweden's greatest twentieth-century writers, Vilhelm Moberg created the characters Karl Oskar and Kristina Nilsson to portray the joys and tragedies of daily life for early Swedish immigrants in America. His consistently faithful depiction of these humble people's lives is a major strength of the Emigrant Novels.

Mr. Henty weaves a story of the life and times of King Richard the Lion-hearted that is yet to be equaled. Cuthbert de Lance, the hero of the story, is of Norman blood on his father's side and Saxon by his mother. By providing timely aid to the Earl of Evesham, Cuthbert is rewarded by being allowed to go to the Crusade as his page. He gains a reputation for valor and prowess due to gallant deeds, and his resourcefulness not only helps King Richard but aids Cuthbert in many a 'hairbreadth escape'.

In this first of a planned five-volume set, David Roy provides a complete and annotated translation of the famous Chin P'ing Mei, an anonymous sixteenth-century Chinese novel that focuses on the domestic life of Hsi-men Ch'ing, a corrupt, upwardly mobile merchant in a provincial town, who maintains a harem of six wives and concubines. This work, known primarily for its erotic realism, is also a landmark in the development of the narrative art form - not only from a specifically Chinese perspective but in a world-historical context.

Austen’s classic tale of love and values in the class-conscious England of the late 18th century is her most beloved. The story follows Elizabeth Bennet, one of five sisters, as she deals with issues of manners, upbringing, morality, education, and marriage in landed-gentry society. One of the most popular novels of all time. Has been adapted to countless variations for the screen.

In this classic 19th-century story of love battling pride, we meet Elizabeth Bennet. Elizabeth is a smart, well-rounded woman, and she is one of five unmarried daughters of Mr. Bennet, a country gentleman. Marriage is at the forefront Mrs. Bennet's mind, especially since her elderly husband's estate will not pass down to any of their daughters. The Bennets' small town is in an uproar when two highborn, eligible gentlemen, Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy, come to stay.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen was first published in 1813. The story follows Elizabeth Bennet as she deals with issues of manners, upbringing, moral rightness, education and marriage in her aristocratic society of early 19th century England. Elizabeth is the second eldest of five daughters of a country gentleman living in the fictional town of Meryton in Hertfordshire, not far from London.

The year is 1745, and Prince Charlie of the defeated royal house of Stuart, has just returned to Scottish soil. A weighty choice faces every Scottish man. Should he stitch a white cockade to his hat and join the fight to restore James, Prince Charlie's father to the British throne? Or should he stay at home and back George II, the reigning king? One Lowland family, the Duries of Durisdeer and Ballantrae, believe they've found a clever way to sidestep the decision.

Pour profiter au mieux de cette expérience immersive en son binaural, nous vous recommandons de l’écouter au casque. À la recherche de Notre-Dame nous plonge dans la tête du jeune Victor Hugo au moment où il commence ses recherches pour écrire son futur "roman cathédrale" Notre-Dame de Paris. Nous sommes en 1828. Notre-Dame est alors une église en état de délabrement. Elle ne sera rénovée par Viollet-le-Duc et Jean-Baptiste Lassus qu’à partir de 1843.

Kästners berühmte Komödie Drei Männer im Schnee - und dazu der 'Urtext' Inferno im Hotel, eine Erzählung Kästners, die 1927 in einer Zeitung erschien und ihm später als Vorlage für den Roman diente. Dieser Text war seit über 80 Jahren vergessen. Im Sommer 1927 saß Erich Kästner in einer Zeitungsredaktion und musste Einsendungen zu einem Preisausschreiben prüfen. Gut möglich, dass Kästner dabei erfuhr, dass die Gewinner eines Preisausschreibens nicht immer den Erwartungen derer entsprechen, die die Preise aussetzen.