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Conran Octopus
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Dealing with themes of determinism and inescapable fate, Thomas Hardy's novels are also reknowned for depicting the intimate relationship between character and the environment. Unflinchingly honest in portraying characters and their fortunes, Hardy depicts life with all its harsh realities. Tess of the D'Urbervilles received negative reviews when first published in 1891. Originally criticised as being too pessimistic, it is now regarded as a classic. The story of Tess's painful journey from girl to woman and her traumatic relationships with Alec D'Urberville and Angel Clare, is presided over by the unwavering hand of justice. The Major of Casterbridge recounts the life of Michael Henchard as he reaches the pinnacle of power, self esteem and self-satisfaction, only to lose it through folly and bad luck. The emotional rise and fall of Henchard is described with the greatest insight and sensitivity. Far from the Madding Crowd is the first of Hardy's Wessex tales. It relates the story of Bathsheba Everdene and the men who love her. Set against the farming community, tragedy and love unfold alongside the continual struggle of rural life. |
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Six of the very best Henry James classics. This classic collection includes the British author's most influential works, from The Portrait of a Lady to the Aspern Papers. Part of a beautiful series of classic fiction, this title brings Henry James back to life and reminds the world just what a wonderful writer he was. Featuring Daisy Miller, Washington Square and The Bostonians, this is a brilliant bind up not to be missed. |
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Delighting children and adults around the world, the classic stories of Mark Twain are a must-read set. Featuring The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Prince and the Pauper and more this timeless collection will remind readers of the power of Twain's vivid imagination. Part of Bounty's new Classic Fiction series, this title is an essential for anyone with a real love of literature. |
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From the adventures of Jim Hawkins in Treasure Island to The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Stevenson's legacy of novels and adventure stories is considerable and filled with colourful characters and rich settings, making for exciting and compelling reads for adults and young readers alike. Robert Louis Stevenson began writing articles whilst studying law at Edinburgh University and his earliest works were inspired by his travels around France. Treasure Island was written in 1883 and was followed by his other great novels, including Kidnapped and The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Treasure Island tells the tale of Jim Hawkins and his dramatic adventure involving bloodthirsty pirates and their sinister leader, Long John Silver, and has captured the imaginations of generations of young readers. Kidnapped, too, has all the ingredients of a classic adventure story. Set in the highlands of Scotland during the Jacobite rebellion its hero, Alan Breck Steward, fearless and romantic, is one of Stevenson's most engaging characters. Weir of Hermiston, written in 1896, was left unfinished by Stevenson at the time of his death but contains some of this best writing. A vibrant story about the austere Scottish judge and his son, the novel displays the fruition of Stevenson's narrative abilities. The Master of Ballantrae tells of the lifelong feud between Master Ballantrae and his young brother Henry. This novel in particular underlines Stevenson's preoccupation with destiny and fate. The Black Arrow originally appeared in serial form and is a tremendously exciting adventure story in which the hero, Richard Shelton, fight for the Yorkists during the War of the Roses, encounters Richard III and an infamous band of archers who use the dreaded black arrows. The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, tells of how a doctor creates a separate personality, evil in instinct and repulsive in appearance, through the use of a special drug he has discovered. Robert Louis Stevenson's legacy of novels and adventure stories is considerable and filled with colourful characters and rich settings, exciting and compelling for adults and young readers alike. |
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