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Books > Fiction > Special features > Classic fiction
The Great American Novel of love and betrayal in the Jazz Age. ‘I
believe that on the first night I went to Gatsby’s house I was
one of the few guests who had actually been invited. People were
not invited – they went there’. Considered one of the all-time
great American works of fiction, Fitzgerald’s glorious yet
ultimately tragic social satire on the Jazz Age encapsulates the
exuberance, energy and decadence of an era. After the war, the
mysterious Jay Gatsby, a self-made millionaire pursues wealth,
riches and the lady he lost to another man with stoic
determination. He buys a mansion across from her house and throws
lavish parties to try and entice her. When Gatsby finally does
reunite with Daisy Buchanan, tragic events are set in motion. Told
through the eyes of his detached and omnipresent neighbour and
friend, Nick Carraway, Fitzgerald’s succinct and powerful prose
hints at the destruction and tragedy that awaits.
Few books have been as universally cherished by children and adults
alike as The Little Prince. A beautiful gift edition of this
touching and wise classic children's book, with the original
translation by Katherine Woods and full-colour illustrations. A
pilot stranded in the desert awakes one morning to see the most
extraordinary little fellow standing before him. "Please,... asks
the stranger, "draw me a sheep.... And the pilot realises that when
life's events are too difficult to understand, there is no choice
but to succumb to their mysteries. He pulls out a pencil and paper
... and thus begins this wise and enchanting fable that, in
teaching the secret of what is really important in life, has
changed the world forever for its readers. This stunning new
edition of the classic children's book The Little Prince, includes
the classic English translation by Katherine Woods and original
colour illustrations which will capture the hearts of readers of
all ages. Antoine de Saint-Exupery (1900-1944) was born in Lyons,
France. He wrote The Little Prince in the United States during a
two-year self-imposed exile from occupied France. A year after the
book's publication in 1943, Saint-Exupery disappeared over the
Mediterranean while flying a reconnaissance mission for his French
air squadron. Best known throughout the world as the author and
illustrator of The Little Prince, Saint-Exupery wrote several other
books that have also become classics of world literature. Katherine
Woods (1886-1968) produced the original English translation of The
Little Prince in 1943. It was later followed by several other
English translations, but her classic translation is treasured by
fans and is often considered to be the definitive English
translation. Her poetic translation perfectly captures the
enchantment and charm of Saint-Exupery's storytelling.
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