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Books > Fiction > Special features > Classic fiction
With an Introduction and Notes by David Rampton, Department of
English, University of Ottowa. Notes from Underground and Other
Stories is a comprehensive collection of Dostoevsky's short
fiction. Many of these stories, like his great novels, reveal his
special sympathy for the solitary and dispossessed, explore the
same complex psychological issues and subtly combine rich
characterization and philosophical meditations on the (often) dark
areas of the human psyche, all conveyed in an idiosyncratic blend
of deadly seriousness and wild humour. In Notes from Underground,
the Underground Man casually dismantles utilitarianism and
celebrates in its stead a perverse but vibrant masochism. A
Christmas Tree and a Wedding recounts the successful pursuit of a
young girl by a lecherous old man. In Bobok, one Ivan Ivanovitch
listens in on corpses gossiping in a cemetery and ends up deploring
their depravity. In A Gentle Spirit, the narrator describes his
dawning recognition that he is responsible for his wife's suicide.
In short, as a commentator on spiritual stagnation, Dostoevsky has
no equal.
"The Time Machine is a true classic. Originally published in 1895, H.
G. Wells’ short novel of time travel is one of the most beloved works
in all of science fiction. Back when I was a twelve-year-old, I vividly
recall watching the 1960 film with Mom and Dad at the local movie
house. Traveling through time with the turn of the century scientist as
he encounters first the Eloi and then the Morlocks proved to be among
my most powerful childhood experiences.
Once you're in, there's only one way out...Tired of always doing
the dirty work with little reward, Danny McKay wants out of the
gangland life. But his boss, Freddie Smith, has other ideas... As
the current Top Dog of the East End, Freddie knows he must protect
his reign at all costs and if that means disposing of his much
younger, much stronger, number two, then so be it. Now, with a
price on his head, Danny must use all of his wits and connections
to stay one step ahead of Freddie - he knows his old boss won't
give up without a fight to the death. But with a turf war looming,
the question is who will survive and who will be crowned Top Dog.
Don't miss the exciting sequel to Under Dog by Kerry Kaya! Perfect
for fans of Kimberley Chambers, Heather Atkinson and Caz Finlay.
Please note this is a re-release of Top Dog, previously published
by Kerry Kaya.
Two dead bodies and a Christmas stocking weaponised. A Postman
murdered delivering cards on Christmas morning. A Christmas tree
growing over a forgotten homicide. It's the most wonderful time of
the year, except for the victims of these shocking and often
elaborate murders. When there's magic in the air, sometimes even
the facts don't quite add up and the impossible can happen -- and
it's up to the detective's trained eye to unwrap the clues and put
together an explanation neatly tied up with a bow. Martin Edwards
compiles an anthology filled with tales of seasonal suspense where
the snow runs red, perfect to be shared between super-sleuths by
the fire on a cold winter's night.
'It is past the half-hour. My time is coming nearer with every tick
of the clock.' Horace Manning, scientist, recluse and 'closed book'
even to his friends is found dead in his study at 4am, following a
dinner in honour of his daughter Helen's engagement. An
ivory-handled carving knife rests between his shoulder blades as
the houseguests gather about to witness the awful crime. The
telephone line has been sabotaged; a calculated murder has been
committed. Rewinding twelve hours, the events of the afternoon and
evening unfold, along with a multitude of motives from a closed
cast of suspects and clues until the narrative reaches 4am again -
then races on to its riveting conclusion at 4pm (twice round the
clock). First published in 1935, this is a lively and unpretentious
mystery thriller and a true lost gem of the Golden Age of crime
writing.
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