Showing results for "Sketches" in Literature & Fiction

This is the autobiographical novel by Harriet Wilson, the first African-American to publish a novel in North America. Originally published in 1859, it was rediscovered in 1982.

Reuben Sachs is a London lawyer whose political aspirations do not include marriage to Judith Quixano, the daughter of a respectable but unexceptional family. But without Reuben, a woman like Judith might have a bleak future in mid-19th century England: a loveless marriage or lifelong dependency are apparently her only options...A feminist, a Jew, and a lesbian, Amy Levy wrote about Anglo-Jewish cultural mores and the lives of would-be independent women in Victorian society. Levy was as repelled by contemporary literature's occasional paragon (e.g., Daniel Deronda) as by its more frequent ...

In The Sketch-Book of Geoffrey Crayon (1820-21), Irving explores the uneasy relationship of an American writer to English literary traditions. In two sketches, he experiments with tales transplanted from Europe, thereby creating the first classic American short stories: "Rip Van Winkle" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow".

The ‘sketches’ in this... volume are more the substance and length of short stories illustrating the development of the tools of the Masters trade: farce, parody, irony, black humour and wonderful one liners which unerringly hit the mark. The ensuing narrative, however, brings the listener bumpily back to earth with a reminder of the mean and often tragic lives that were being endured in the busy, uncaring metropolis.

Frado is a colored girl, living in the USA a few years before the Civil War. She is abandoned by her own white mother in the house of the Bellmont's- where she is treated badly. This is a sad book, but Frado's cheerfulness and dignity will make you love her until the end. (Introduction by Stav Nisser)

This book is a first-hand account of the experiences of Fr. Norbert Blanchet and his fellow missionaries to Oregon in the 1830’s and 1840’s. The original duo, Fr. Blanchet and Fr. Demers, had incredible adventures traveling across Canada by canoe, horseback, and river raft to arrive at the Hudson’s Bay Company Fort at Vancouver, Washington. From there, they energetically and joyfully established churches in the Willamette valley, along the Columbia River, and into present day Washington state and British Columbia. They were tireless in their efforts to bring the Gospel and the sacraments...

In 1841 and 1842, Fr. Pierre-Jean DeSmet traversed the wide and wild American West to bring the gospel to the Flatheads, who had sent multiple delegations from Montana to St. Louis, repeatedly requesting a Blackgown priest to instruct them in Christianity. Fr. DeSmet’s letters to his Jesuit Superiors show his heroic religious dedication and selflessness, as he recounts fatigues, hunger, thirst, and dangers that rival those of the apostle St. Paul. He also makes intelligent observations of geography, geology, weather (including an enthusiastic description of a tornado), and the interesting ...

Short stories and sketches all relating in some way to temperance and advocating for prohibition. Each story looks at a different facet of the issue. It is presumably children's literature, but most of it would not be understood by the younger set. I recommend pre-teens and older for these stories. - Summary by TriciaG

Washington Irving's Old Christmas tells of an American's travels through England during the Christmas season. Through a chance meeting with an old friend he is able to experience Christmas in a stately manor house. Through his eyes as a houseguest he glimpses the uniquely British customs and celebrations of Christmas as it would have been experienced during the Middle Ages, rather than in the early 19th century. - Summary by Greg Giordano

Niccolò (or Nicolò) Paganini (1782 – 1840) was an Italian violinist, violist, guitarist, and composer. He was the most celebrated violin virtuoso of his time, and left his mark as one of the pillars of modern violin technique. François-Joseph Fétis (1784 – 1871) was a Belgian musicologist, composer, teacher, and one of the most influential music critics of the 19th century.- Summary by David Wales

Step into the bustling streets of Victorian London with Sketches by Boz: The Complete Collection, which includes Volume 1, 2, and 3 of Sketches by Boz, where Charles Dickens brings the city’s diverse characters, neighborhoods, and daily life to vivid, unforgettable life. From the grimy alleys to the grandest ballrooms, this collection of sketches captures the essence of the people and places Dickens encountered, offering a sharp yet affectionate portrait of a society in flux.

Lossing's Biographical Sketches of the Signers contains short descriptions of the Lives of the Signers from this well-respected American historian. - Summary by progressingamerica

E. B. White's greatest stories, asides, essays, jokes, and tall tales about the city he arguably saw clearest, loved best, and skewered most mercilessly. Over more than fifty years at the New Yorker, E. B. White came to define a kind of ideal American prose: clear, casual, democratic, and urbane...

In this small book, Anthony Trollope describes with his characteristic wit and satire the different types of travelers commonly encountered while traveling in the 1800s. - Summary by Elsie Selwyn

Herbert Giles was in the diplomatic service in China from 1867 to 1893. His frank observations on Chinese culture and people form the basis of these short essays, published in 1876. On his retirement, he returned to England and served as the Chair of Chinese at Cambridge for 35 years.

Anthony Trollope describes with his characteristic wit the different types of hunters commonly found in 19th century Britain. - Summary by Elsie Selwyn

Dive into Square Egg and Other Sketches, a delightful collection of eight humorous short stories by the talented Hector Hugh Munro, better known by his pen name, Saki. Published posthumously in 1924, these sketches blend wit and satire with poignant reflections on the stark realities of trench warfare. Despite being beyond the age of conscription, Saki volunteered to serve, earning the admiration of his fellow soldiers. In an appreciation by Rothay Reynolds, one officer remarked on Sakis unwavering spirit and the deep respect he garnered from his comrades. Join us as we explore the charm and ...

Slices of 19th-century London life from the pen of Charles Dickens. Here are 10 gloriously comic stories from Sketches by Boz, Charles Dickens's earliest collection of short pieces in which he honed his literary genius. Each tale is dramatised with a full cast. Cast and credits: written by Charles Dickens. Directed by Sally Avens. Starring Nicholas Farrell as Boz.

This is a series of late-19th Century essays about Florida's flora & fauna written by a Massachusetts-based naturalist. (Summary by BellonaTimes) Note: page 142 was read from Google Books as it was missing from the Gutenberg version.

An authorized biography of D.W. Griffith, the self-proclaimed "Father of Filmmaking." Written in collaboration with the director, Robert Edgar Long's biographical sketch traces Griffith's early life, his career as an actor and stage director, his rise as one of Biograph's most acclaimed and innovative filmmakers, and the making of his revolutionary (and controversial) full-length films: The Birth of a Nation, Intolerance, Broken Blossoms, and other cinema classics. Summary by ChuckW.