Showing results by publisher "Real Reads" in Classics

"There is a whistling sound behind us. Shells pass overhead and explode in a sheet of flame a hundred meters away." When Paul Büumer and his classmates join the army, nothing has prepared them for the death and destruction they witness. Machine guns, huge artillery shells, and poison gas create a nightmare world for these young men and their older comrades. For months and years, attack is followed by counterattack.

Journey to the West is one of the Chinese Noble Classics.

In ancient China a magical monkey appears, creating chaos everywhere he goes. The only way to put his tricks and talents to good use is to make him protector of Xuanzang, a young and handsome monk determined to travel from China to India in search of precious scriptures. Monkey and his fellow disciples, Piggy and Sandy, have to protect Xuanzang from monsters and demons who think they can live forever just by taking bites out of the monk.

Dream of the Red Chamber is one of the Chinese Noble Classics.

Baoyu has always believed that he will marry his childhood sweetheart, Daiyu. Daiyu is beautiful and talented, very sensitive, and physically fragile. It is a huge shock to him when he learns that his parents instead want him to marry Baochai, a healthy and considerate girl. Baoyu’s family is fast losing its fame and fortune.

The Three Kingdoms is one of the Chinese Noble Classics. The great empire of China is in turmoil. As the government becomes increasingly incompetent, warlords and nobles battle for power. In the north is the Kingdom of Wei, headed by cunning and manipulative Cao Cao. In the southeast is the Kingdom of Wu, ruled by masterful and charismatic Sun Quan. In the west is the Kingdom of Shu, commanded by kindhearted and humble Liu Bei.

Although Song Jiang is only a lowly local government official, he is loyal to the emperor and kind to all the citizens in his care. But Song is in trouble. A series of unfortunate incidents have led to him being arrested, and his political enemies are keen to see him sentenced to death. There is still hope, however. One hundred and eight brave bandits from Mount Liang have heard of Song’s good name and are willing to rescue him as long as Song will lead them in rebelling against the corrupt government.

Edinburgh, 1736. In the town’s grim prison, the Heart of Midlothian, two prisoners await execution. Captain Porteous of the Town Guard has been sentenced to death for ordering his soldiers to open fire on Edinburgh citizens. He hopes for reprieve. The people want revenge. Effie Deans, wrongly accused of killing her newborn baby, will die unless her sister, Jeanie, tells a lie. Jeanie, determined to save her sister, makes a terrifying journey as Effie’s life hangs in the balance.

Sense and Sensibility is one of a series of retellings of classic literature by publisher Real Reads. True to the original plot, characters and themes, Real Reads also imitate the original author's style. An intelligent, lively and enjoyable introduction to this classic tale.Mraianne is ablaze with fire and passion.; Elinor keeps her own heat under control.Marianne seeks a man who shares her eager spirit; Elinor is in love with the polite, considerate Edward Ferrars.

No one would have believed that planet Earth was being watched by creatures more intelligent than humankind. But planet Earth was not only being watched--soon it would be invaded by monstrous creatures from Mars who strode about the land in great mechanical tripods, bringing death and destruction with them. What could possibly stop an invading army equipped with heat rays and poisonous black gas, intent on wiping out the human race?

Bleak House is one of a series of retellings of classic literature by publishers Real Reads. True to the original plot, characters and themes, Real Reads also imitate the original author's style.

Great Expectations is one of a series of retellings of classic literature by publisher Real Reads. True to the original plot, characters and themes, Real Reads also imitate the the original author's style. An intelligent, lively and enjoyable introduction to this classic tale.An escaped convict threatens to eat young Pip's heart for breakfast. The ghostly Miss Havisham invites Pip to her eerie home.

Written in play form using Shakespeare's iambic pentameter and imitating much of his style and language, these little plays are an excellent introduction to the bard. Hamlet’s father, the king of Denmark, has died suddenly. But instead of grieving, his mother, Gertrude, has married the dead king’s brother, Claudius. One dark night Hamlet sees a ghost. It is his dead father, who claims he was murdered by Claudius, the new king. But did Hamlet really see a ghost, or did he just imagine it?

"It wouldn’t be pleasant sharing my flat with a dead body, but there was nothing else I could do."

Richard Hannay is bored with life in London. Then he discovers a horrible crime and finds himself in the middle of a clever and frightening plot. Can he find the proof he needs to save his country from disaster? When Hannay hides out on the wild Scottish moors, will he escape from the dangerous gang that wants to silence him forever? Who can he trust on his journey?

"It’s a woman. She’s dead, I think--dead in the snow at the Stone-pits--not far from my door." Since his arrival in the small village of Raveloe, Silas Marner has been an outsider. Nobody knows where he came from, nobody understands him, nobody dares to invite him in. All of this changes when a little girl wanders through his door one snowy night. What feelings will she stir in Silas’ lonely heart? How will she draw Silas closer to the heart of Raveloe?

Eight years ago, Anne Elliott was persuaded that her family's honour was more important than her own happiness. She has suffered ever since. Now the man she turned away has returned. Can Captain Wentworth forgive Anne, or will he be charmed instead by the beautiful Louisa? Will Anne be persuaded to marry her cousin, or will she find the strength to follow her heart?

An excellent retelling of this classic Conan doyle Adventure. True to the original in plot, character, themes and style, this is an excellent introduction to Arthur Conan Doyle's timeless story.'Dinosaurs are most certainly not extinct. I have seen them.'An incredible claim by the eccentric Professor Challenger leads to an expedition deep into the Amazon, where an unlikely group of men find themselves on a journey into unknown dangers. Will they have the skills, strength, intelligence and good fortune to survive?

One of a series of six retellings of Jane Austen's great works, this Real Reads Pride and Prejudice is true to the original in many ways. It is true to the plot, character, and themes, and the author successfully imitates Austen's style and syntax. A wonderful introduction to this classic work of literature, and an enjoyable listening experience in its own right.

When Jonathan Harker travels to Transylvania to sell a house, he little expects the horrors that await. As the guest and prisoner of the sinister Count Dracula, Jonathan is plunged into a terrifying world of ancient evil and unbearable fear. Back in England Jonathan’s wife, Mina, is concerned about her friend, Lucy, who is mysteriously ill and growing weaker by the day. Can Lucy’s friends save her from the worst horror of all, or are they all doomed to a similar fate?

Following a series of misfortunes, Tess Durbeyfield leaves her impoverished family to seek work with her rich relations. Her new employer, Alec d’Urberville, seems charming and kind. Tess has a mind of her own, but she is vulnerable and alone among strangers. Can she trust Alec? A year later Tess meets Angel Clare, and they fall in love. If Angel discovers the truth about Tess’ past, will he still love her?

One of a series of retellings of classic world literature from publisher Real Reads. True to the original plot, characters and themes, Real Reads also reflect the original author's style. A brilliant introduction to this haunting tale."I saw everything. They told me everything. I played a part in everything."Nelly Dean has spent her life serving the inhabitants of Wuthering Heights. She has quite a tale to tell. She wants to tell it to you.

"‘Breach your last to the sun, Moby Dick!’ cried Ahab. ‘Thy hour and thy harpoon are at hand!’" Why does Captain Ahab look like a man who’s being crucified? How did he come by that hideous scar and the false leg made of a whale’s bone? And why is he obsessed with Moby Dick, the great white whale?Ishmael, the new recruit, has other strange shipmates. There’s Queequeg, for instance, covered in weird tattoos and selling shrunken human heads.