Showing results by publisher "Spoken Realms" in Classics

Something was dead in each of us,
And what was dead was Hope. In this moving poetic study of his experiences in the Victorian penal system, Wilde relates the relentlessness and tedium of prison life, and of the haunted thoughts which trouble these "souls in agony" within their "numbered tombs". Oscar Wilde wrote "The Ballad of Reading Gaol" after his two-year imprisonment at the establishment. During his incarceration, a former trooper was convicted of the murder of his wife and hanged at the Gaol. This event is central to the poem's narrative.

Jack London was one of the most prolific and imaginative writers America has ever produced. This collection includes eight masterpieces that showcase London's literary versatility and his genius at creating memorable, one-of-a-kind characters: "Moon-Face" - a study of extreme motiveless antipathy; "The Leopard-Man's Story" - passion and mayhem under the big top; "Local Color" - a wandering polymath might be too smart for his own good; "The Minions of Midas" - a tale of terrorism perhaps more disturbing today than it was 100 years ago; and much more.

This book was an instant best-seller and became (and remains to this day) an international sensation, much like Harry Potter today. The story of the infant son of an English Lord and Lady marooned on the coast of Africa made its author famous and wealthy. Adopted by the she-ape, Kala, Tarzan becomes a "mighty hunter, mighty fighter" - the first superhero in American literature.

Tono-Bungay is very possibly H. G. Wells' finest novel, bringing together so many strands of his work: that of the novelist, the scientific romancer, the humorist, the historian, and the prophet-like sociologist. It was published in 1909, and although Wells was disappointed by its poor sales, Arnold Bennett praised it thus: "When with the thrill of emotion that a great work communicates I finished reading Tono-Bungay, I was filled with a holy joy because Wells had stirred up the dregs again and more violently than ever....

Nella Braddy (1894-1973), a pioneer among female editors, compiled this seven-story collection, and published Masterpieces of Adventure: Stories of Desert Places in 1922. It features seven authors: Edgerton Castle, Stephen Crane, Selma Lagerlöf, Bret Harte, Thomas Hardy, O. Henry, and W. H. Hudson. It’s a stellar group. Braddy went on to write and edit more articles and books, including two more in the Masterpieces of Adventure series; one focused on Helen Keller’s breakthrough teacher, Anna Sullivan Macy; and a biography of Rudyard Kipling.

Here are two of the very earliest surviving Robin Hood stories: Robin Hood and the Potter and Robin Hood and the Knight, both dating from the end of the Middle Ages. Here are Robin Hood, Little John, and the Sheriff of Nottingham, as they were described in the days when knights and monks and potters and outlaws really did go riding, at least occasionally, through the forests of England.

Red Nails by Robert E. Howard is a gripping tale of adventure, horror, and intrigue set in a mysterious, ancient city. The story follows Conan the Cimmerian and Valeria of the Red Brotherhood, two fierce warriors who find themselves entangled in the deadly feud between two factions inhabiting the decaying city of Xuchotl. The city, built by a long-lost civilization, is filled with eerie corridors, sinister traps, and remnants of dark sorcery.

Queen of the Black Coast is a thrilling tale by Robert E. Howard, first published in Weird Tales in May 1934. It follows Conan the Cimmerian, a barbarian adventurer, as he joins a pirate crew led by the fierce and captivating Bêlit, the Queen of the Black Coast. Together, they embark on daring raids, confront supernatural horrors, and explore mysterious jungles and ancient ruins. The story is a blend of high adventure, romance, and dark fantasy, showcasing Howard's vivid world-building and dynamic characters.

"Created He Them" is a powerful story of redemption and forgiveness, a tale of two brothers who must face their demons in order to find peace and happiness.

The Ruby of Kishmoor tells the adventure of Jonathan Rugg. A mysterious woman masked behind a veil of silver. She gives Jonathan a small ball covered in beautiful markings. The ivory ball is cursed. Jonathan must defend himself against the attacks of several pirates.