Showing results by author "Grant Allen" in All Categories

Join three literary scholars and award-winning professors as they introduce you to dozens of short masterpieces that you can finish - and engage with - in a day or less. Perfect for people with busy lives who still want to discover-or rediscover-just how transformative an act of reading can be, these 36 lectures range from short stories of fewer than 10 pages to novellas and novels of around 200 pages. Despite their short length, these works are powerful examinations of the same subjects and themes that longer "great books" discuss.

"My name is Seymour Wilbraham Wentworth. I am brother-in-law and secretary to Sir Charles Vandrift, the South African millionaire and famous financier. Many years ago, when Charlie Vandrift was a small lawyer in Cape Town, I had the (qualified) good fortune to marry his sister. Much later, when the Vandrift estate and farm near Kimberley developed by degrees into the Cloetedorp Golcondas, Limited, my brother-in-law offered me the not unremunerative post of secretary; in which capacity I have ever since been his constant and attached companion." An illustrious scientist, Allen came to fiction ...

These Essays originally appeared in the columns of the 'St. James's Gazette,' and I have to thank the courtesy of the Editor for kind permission to republish them. My object in writing them was to make the general principles and methods of evolutionists a little more familiar to unscientific readers. Biologists usually deal with those underlying points of structure which are most really important, and on which all technical discussion must necessarily be based. But ordinary people care little for such minute anatomical and physiological details. They cannot be expected to interest themselves ...

Fun stories of Miss Lois Cayley, independent young woman, as she, beginning with only twopence in her pocket, travels the world. (Summary by kristin) Miss Lois Cayley, a smart, strong and independent woman, is traveling around the world. However, her beloved is in trouble. He is accused of a crime which he didn't commit. But who did? And would she be able to save him from 14 years in prison? And would an independent woman let herself, finally, fall in love and live quietly? (Summary by Stav Nisser).

In an era where love often leads to marriage, the story of Herminia Barton and Alan Merrick defies convention. They fall in love, yet Herminia is fiercely committed to her belief in womens freedom and vehemently opposes the constraints of marriage. Reluctantly, Alan agrees to her desire to remain unmarried and live as close and dear friends. As they prepare to welcome their child, they retreat to Italy, seeking refuge from the judgmental eyes of English society. This poignant tale raises thought-provoking questions Is marriage truly essential? Is a strong will always a virtue? When is it ...

(under the pseudonym Olive Pratt Rayner) In the words of Juliet Appleton’s boss, There is no more pathetic figure in our world today than the common figure of the poor young lady, crushed between classes above and below, and left with scarce a chance of earning her bread with decency. At just 23 years old, this college-educated woman finds herself navigating the harsh realities of late Victorian England. With no funds and a daunting struggle for survival in London, she relies on her resourcefulness and two revolutionary tools of the time a bicycle for freedom of movement and a typewriter for...

In the serene suburb of Brackenhurst, civil servant Philip Christy’s life takes an unexpected turn when he encounters the enigmatic Bertram Ingledew. Alongside his sister Frida, who is married to affluent Scotsman Robert Monteith, Philip forms a bond with this peculiar stranger. Bertrams unconventional views on society challenge the status quo, leading to a whirlwind of upheaval in their family and community. Who exactly is Bertram, and what drives his unusual beliefs? As the narrative unfolds, author Allen delves into thought-provoking themes that resonate with contemporary issues. The tale...

Originally published in the St. Jamess Gazette, these essays aim to bridge the gap between the intricate world of biology and the everyday reader. With a heartfelt thanks to the Editor for allowing this republication, I set out to demystify the principles and methods of evolution for those who may not have a scientific background. While biologists often focus on the intricate details of anatomy, such as the flexor pollicis longus or the hippocampus major—terms that can be daunting to the uninitiated—ordinary people are more curious about the beauty of natures forms. They want to know why ...

Kurz vor Weihnachten 1889: Die junge Maisie Llewelyn erhält von der Millionärin Mrs. West eine Einladung nach Wolverden Hall in Kent, einem der schönsten und besterhaltenen Herrenhäuser der elisabethanischen Zeit.

Die Gruselkabinett Box 36 beinhaltet die Hörspiele "Der Judas-Kuss", "Das Zeichen der Bestie", "Der Wolverden-Turm", "Der gewaltige Gott Pan".

This is the podcast where we discuss our different top-ten lists, and convince one another why we’re right.

Charles Vandrift is a shrewd businessman who is never taken in by hocus-pocus. So when he hears of the Great Mexican Seer, a man who has taken all Nice by storm, he cannot wait to unmask him as a fraud. But is the Seer more than a commonplace conjurer?

What a coincidence. The mummies wake up once a millennium, and who should stumble into the pyramid but our hero? This is a fun little story about a British ne'er-do-well who has found possible wealth and prosperity by becoming engaged to the rather plain - and plain is a nice word for it - daughter of a new English nobleman. But wait. He wanders into the pyramid when the mummies have their 24 hours of life once a millennium, and he falls madly in love with the Pharaoh's daughter, who is some 6,000 years old.

Set against the international background of the late Victorian rich and privileged The African Millionaire is a far-fetched and farcical romp in which gullible Sir Charles Vandrift MP is slowly but steadily parted from his vast wealth by a series of confidence tricks and deceptions.

The Woman Who Did, written in 1893 wholly and solely to satisfy the author's conscience, was perhaps the most controversial book of the late 19th century. Certainly, it was a succès de scandale and a commercial triumph. The heroine, Herminia Barton, chooses to live unmarried with her lover. When he dies, she endures many a trial for her beliefs - particularly after the stigma of bearing his child - being cast out from both families.

Charles Grant Blairfindie Allen was born on February 24th, 1848 at Alwington, near Kingston, Canada West (now part of Ontario). He was the second son of the Rev. Joseph Antisell Allen, a Protestant minister from Dublin, Ireland and Catharine Ann Grant, the daughter of the fifth Baron of Longueuil. Grant Allen is rarely heard of today, although an occasional short story can be heard on the radio or reprinted among magazine enthusiasts but in his time he did much to entertain the masses and push several genres along a richer journey they are still proceeding on today.

Explore the life stories of seven remarkable men with humble beginnings in Biographies of Working Men by Grant Allen. Known for his roles as an anthropologist, scientific writer, novelist, and poet, Allens diverse interests and expertise are reflected in his engaging storytelling. This volume features brief yet inspiring biographies of Thomas Telford, George Stephenson, John Gibson, William Herschel, Jean François Millet, James Garfield, and Thomas Edward. Each of these men, originating from working-class backgrounds, went on to achieve greatness in their respective fields. This book not ...

A sinister event from her past haunts a woman, one so horrifying she cant clearly recall -- witnessing her fathers murder. The trauma induced amnesia, erasing all memories leading up to that dreadful moment. She can only remember the crime scene and the lifeless body of her father in his library, but the murderers face remains a blank void in her mind. Over the years, fragments of memories start creeping back into her consciousness. But can she trust these recollections? Will these elusive memories help her unmask her fathers killer?

Join Seymour Wilbraham Wentworth, brother-in-law and secretary to the renowned South African millionaire, Sir Charles Vandrift, as he narrates this riveting tale of fortune and deceit. From humble beginnings as a small lawyer in Cape Town, Vandrifts rise to wealth is intrinsically linked with his trusted companion, Wentworth. Step into this world of wealth and intrigue, introduced by the illustrious Colonel Clay, a gentleman rogue who shares a striking resemblance with Arsène Lupin. This tale masterfully weaves together the fascinating elements of suspense, mystery, and adventure, as ...

Journey into the heart of mystery and intrigue in this early detective novel where the sleuth is none other than Hilda Wade, an enigmatic nurse making her debut at the hospital. From the moment she steps in, Dr. Hubert Cumberledge is drawn into her magnetic charm, becoming her staunch ally. Hilda is a woman on a mission, one that will lead her on a global chase from London to the far reaches of South Africa, Rhodesia, India, Nepaul, and Tibet. Armed with her unwavering logic, clear thinking, and the unwavering support of Cumberledge, she navigates through a maze of deadly challenges. But, will...