When I say I am called Valmont the name will convey no impression to the reader one way or another. My occupation is that of private detective in London but if you ask any policeman in Paris who Valmont was he will likely be able to tell you unless he is a recent recruit. ? The Triumphs of Eugene Valmont (1906) brings together tales of the multifarious exploits of Robert Barr's elegant and cunning sleuth, Valmont, a brilliantly ironic parody of Sherlock Holmes. Exhibiting the crucial combination of realism and imagination that characterizes the finest crime writing, the stories exude playfulness and wit, blending mystery and quasi-Gothic thrills with humorous detours and romantic adventure. A notable figure in turn-of-the-century literary London and a friend of Conan Doyle, Barr was acutely aware of style as a form of statement and the stories are full of literary effects, commentary on the detective mystery genre, and Valmont's disparaging reflections on English values. From the hilarious satire of sensationalism in 'The Siamese Twin of a Bomb-Thrower' to the bizarre and operatic melodrama of 'The Ghost with the Club-Foot', Barr's stories delight the reader with their skill, variety, and never-abandoned sense of spirited fun. This edition also includes Barr's two rare pastiches of Valmont's rival, Sherlock Holmes.

Maggie: A Girl of the Streets is an 1893 novella by American author Stephen Crane (1871–1900). The story centers on Maggie, a young girl from the Bowery who is driven to unfortunate circumstances by poverty and solitude. The work was considered risqué by publishers because of its literary realism and strong themes. Crane – who was 22 years old at the time – financed the book's publication himself, although the original 1893 edition was printed under the pseudonym Johnston Smith. After the success of 1895's The Red Badge of Courage, Maggie was reissued in 1896 with considerable changes and re-writing.

In the Sea of Dungting there is a hill, and in that hill there is a hole, and this hole is so deep that it has no bottom. Once a fisherman was passing there who slipped and fell into the hole. He came to a country full of winding ways which led over hill and dale for several miles. Finally he reached a dragon-castle lying in a great plain. There grew a green slime which reached to his knees. He went to the gate of the castle. It was guarded by a dragon who spouted water which dispersed in a fine mist. Within the gate lay a small hornless dragon who raised his head, showed his claws, and would not let him in. The fisherman spent several days in the cave, satisfying his hunger with the green slime, which he found edible and which tasted like rice-mush. At last he found a way out again. He told the district mandarin what had happened to him, and the latter reported the matter to the emperor. The emperor sent for a wise man and questioned him concerning it. The wise man said: “There are four paths in this cave. One path leads to the south-west shore of the Sea of Dungting, the second path leads to a valley in the land of the four rivers, the third path ends in a cave on the mountain of Lo-Fu and the fourth in an island of the Eastern Sea. In this cave dwells the seventh daughter of the Dragon-King of the Eastern Sea, who guards his pearls and his treasure.

"The Adventure of the Dying Detective", in some editions simply titled "The Dying Detective", is one of the 56 Sherlock Holmes short stories written by British author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. ? Dr. Watson is called to 221B Baker Street to tend Holmes, who is apparently dying of a rare Asian disease contracted while he was on a case at Rotherhithe. Watson is shocked, having heard nothing about his friend’s illness. Mrs. Hudson says that he has neither eaten nor drunk anything in three days. ? Upon arriving, Watson finds Holmes in his bed looking very ill and gaunt indeed, and Holmes proceeds to make several odd demands of Watson. He is not to come near Holmes, for the illness is highly contagious. He will seek no help save from the man whom Holmes names. He will wait until six o’clock before Holmes names him. When Watson objects and tries to leave for help, Holmes musters enough strength to leap out of bed, and lock the door, taking the key. So, Watson is forced to wait. Holmes seems delirious at times. ? Watson examines several objects in Holmes’s room while he waits. Holmes has a fit when Watson touches one item, a little black and white ivory box with a sliding lid. Holmes orders him to put it down, explaining that he does not like his things touched.

The Light Princess is a Scottish fairy tale by George MacDonald. It was published in 1864. Drawing on inspiration from Sleeping Beauty, it tells the story of a princess afflicted by a constant weightlessness, unable to get her feet on the ground, both literally and metaphorically, until she finds a love that brings her down to earth. An animated version was released in 1978. In 2013, a musical version by Tori Amos and Samuel Adamson inspired by the original story was premiered for the Royal National Theatre in London. The stage production featured actress Rosalie Craig as the titular character. The musical was generally well-received, enjoyed an extended run in the theatre and will see its cast recording released in 2015.

Once upon a time there was a young man named Du Dsi Tschun. In his youth he was a spendthrift and paid no heed to his property. He was given to drink and idling. When he had run through all his money, his relatives cast him out. One winter day he was walking barefoot about the city, with an empty stomach and torn clothes. Evening came on and still he had not found any food. Without end or aim he wandered about the market place. He was hungry, and the cold seemed well nigh unendurable. So he turned his eyes upward and began to lament aloud. Suddenly an ancient man stood before him, leaning on a staff, who said: “What do you lack since you complain so?” “I am dying of hunger,” replied Du Dsi Tschun, “and not a soul will take pity on me!” The ancient man said: “How much money would you need in order to live in all comfort?” “If I had fifty thousand pieces of copper it would answer my purpose,” replied Du Dsi Tschun. The ancient said: “That would not answer.” “Well, then, a million!” “That is still too little!” “Well, then, three million!” The ancient man said: “That is well spoken!” He fetched a thousand pieces of copper out of his sleeve and said: “That is for this evening. Expect me to-morrow by noon, at the Persian Bazaar!” At the time set Du Dsi Tschun went there, and, sure enough, there was the ancient, who gave him three million pieces of copper. Then he disappeared, without giving his name.

This masterpiece of science fiction is the fascinating story of Griffin, a scientist who creates a serum to render himself invisible, and his descent into madness that follows.

Dragoste i moarte, altceva nu exist pe lume! i spune la un moment dat, ntr-o scen simbolic, Fane, fostul pucria, lui Ivan, fostul revoluionar. ntre aceste dou tensiuni se zbate toat lumea fr ideal a mahalalei care-i accept destinul fr revolt i fr lamentaii. n mahala se iubete repede i se moare uor. Pe ct de fragil e viaa, pe att de crud e moartea; oricine e gata s se sinucid din disperare sau s omoare din furie, supus unei obscure fataliti. Roman de mediu i de atmosfer, populat cu personaje ct se poate de pitoreti, predispuse la promiscuitate moral i conduse de o sexualitate primar, mixnd permanent nostalgicul cu grotescul, idilicul cu misticul i patetismul cu sordidul, scris n limbajul colorat de secol XIX, Maidanul cu dragoste este o tragic i trivial epopee balcanic suburban, ivit din confesiunea melancolic trzie a unui Peter Pan de mahala.“ – Marius Chivu

T?nase Scatiu, al doilea volum din ciclul Com?ne?tenilor, este romanul ?parvenitului, al mojicului ?i mitocanului“ (Al. S?ndulescu). Dinu Murgule? este un boier ?nglodat ?n datorii. Dup? ce se sf?tuie?te cu so?ia sa pune la cale nunta fiicei sale Tincu?a cu vechilul T?nase Sotirescu zis Scatiu, de?i nu putea s?-l sufere, consider?ndu-l un mitocan. ?n scurt timp Scatiu ?i fur? averea boierului ?i devine deputat. Dar c?snicia sa e?ueaz?, mai mult Scatiu are de ?nfruntat o r?scoal? puternic? a ??ranilor de pe mo?ie care ?l ucid ?n cele din urm?.

Poemele lui Virgil Botnaru au una dintre cele mai rare caliti regsibile la un debutant: anume polifonia. Dei arat numaidect recognoscibil, ele sun diferit de la o seciune la alta a crii; se vede, vreau s spun, c-s produse de un acelai spirit i o aceeai energeia, ns sunetul lor e mereu altul. Uneori, ele par contaminate de un misticism aproape pios, ca-n poemul (aproape un haiku) n care poetul trece dimineaa devreme pe lng catedral i gsete c Dumnezeu doarme; pentru ca dup cteva pagini s gseti o strigtur licenioas de dou versuri, deucheat dar simpatic; iar, dup alte cteva pagini, poemele devin documente ale unei melancolii virile, alcoolizate & depresive. E limpede, pentru mine, c Virgil Botnaru e un poet, al crui instrument acoper cteva octave bune; i c tie, de la bun nceput, cum s i-l exploateze. E, adic, un poet despre care tiu sigur c voi mai vorbi–cu ncredere & apreciere.“ – Radu Vancu

Jesse James is, all these years later, one of the most famous American characters who has ever lived. Not only an American paradox, James is a symbol of "the haunted stillness" of a post Civil War America, scarred for life by "that terrible conflict," the bloodiest battle ever experienced on American soil. Jansen's novel examines the James legend through the firsthand historical voice of the press and people of America, fictionally recreated by Jansen, based, however, on "actual" historical documents. George Jansen has successfully written a provocative and entertaining work of fiction worthy of the true legend of Jesse James.

Preg?ti?i-v? pentru sf?r?itul lumii! Autoarea c?r?ii Apocalipsa cuantic?: Universul holografic ne ofer? un studiu aprofundat, de natur? s? schimbe imaginea noastr? asupra Universului ?i asupra evolu?iei P?m?ntului ?i a speciei umane.

Prezenta oper? a lui Emil Mladin, Pedeapsa, un roman de un realism ap?s?tor, strivitor p?n? la revolt?, demonstreaz? unde poate duce ?ncrederea oarb? ?n acea fiin?? iubit? care tr?deaz? aceast? ?ncredere ?i calc? ?n picioare iubirea ?ns??i. ?n final, ?ntregul Univers geme de durere, toat? lumea sufer? cumplit ?i moartea ia ?n st?p?nire trupurile ?i min?ile ?n suferin?? chiar ?nainte ca acestea s?-?i dea cu adev?rat ob?tescul sf?r?it.Cruzimea dramei tr?ite de personajul principal nu cunoa?te nici margini ?i nici vreo c?t de vag? surs? de alinare.

Aceast? carte este ?n limba englez?.?In My Loved Japan, [...] the Romanian poet Clelia Ifrim offers a very fine imaginative response to the tragedy that overtook northeast Japan earlier this year.As far as I know the writer has never visited Japan, though she has long connections with it through haiku, and haiku poets.“A river of tears — to whom belongs this silence after the earthquake?“; “Not a voice or sound but this moon path on the waves — fishermen's village“;“Hobby horse sinking in the depth of the ocean to make its farewell.“?From David Burleigh, Best Books of 2011: Close-up on a People’s Disaster, in Japan Times, at http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/fb20111225a5.html.

This book gives novice investors a lesson learnt from those mistakes that I made in stock investment so that you won’t have to repeat the same mistakes in your investment journey. It is my intention to protect your savings from the hard-earned income.

Az emberek, törpök, manók és tündék több mint száz esztend?n keresztül éltek békében egymás mellett. De ennek a békének vége, és a fajok ismét egymás ellen – és maguk ellen – harcolnak. Ebben a viharos id?ben születik egy gyermek, akire a világ összes vajákja várt. Ciri a Cintrai N?stényoroszlán, Calanthe királyné unokája. Különös hatalmakkal és még különösebb sorssal van megáldva, mert egy jövendölés Lángnak hívja ?t: lángnak, amely örökre megváltoztatja a világot – jó vagy rossz irányba… Ríviai Geralt, a vaják magával viszi Cirit a vajákok központjába, de Ciri egyáltalán nem hasonlít a többi tanítványhoz. Nem kell keresztülmenjen az átlagos vajákok számára a természetfeletti képességek eléréséhez szükséges mutációkon, amelyek gyakran kiirtják az érzelmeket és az emberi érzékenységet. Ciri valami egészen egyedülálló.

This is illustrated and translated version od the "Jaufry the Knight and the Fair Brunissende" & “A Tale of the Times of King Arthur" Now of a tale of chivalry, of proper fashion, great allurement, full of-wise and courteous instances, and wherein abound acts of great prowess, strange adventures, assaults, encounters, and dread battles, you may list the telling. An it amuse you, I will relate thereof all that I do know, or that it please you to give ear unto. Let me know only that which ye desire, and if ye be inclined to listen in good sooth. When the minstrel doth indeed recite, neither should hearers buy nor sell, nor in low voice hold council; for thus the recital is lost to him who speaketh, and they methinks who listen cannot find therein great pleasure. I come, then, to recount to you tidings of the court of good King Arthur; he who was so worthy, so valiant, and so wise, that his name shall never die, but whereof shall eternally be spoken the mighty things he did; and the good knights, all for their prowess known, whom he did gather at his famed Round Table. In that court, the fairest and most loyal that ever shone beneath the stars, all men did find that counsel and that aid of which they stood in need. There triumphed right, and there were wrongs redressed. There dames and damsels, widows and orphans attacked unjustly, or disinherited by force, ne'er failed to meet with champions. The oppressed of all conditions there did find a refuge, and none e'er sought protection there in vain. Give, then, sweet welcome to a poem the fruit of such good place, and deign to listen unto it in peace. The troubadour who rhymed it never knew King Arthur; but he heard the entire story told at the court of the king of Aragon, the best of monarchs in this world. * Don Pedro III., killed in 1213 at the battle of Muret. A worthy father and a famous son, lord of goodly fortunes, humble in heart, and frank in nature as in mind, the king of Aragon loveth God and feareth Him; he maintaineth faith and loyalty, peace and justice: thus God protecteth him, giveth him the victory when he raiseth his banner against the infidel, and placeth him above all those who are alike worthy and bold. Where shall we seek youthful brows wearing a crown which emitteth rays of greater splendour He giveth good gifts to minstrels and to knights, and his court is the resort of all those who are esteemed brave and courteous. It was before him the troubadour heard related, by a stranger-knight of kin to Arthur and Sir Gawain, the song he here hath rhymed; and whereof the first adventure occurred while the king of the Round Table held his court at Carlisle on the day of Pentecost. The Adventure of the Forest Twas on the day of Pentecost, a feast which to Carlisle had drawn a host of knights, that Arthur, King of Briton's isle, his crown placed on his brows, and to the old monastic church proceeded to hear mass. And with him went a brilliant train, the Knights of the Round Table. There were Sir Gawain, Lancelot du Lac, Tristrem, and Ivan bold, Eric frank of heart, and Quex the seneschal, Percival and Calogrant, Cliges the worthy, Coedis the handsome knight, and Caravis short i' the arm; the whole of his bright court, indeed, was there, and many more whose names I have forgot. When mass was done, they to the palace home returned 'mid laughter and loud noise, the thoughts of each on pleasure only bent. Each on arrival gave his humour play. Some spoke of love, and some of chivalry; and some of ventures they were going to seek. Quex at this moment came into the hall, holding a branch of apple in his hand. All made room for him; for there were few who did not fear his tongue and the hard words which it was wont to utter. This baron bold held nothing in respect. E'en of the best he ever said the worst. But this apart, he was a brave stout knight, in council sage, a valiant man of war, and lord of lineage high..

FLUX PERMANENT Scene ?i secven?e cur??ate de resorturile sugestiilor automate sunt eroii poeticii Ioanei Geac?r. ?pe scaunul de la cinema las? dinadins trandafirul/ lumina se va stinge/ ?i doar lic?ririle dinspre ecran sau dinspre u?a deschis?/ ?i vor m?ng?ia genunchii“ (?Cinema“) astfel de imagini ale singur?t??ii aflate ?n permanent? rela?ie cu tot ceea ce este ?n jur lumineaz? noul volum al Ioanei Geac?r. P?n? ?i titlul c?r?ii sale de la Casa de Pariuri Literare func?ioneaz? dup? aceea?i dinaminc? a izol?rii ?n mijlocul lucrurilor. Singur?tatea unui titlu ??Recviem pentru nuca verde? e un titlu de poem care m? b?ntuie de c?teva zile ?i uite unde a r?s?rit! Am pus si eu un nuc l?ng? bloc, c??iva ar?ari, plopi, tei, dar nu s-a prins dec?t un m?r care s-a dovedit a fi dud ?n cele din urm?. Toate vr?biile din cartier m? iubesc.“ scria Ioana Geac?r ?n urm? cu 5 ani pe un site literar. ?ntre timp, titlul acela pare s? fi preluat controlul asupra unui ?ntreg volum de poezii. Un volum ?n care nu este niciun poem care s? fie explicit recviem ?i nici de nuci nu vine vorba dec?t ?n interiorul cuv?ntului ?siNUCIdere“ sau c?nd ?sinuciga?ul alege din libr?rie c?teva c?r?i de pus sub picioare“. Verde ?n ce prive?te, ?ns?, felurile ?n care apare culoarea ?verde“ ?n volumul de fa?? al Ioanei Geac?r se pot scrie pagini consistente. De la fluturele care ??i schimb? culoarea, la ?zidul crescut ca un mu?chi“ cu op?iuni de ?tergere ro?ii ?i verzi, sau la acoperi?urile sm?l?uite ?n acela?i poem (?printre ruinurile T?rgovi?tei“), ?n amestecul cromatic al trupurilor dintre blocuri, sau ?mirosul de verde“ din ?emo?ii ?n ghips“, ochiul ?ncol?cit ?i rochia mamei, acela?i motiv leag? stabilizeaz? traseul poetic parcurs ?n aceast? carte care ?ncepe cu ?the end“ ?i se ?nchide cu ?ziua abia a-nceput“, ?naintea finalului ?ioana deseneaz? raze la sf?r?itul caietului de poezii“. Poveste vs. prezen?a uman? Multe poeme din acest volum alterneaz? personalul ?i impersonalul, articolul nehot?r?t ?i m?rci ale posesivit??ii la distan?? de c?teva versuri. Dac? ar fi s? aleg un mecanism care s? fie responsabil pentru demersul poetic al Ioanei Geac?r acesta ar fi tocmai amendarea jocului literar gratuit. Fie c? preia desf??ur?ri nostalgice ori tablouri ale purit??ii, nara?iunile sunt pulverizate aici pentru a face loc unui contur uman: ?mi-e team?/ c? dac? z?mbesc fa?a mi se va descompune“ (?humpty dumpty“). ?ntr-un volum ?n care singurele cuvinte scrise cu majuscule sunt T?rgovi?te, Breughel cel B?tr?n sau Hieronymus Bosch ?i unde nu exist? nici m?car o singur? virgul?, reperele poeziei sunt puse la ?ncercare, iar ?ncercarea suprem? este leg?tura dintre elemente aparent disparate, dintre m?rci ale fragilit??ii ?i ipostaze brutale, o c?utare expresiv? ?n flux permanent.

A humorous fantasy tale. An evil wizard has turned the entire royal family into frogs and set them loose in the marshes, and only a kiss can restore them to their natural forms . . . but there are so many frogs, and so much swamp, who is willing to kiss them all? Short story.

L’école de Shuyukan, ?le de Kyushu, Japon : deux lycéennes et un prêtre sauvagement assassinés par une entité diabolique dans les toilettes du troisième étage du b?timent des internes. Toute la ville de Fukuoka est en proie à la panique. La prestigieuse école est fermée, les élèves renvoyés chez eux, mais les manifestations surnaturelles continuent de terrifier les habitants. Les Purificateurs sont envoyés sur place et seront immergés malgré eux dans une macabre affaire de satanisme. Sauront-ils vaincre l’entité maléfique qui possède l’école de Shuyukan ?

When the residents of Indrath Whitestone are attacked by a deadly drachvold, it falls to kitchen boy Rael to escape the beast’s watch and seek help from the soldiers of the Imperial Guard.Enter Gavin Swiftwind – the only guardsman brave (or dumb) enough to leap at such a dangerous chance for glory. Spurred on by the promise of a beautiful Lady’s hand in marriage, Gavin accompanies Rael on an epic quest to defeat the vile monster and save the people of Whitestone.But that’s easier said than done, for in the magical world of Allentria, there are perils at every turn…and it turns out there’s more to Rael than meets the eye. Gavin and Rael must learn to work together if they wish to emerge victorious from a journey that will never be forgotten.