If you enjoy courtroom drama and intriguing history stories, then you might enjoy this tale of a young German immigrant who finds herself involved in If you enjoy courtroom drama and intriguing history stories, then you might enjoy this tale of a young German immigrant who finds herself involved in a legal battle with a wealthy New Orleans slave owner. The whole town picks sides - is she really a lost German girl mistakenly thought to be a slave or is she really a slave who is trying desperately to win her freedom? I found the whole tale thoroughly enjoyable and even after reading the author's opinion, not sure I even know the real answer. ...more
Set in 1883 at Grand Coulee, WA, young Eddie is growing up with his family and uncles. He looks up to his favorite uncle, Louie & looks forwrad to theSet in 1883 at Grand Coulee, WA, young Eddie is growing up with his family and uncles. He looks up to his favorite uncle, Louie & looks forwrad to the day that Louie can capture the elusive wild, white stallion & give Eddie his trusted pinto house. And Louie promises Eddie that they will be the first to explore Steamboat Rock once they find a way to reach the top. But when they see smoke at the top, they discover that someone else has discovered a secret about Steamboat Rock. And the two young men must face dangers they never expected. ...more
Triana Becker seems to live a life full of pain, suffering and death. And music. There is always music. Mozart, Tchaikovsky, but most importantly, herTriana Becker seems to live a life full of pain, suffering and death. And music. There is always music. Mozart, Tchaikovsky, but most importantly, her little mad German, Beethoven and his Ninth Symphony. These things bring her to meet a violin player-a ghost-whose own tragic life seems to run parallel with her own. Together, they embark on a journey that leads them through modern New Orleans, nineteenth-century Vienna and finally Rio de Janiero for their finale. True to her reputation, Anne Rice has filled this novel with supernatural, gothic content. She skillfully describes pieces of music, and the emotions associated with them....more
The story is told through the eyes of Mr Utterson, a lawyer. He has become worried about his friend, Henry Jekyll. It seems that a man named Mr. Hyde,The story is told through the eyes of Mr Utterson, a lawyer. He has become worried about his friend, Henry Jekyll. It seems that a man named Mr. Hyde, who has been described as "displeasing, something downright detestable" is living at Jekyll's house. Yet despite Utterson's many attempts to approach the matter, Jekyll refuses to discuss the situation. The story moves to the final climax where Jekyll has locked himself in his laboratory & unexplained sounds are emanating from inside. Desperate to help his friend, Utterson breaks down the door only to discover his friend has committed suicide. A letter is found explaining Jekyll's odd behavior & explaining his discovering a potion that divided the two sides of a man's character-the good from the bad-and Hyde was the evil side of Jekyll. ...more
You first meet Huck Finn in "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer". But now he's set out for his own adventures. He faces dangers like drowning, being tar-andYou first meet Huck Finn in "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer". But now he's set out for his own adventures. He faces dangers like drowning, being tar-and-feathered & dodging bullets. But worst of all, he faces going to hell because he saved a slave named Jim from being captured. This is one of the most important works in American literary history. From the time of its publication in 1884, controversy has surrounded the work. Fortunately, the banning & controversy has not prevented this work from being studied & enjoyed. ...more
Arthur Gordon Pym was born in Nantucket, and like many young men from that town, the sea held a special fascination for him. His best friend, AugustusArthur Gordon Pym was born in Nantucket, and like many young men from that town, the sea held a special fascination for him. His best friend, Augustus, helps Pym sneak on board a whaling vessel and stows him away in the ship. Mutiny, starvation, hurricanes and restless natives all appear to create a swash-buckling adventure.
While the story unfolds and new horrors are discovered, the book does ramble on in may places and the ending leaves one feeling like being stranded in the middle of the ocean with not a soul in site. It seems that there are numerous theories as to Poe's symbolism throughout the book, and they all seem to differ. ...more
In the early part of American history, whaling was an important and and lucrative business. Men would spend years aboard a ship, and if they were luckIn the early part of American history, whaling was an important and and lucrative business. Men would spend years aboard a ship, and if they were lucky enough to return to land, they would have some money in their pockets. Nantucket was the main port for this booming business and the whole community was involved in the process.
In 1820, one ship, the Essex, was to head out on a normal 2-3 year trip around the coast of Africa to the Pacific ocean to bring in as much whale oil was it could carry. But the events of the Essex were anything but ordinary and the resulting tragedy sparked a flurry of stories and rumors that spread throughout the whaling industry and were the catalyst for a now famous novel, Moby Dick.
I torn through this one in less than 48 hours, which is saying a lot for me. Thoroughly engrossing and utterly heartbreaking, definitely a favorite for me for the year. ...more
Having written his memoir 'Confessions of an English Opium Eater', Thomas De Quincy already has made a name for himself and it's not a good one. Then Having written his memoir 'Confessions of an English Opium Eater', Thomas De Quincy already has made a name for himself and it's not a good one. Then when a series of murders takes place in England that seem to be based on De Quincy's writings of the Ratcliffe Highway Murders that took place forty years earlier, the police obviously look to De Quincey. He enlists the help of his daughter, Emily and together they work with a pair of detectives, some of the first of Scotland Yard. The motley crew finds themselves hunting down a serial killer and exposing themselves to the dark alleys of Victorian England and the polish parlors of the upper crust.
This was my first time to read David Morrell and I was completely captivated by this wonderful historical fiction. The amount of research and detail that was supplied was fascinating and something that made me truly become immersed in 19th century England. ...more
When Louis Daguerre was twelve years old, he became sick and a maid was sent to his room to care for him. It was at this time that two of the most impWhen Louis Daguerre was twelve years old, he became sick and a maid was sent to his room to care for him. It was at this time that two of the most important events happened in his life - he fell in love with the maid and he discovered the miracle of light. For the rest of his life, Daguerre pursues both of these passions up until the tragic end.
Paying careful attention to historical detail, Smith brings Paris to life during the 19th century. The history of the daguerreotype and the love story of Louis and his muse are woven together and create a endearing story. ...more
The all-time classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and his encounters with the ghost of Christmas past, Christmas present & Christmas yet to come. They shoThe all-time classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and his encounters with the ghost of Christmas past, Christmas present & Christmas yet to come. They show him using various vignettes the errors of his ways & set him on a new path of goodness.
This particular edition is illustrated by Roberto Innocenti of Italy. His artwork is exquisite & I have now added more books by him to my Wish List. It was interesting to note that the book was written during a time of decline in the old Christmas traditions, Dickens wanted to help bring these traditions back.
Also, Charles Dickens was very concerned with the well-fair of the thousands of poor children living in London at this time. It was estimated that in 1839, nearly half of all funerals in London were for children under the age of ten. He became a believer in the Ragged Schools, which were free schools run through charity that offered the poor children a chance to receive a basic education. Dickens introduces these children in the story through the allegorical twins, Ignorance & Want....more
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