Arcturus The Awakening Шопен Кейт

'The voice of the sea is seductive; never ceasing, whispering, clamoring, murmuring, inviting the soul to wander for a spell in abysses of solitude' • When 'The Awakening' was first published in 1899, charges of sordidness and immorality seemed to consign it into obscurity and irreparably damage its author's reputation. But a century after her death, it is widely regarded as Kate Chopin's great achievement. Through careful, subtle changes of style, Chopin shows the transformation of Edna Pontellier, a young wife and mother, who - with tragic consequences - refuses to be caged by married and domestic life, and claims for herself moral and erotic freedom • The Penguin English Library - collectable general readers' editions of the best fiction in English, from the eighteenth century to the end of the Second World War

Over one long, languid summer Edna Pontellier, fettered by marriage and motherhood, becomes acquainted with Robert Lebrun. As the days shorten and the temperature drops Edna succumbs to Robert’s devotion. But as her desire grows so too does her discontentment - with the role society has forced her to play and with the bonds that hold her fast - and her world begins to unravel with devastating consequences … • The Awakening is widely regarded as one of the forerunners of feminist literature alongside Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina and Flaubert’s Madame Bovary. First published in the United States in 1899, this radical novel sent shockwaves through American society and continues to speak to readers over a hundred years later. This tender, brilliant, and seductive novel is as beautifully written as it is politically engaging

Little Clothbound Classics: irresistible, mini editions of short stories, novellas and essays from the world's greatest writers, designed by the award-winning Coralie Bickford-Smith • This candid portrayal of a woman who refuses to accept her allotted role as wife and mother caused an outcry when it was published in 1899 • It is the story of Edna Pontellier, who spends the summer on the Gulf of Mexico with her businessman husband and her two sons. When an illicit romance awakens unfamiliar ideas and longings in Edna, she discovers a new identity for herself, but cannot hope for understanding in the stifling attitudes of Louisiana society

While spending the summer in the resort of Grand Isle with her husband and children, Edna Pontellier begins a process of self-discovery that is accelerated after she meets the charming Robert Lebrun. Yet, when Robert departs for Mexico and the summer vacation ends, Edna's new-found sense of independence and personal freedom mean that she isolates herself from New Orleans society and rejects her former lifestyle. Moving into a home of her own and choosing a lover, Edna soon becomes a protegee of the unconventional pianist Mademoiselle Reisz, through whom she learns that Robert still longs for her • Centring upon the conflict between Edna's increasingly unorthodox views on femininity and motherhood and the prevailing social attitudes of the fin de siecle American South, The Awakening is widely seen as a landmark of early feminism and a precursor of American modernism

The Essence of Kabbalah explains the mysticism of the Torah and the other books in the Hebrew Bible, and presents an overview of the historical trends that have shaped Kabbalah as it is known today. It examines the interpretative methods that are viewed as unlocking the secrets of the Torah - those teachings that point to the inner fabric of creation • Acclaimed author Brian Lancaster explores key extracts from the seminal works of Kabbalah - the Sefer Yetsirah, the Bahir and the Zohar, and presents the major teachings of influential kabbalists. He places Kabbalah in the context of Judaism as a whole, and illustrates the ways in which Judaism's teachings, prayers and rituals express a concealed inner tradition • Further, he shows how contemporary scholarship and science are enabling a creative dialogue with the ancient teachings preserved within Kabbalah, leading to a twenty-first century renaissance in the importance of mysticism for providing a much-needed and profound sense of connectedness and purpose in our world

The Battle of the Bulge was the largest land engagement of World War II. The German counter-attack, spearheaded by three Panzer armies, found the Allies unprepared and ill-equipped. As the fighting raged across the frosty forests of the Ardennes, it was left to a few untested US Infantry divisions to hold the Allied lines. Written by one of the world's leading experts on the subject, this account provides an essential introduction to the events of winter 1944-5 and to the many soldiers who risked their lives in defence of freedom • Drawing on personal interviews, extensive research, and an unparalleled knowledge of the region, Martin King explores one of the most important battles of World War II

The Hound of the Baskervilles is a chilling tale presenting Sherlock Holmes with one of his most challenging cases. The young Sir Henry Baskerville, the new master of the Baskerville estate, is haunted by a phantom beast 'with blazing eyes and dripping jaws' which roams the mist-enshrouded moors around isolated Baskerville Hall on Dartmoor. Is this fiendish spectre the manifestation of the family curse Or is Sir Henry the victim of a scheming murderer Sherlock Holmes' arch enemy, the criminal genius Professor Moriarty, is back! But the solution to the riddle, found after many surprising twists and high drams, lies far away, half across the world in a location known as 'The Valley of Fear'. This is Conan Doyle's last Holmes novel and in the opinion of many of his fans, it is his best!

The poems of Wilfred Owen have shaped our remembrance of World War I. The power of his writing arises not only from his role as witness but due to his poetical prowess and the strength of his descriptions. His work conveys the sheer range of suffering experienced during the war, from the graphic depiction of a gas attack in 'Dulce et Decorum Est' and the blinding of a soldier in 'The Sentry' to the reflections on madness in 'Mental Cases' and 'The Chances' to the nightmarish visions of a haunted psyche in 'Strange Meeting'. Owen's poems capture the physical, mental and emotional toll of the war with devasting clarity. A leading voice for a lost generation, he was killed in November 1918, one week before the war's end

The Egyptian Book of the Dead is an ancient collection of spells designed to guide the departed through the perils of the underworld, ultimately ensuring eternal life. This beautifully illustrated edition of one of the oldest and most influential texts in all history contains images from the exquisite Book of the Dead of Ani, an ancient Egyptian scribe. Meticulously inscribed with hieroglyphics and illustrations of the rituals of the afterlife, the papyrus is shown alongside the translation by acclaimed Egyptologist E.A Wallis Budge

The War of the Worlds introduced the idea of alien invasion to the world. Featuring inscrutable extra-terrestrials armed with a terrifying array of weapons, including the Heat-Ray, robotic killing machines walking on three legs, and 'black smoke', the novel resonated with Victorian Britain. The ingenious creations of Wells' mind stood out from the abundance of invasion literature that was flooding the market at the time

The distinguished artist, illustrator, author, and poet Edward Lear was one of the great humourists of the 19th century. He is best remembered for his witty nonsense verse, which has delighted readers of all ages for more than 150 years • Beneath the absurd and playful imaginings of Lear’s poetry there lurks a melancholic streak that was to bedevil him throughout his extraordinarily creative, nomadic life. And it is this that gives his writing its haunting quality • This collection includes “The Owl and the Pussycat”, “The Courtship of the Yonghy-Bonghy-Bo”, “The Dong with the Luminous Nose”, and a selection of Lear’s unforgettable limericks, and is interspersed with his own engaging pen-and-ink illustrations

The universe is everything we know — all time and all space • At least 93 billion light years across, and possibly much larger, it has grown from an infinitely tiny point over the course of 12-14 billion years. This book traces its growth from nothing to everything and reveals how the story has been interpreted by generations of scientists and philosophers • Topics include • The Big Bang and the first seconds of the universe • The making of matter • The life, death, and recycling of stars • How planets and moons form • Where our universe could be heading • Beautifully illustrated throughout