Subject
Conduct of life -- Fiction Books
Best books
Oscar Wilde
The Picture of Dorian Gray
"The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde is a philosophical fiction and Gothic horror novel published in 1890. When a beautiful young man wishes that his portrait would age instead of himself, his desire becomes terrifyingly real. As Dorian pursues a life of pleasure and moral corruption, he remains eternally youthful while his painted image transforms into a horrifying record of his sins. Wilde explores beauty, morality, and the dangerous influence of hedonistic philosophy in this tale of vanity and its consequences.
Thomas Carlyle
Sartor Resartus: The Life and Opinions of Herr Teufelsdröckh
"Sartor Resartus: The Life and Opinions of Herr Teufelsdröckh" by Thomas Carlyle is a novel first serialized between 1833-1834. A skeptical English Editor attempts to review a bewildering German philosophy book about clothes by the fictional Professor Diogenes Teufelsdröckh. When the Editor requests biographical information to make sense of the philosopher's Transcendentalist musings, he receives only bags of paper scraps. The work parodies German idealism through fragmentary narrative and increasingly exasperated commentary, blending satire with philosophical meditation.
Oscar Wilde
The Picture of Dorian Gray
"The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde is a philosophical fiction and Gothic horror novel published in 1890. When a beautiful young man wishes that his portrait would age instead of himself, his desire comes horrifyingly true. As Dorian pursues a life of hedonistic pleasure and immoral experiences, he remains youthful while his portrait darkens with every sin. Wilde explores themes of beauty, morality, and the corrupting influence of unchecked desire in this classic work that sparked controversy upon release but remains his most famous novel.
Henry James
The Beast in the Jungle
"The Beast in the Jungle" by Henry James is a novella published in 1903. It tells the story of John Marcher, a man obsessed with the belief that his life is destined for some catastrophic, spectacular event lurking in his future like a beast. His fixation prevents him from truly living or accepting the love of May Bartram, who patiently accompanies him through the years. This psychological parable explores loneliness, fate, and the tragic consequences of waiting for life instead of embracing it.
Guy de Maupassant
Bel Ami; Or, The History of a Scoundrel: A Novel
"Bel Ami; Or, The History of a Scoundrel: A Novel" by Guy de Maupassant is a literary work written in the late 19th century. The novel centers on Georges Duroy, a young man who struggles with poverty and seeks to improve his social standing in Paris through cunning, manipulation, and seduction. As the story unfolds, Duroy's journey from a lackluster life to one of influence and wealth reveals the themes of ambition, moral ambiguity, and the darker sides of human nature. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to Georges Duroy, who is depicted grappling with the reality of his financial struggles as he roams the streets of Paris. His chance encounter with his former comrade, Charles Forestier, sparks a conversation about journalism and the potential for a better life. Forestier encourages Duroy to pursue a career in writing, believing he has the charm and wit necessary to succeed. Throughout these opening chapters, Duroy's character is established as both ambitious and opportunistic, setting the stage for his eventual intrigues and escapades as he navigates the complex world of Parisian society. The blend of personal reflection and social commentary hints at Duroy's evolving relationships and potential moral dilemmas that will arise as he pursues his ambitions.
Oscar Wilde
The Picture of Dorian Gray
"The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde is a philosophical fiction and Gothic horror novel published in 1890. When a beautiful young man named Dorian Gray sees his portrait, he rashly wishes that the painting would age instead of himself. His wish granted, Dorian pursues a life of hedonistic pleasure and immoral experiences while remaining eternally young. Meanwhile, the portrait mysteriously ages and reveals the true cost of his sins. This provocative tale explores beauty, morality, and the consequences of living without ethical boundaries.
Thomas Carlyle
Sartor Resartus, and On Heroes, Hero-Worship, and the Heroic in History
"Sartor Resartus and On Heroes, Hero-Worship, and the Heroic in History" by Thomas Carlyle is a philosophical work that combines elements of essay, autobiography, and commentary on society, likely written in the early to mid-19th century. The text revolves around the unique character of Herr Diogenes Teufelsdröckh, a fictional German professor, who presents an extensive and imaginative exploration of the significance of clothing as a metaphor for the human condition and the spiritual struggles of the time. Carlyle’s work targets the exploration of ideas relevant to humanity's quest for truth and meaning. The opening of the work introduces the peculiar premise that, despite advances in various fields, the subject of clothing—a fundamental aspect of human expression—is severely overlooked by modern thought. It begins with an engaging and humorous reflection on how society has dissected many facets of life yet neglected what the author terms the 'Philosophy of Clothes.' Through the lens of Teufelsdröckh's fictitious academic insights, Carlyle hints at deep philosophical themes regarding the nature of humanity, individualism, and societal constructs tied to clothing, suggesting that clothing symbolizes both the outer self and complex inner truths.
Lucy Ellen Guernsey
Homes made and marred : $b a book for working men and their wives.
No description available.
Oscar Wilde
Das Bildnis des Dorian Gray
"Das Bildnis des Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde is a philosophical fiction and Gothic horror novel published in 1890. When a beautiful young man wishes that his portrait would age instead of himself, his desire becomes horrifyingly real. As Dorian pursues a life of hedonistic pleasure and immoral experiences, he remains eternally youthful while his painted image darkly transforms, recording every sin. This exploration of beauty, morality, and the corruption of the soul became Wilde's only novel and a cornerstone of Gothic literature.
H. G. (Herbert George) Wells
The Research Magnificent
"The Research Magnificent" by H. G. Wells is a novel published in 1915. It follows William Porphyry Benham, a man of inherited wealth who devotes his life to an ambitious quest: living nobly and thoroughly. His journey takes him from England across India, Russia, China, and South Africa as he grapples with four fundamental obstacles to human nobility—fear, self-indulgence, jealousy, and prejudice. Through passionate relationships and philosophical struggles, Benham pursues wisdom until a fatal encounter during a labor strike ends his search.
Unknown
Friends and Neighbors; Or, Two Ways of Living in the World
"Friends and Neighbors; Or, Two Ways of Living in the World" by T.S. Arthur is a didactic work likely written in the mid-19th century. This text aims to explore moral and ethical dilemmas in human relationships, emphasizing the importance of kindness, charity, and the inherent goodness within people. The central theme appears to be the cultivation of harmonious relationships among friends and neighbors, promoting understanding and empathy over resentment and suspicion. At the start of the book, the preface introduces the reader to the overarching idea that every individual has a spark of goodness, regardless of their situation or behavior. The opening chapter begins by discussing the concept of "Good in All," arguing against the tendency to label people as wholly bad based on their actions. Instead, the narrative encourages readers to seek out the good in every person, advocating for a compassionate approach towards those who struggle with vice or crime. Through vivid examples and philosophical musings, the text sets the stage for deeper reflections on human interactions, leading the reader towards realizing the vital role of charity, understanding, and forgiveness in everyday life.
Stewart Edward White
The Riverman
"The Riverman" by Stewart Edward White is a novel written during the late 19th century. The story is set in 1872 on a river bend near a dam, focusing on the lives of rivermen who drive logs downstream, emphasizing their rugged lifestyle and camaraderie. The narrative explores the challenges they face, including conflicts with the dam owner, Simeon Reed, as they strive to manage the river's flow and navigate obstacles that threaten their livelihood. The opening of "The Riverman" paints a vivid picture of a bustling camp of rivermen preparing for their daily work on the river. A lively crew of men, diverse in age and character, gathers around fires, exchanging banter as they deal with an unexpected wind that hampers their progress. The central character, Jack Orde, emerges as a capable and humorous leader, attempting to rally his crew to address the issues posed by the dam's sluice-gate. The tension escalates as conflicts arise with Reed, who is staunchly protective of his property. Through detailed descriptions of the camp dynamics and the men's interactions, the narrative sets the stage for a gripping tale of resilience against nature and authority in the rough-and-tumble world of river driving.
Recently surfaced classics