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Executions and executioners -- Fiction Books
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Charles Dickens
A Tale of Two Cities
"A Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens is a historical novel published in 1859. Set in London and Paris during the tumultuous French Revolution, it follows Dr. Alexandre Manette after his mysterious 18-year imprisonment in the Bastille and his reunion with his daughter Lucie. Their lives become entangled with a French aristocrat fleeing his heritage and a dissolute English lawyer who harbors secret devotion. Against the backdrop of revolutionary terror and violence, personal sacrifices and hidden connections shape their intertwined fates.
William Godwin
Caleb Williams; Or, Things as They Are
"Caleb Williams; Or, Things as They Are" by William Godwin is a three-volume novel published in 1794. A humble young man enters service with the wealthy Ferdinando Falkland, whose volatile temperament conceals a dark secret. When Caleb's curiosity leads him to uncover his master's guilt in a past murder, he becomes trapped in a desperate game of pursuit and persecution. This gripping tale exposes how power and institutions destroy innocent lives, offering a scathing critique of tyrannical justice in Godwin's England.
Herman Melville
Billy Budd : $b and other prose pieces
"Billy Budd : and other prose pieces" by Herman Melville is a collection of prose pieces written in the late 19th century. Anchored by the short nautical novel Billy Budd, Foretopman, it centers on an innocent young sailor drawn into a moral conflict aboard a British warship during the age of mutiny, with the enigmatic master-at-arms John Claggart and the austere Captain Vere shaping his fate. Surrounding sketches and essays deepen Melville’s late-career preoccupations, but the signature tale probes innocence, authority, and latent malevolence at sea. The opening of the volume frames the title narrative: an editorial note and preface place the story in 1797 amid the Spithead and Nore mutinies, then introduce the archetype of the “Handsome Sailor” before focusing on Billy Budd, a foundling foretopman impressed from the merchantman Rights-of-Man into H.M.S. Indomitable. We meet Captain “Starry” Vere, an intellectual, self-contained commander, and the ship’s master-at-arms, John Claggart, whose covert antipathy toward Billy grows behind a courteous front. Early incidents show Billy’s natural goodness and naiveté—his effect as a peacemaker, his awe at shipboard discipline, and his failure to suspect malice—even as an old sailor (the Dansker) warns him that “Jemmy Legs” is “down on” him. Tension builds through small episodes: a soup-spilling scene with Claggart’s ambiguous compliment, petty harassments, and a secret nighttime approach by an afterguardsman hinting at a seditious “gang” and offering guineas—an overture Billy angrily rejects—while Claggart’s alternating smiles and hostile flashes suggest a deepening, mysterious enmity.
Charles Dickens
Zwei Städte
"Zwei Städte" by Charles Dickens is a historical novel published in 1859. Set against the turbulent backdrop of the French Revolution, it follows Dr. Alexandre Manette after his release from eighteen years of imprisonment in the Bastille. Reunited with his daughter Lucie in London, their lives intertwine with a French émigré and a dissolute lawyer who bears his resemblance. As revolutionary fervor erupts in Paris, personal destinies collide with the violent forces of history, love, sacrifice, and redemption.
William Makepeace Thackeray
Catherine: A Story
"Catherine: A Story" by William Makepeace Thackeray is a novel serialized between 1839 and 1840. Written as a deliberate critique of popular crime fiction that romanticized criminals, Thackeray based his story on Catherine Hayes, a real eighteenth-century woman executed for murdering her husband. His goal was to portray criminals as utterly vile and unredeemable. Yet despite his intentions, Thackeray developed an unexpected sympathy for his heroine, and the novel's rogues emerged as oddly appealing—a result the author considered a failure.
Charles Dickens
Una historia de dos ciudades
"Una historia de dos ciudades" by Charles Dickens is a historical novel published in 1859. Set in London and Paris during the turbulent era of the French Revolution, the story follows Dr. Alexandre Manette after his release from eighteen years of imprisonment in the Bastille. Reunited with his daughter Lucie, their lives become entangled with a French aristocrat and a dissolute English lawyer against the backdrop of revolutionary chaos and the Reign of Terror. The novel explores themes of sacrifice, resurrection, and justice.
Charles Dickens
Két város: Regény három könyvben
"Két város: Regény három könyvben" by Charles Dickens is a historical novel published in 1859, set in London and Paris during the French Revolution. The story follows Dr. Alexandre Manette, imprisoned for eighteen years in the Bastille, and his reunion with his daughter Lucie. Against the backdrop of revolutionary violence and social upheaval, their lives become intertwined with Charles Darnay, a French aristocrat fleeing his family's brutal legacy, and Sydney Carton, a dissolute lawyer harboring unrequited love. As the Terror escalates, their fates converge in unexpected ways.
Emilia Pardo Bazán
La piedra angular: novela
"La piedra angular: novela" by Emilia Pardo Bazán is a novel written in the late 19th century. The book explores family dynamics and socio-economic contrasts through the lives of its characters, particularly focusing on the interactions of Doctor Moragas and his daughter Nené, alongside a mysterious client named Juan Rojo, who enters their lives with a sense of foreboding. The text delves into themes of innocence, moral dilemmas, and the heavy influence of social circumstances. The opening of "La piedra angular" establishes a vivid backdrop with Doctor Moragas in his consultation room, interrupted by the exuberance of his daughter Nené. As he attends to his work, a troubled client arrives, whose demeanor hints at a deeper story surrounding his socioeconomic struggles. The narrative hints at the strained relationship between social status and personal failure, particularly through the perspective of the doctor, who battles his own moral judgments regarding the mysterious Juan Rojo. The interplay of familial love and societal judgment sets the stage for a rich exploration of character and circumstance as the story unfolds.
Anna Katharine Green
Dark Hollow
"Dark Hollow" by Anna Katharine Green is a novel written during the early 20th century. The story begins in a small town where the respected Judge Ostrander has maintained an eerie isolation from society following a series of personal tragedies. The narrative centers around the mysterious events surrounding his home and the appearance of a veiled woman who enters his property, stirring up curiosity and concern among the townsfolk. As tensions rise, the community grapples with the implications of her presence and the judge's reclusive nature. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to the local gossip surrounding Judge Ostrander's home, which has remained closed off to the public for years. The opening scene highlights a small group of townspeople who notice the judge's gate ajar, an unusual occurrence that prompts speculation about the sudden intrusion. Amidst the commotion, a man named Bela, who serves as the judge's loyal caretaker, is mentioned as a central figure. The townspeople recall the judge's past sorrows, including the loss of his son and a close friend, setting the stage for the unfolding drama. Tension builds as the community decides to intrude upon the judge's sanctuary, ultimately discovering him in a cataleptic state while questions about the mysterious woman linger in the air. The opening chapters effectively set the tone for a story filled with intrigue, emotion, and the complexities of human relationships.
Ted White
I, Executioner
"I, Executioner" by Ted White and Terry Carr is a science fiction short story published in the early 1960s. The narrative revolves around a dystopian society where execution of deviants is normalized as a method of maintaining societal order. The story delves into the psychological turmoil of the protagonist as they grapple with their role in a cruel justice system, reflecting on deep themes such as identity, sanity, and the nature of societal control. The story follows the protagonist, Bob, as he confronts the internal conflict of being an executioner in a world that silences those deemed mentally unstable. As Bob attends an execution, he encounters an old friend, Rosalie, among the condemned. Their shared memories of innocence clash starkly with the harsh realities of their present, and Bob is faced with the painful recognition of his past emotions. As the execution unfolds, Bob experiences a harrowing moment of psychological trauma, culminating in a realization of his own fragility within the oppressive structure of the society. The story ultimately questions the cost of conformity and the price of sanity when it is enforced by such violent means.
Charles Beaumont
Traumerei
"Traumerei" by Charles Beaumont is a short story published in the mid-20th century, specifically in the early 1950s, featured in the magazine "Infinity Science Fiction." The narrative explores themes of existential dread and the nature of reality, questioning the line between dreams and wakefulness. The story centers around Henry Ritchie, a criminal lawyer, and his friend Max Kaplan as they discuss the impending execution of a convicted murderer. As they anticipate the midnight hour, they delve into a bizarre philosophical conversation about the nature of dreams and existence. The murderer claims that his execution will result in the end of the world, suggesting that everyone else exists only within his dream. This provocative idea unsettles both men as they grapple with its implication, leading to a chilling climax where the reader is left questioning the reality of their circumstances and the nature of fear. The narrative culminates in a surreal moment that ties the concepts of dreaming and waking into a haunting conclusion, encapsulating Beaumont's talent for blending the macabre with deeper philosophical inquiry.
Andrew Fetler
This Way to the Egress
"This Way to the Egress" by Andrew Fetler is a science fiction short story published in the early 1960s. The narrative unfolds in a peculiar and unsettling environment where the protagonist, Mr. Coat, grapples with the eerie sounds of children's voices in an otherwise adult-dominated and dystopian setting. The story explores themes of perception, reality, and existential dread within a confined rural landscape that contrasts sharply with urban life. In the story, Mr. Coat finds himself in a small village, feeling out of place and haunted by the sounds of children, which seem impossible given the lack of children in the area. His interactions with Mrs. Tilton, the landlady, reveal a deeper sense of discomfort as he discovers a telegram hinting at a sinister plot involving euthanasia tied to the persistence of these voices. As he navigates his surreal experiences, Coat's confusion and existential crisis intensify, ultimately leading to a reflective moment while he participates in mundane activities like shelling peas. The narrative cleverly blends elements of social commentary with psychological tension, leaving readers to ponder the implications of a world devoid of youth and innocence.
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