Bryan Matthews

Jonathan Swift's A Modest Proposal offers a scathing commentary on 18th-century Ireland's poverty. The narrator, with chilling seriousness, proposes a solution to the burden of poor children: selling them as food to the wealthy. This outrageous idea,...

Dracula by Bram Stoker is a gothic horror novel that follows Jonathan Harker, a London solicitor, as he travels to Transylvania to finalize a property deal for his employer. There, he encounters the enigmatic Count Dracula, a centuries-old...

Michel de Montaigne's Essays represent a groundbreaking contribution to literature and philosophy, establishing the essay as a distinct literary form. First published in 1580, with subsequent editions expanding the content, Montaigne published over...

Alethia Debchance, a sheltered young woman from a remote hamlet, embarks on a journey to visit her cousin Robert Bludward after the death of her aunt. Having lived a life of isolation and limited social interaction, Alethia is both excited and...

Jude the Obscure, written by Thomas Hardy, is a poignant exploration of ambition, love, and societal constraints set in Victorian England. The novel follows Jude Fawley, a working-class stonemason with aspirations of studying at the prestigious...

Martin Eden is a 1909 novel by Jack London that follows the story of a young, uneducated sailor named Martin Eden. When Martin saves a wealthy man named Arthur Morse from an assault, he is invited to the Morse family home, where he meets Arthur's...

Njáls saga, a towering masterpiece among Iceland's 13th-century sagas, offers an unparalleled glimpse into the tumultuous heroic age. This epic tale weaves a rich tapestry of complex characters against the backdrop of Icelandic life, exploring the...

"On Liberty" by John Stuart Mill is a classic text on the relationship between society, government, and individual liberty. It defends the importance of personal liberty and self-expression, claiming that social progress is dependent on the protection...

Charles Darwin's seminal work published in 1859, presents the theory of evolution through natural selection. The book outlines how species change over time, with variations in physical and behavioral characteristics allowing organisms better suited to...

Phineas Finn, the only son of a successful doctor in County Clare, Ireland, is sent to London to study law. Encouraged by his friend Laurence Fitzgibbon, he becomes interested in politics and is elected as a Whig MP for Loughshane, a pocket borough...

William James' Pragmatism is a seminal work in American philosophy that explores the practical implications of ideas and beliefs. James argues that the truth of an idea lies in its practical consequences. In other words, an idea is true if it works...

Tamerlane is part of Edgar Allan Poe's debut collection, showcasing his early poetic style, heavily influenced by Romantic poets like Lord Byron. The title poem, "Tamerlane," is a dramatic monologue by the historical conqueror, reflecting on his life...

A mischievous young boy named Tom Sawyer lives a carefree life filled with adventure in the small town of St. Petersburg, Missouri. From clever schemes to thrilling escapades, Tom navigates the complexities of childhood while encountering friendship,...

The Apparition of Mrs. Veal is a pamphlet published in 1706, often attributed to Daniel Defoe, and is considered one of the first modern ghost stories. The narrative unfolds through the experiences of Mrs. Bargrave, a resident of Canterbury, who...

Sir Lulworth and his nephew Egbert engage in a conversation following the funeral of Egbert's great-aunt, Adelaide. As they sit down for lunch, Egbert reveals that he has become the executor of Adelaide's estate, which includes sorting through her...

In the secluded hamlet of Toad-Water, two neighboring families, the Cricks and the Saunderses, find their peaceful coexistence shattered by a petty dispute over a stray hen. The Cricks, known for their poultry, and the Saunderses, renowned for their...

Buck, a pampered California pup, lived a life of naps and treats. But fate took a nasty turn when he was snatched and sold as a sled dog in Alaska. The cushy life vanished, replaced by bone-chilling nights and the sting of the whipBuck, though, was...

The Cupboard of the Yesterdays by Saki is a thought-provoking short story that presents a dialogue between two abstract figures, the Wanderer and the Merchant, set against the backdrop of the Balkan Wars of 1912-1913. Duration - 9h 58m. Author - Saki....

The Innocents Abroad is a humorous travelogue by Mark Twain chronicling his journey through Europe and the Holy Land with a group of American tourists. Twain offers a satirical and often critical perspective on foreign cultures and customs,...

The Lumber Room by Saki, also known as H.H. Munro, is a short story that centers around a clever and mischievous boy named Nicholas. Punished by his strict aunt for his rebellious behavior, he is forbidden from joining his cousins on a trip to the...

As a deadly plague, the "Red Death", ravages the land, Prince Prospero seeks refuge in his luxurious abbey, sealing himself off with a thousand nobles for a decadent masquerade ball. The festivities unfold across seven vibrantly colored chambers, each...

Murders in the Rue MorgueA mysterious double homicide baffles the Paris police. Two women are found brutally murdered in their locked apartment, with no apparent entry or exit points. As the city is gripped by fear, the brilliant amateur detective, C....

The Odyssey is an epic poem attributed to the ancient Greek poet Homer, detailing the adventurous journey of Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, as he strives to return home after the Trojan War.The narrative begins in medias res, twenty years after...

Edgar Allan Poe's "A Premature Burial" is a chilling tale of a man's intense fear of being buried alive. The narrator, haunted by the possibility of waking up entombed, becomes obsessed with the idea of being buried prematurely.After a series of...