Juliana Horatia Ewing's "Melchior's Dream and Other Tales" is a collection of enchanting short stories that embody the essence of Victorian literature. Ewing's writing style is characterized by its whimsical tone and attention to detail, making the tales come to life with vivid imagery and well-developed characters. Each story in the book explores themes such as morality, imagination, and the supernatural, appealing to both children and adults alike. The collection is a testament to Ewing's storytelling prowess and her ability to capture the reader's imagination with her captivating narratives. Juliana Horatia Ewing, a prominent English author of children's literature, drew inspiration from her own experiences as a teacher and a mother. Her deep understanding of childhood innocence and the power of storytelling is evident in the tales she weaves in this collection. Ewing's exceptional storytelling skills and her unique perspective on the world make her a standout figure in Victorian literature. "Melchior's Dream and Other Tales" is a must-read for lovers of classic literature and those seeking a delightful escape into the world of imagination. Ewing's timeless stories hold a universal appeal that continues to enthrall readers of all ages, making this collection a timeless treasure worth exploring.
In his golden years, Melchior has settled into a calm, steady existence, ready to live out the rest of his days in peace to soon face the God of his fathers. What he didnt expect was the biggest calling his long life had ever experienced! Word to the Wise: Melchiors Tale follows the journey of an aged Magi called to witness the coming of the Messiah long promised to his people. Coming from Hebrew descent and taught in the learned Magian art, Melchior struggles with a sign from the heavens and his aged body as he prepares to answer this obvious call from his God. What Melchior finds is that he will not be alone on this journey. Joined by his faithful and young servant Othniel and a lost teenage Roman named Stephanus, the journey of the ages begins as all of life ebbs and flows; with a death and a birth. These events and the message of the star drive the elder Magi into an adventure that will challenge both his failing physical stature, and his faith in God. Come along, as Melchior begins his last great quest to see what God is about to do for, not only Judea, his homeland, but for the world!
Tallinn, 1419. What links the Keeper of the Tower, a prostitute and a Flemish painter to a haunted house on Rataskaevu Street? All three claim to have seen a ghost near the house, and each is found dead soon afterwards. Melchior Wakenstede, apothecary and assistant bailiff, is charged with unearthing the truth. With a cultivated sense for justice, Melchior investigates the deaths and attempts to find out whether, as the denizens of medieval Tallinn believe, ghosts can reap their revenge upon the living. When a powerful merchant dies, Melchior perceives a corporeal connection between this and the other deaths. As Melchior becomes embroiled in the conflicts and rivalries between religious orders, merchant guilds and Teutonic Knights, all vying with one another for control of the town, what he discovers is more incredible and more terrible than any ghost.
With a life as wild as his fiction, the award-winning sci-fi screenwriter and novelist serves up an “addictive” anthology of short stories (Andrew Kaplan, author of the Homeland novels). A larger-than-life character before picking up the pen, Ib Melchior fought the Nazis as a counterintelligence officer and decoded Shakespeare’s tomb. He was an actor in Paris and a Nordic student of Viking history. He honed his craft at the dawn of television’s “golden age” in the 1950s, imagining the realms beyond as a writer and director of some of the most memorable science-fiction cult films of the 1960s, including Robinson Crusoe on Mars and The Time Travelers. In this rich volume, Melchior draws on all these life experiences to deliver a literary epicurean’s smorgasbord of short fiction—historical, speculative, and visionary. One story explores a woman’s reawakening in post-war Europe; others investigate the war zones of Iraq; expose the backstage havoc of a television quiz show; and cover the life-and-death challenge in a dystopian future—and more. Melchior serves up an addendum of “desserts” in which he reveals the inspiration for each story, from the debatable identity of the Bard, to a Gestapo dog, to Hans Christian Andersen. Featuring twenty-one stories in all, Melchior À La Carte “is more than a potpourri of delicacies—it is a feast of literary delights, reminiscent of the tales told by those master storytellers, Conrad and Maugham. In short . . . Melchior’s book is a must have” (S. L. Stebel, author of Spring Thaw). “The Racer,” featured in this collection, was adapted twice for film as Death Race 2000 and Death Race. “An extraordinary storyteller . . . always provocative and wise, as he lays out the stuff of which dreams are made.” —Mann Rubin, screenwriter of The Best of Everythin
The Big Book of Christmas Tales is an unparalleled collection that brings together the works of several of the most prominent authors in literary history to explore the multifaceted themes of Christmas. By weaving together a tapestry of diverse literary styles from the whimsical to the solemn, the anthology encapsulates the spirit of the holiday season through a broad spectrum of perspectives. The collection stands out for its inclusion of timeless classics alongside lesser-known gems, providing a rich literary context that illuminates the universal appeal of Christmas. The varied narratives, woven with themes of hope, generosity, and reflection, highlight the cultural and emotional significance of the holiday across different times and places, underscoring the anthologys importance as a literary compendium. The backgrounds of the contributing authors are as diverse as their stories, with figures such as Charles Dickens and Leo Tolstoy standing alongside Emily Dickinson and Beatrix Potter. This assembly of authors, each influential in their own right, comes from a broad spectrum of historical, cultural, and literary movements, offering readers a panoramic view of Christmas through the ages. The contributions of these authors, who have each left an indelible mark on the literary landscape, collectively enrich the anthology's overarching theme by showcasing the holiday's universal resonance across various cultural and societal backgrounds. This collection is a treasure trove for readers eager to explore the depths of Christmas through an expansive lens. It beckons to those who are not just looking for holiday tales but are in pursuit of a deeper understanding of the myriad ways in which this time of year reflects and influences the human condition. The Big Book of Christmas Tales is more than a seasonal anthology; it is an educational journey and a celebration of literary diversity that promises to spark reflection, joy, and a renewed appreciation for the enduring power and complexity of the Christmas spirit. Readers are encouraged to delve into this collection, not only for its aesthetic and sentimental value but also for the unique opportunity it presents to engage with the rich tapestry of Christmas narratives from some of the most revered authors in literature.
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way... Christmas is here, and so are we with our biggest ever Christmas basket. There's something for everyone - novels, short stories, poems, and carols - for a cozy and wonderful holiday enjoyment. So grab a cup of coffee and soak into the spirit of festive cheer with our "The Big Christmas Basket": Novels: Life and Adventures of Santa Claus (L. Frank Baum) Little Women (Louisa May Alcott) The Wonderful Wizard of OZ (L. Frank Baum) Little Lord Fauntleroy (Frances Hodgson Burnett) Anne of Green Gables (Lucy Maud Montgomery) Black Beauty (Anna Sewell) Christmas-Tree Land (M.L. Molesworth) Wind in the Willows (Kenneth Grahame) Peter Pan and Wendy (J. M. Barrie) Oliver Twist Pollyanna (Eleanor H. Porter) At the Back of the North Wind (George MacDonald) A Versailles Christmas-Tide (A. S. Boyd) The Man Who Forgot Christmas (Max Brand)... Short Stories: A Merry Christmas & Other Christmas Stories (Louisa May Alcott) The Gift of the Magi (O. Henry) Papa Panov's Special Christmas (Leo Tolstoy) Doctor Marigold's Prescriptions (Charles Dickens) The Tailor of Gloucester (Beatrix Potter) The Tale of Peter Rabbit (Beatrix Potter) The Christmas Guest (Selma Lagerlöf) At Christmas Time (Anton Chekhov) Little Gretchen and the Wooden Shoe Toinette and the Elves (Susan Coolidge) The Heavenly Christmas Tree (Dostoevsky) The Princess and the Goblin The Nutcracker and the Mouse King The Little Match Girl Little Jean (Francois Coppe) How the Fir Tree Became the Christmas Tree The Magi in the West and Their Search for the Christ The Little Shepherd... Poems & Carols: Silent Night The Three Kings (H. W. Longfellow) Christmas Bells (Longfellow) Christmas at Sea (Stevenson) Christmas in the Olden Time (Walter Scott) Old Santa Claus (Clement Clarke Moore) The Twelve Days of Christmas Minstrels (Wordsworth) Ring Out, Wild Bells (Tennyson) Hymn on the Morning of Christ's Nativity (John Milton) A Christmas Carol (Coleridge)...