LeRoux followed the template created by John Buchan in "Greenmantle" (1916), in which a heroic secret agent is conscripted to carry out an officially sanctioned dangerous mission in enemy territory. Fearless investigative journalist Joseph Josephin, aka Rouletabille, is sent into the heart of the Kaiser's armaments factories to destroy a gigantic German super-weapon.
Verne's first cautionary tale about the dangers of science — first modern and corrected English translation. When two European scientists unexpectedly inherit an Indian rajah's fortune, each builds an experimental city of his dreams in the wilds of the American Northwest. France-Ville is a harmonious urban community devoted to health and hygiene, the specialty of its French founder, Dr. François Sarrasin. Stahlstadt, or City of Steel, is a fortress-like factory town devoted to the manufacture of high-tech weapons of war. Its German creator, the fanatically pro-Aryan Herr Schultze, is Verne's first truly evil scientist. In his quest for world domination and racial supremacy, Schultze decides to showcase his deadly wares by destroying France-Ville and all its inhabitants. Both prescient and cautionary, The Begum's Millions is a masterpiece of scientific and political speculation and constitutes one of the earliest technological utopia/dystopias in Western literature. This Wesleyan edition features notes, appendices, and a critical introduction as well as all the illustrations from the original French edition.
The twenty-seven original contributions to this volume investigate the ways in which the First World War has been commemorated and represented internationally in prose fiction, drama, film, docudrama and comics from the 1960s until the present. The volume thus provides a comprehensive survey of the cultural memory of the war as reflected in various media across national cultures, addressing the complex connections between the cultural post-memory of the war and its mediation. In four sections, the essays investigate (1) the cultural legacy of the Great War (including its mythology and iconography); (2) the implications of different forms and media for representing the war; (3) ‘national’ memories, foregrounding the differences in post-memory representations and interpretations of the Great War, and (4) representations of the Great War within larger temporal or spatial frameworks, focusing specifically on the ideological dimensions of its ‘remembrance’ in historical, socio-political, gender-oriented, and post-colonial contexts.
In Paris, on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, an old man suddenly vanishes without a trace: a new plague has reached France, and will soon grow to terrible proportions. The event is witnessed by a cytologist working at the Aristotle Institute, who is also a Polyplast--the result of an experiment in selective breeding intended to produce pacifists, but which has also had perverse results. As a result of his presence at the crucial event, the Polyplast becomes a privileged observer of the entire tragedy, of which he naturally sets out to write a personalized history, explaining how the new plague became the casus belli of yet another war in an endless series, fought with the aid of "Archimedes": powerful, long-range weapons that would destroy the world in no time were it not for their habit of misfiring, and only killing tens of thousands of people instead of millions. The Napus, first published in 1927, remains one of the classics of absurdist science fiction.
Delve into the intricate world of the crime fiction genre as S. S. Van Dine provides an in-depth analysis and critique of what makes a great detective story. In this essay, S. S. Van Dine examines the various elements that make a brilliant detective novel, including plot, characterisation, and setting. Exploring the works of famous detective novelists such as Edgar Allan Poe, Arthur Conan Doyle, and G. K. Chesterton, Van Dine provides insights into the styles, techniques, and themes used by these writers. First published in Scribner’s Magazine in 1926 under Van Dine’s pseudonym, Willard Huntington Wright, The Detective Novel provides a comprehensive overview of the genre. Whether you're a seasoned reader of detective novels or a newcomer to the genre, this essay offers an engaging and thought-provoking look at one of the most popular and enduring forms of fiction.
Prologue : Poe 1 -- Introduction : Mapping murder -- Archaeologies. Quarries and catacombs : underground crime in Second Empire Romans-feuilletons -- Skulls and bones : paleohistory in Leroux and Leblanc -- Crypts and ghosts : terrains of national trauma in Japrisot and Vargas -- Intersections. Street-name mysteries and private/public violence, 1867-2001 -- Cartographies. Terrains vagues : Gaboriau and the birth of the cartographic mystery -- Mapping the city : Malet's mysteries and Butor's Bleston -- Zéropa-land : Balkanization and the schizocartographies of Dantec and Radoman
The fourth and final Sherlock Holmes novel features a heinous scheme from the pipe-smoking detective’s most formidable nemesis, Professor James Moriarty. After receiving a pseudonymous cipher from one of Moriarty’s henchmen, Holmes and Watson must unravel the mysterious murder of a country gentleman. The puzzling case gives the detective the perfect opportunity to demonstrate his skills in observation, forensics, and deduction. This electrifying novel features themes of ethical ambiguity and makes political commentary on terrorist activity. First published in The Strand Magazine between 1914 and 1915, this captivating detective-fiction novel presents an intricate crime and sets the reader the impossible challenge of cracking the case before Holmes can solve it. This edition features a specially commissioned introduction alongside an article by Arthur Conan Doyle and an essay on the history of detective fiction by S.S. Van Dine.
Rumours that a ghost stalks the dark passages and cellars of the Paris Opera House, wreaking havoc, have long been rife among staff and performers. This Phantom also haunts the imagination of the beautiful and talented singer Christine Daaé, appearing to her as the 'Angel of Music' - a disembodied voice, coaching her to sing as she never could before. When Christine is courted by a handsome young Viscount, the mysterious spectre, who resides in the murky depths of the building, is consumed by jealousy and seeks revenge. With its pervading atmosphere of menace, tinged with dark humour, The Phantom of the Opera (1910) offers a unique mix of Gothic horror and tragic romance that has inspired film, stage and literature since its publication.
The Complete Works of G.K. Chesterton is a comprehensive collection of the legendary writer's diverse and thought-provoking literary creations. Known for his witty humor, keen insight into human nature, and profound commentary on societal issues, Chesterton's works span across various genres including essays, novels, poetry, and detective fiction. His writing style is characterized by a unique blend of paradoxes, irony, and sharp observations, making his works not only intellectually stimulating but also highly entertaining. Set against the backdrop of the early 20th century, Chesterton's literary legacy continues to captivate readers with its timeless relevance and provocative themes. G.K. Chesterton, a prominent figure in the literary landscape of his time, was influenced by his deep-rooted Catholic faith, social activism, and philosophical inquiries. His prolific output of works reflects his wide-ranging interests and profound insights into the complexities of the human experience. Chesterton's sharp wit and intellectual prowess shine through in his writing, earning him a place among the literary giants of his era. I highly recommend The Complete Works of G.K. Chesterton to readers who appreciate philosophical depth, social commentary, and masterful storytelling. Chesterton's unparalleled wit and wisdom offer a rich and rewarding reading experience that will leave a lasting impression on all who delve into his works.
