Showing results by narrator "Philippe Duquenoy" in All Categories

Faust has long been considered one of the most important works of European literature ever published. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe began writing Faust in the 1770s while still a young man, spending most of his adult life on the project. Faust was finally finished almost 50 years later, near the end of his life. Faust is a philosophical drama full of humor, satire, and tragedy. The demon Mephistopheles makes a bet with God that he can lure Faust from the path of good.

The Antichrist was aptly named. It is not so much aimed at the expression of any new perspective or in support of the expansion of knowledge but rather represents an effort to undo the religious interference Nietzsche believed worked against the advancement of culture and knowledge. In many ways he was the mouthpiece for the most unfavorable logical conclusions that rose to the fore in the meeting of the scientific and Christian perspective.

First published in the 19th century, On the Origin of Species is one of the most important and controversial books ever written on human origins. Darwin's work is the cornerstone of the theory of evolution and is as important today as it was when it was released nearly 160 years ago.

This collection by Robert W. Chambers was first published in 1895 and features stories loosely tied together with one theme, the supernatural. Many of the stories in The King in Yellow were not received well by the critics of the time due to their supernatural undertones. Some of the stories mention a play by the same name that had been outlawed in some regions of the world. It was thought that the play could induce madness in those who viewed it. Two of the stories in this book take place in a fictional world of the future 1920s and are macabre in tone.

The Pilgrim's Progress is written as a dream by author John Bunyan, a strict religious man with Puritan beliefs who began writing the book while imprisoned for his religious convictions. The dream is of a man named Christian who is tormented by spiritual anguish. A spirit guide appears to him and explains to him the path he must take to salvation.

Emily Climbs is the story of a young orphan growing up in New Moon Farm who has a passion for writing, a talent that has helped her cope with some of the more difficult times in her life. However, Emily is faced with a dilemma. Elizabeth, her aunt, wants her to promise to give up writing in exchange for being able to attend high school in the nearby town of Shrewsbury, the school which all of her friends are attending.

A Tale of Two Cities is a story of love, mystery, suspense, and action all rolled up into one beautifully written novel taking place in two prominent cities, Paris and London, during the French Revolution. The story follows the release and rehabilitation of Dr. Manette, a man falsely imprisoned in the Bastille in France for almost two decades. While trouble is brewing in France with citizens being starved and taxed to death, Dr. Manette is taken to London by Mr. Lorrie, a prominent business man, and Lucie, Dr. Manette's daughter.

Those who live in this futuristic city are always taken care of but they lack creativity and individuality. This all changes when a mathematician named D-503 discovers that he has a soul that is separate from the OneState. He and the citizens of OneState live out their lives deprived of passion and creativity. Their names have been taken away and replaced with numbers, their daily routines are dictated by the “Time Tablet” which tells them what they should do, and when they should do it, hour after hour.

At its heart, Bleak House is a 19th-century mystery and legal drama. This Charles Dickens novel tells the story of Esther Summerson and her quest to unravel the mystery of her true identity. Orphaned as an infant, Esther is raised by Miss Barbary. Esther’s cruel guardian’s sadistic method of celebrating Esther’s birthday every year not only raises questions but shatters her sense of self-worth. When Esther does discover her true identity, it changes the course of her life.

Daniel Deronda is a clever and generous young man who has yet to find his true direction in life, much to the dismay of Sir Hugo, who has helped raise him. While in Germany, Daniel meets the attractive and headstrong Gwendolen, who's lost a fortune at the roulette table that her family cannot afford to lose, before returning to England. Back in London, Daniel rescues a singer Mirah from drowning herself, then begins to find purpose in helping her search for her family.

Poirot Investigates is the enthralling third book in the Agatha Christie Hercule Poirot mystery series. In this collection of classic whodunit stories, Christie takes the listener down a dark and lonely road to solving some of the most exciting mysteries in the Poirot series. Although Poirot Investigates is listed as the third book in the series, this is a collection of short stories, each focusing on a different case, ranging from a robbery at sea to pharaoh’s curse. If you like mysteries, this book will keep you entertained for hours.

Walden, by Henry David Thoreau, is a personal narrative about Thoreau's solitary living experience near Walden Pond in Massachusetts. Starting with the building of his cabin by the pond in 1845, Thoreau recounts his experience away from society and city life. Thoreau spends his time growing beans for money while appreciating the beautiful wilderness around him. Although he lives a solitary life for nearly two years, Thoreau explains that he does not feel as isolated as one might think.

Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations has influenced economic thinkers for generations. Smith was a firm believer that the economic progress of any nation was tied to free trade and the division of labor.

The Three Musketeers, written in 1844, is one of the greatest novels written by French author Alexandre Dumas. Set in 17th century France, The Three Musketeers chronicles the adventures of d’Artagnan, a young man who leaves home and travels to Paris in his pursuit of joining the king’s elite Musketeers of the Guard.

Set in Regency England, Vanity Fair follows the lives of two young women from drastically different backgrounds. Becky Sharp is the daughter of a lowly art teacher while Amelia Sedley is the daughter of a wealthy investor. Although the two women are worlds apart in personality and background, Becky and Amelia become friends while in finishing school. When Amelia invites Becky to her family home, events are set in motion that result in both tragedy and fortune.

The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins begins with Mr. John Herncastle stealing a mysterious yellow diamond from the statue of a sacred Indian god while fighting with the British army in India. The diamond makes it way to back England after John Herncastle returns from his tour with the British army. The sacred diamond is bestowed to a young woman, Rachel Verinder, a relative of John Herncastle, on her 18th birthday.

The Scarlet Letter is one of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s most memorable novels. In this moving story, one sinful act wreaks havoc on the lives of three people. When a beautiful young woman, Hester Prynne, conceives a child outside of marriage, she is punished and humiliated by being required to always wear a scarlet ‘A’ on her clothing. Believing her husband was lost at sea after a shipwreck, Hester takes a lover. When she becomes pregnant, she refuses to divulge the name of the baby’s father. When her husband returns unexpectedly, the lives of all involved are put in turmoil.

The Awakening by Kate Chopin is a classic novel set in the 1800s that explores the revelations of the simple housewife, Edna Pontellier. While on vacation with her husband and her two sons in the Grand Isle near New Orleans, Edna makes new friendships that transform her ordinary life and perspective upside down.

Similar to the Anne of Green Gables series, the Emily novels follow the life of a young orphan girl. After her father dies of tuberculosis, she is raised by aunts Elizabeth and Laura, one of whom is strict and will stand no nonsense, whereas the other shows kindness and sympathy for a young orphan. Throughout the novel, Emily shows that she is a girl with a love for the beauty and nature and art, loyalty and her friends, a thirst for knowledge, and a passionate dedication to her writing.

Nietzsche's Beyond Good and Evil takes an in-depth look at the major truths of philosophy. However, the unique approach of adding poetry and commentary to these truths makes this work both more interesting and more dynamic than the typical philosophic discussion found in most modern philosophy books. In addition, Nietzche argues that most philosophies are centered on the philosopher's attempt to explain their own bias. The work offers insight to finding the truths not only about philosophy, but also about the philosophers who wrote these insights.