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This Quick Read edition includes both the full text and a summary for each chapter.
- Reading time of the complete text: about 6 hours
- Reading time of the summarized text: 27 minutes
"Around the World in Eighty Days" is an adventure novel by Jules Verne, first published in French in 1872. The story follows Phileas Fogg, a wealthy English gentleman, and his French valet Passepartout as they attempt to circumnavigate the world in 80 days on a wager of £20,000 set by his friends at the Reform Club. The novel was written during difficult times for France and Verne, and the technological innovations of the 19th century had opened the possibility of rapid circumnavigation. The book sparked the imagination that anyone could travel around the world, a feat previously reserved for only the most heroic and hardy of adventurers. The idea of a trip around the world within a set period had clear external origins, and the title "Around the World in Eighty Days" is not original. The novel has been adapted into plays, films, and even a video game. The Jules Verne Trophy has been given to the boat that sails around the world without stopping and with no outside assistance in the shortest time since 1993. In 2017, Mark Beaumont, a British cyclist inspired by Verne, set out to cycle across the world in 80 days.
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This Quick Read edition includes both the full text and a summary for each chapter.
- Reading time of the complete text: about 20 hours
- Reading time of the summarized text: about 2 hours
"Moby-Dick" is a novel written by Herman Melville. It tells the story of Captain Ahab's obsessive quest for revenge against the giant white sperm whale, Moby Dick, who had bitten off his leg. The book was initially published to mixed reviews and was a commercial failure. However, it gained recognition as a Great American Novel in the 20th century. The novel is known for its lyrical writing style and its exploration of themes such as the nature of evil and the human desire for understanding. It draws inspiration from real-life events, such as the sinking of the whaleship Essex. The book incorporates various genres, including adventure, philosophy, and whaling lore. Melville's work was influenced by other writers, such as Ralph Waldo Emerson. Despite its initial reception, "Moby-Dick" has since been celebrated for its originality and literary value.
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This Quick Read edition includes both the full text and a summary for each chapter.
- Reading time of the complete text: about 6 hours
- Reading time of the summarized text: 32 minutes
The Blue Castle is a novel by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery, published in 1926. The story is set in the fictional town of Deerwood, located in the Muskoka region of Ontario, Canada. The protagonist, Valancy Stirling, is a 29-year-old "old maid" who has lived her entire life with her nagging mother and aunt and gossipy extended family. After being diagnosed with a terminal heart ailment, Valancy rebels against the colorless life they imposed on her. She moves out of her mother's house and takes a position as a housekeeper for childhood friend Cissy Gay and her father, master carpenter and notorious town drunk Roaring Able. Valancy meets and spends time with Barney Snaith, who is a good friend of both Abel and Cissy. Valancy proposes to Barney, revealing that she is dying and wants to enjoy the remaining time she has left. Barney agrees to marry her, and they have a quiet ceremony the next day. Valancy's family is horrified by her marriage to such a "disreputable" man and effectively disowns her. Barney takes Valancy to his home on a wooded island located on Lake 'Mistawis,' which Valancy sees as the 'Blue Castle' of her imagination. They build a contented life together, though he forbids her from ever entering a certain room in the house which she dubs 'Bluebeard's Chamber'. The year she had to live is almost over when Valancy is nearly killed by an oncoming train, her shoe caught in a train track. Barney saves her in the nick of time, risking his own life to do so. After the shock passes, Valancy realizes that she should have died of it: the doctor warned that any sudden shock would kill her.
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This Quick Read edition includes both the full text and a summary for each chapter.
- Reading time of the complete text: about 7 hours
- Reading time of the summarized text: 16 minutes
The Enchanted April is a novel by Elizabeth von Arnim, published in 1922, which follows four women from 1920s England who leave their unhappy marriages to go on holiday in Italy. The women are Mrs. Arbuthnot, Mrs. Wilkins, Lady Caroline Dester, and Mrs. Fisher. They find common ground in their desire to escape their rainy, grey environments and take on the expenses of renting a small medieval castle on the Mediterranean for the month of April. The novel explores their interpersonal tensions and eventual coming together at the castle, where they find rejuvenation in the tranquil beauty of their surroundings and rediscover hope and love. The Enchanted April has been adapted for the stage and screen multiple times, including as a Broadway play in 1925, a 1935 American feature film, and an Academy Award-nominated feature film in 1991.
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This Quick Read edition includes both the full text and a summary for each chapter.
- Reading time of the complete text: about 17 hours
- Reading time of the summarized text: about 1 hour
"The Adventures of Roderick Random" is a picaresque novel by Tobias Smollett, published in 1748. It follows the life of Roderick "Rory" Random, who is shunned by his father's family due to his mixed heritage. After his mother's death and his father's descent into madness, Random receives a free education from a coerced schoolmaster. Despite the abusive tutor, Random excels in languages and becomes popular among his classmates. He embarks on a series of adventures, facing discrimination and hardship while trying to attract wealthy women to improve his social standing. Along the way, he serves on British ships and encounters various characters. The novel portrays hypocrisy, greed, and injustice prevalent in society, including the Royal Navy's incompetence. It also explores themes such as privateering, slavery, prostitution, and corruption. Smollett's candid portrayal is influenced by his own experiences. The story ends happily when Random is reunited with his wealthy father and marries his love interest, Narcissa.
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This Quick Read edition includes both the full text and a summary for each chapter.
- Reading time of the complete text: about 2 hours
- Reading time of the summarized text: 14 minutes
Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare early in his career, focusing on the romance between two young Italians from feuding families. The play was popular during Shakespeare's lifetime and remains one of his most frequently performed works. The story revolves around the secret marriage of Romeo and Juliet, orchestrated by Friar Laurence, who hopes to reconcile the feuding families. However, a series of unfortunate events, including the deaths of Mercutio and Tybalt, lead to Romeo's exile and Juliet's faked death. Unaware of the plan, Romeo learns of Juliet's apparent death and, heartbroken, poisons himself in the Capulet crypt. Upon awakening and discovering Romeo's death, Juliet stabs herself, and the two lovers are found dead by their families. The tragedy ultimately reconciles the feuding families, ending their violent feud.
The play has inspired numerous adaptations, including ballets, operas, and films, and has influenced popular music and literature. Romeo and Juliet's love story has become emblematic of young lovers and doomed love, with the play exploring themes such as love, fate, duality, and time. The language used in the play is rich in poetic forms, including the use of sonnets and metaphors, adding depth to the characters and their relationships.
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This Quick Read edition includes both the full text and a summary for each chapter.
- Reading time of the complete text: about 7 hours
- Reading time of the summarized text: 11 minutes
"Cranford" is a novel by Elizabeth Gaskell that was first published in instalments in the magazine Household Words and later as a book in 1853. The novel is based on the small Cheshire town of Knutsford where Gaskell grew up. The work has no real plot but is a collection of sketches that affectionately delineate people and customs that were already becoming anachronisms. The novel chronicles a society in transition, moving from one where consideration of rank was the foremost regulator of behaviour and social relations to a more humane emphasis on responding to individual need. The work became popular in the 20th century and saw a number of dramatic treatments for the stage, the radio and TV. The novel has been adapted for NBC radio, British television, and a British musical. A sequel, "Return to Cranford," was broadcast in 2009 in the UK and 2010 in the US.
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This Quick Read edition includes both the full text and a summary for each chapter.
- Reading time of the complete text: about 6 hours
- Reading time of the summarized text: 12 minutes
"The Souls of Black Folk" is a book written by W.E.B. Du Bois that discusses the history of African Americans and their struggle for equality and justice. Du Bois coined the term "double-consciousness" to describe the feeling of always being viewed through the eyes of others. He also introduced the metaphor of the veil, which represents the color line and the problem of racism. The book discusses the importance of education and the success of the Freedmen's Bureau in providing free elementary education to all classes in the South. Du Bois argues that the granting of the ballot to black men was a necessity and the only way to compel the South to accept the results of the Civil War. The book also discusses the importance of black folk culture, including Negro music and the sorrow songs. Du Bois's concept of double-consciousness and other ideas from the book have been highly influential on other scholars in their interpretations of black culture and religion. The book has been criticized for its gendered narrative and its focus on black male intellectuals as the only possible leaders of the unified race. Du Bois made minor changes to the book in later editions to avoid any possible misunderstanding of his intentions.
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This Quick Read edition includes both the full text and a summary for each chapter.
- Reading time of the complete text: about 2 hours
- Reading time of the summarized text: 11 minutes
"The Life and Death of Harriett Frean" is a novel written by May Sinclair in 1922. The story revolves around Harriett, a woman who is so afraid of life that she avoids living it. Raised to be the ideal Victorian woman, Harriett takes pride in her self-sacrifice, believing it to be the highest form of love. However, when she falls in love with her best friend's fiance, she is forced to question her beliefs. Choosing not to follow her heart, Harriett spends the rest of her life trying to convince herself that she made the right decision. The novel has been described as a "small, perfect gem of a book" by author Jonathan Coe. It is the only May Sinclair novel currently in print and has been republished multiple times. Additionally, it was adapted into a BBC television show in 1986.
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This Quick Read edition includes both the full text and a summary for each chapter.
- Reading time of the complete text: about 10 hours
- Reading time of the summarized text: 38 minutes
"The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" is a novel by Mark Twain, published in 1884. It is considered one of the Great American Novels and is written in vernacular English. The story is narrated by Huck Finn, who is also the narrator of two other Twain novels. The book is known for its portrayal of boyhood and its satire on racism and freedom in Southern society. Huck fakes his own murder to escape his abusive father and embarks on a journey down the river with Jim, a runaway slave. Along the way, they encounter various adventures and characters. The novel explores themes of race, identity, freedom, and social responsibility. It has faced controversy due to its use of racial slurs, but is also praised for its critique of racism. Despite some criticism of its final chapters, "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" remains a widely celebrated and influential work in American literature.
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This Quick Read edition includes both the full text and a summary for each chapter.
- Reading time of the complete text: about 6 hours
- Reading time of the summarized text: 21 minutes
Dubliners is a collection of fifteen short stories by James Joyce, first published in 1914. The stories present a naturalistic depiction of Irish middle-class life in and around Dublin in the early years of the 20th century. The stories centre on Joyce's idea of an epiphany and the theme of paralysis. The first three stories in the collection are narrated by child protagonists, while the subsequent stories are written in the third person and deal with the lives and concerns of progressively older people. Many of the characters in Dubliners later appeared in minor roles in Joyce's novel Ulysses. The collection progresses chronologically, beginning with stories of youth and progressing in age to culminate in "The Dead". The narrators in Dubliners rarely mediate, which means that there are limited descriptions of their thoughts and emotions. The book has been adapted into various media, including a film adaptation of "The Dead" directed by John Huston in 1987.
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This Quick Read edition includes both the full text and a summary for each chapter.
- Reading time of the complete text: about 11 hours
- Reading time of the summarized text: 27 minutes
"Wuthering Heights" is a novel influenced by Romanticism and Gothic fiction. It explores themes of mental and physical cruelty, domestic abuse, and challenges to Victorian morality and the class system. The plot follows Mr. Lockwood, the new tenant at Thrushcross Grange, as he visits his landlord, Heathcliff, at Wuthering Heights. Catherine, Heathcliff's love interest, falls ill and dies after giving birth to a daughter. Heathcliff becomes haunted by her ghost and grows increasingly wild. The story ends with Lockwood leaving the moors and finding peace at the graves of Catherine, Edgar, and Heathcliff. The novel features a complex family tree and various characters, including Heathcliff, Catherine, Hindley, and Hareton. "Wuthering Heights" received mixed reviews upon its publication, but has since been recognized as a powerful and imaginative work. It is considered a love story by some, while others view it as an exploration of evil and abuse. The novel has been adapted into films, TV shows, operas, and a musical.
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This Quick Read edition includes both the full text and a summary for each chapter.
- Reading time of the complete text: about 6 hours
- Reading time of the summarized text: 30 minutes
"The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" is a novel by Mark Twain that tells the story of a boy growing up along the Mississippi River. Tom Sawyer, the main character, has various adventures with his friend Huckleberry Finn. Despite initially being a commercial failure, the book became Twain's best-selling work during his lifetime. The plot follows Tom, an orphan living with his Aunt Polly and half-brother Sid in St. Petersburg, Missouri. Tom engages in mischievous activities, falls in love with a girl named Becky Thatcher, and witnesses a murder committed by Injun Joe. He and Huck swear to keep the murder a secret, leading to constant fear for their lives. The novel combines humor, satire, and social criticism, and is considered a masterpiece of American literature. It has been adapted into various forms, including ballet, theater, and video games.
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This Quick Read edition includes both the full text and a summary for each chapter.
- Reading time of the complete text: about 5 hours
- Reading time of the summarized text: 9 minutes
"The Jungle Book" is a collection of fables written by Rudyard Kipling, featuring anthropomorphic animals that teach moral lessons. The stories are set in India, where Kipling lived as a child. The book explores themes of abandonment, fostering, law, and freedom. The stories teach respect for authority, obedience, and knowing one's place in society, but also illustrate the freedom to move between different worlds. The book has remained popular and has been adapted into many films and other media. Kipling wrote the stories for his daughter, who died at a young age. The book has been criticized for its supposed imperialism, but even critics have admired the power of Kipling's storytelling. The book has been influential in the scout movement, and many terms used in scouting come from "The Jungle Book.
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This Quick Read edition includes both the full text and a summary for each chapter.
- Reading time of the complete text: about 7 hours
- Reading time of the summarized text: 17 minutes
"The Picture of Dorian Gray" is a novel by Oscar Wilde that tells the story of a portrait painted by Basil Hallward, which ages and records the sins of its subject, Dorian Gray. Dorian meets Lord Henry Wotton, who influences him to pursue a life of hedonism and beauty. Dorian wishes for the portrait to age instead of himself, and his wish is granted. He indulges in a life of amoral experiences while staying young and beautiful. The novel faced controversy and criticism, leading to edits and deletions of certain book before publication. The story explores themes of beauty, morality, and the corrupting influence of society. Dorian's actions lead to tragedy and ultimately his own downfall. The novel has been adapted into films and continues to be a subject of academic and popular interest.
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This Quick Read edition includes both the full text and a summary for each chapter.
- Reading time of the complete text: about 18 hours
- Reading time of the summarized text: about 1 hour
"Great Expectations" is the thirteenth novel by Charles Dickens and one of his most popular works. The story follows the life of Pip, an orphan who lives with his sister and her husband. Pip meets various characters, including the wealthy Bentley Drummle and the kind-hearted Herbert. Pip plans to help Herbert secure a position with a shipbroker. However, Pip's life takes a turn when he discovers that a convict named Magwitch is his secret benefactor. Pip helps Magwitch escape from England and learns about his troubled past. The novel explores themes of wealth, gentility, moral regeneration, and the impact of imperialism. "Great Expectations" has been adapted into several films and has influenced other writers.
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This Quick Read edition includes both the full text and a summary for each chapter.
- Reading time of the complete text: about 2 hours
- Reading time of the summarized text: 7 minutes
"Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde" is a Gothic novella by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson. The story follows Gabriel John Utterson, a London-based legal practitioner who investigates a series of strange occurrences between his old friend Dr. Henry Jekyll and a murderous criminal named Edward Hyde. The novella is considered to be a defining book of the gothic horror genre and has had a sizable impact on popular culture. Stevenson had long been intrigued by the idea of how human personalities can reflect the interplay of good and evil. The novella is frequently interpreted as an examination of the duality of human nature, usually expressed as an inner struggle between good and evil. Addiction or substance abuse is also considered a central theme in the novella. The book's success was probably due rather to the "moral instincts of the public" than to any conscious perception of the merits of its art. The novella has inspired as many interpretations as it has film adaptations.
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This Quick Read edition includes both the full text and a summary for each chapter.
- Reading time of the complete text: about 17 hours
- Reading time of the summarized text: 29 minutes
"Jane Eyre" is a novel that follows the life of its protagonist, Jane, as she grows up and falls in love with Mr. Rochester. The book is considered ahead of its time due to its approach to topics such as class, sexuality, religion, and feminism. The novel is divided into five stages, including Jane's childhood at Gateshead Hall, her education at Lowood School, her time as a governess at Thornfield Hall, her time in the Moor House, and her reunion with and marriage to Rochester. Throughout the novel, Jane faces emotional and physical abuse from her aunt and cousins, as well as harsh treatment at Lowood School. Despite this, she finds role models in Helen and Miss Temple. After leaving Thornfield Hall, Jane finds family members and eventually reunites with Rochester, who has lost his eyesight and a hand. They marry and live happily ever after. The novel has been praised for its strong female protagonist and its exploration of social issues. It has also been the subject of significant rewritings and interpretations, including Jean Rhys's "Wide Sargasso Sea.
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This Quick Read edition includes both the full text and a summary for each chapter.
- Reading time of the complete text: about 2 hours
- Reading time of the summarized text: 8 minutes
Anthem is a dystopian fiction novella by Ayn Rand, first published in 1938 in the United Kingdom. The story takes place in an unspecified future date when mankind has entered another Dark Age, and individuality has been eliminated. A young man known as Equality 7-2521 rebels by doing secret scientific research and flees into the wilderness with the girl he loves. Together they plan to establish a new society based on rediscovered individualism. Rand originally conceived of the story as a play, then decided to write for magazine publication. The novella has been adapted into various media, including a stage play, a graphic novel, and a rock musical. The Ayn Rand Institute provides free copies of the novel for use in schools, and holds an annual Anthem essay contest for students.
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This Quick Read edition includes both the full text and a summary for each chapter.
- Reading time of the complete text: about 4 hours
- Reading time of the summarized text: 14 minutes
The Problems of Philosophy is a book written by Bertrand Russell in 1912, which aims to provide a brief and accessible guide to the problems of philosophy. Russell introduces philosophy as a series of failed attempts to answer the same questions, such as whether we can prove the existence of an external world, cause and effect, and morality. He argues that philosophy cannot answer these questions and that its value must lie elsewhere. Russell focuses on knowledge rather than metaphysics, and guides the reader through his distinction between knowledge by acquaintance and knowledge by description. He also introduces important theories of philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Hume, Locke, Kant, and Hegel. The book is intended for general readers and scholars alike, and Russell has confined himself to those problems of philosophy in which he thought it possible to say something positive and constructive. The theory of knowledge occupies a larger space than metaphysics in the book, and some topics much discussed by philosophers are treated very briefly, if at all. The book is available in the public domain as an audiobook and an e-book.
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This Quick Read edition includes both the full text and a summary for each chapter.
- Reading time of the complete text: about 11 hours
- Reading time of the summarized text: about 1 hour
"Sense and Sensibility" is a novel by Jane Austen that follows the Dashwood sisters and their mother as they are forced to leave their family estate and move to a modest home. The story revolves around love, romance, and heartbreak. The novel was a success, selling out its first print run and becoming the first Austen title to be republished in England after her death. The Dashwood women are mistreated by their greedy relatives, but find warmth and acceptance in their new home. Marianne falls in love with the charming Willoughby, but is heartbroken when he abandons her. Elinor, on the other hand, forms a connection with the reserved Colonel Brandon. Eventually, Marianne realizes the flaws in her former love and marries Colonel Brandon, while Elinor marries Edward. The novel explores themes of sense and sensibility, and has been praised for its well-drawn characters and moral lessons.
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This Quick Read edition includes both the full text and a summary for each chapter.
- Reading time of the complete text: about 6 hours
- Reading time of the summarized text: 10 minutes
"Meditations" is a collection of personal writings by Marcus Aurelius, the Roman Emperor from AD 161 to 180. The work consists of his private notes and ideas on Stoic philosophy. The books were not written in chronological order and were intended for the author himself. Aurelius emphasizes finding one's place in the universe and returning to nature. He promotes maintaining focus, ethical principles, and avoiding indulgence in sensory affections. The work has been praised for its intensity and inspiration, but also criticized for being contradictory and inconsistent. It has had a significant impact on various individuals throughout history, including political leaders and philosophers. The original Greek edition was published in 1559, but the source has been lost. Several English translations have been made over the years. The purpose of the writings may have been for mental stimulation, as Aurelius was removed from the cultural and intellectual life of Rome during the time of writing.
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This Quick Read edition includes both the full text and a summary for each chapter.
- Reading time of the complete text: about 8 hours
- Reading time of the summarized text: 21 minutes
"Persuasion" is the last novel completed by Jane Austen. It tells the story of Anne Elliot and Captain Frederick Wentworth, who were engaged but broke up due to persuasion from Anne's friends and family. After almost eight years, they meet again and have a chance at love and marriage. The novel gained fame in the 20th and 21st centuries and is considered Austen's most mature work. The plot revolves around Anne's unfulfilled feelings for Wentworth and her interactions with other characters. The book explores themes of persuasion, loss, and second chances. It is a departure from Austen's earlier novels and is seen as a psychological study. Overall, "Persuasion" is a Cinderella story with a happy ending.
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This Quick Read edition includes both the full text and a summary for each chapter.
- Reading time of the complete text: about 6 hours
- Reading time of the summarized text: 13 minutes
"Three Men in a Boat" is a humorous novel written by Jerome K. Jerome in 1889. It follows the adventures of three friends, Jerome, George, and Harris, and their dog Montmorency, as they embark on a boating holiday on the River Thames. Initially intended as a serious travel guide, the book became known for its fresh and witty jokes. The story takes readers on a journey along the river, with the narrator describing landmarks and sharing humorous anecdotes about fishing, boating, and camping mishaps. Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, the book sold in large numbers and has never been out of print. It continues to be popular, ranking among the greatest novels of all time. The novel has been adapted into films, television shows, and stage productions, and fans have even recreated the river trip described in the book. Overall, "Three Men in a Boat" is a timeless and beloved comedic novel that has entertained readers for over a century.
