To go, or not to go? The next Gathering was on in days and Julia had still not made a decision. At Carly’s insistence, she went, but when faced with the foreboding castle where the Gathering was to be held, she had second thoughts. Though not a seasoned player, she felt she had handled herself well at the first Gathering, but this, this was completely different—like a trip into fantasyland, where dreams can turn into nightmares at the touch of a whip or manacle.Old friends, new fri...

Twenty-two years on and the coast is booming, and times are good for Adam and Amber as construction halts and the festive season commences. With the influx of family, bedrooms become congested and sibling squabbling requires tact, something Amber has little of as she prepares to cater for all needs. With an inebriated mother causing problems and the unexpected arrival of Diane after so long, is it any wonder the frustrations and sexual hungers that have built up inside, suddenly scream for...

Adam, a young surfer and his mates, meet Amber, Angie, her sister, and Diane, three promiscuous young women on the Coast, one long weekend. Sparks fly and bodies simmer over three days of debauchery and soul-searching, leading to what Amber hopes might be a lifetime affair with Adam. His introduction to the Sisterhood, and the girl’s blatant approach to nudity and sex, has him baffled and uneasy.Time evolves, and the progression from youth to maturity is evident, their weekends tog...

The third Gathering. On the Coast, where the weather is bleak and wet, much like the mood of some of the participants, though Julia was in no mood to let that stop her having what she hopes will be a good time. The last was an eye-opener, could this be better?After sampling some of the delights with a new found friend she meets up again with Tim her bartender from the first Gathering and some of his mates, before running into some old friends from Sydney who are there to screen her...

Day-to-day life can be a drag, especially when you’re trying to run your own business and contend with an over-bearing husband. Julia finds her life suddenly up-ended when her husband gets an invitation to his main contractor’s birthday party. On their arrival, Julia finds things are not what they seem and contemplates leaving, doing so after a number of drinks. As fortune or misfortune would have it, she meets two would-be criminals who entice her to join them searching for quick money, a...

Three complete Plato dialogues - Euthyphro, Meno, Republic Book I - in a fresh English translation, with extensive commentary and original illustrations. Reason and Persuasion is suitable as an introductory textbook or for more advanced students of Plato and philosophy. The fourth edition is substantially revised, extended and improved."There is no dearth of textbooks offering an introduction to Plato's thought, but Holbo's stands apart in the sc...

In "The Elixir of Life," Honoré de Balzac explores themes of ambition, desire, and the complexities of human relationships through a rich tapestry of characters embroiled in a quest for immortality. Written in Balzac's characteristic realist style, the narrative is interwoven with elements of fantasy and philosophical inquiry, reflecting the author's keen interest in the human condition and societal aspiration during the early 19th century. This novella stands out within Balzac's extensive...

In "The Elixir of Life," Honoré de Balzac explores the intricate interplay between ambition, desire, and the human condition within a tale steeped in the fantastical. This novella weaves together elements of realism and magical realism, characteristic of Balzac's literary style, inviting readers into a world where the boundaries between life and death blur. The narrative also reflects the social and economic tensions of 19th-century France, as it addresses themes of immortality and the co...

Some of the short stories in the Philosophical Studies section of Honore de Balzac's The Human Comedy have hints of the mystical and supernatural. These elements are very pronounced in the spine-chilling tale "The Elixir of Life," which veers into the territory of gothic horror. In the story, a dying man confides to his son that he has found a way to cheat death and achieve immortality.

The Elixir of Life is a short story by Honoré de Balzac, first published 1830, about eternal life. However, this is an eternal life story with a horrific twist.The Elixir of Life is classified as one of Balzac's Philosophical Studies, many of which have supernatural overtones. This one not only has supernatural aspects, but also aspects of horror.The scene opens on a winter evening in a princely palace where Don Juan Belvidero is giving a banquet. ...

In "Louis Lambert," Honoré de Balzac delves into the complexities of intellectualism and the interplay between genius and madness. This philosophical novel illustrates the life of Louis Lambert, a young man gifted with extraordinary intellectual capabilities, whose existential struggles reflect the tumult of 19th-century France. Balzac employs a blend of vivid realism and introspective narrative, crafting a story that explores themes of spirituality, identity, and the burdens of intellectu...

Louis Lambert is an 1832 novel by French novelist and playwright Honoré de Balzac, included in the Études philosophiques section of his novel sequence La Comédie humaine.Set mostly in a school at Vendôme, it examines the life and theories of a boy genius fascinated by the Swedish philosopher Emanuel Swedenborg (1688-1772).The novel contains a minimal plot, focusing mostly on the metaphysical ideas of its boy-genius protagonist and...