Born in Newgate Prison and abandoned soon after, Moll Flanders is searching for a secure place in society. Her desire to belong propels her into all kinds of trouble from numerous marriages, bigamy and incest to theft. Charting her progress from an innocent but determined young girl to a contentedly resigned elderly woman, Defoe’s novel casts a light on the splendours and iniquities of life in 18th century England and America. It is a tale of sin and repentance, portrayed through a rich pa...

Two outstanding plays from a major figure of British Edwardian theatreHarley Granville Barker was one of the most influential voices in early 20th-century drama – an actor, director and playwright whose work helped shape modern British theatre. His plays are celebrated for their psychological depth, moral complexity and Chekhovian style. He is best known for his masterpiece, The Voysey Inheritance, which is presented here with his forgotten classic, Th...

Moll Flanders is the epitome of a "bawdy" woman, who makes few excuses for herself and is unashamed of her shady past. Now converted to religion, Moll recounts her history, which includes thievery, prostitution, incest, and deception amongst a list of other necessary evils. Often shocking and always funny, Moll's story is poignant and captivating, and our charismatic narrator is sure to bring joy to a listener's ears and heart.

A BBC Radio dramatisation of the real-life diaries of a West Country village parson, writing at the turn of the 19th Century'A good diary can provide an unsurpassed entry into society, and the diary of William Holland is a very good diary indeed' The SpectatorOn October 25th, 1799 - his 18th wedding anniversary - cantankerous Somerset parson William Holland begins his diary, chronicling events at the vicarage and in the sm...

When Mathilde is forced to leave her teaching job in Oslo after her relationship with 18-year-old Jacob is exposed, she flees to the countryside for a more authentic life. Her new home is a quiet cottage on the outskirts of a dairy farm run by Andres and Johs, whose hobbies include playing the fiddle and telling folktales - many of them about female rebellion and disobedience, and seeking justice, whatever it takes. But beneath the surface of the apparently friendly and peaceful pastoral s...

"Capacious, unsentimental, and yet forgiving, Ultraviolet brings us both the intimacy of women's lives and their trajectories across continents and generations. This is Suzanne Matson at her wisest and deepest―wonderful." ―Gish Jen, author of The Girl at the Baggage ClaimSuzanne Matson’s engrossing and intimate new novel, Ultraviolet, centers on Kathryn―the daughter of Elsie and mother of Samantha―while illuminating the lives of three gen...

Scientists have long counseled against interpreting animal behavior in terms of human emotions, warning that such anthropomorphizing limits our ability to understand animals as they really are. Yet what are we to make of a female gorilla in a German zoo who spent days mourning the death of her baby? Or a wild female elephant who cared for a younger one after she was injured by a rambunctious teenage male? Or a rat who refused to push a lever for food when he saw that doing so caused anothe...

A lyrical and bittersweet novel of a middle-aged man losing control of his life that's a brilliant study in emotional dislocation and renewal—from one of the most highly acclaimed authors of the twentieth century.Professor Godfrey St. Peter is a man in his fifties who has devoted his life to his work, his wife, his garden, and his daughters, and achieved success with all of them. But when St. Peter is called on to move to a new, more comfortable house, something in...

Jennifer vividly remembers the day when, momentarily distracted, she left her three-year-old daughter, Debbie, unattended in a grocery cart. When she turned back, the child had vanished. For seven years, there was no sign of Debbie. Then one day, Jennifer receives a mysterious phone call from the wealthy Corinthia Arles, claiming that she has found her daughter.But when Jennifer arrives at Mrs. Arles’ luxurious estate on Vancouver Island, the mystery of her lost daughter only deepe...

The Job is an early work by American novelist Sinclair Lewis.It is considered an early declaration of the rights of working women. The focus is on the main character, Una Golden, and her desire to establish herself in a legitimate occupation while balancing the eventual need for marriage. The story takes place in the early 1900-1920s and takes Una from a small Pennsylvania town to New York. Forced to work due to family illness, Una shows a talent for the traditiona...

For more than 1,000 years the British monarchy has dramatically shaped national and international history. Kings and queens have conquered territory, imposed religious change and extracted taxation, each with their own motivations and ambitions.This fascinating audiobook delves into the extraordinary history of the British monarchy, from Alfred the Great in the 9th century to the Windsors in the 21st. Key moments are explored, including the signing of the Magna Carta, the Battle of...

A BRAND NEW heartwarming and inspiring saga of hope, resilience and a woman’s fight for a better life. Perfect for fans of Nadine Dorries, Rosie Clarke and Donna Douglas! ❤️Welcome to West India Dock Road in London's East End...1938: Divya has made the long sea journey from India to England, employed as a nanny by a British family. But once they arrive, she is cruelly abandoned, with no means to return home. Afraid and alone, she faces pr...