Meister Eckhart was a 14th-century theologian who became an influential preacher, mystic, and philosopher, and one of the most profound thinkers of the Middle Ages. Everywhere his teaching and preaching left a deep mark and the importance of Eckhart in the history of scholastic philosophy is considerable. The fundamental idea of Eckharts philosophy is that of the Absolute or Abstract Unity conceived as the sole real existence. His God is the [Theo Agnosto (Unknown God)] of the neoplatonist...

The Confessions of Al-Ghazali is an Islamic spiritual text by Abu Hamid al-Ghazali. It presents Ghazali's voyage to spiritual conversion, concluding that reason, faith, and the Sufi ways are the end goal.

In "The Confessions of al-Ghazali: Rescuer from Error," Abu Hamid al-Ghazālī offers readers a profound introspection into his spiritual and intellectual journey. Written in a confessional style that deftly intertwines narrative and rhetoric, this work encapsulates his struggles with doubt, faith, and the quest for truth. Al-Ghazālī's reflections emerge against the backdrop of the 11th-century Islamic world, marked by philosophical inquiry and theological debate, providing a compelling cont...

With his sense of humor and ability to observe, Nikolai Gogol presents the world with stories of little people: the weak and fragile people who try to hold on to life in the gloomy cities of Russia. "The Mantle", which is listed among his masterpieces, describes how Russian bureaucracy turns everyone into a ghost of each other. It tells the tragicomic story of a poor low-ranking official named Akakiy Akakiyevich Bashmachkin, a faint character living on the margins of society who spends all...

In Nikolai Gogol's short story "May Night, or the Drowned Maiden," a single night ends up changing the lives of many. Young Levko is the son of the head of a Ukrainian village and madly in love with a maiden named Hanna. To Levko's dismay, his father attempts to break off the romance in secret. What follows is a night during which both the alive and dead seek vengeance. In this tale wrapped in mysterious folktale, family ties are put to the test and characters are faced with a lesson or tw...

Delve into the profound depths of the Russian literary canon with *The Great Classics of Russian Literature*, an anthology that encapsulates the rich tapestry of Russian thought and narrative innovation. This collection presents a thrilling kaleidoscope of themes'Äîranging from existential reflection and societal critique to poignant explorations of the human condition. Each story, steeped in the dramatic landscapes and tumultuous history of Russia, is a testament to the ingenuity and emot...

In "Mystics and Saints of Islam," Claud Field offers a profound exploration of the spiritual landscape of Islamic mysticism, or Sufism, through the lives of its most revered practitioners. Field's literary style transcends mere biography; he intricately weaves historical narratives with rich theological insights, illustrating how these figures embody the pursuit of divine love and inner enlightenment. The book contextualizes its subjects within the broader arc of Islamic tradition, reflect...

In "The German Lieutenant, and Other Stories," August Strindberg presents a collection of narratives that delve into themes of war, identity, and the human psyche. Written in the late 19th century, this work encapsulates the emotional turmoil and existential struggles characteristic of Strindberg's literary style, which often blurs the lines between realism and expressionism. The stories reflect the author's acute awareness of societal tensions in post-war Europe, exploring the fragility o...

In "The Mantle, and Other Stories," Nikolai Vasilevich Gogol masterfully weaves a tapestry of the absurd and the grotesque, challenging societal norms through his incisive satire and vivid characterizations. The titular story, "The Mantle," explores themes of identity, alienation, and existential despair, encapsulating the bleakness of bureaucratic life in early 19th-century Russia. Gogol employs a richly descriptive style, infused with a blend of the surreal and the tragic, showcasing his...

'Memoirs of a Madman' (1838) was written by the great French author Gustave Flaubert, famous for his scandalous, best-selling novel 'Madame Bovary'.One of his earliest works, this captivating tale follows the recollections of a young man as he recounts his childhood innocence, followed by his painful, abrupt entry into the adult world.This powerful story highlights the author's views on the idealisation of women and lays the foundation for his renowned 'L'Education Sentimen...

If you're looking for your next mind-bending read, here are 10 great surreal books to get you started:Contents:Two Short Parables by Franz KafkaThe Secret Sharer by Joseph ConradThe Country of the Blind by H. G. WellsThe Bottle Imp by Robert Louis StevensonWakefield by Nathaniel HawthorneThe Nose by Nikolai GogolThe Overcoat by Nikolai GogolMemoirs of a Madman by Nikolai GogolBy the Waters of Babylon by Stephen Vincent B...

Teeming with dark humour, supernatural elements, and hard-to-believe situations, Nikolai Gogol's "Collected Stories" is a highest form of short story fiction. With stories like "The Mantle", "The Nose", and "The Viy", the author's attention focuses upon the satirical and nonsensical. Obsessions and schizophrenia run free in the stories, answering the social pressures and crisis of identity. Another important element is the praise of Russian folk tales and the supernatural, making the colle...