Showing results by narrator "Mark Rice-Oxley" in All Categories

Franz Kafka was born on 3rd July 1883 in Prague, then in Bohemia, the eldest of 6, into a middle-class Jewish family. Life for the young Kafka and his passion for literature was often made an ordeal by his over-bearing and domineering entrepreneur of a father. His literary works are few in number but towering in influence. His masterpieces include ‘The Trial’, ‘The Metamorphosis’ as well as a number of short stories which reveal facets of humankind that truthfully could only be born from Kafka’s brain and pen.

Montague Rhodes James is cited as perhaps the greatest English writer of ghost stories, an opinion few would disagree with. Many of his elegant yet terrifying tales were created by discarding the prevailing gothic clichés and placing his characters and narrative in a realistic setting. Thereby the stories gained atmosphere and menace on a grand scale and he was famed as the originator of the antiquarian ghost story. Although story-telling and writing these 30 or so tales was a hobby, when published their effect transformed the genre and still chill the bones in our more modern times.

From the red dust of Mars to the blue skies of Earth, follow the extraordinary exploits of Elliot and his friends—Mei and Dimitri—as they unravel the mysteries of the universe, forging friendships and facing adversaries in a saga where the fate of humanity hangs in the balance. The "Diary of a Martian" Omnibus Edition brings together these three interstellar adventures in one exhilarating collection, perfect for fans of action-packed science fiction.

Life in a Martian colony can be tough for a 12-year-old! You can’t just go outside to hang out because, well, you’d suffocate and die. Elliot lives a regular Martian life. He goes to school, plays football, and tries to avoid the mean kids. But he never gets to leave the colony buildings. That is, until he goes on a science trip where he makes a discovery that could change the course of humanity forever: a strange doorway in a volcanic cave! Who put it there? What’s on the other side?

Tony Peso’s world is turned upside down the first time he is plugged into a cryonically frozen head, to experience their last 10 seconds of life. If this was properly marketed, it could be massive.... Ignoring the moral implications and ably assisted by Cryo-Biochemist Davis, Brit-abroad Tony makes millions selling this mind-blowing one-off hit to Billionaires. Way out of his depth from layers of deceit, he soon finds himself an international fugitive, on the run from the FBI for a murder he didn’t commit. A bagful of cash, but unable to distinguish friend from foe.

Edward George Earle Bulwer-Lytton was born on the 25th May 1803 the youngest of three sons. In 1828 his novel, ‘Pelham’, brought him an income, together with commercial and critical success. He followed these with a string of applauded works across several genres: historical fiction, mystery, romance, the occult, science fiction and poetry.

There is something about the number 3. The Ancient Greeks believed 3 was the perfect number, and in China 3 has always been a lucky number, and they know a thing or two. Whatever history and culture says WE think 3, a hat-trick of stories, is a great number to explore themes and literary avenues that classic authors were so adept at creating.

SuperSummary, a modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, offers high-quality instructional study guides for challenging works of literature. This audio study guide for Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare includes detailed summary and analysis of each chapter and an in-depth exploration of the book’s multiple symbols, motifs, and themes such as the beauty and danger of love, dreams and illusions, and rivalry and feud. Featured content also includes commentary on major characters, 25 important quotes, essay questions, and discussion topics.

Stefan Zweig was born on the 28th November 1881 in Vienna, then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and into a wealthy Jewish family with interests in banking and textiles. Zweig first published in 1900 and two decades later was a popular and highly regarded author in many parts of the world, although not in England. He was also the librettist with Richard Strauss of two operas and a keen collector of autographed musical manuscripts. His collection of over two hundred pieces was later donated to the British Library.

Whilst writer Charles Dickens needs no introduction, his Haunted House anthology might, not least because in his role as editor he introduces a formidable array of known and lesser-known literary talents.

“When oblivion comes, it is forever, as endless as the slumber of those beings that lie buried beneath the roots of the world, dreaming in darkness.” A writer’s research into the legend of the Lambton Worm takes a horrifying twist when he uncovers the true origin of the story: A legend that stirs, knowing the time for its rebirth is near. A chilling tale of the Cthulhu mythos, written by award-winning author Jonathan Green.

Herbert Currington Ridout was born in 1881. His literary life included being a journalist, editor, and short story writer although he also had various jobs in the music business and was later a radio broadcaster on the BBC. He died in 1948.

Richard Henry Malden was born in 1879. During his career he was a prominent Anglican churchman, editor, classical and Biblical scholar, as well as a writer of ghost stories. He died in 1951.

Discover unspeakable acts of brutality and violence in this volume of 12 shocking true crime cases. If you’re fascinated by the stories of both killers and victims, and how police work with forensics and evidence in pursuit of coldblooded murderers, this captivating book is for you, taking you on a journey through some of the most unforgettable murders in recent times.

Eleven years ago, the UK government burnt its quarantined cities and vanished in the flames. They left behind broken lives and a broken country. The Gamekeeper wanders the ruins of Britain, picking a living from the carcass of the old world. He's a nomad, utilizing his skills as a trapper and hunter to trade for whatever he can't get himself. He is all the company he has in this brutal world, and it is all he has ever needed. Or so he thought.

This audio study guide for Paradise Lost by John Milton includes detailed summary and analysis of each chapter and an in-depth exploration of the book’s multiple symbols, motifs, and themes such as individual freedom and self-determination, the paradox of the pursuit of knowledge, and having the humility to ask for forgiveness. Featured content also includes commentary on major characters, 25 important quotes, essay questions, and discussion topics.

Our ‘fight of flight’ response is something hardwired into the primitive part of our brain. Our need to survive, to outlive whatever danger poses, that immediate threat to our lives is little short of a marvel. Everything else is abandoned in order to survive. Whilst in modern times that ability has been somewhat modified and ‘reasoned’ away to an extent, in past years it’s what usually kept you alive. In this volume people struggle valiantly to survive and to exist no matter the extent of the threat they face.

Rachel was relieved that Peter had lost interest in the antique shop after his last trip. She thought that now, perhaps, they could keep the place out of their minds and get on with their lives. But it was not to be. Dreams about a medieval nun were plaguing them both, and it seemed the shop itself was calling to them. They would know no peace until they had discovered what it wanted.

Izzy Miller has grown out of "family game night". As a mature and sporty 12-year-old, playing boring board games with her family is not her idea of a good time. But when her brainiac twin Noah discovers an ancient board game and casts the dice, he unknowingly sets off a chain of events that freezes time and leaves the twins with a frightening choice - play or never see your family again.

With Peter and Jason away in Egypt in search of the the lost tomb of Cleopatra, Rachel is left to help Martha to settle into the 21st century. But the Antique Shop has other ideas and tempts them to go back to the 16th century. They believe they are going to rescue Lord Mountford, a man who lost his head during the reign of King Henry VIII for helping the monks during the dissolution of the monasteries. In fact, the shop sends them back too late for that and they meet Lord Mountford's stepson, Marcus, who they learn is from the future.