Books with author William Godwin

William Godwin (1756-1836), the seventh of thirteen children, was raised by a dissenting minister, which accounts for his studies and work as a dissenting minister early in life. By 1782, Godwin had exposed himself to the optimism of Enlightenment philosophy through books and discussion, and so became more enthusiastic about the overthrow of all political, religious and social institutions. He turned to writing as a profession, and in the 1790s published his first of two novels: "Caleb Williams". The novel centers on two main characters, Caleb Williams, the naïve but courageous protagonist, and his employer, Ferdinando Falkland, a wealthy and respected landowner who is prone to distemper. Their story portrays what Godwin saw as a flawed society, where the rich elite held power over the poor and helpless. Historians have labeled the novel tragic, gothic romance, terror, sensation, or mystery, but regardless of its classification, this novel will invite readers to take a hard look at society and the human potential.

The story of Caleb Williams (1794) is the first psychological thriller ever written. Caleb Williams, a poor orphan, is employed as a secretary for the wealthy and benevolent country squire, Fernando Falland. Falkland is subject to unexplained fits of melancholy, and soon Caleb becomes convinced that the squire must be hiding a dark secret. Caleb’s obsession with uncovering the truth provokes a suspenseful and disastrous train of events in which he is relentlessly pursued by the vindictive and controlling Falkland. E. J. Black has written an abridgement of Caleb Williams that is true to the original work in terms of mood and tone. He has captured all the essential parts of Godwin's most important novel, so that the reader can enjoy a faster pace for this powerful tale of the pursuit of an innocent man by a man of power. Our Monmouth Press abridged edition includes the preface and the author's memoirs exactly as they were published in the original 1832 edition.

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The Crowstone is an epic battle between the forces of light and darkness played out within the world of birds. An ancient evil has crossed over from the world of men into the world of birds.The Darkwing are rising...The Circle of Birds has been broken. The Wise Raven knows that only the magical Crowstone in the beak of “one who can fly between the worlds” can restore the peace and happiness of all birds...but the Crowstone is lost...forever. One day a 12 year old boy finds a black stone on a beach in Cornwall and transforms into a magnificent peregrine falcon... “In the heart of the tiniest wren there is courage which the Darkwing will never understand …it is a spark...of The Crowstone.”

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The story of Caleb Williams (1794) is the first psychological thriller ever written. Caleb Williams, a poor orphan, is employed as a secretary for the wealthy and benevolent country squire, Fernando Falland. Falkland is subject to unexplained fits of melancholy, and soon Caleb becomes convinced that the squire must be hiding a dark secret. Caleb’s obsession with uncovering the truth provokes a suspenseful and disastrous train of events in which he is relentlessly pursued by the vindictive and controlling Falkland. E. J. Black has written an abridgement of Caleb Williams that is true to the original work in terms of mood and tone. He has captured all the essential parts of Godwin's most important novel, so that the reader can enjoy a faster pace for this powerful tale of the pursuit of an innocent man by a man of power. Our Monmouth Press abridged edition includes the preface and the author's memoirs exactly as they were published in the original 1832 edition.