Books with title Frivolous Cupid: illustrated and Original Classic Novel

Jules Gabriel Verne (8 February 1828 – 24 March 1905) was a French novelist, poet, and playwright. His collaboration with the publisher Pierre-Jules Hetzel led to the creation of the Voyages extraordinaires, a series of bestselling adventure novels including Journey to the Center of the Earth (1864), Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (1870), and Around the World in Eighty Days (1872).Verne is generally considered a major literary author in France and most of Europe, where he has had a wide influence on the literary avant-garde and on surrealism. His reputation was markedly different in Anglophone regions where he had often been labeled a writer of genre fiction or children's books, largely because of the highly abridged and altered translations in which his novels have often been printed. Since the 1980s, his literary reputation has improved.Verne has been the second most-translated author in the world since 1979, ranking between Agatha Christie and William Shakespeare. He has sometimes been called the "Father of Science Fiction", a title that has also been given to H. G. Wells and Hugo Gernsback.

Charles Dickens, in full Charles John Huffam Dickens, (born February 7, 1812, Portsmouth, Hampshire, England—died June 9, 1870, Gad’s Hill, near Chatham, Kent), English novelist, generally considered the greatest of the Victorian era. His many volumes include such works as A Christmas Carol, David Copperfield, Bleak House, A Tale of Two Cities, Great Expectations, and Our Mutual Friend.Dickens enjoyed a wider popularity during his lifetime than had any previous author. Much in his work could appeal to the simple and the sophisticated, to the poor and to the queen, and technological developments as well as the qualities of his work enabled his fame to spread worldwide very quickly. His long career saw fluctuations in the reception and sales of individual novels, but none of them was negligible or uncharacteristic or disregarded, and, though he is now admired for aspects and phases of his work that were given less weight by his contemporaries, his popularity has never ceased. The most abundantly comic of English authors, he was much more than a great entertainer. The range, compassion, and intelligence of his apprehension of his society and its shortcomings enriched his novels and made him both one of the great forces in 19th-century literature and an influential spokesman of the conscience of his age.

Cornelius von Baerle lives only to cultivate the elusive black tulip and win a magnificent prize for its creation. But when his powerful godfather is assassinated, the unwitting Cornelius becomes caught up in a deadly political intrigue. Falsely accused of high treason by a bitter rival, Cornelius is condemned to life in prison. His only comfort is Rosa, the jailer's beautiful daughter, who helps him concoct a plan to grow the black tulip in secret. As Robin Buss explains in his informative introduction, Dumas infuses his story with elements from the history of the Dutch Republic (including two brutal murders) and Holland's seventeenth-century "tulipmania" phenomenon.

William Wilkie Collins (8 January 1824 – 23 September 1889) was an English novelist, playwright and short story writer best known for The Woman in White (1859) and The Moonstone (1868). The last has been called the first modern English detective novel. Born to the family of a painter, William Collins, in London, he grew up in Italy and France, learning French and Italian. He began work as a clerk for a tea merchant. After his first novel, Antonina, appeared in 1850, he met Charles Dickens, who became a close friend and mentor. Some of Collins's works appeared first in Dickens's journals All the Year Round and Household Words and they collaborated on drama and fiction. Collins achieved financial stability and an international following with his best known works in the 1860s, but began suffering from gout. Taking opium for the pain grew into an addiction. In the 1870s and 1880s his writing quality declined with his health. Collins was critical of the institution of marriage: he split his time between Caroline Graves and his common-law wife Martha Rudd, with whom he had three children.

William Wilkie Collins (8 January 1824 – 23 September 1889) was an English novelist, playwright and short story writer best known for The Woman in White (1859) and The Moonstone (1868). The last has been called the first modern English detective novel. Born to the family of a painter, William Collins, in London, he grew up in Italy and France, learning French and Italian. He began work as a clerk for a tea merchant. After his first novel, Antonina, appeared in 1850, he met Charles Dickens, who became a close friend and mentor. Some of Collins's works appeared first in Dickens's journals All the Year Round and Household Words and they collaborated on drama and fiction. Collins achieved financial stability and an international following with his best known works in the 1860s, but began suffering from gout. Taking opium for the pain grew into an addiction. In the 1870s and 1880s his writing quality declined with his health. Collins was critical of the institution of marriage: he split his time between Caroline Graves and his common-law wife Martha Rudd, with whom he had three children.

Charles Dickens, in full Charles John Huffam Dickens, (born February 7, 1812, Portsmouth, Hampshire, England—died June 9, 1870, Gad’s Hill, near Chatham, Kent), English novelist, generally considered the greatest of the Victorian era. His many volumes include such works as A Christmas Carol, David Copperfield, Bleak House, A Tale of Two Cities, Great Expectations, and Our Mutual Friend.Dickens enjoyed a wider popularity during his lifetime than had any previous author. Much in his work could appeal to the simple and the sophisticated, to the poor and to the queen, and technological developments as well as the qualities of his work enabled his fame to spread worldwide very quickly. His long career saw fluctuations in the reception and sales of individual novels, but none of them was negligible or uncharacteristic or disregarded, and, though he is now admired for aspects and phases of his work that were given less weight by his contemporaries, his popularity has never ceased. The most abundantly comic of English authors, he was much more than a great entertainer. The range, compassion, and intelligence of his apprehension of his society and its shortcomings enriched his novels and made him both one of the great forces in 19th-century literature and an influential spokesman of the conscience of his age.

Charles Dickens, in full Charles John Huffam Dickens, (born February 7, 1812, Portsmouth, Hampshire, England—died June 9, 1870, Gad’s Hill, near Chatham, Kent), English novelist, generally considered the greatest of the Victorian era. His many volumes include such works as A Christmas Carol, David Copperfield, Bleak House, A Tale of Two Cities, Great Expectations, and Our Mutual Friend.Dickens enjoyed a wider popularity during his lifetime than had any previous author. Much in his work could appeal to the simple and the sophisticated, to the poor and to the queen, and technological developments as well as the qualities of his work enabled his fame to spread worldwide very quickly. His long career saw fluctuations in the reception and sales of individual novels, but none of them was negligible or uncharacteristic or disregarded, and, though he is now admired for aspects and phases of his work that were given less weight by his contemporaries, his popularity has never ceased. The most abundantly comic of English authors, he was much more than a great entertainer. The range, compassion, and intelligence of his apprehension of his society and its shortcomings enriched his novels and made him both one of the great forces in 19th-century literature and an influential spokesman of the conscience of his age.

Wilkie Collins (1824-1889) is best known as the innovator of the detective novel. He was a prolific writer, with 30 novels, more than 60 short stories, 14 plays, and more than 100 non-fiction pieces to his name. He was a close friend of Charles Dickens and one of the best known and loved Victorian Fiction writers. After his death, his popularity diminished as Dickens's grew. Now, Collins is once again becoming popular with most of his books in print and film, television and radio adaptations being made. There is much still to be discovered about this great author and this volume contains his four most popular novels. The "Woman in White" is an engrossing and haunting read. It was the first novel to combine Gothic horror with psychological realism - haunting dreams, asylums, kidnappings and illnesses. A convoluted plot that requires the confessions of several fascinating characters in order to solve the mystery. "Moonstone" is another page-turner - another engrossing mystery. The story centres around the theft of an enormous diamond and takes us on a spellbinding journey of romance, theft and murder In "No Name" Magdalen Vanstone and her sister discover that their parents, who have died suddenly were not married at the time of their birth. Stigmatised, disinherited and ousted from their country estate, the two young women struggle to survive. Norah becomes a governess, accepting her lot. But Magdalen has different ideas, determined to regain her inheritance and willing to use her beauty and cunning she seeks revenge. A series of trials ensue leading to the final decision, will she trade herself in marriage to the man she hates? At the time the book was rejected as immoral, but today is seen as a story with stunning social insight. "Armadale" is another penetrating social commentary into the plight of women in the Victorian Era. Armadale has son who is in disgrace and so he decides to disinherit him, and so starts the story, as convoluted and thrilling as any of Collins stories. In the introduction he says, "In Armadale it is for once the men, rather than the women, who struggle to identify themselves - to themselves as well as to others - in relation to the name." The strongest character in the book is a woman - Lydia Gwilt - who defiantly keeps her original name, and hence her identity. Her character rejected at the time as unwomanly and unrealistic, and too wicked to be English. It was apparently impossible for any English woman to be jealous, murderous, bigamous, deceptive, intelligent, and sympathetic all at the same time. Collins clearly disagreed.

Wilkie Collins (1824-1889) is best known as the innovator of the detective novel. He was a prolific writer, with 30 novels, more than 60 short stories, 14 plays, and more than 100 non-fiction pieces to his name. He was a close friend of Charles Dickens and one of the best known and loved Victorian Fiction writers. After his death, his popularity diminished as Dickens's grew. Now, Collins is once again becoming popular with most of his books in print and film, television and radio adaptations being made. There is much still to be discovered about this great author and this volume contains his four most popular novels. The "Woman in White" is an engrossing and haunting read. It was the first novel to combine Gothic horror with psychological realism - haunting dreams, asylums, kidnappings and illnesses. A convoluted plot that requires the confessions of several fascinating characters in order to solve the mystery. "Moonstone" is another page-turner - another engrossing mystery. The story centres around the theft of an enormous diamond and takes us on a spellbinding journey of romance, theft and murder In "No Name" Magdalen Vanstone and her sister discover that their parents, who have died suddenly were not married at the time of their birth. Stigmatised, disinherited and ousted from their country estate, the two young women struggle to survive. Norah becomes a governess, accepting her lot. But Magdalen has different ideas, determined to regain her inheritance and willing to use her beauty and cunning she seeks revenge. A series of trials ensue leading to the final decision, will she trade herself in marriage to the man she hates? At the time the book was rejected as immoral, but today is seen as a story with stunning social insight. "Armadale" is another penetrating social commentary into the plight of women in the Victorian Era. Armadale has son who is in disgrace and so he decides to disinherit him, and so starts the story, as convoluted and thrilling as any of Collins stories. In the introduction he says, "In Armadale it is for once the men, rather than the women, who struggle to identify themselves - to themselves as well as to others - in relation to the name." The strongest character in the book is a woman - Lydia Gwilt - who defiantly keeps her original name, and hence her identity. Her character rejected at the time as unwomanly and unrealistic, and too wicked to be English. It was apparently impossible for any English woman to be jealous, murderous, bigamous, deceptive, intelligent, and sympathetic all at the same time. Collins clearly disagreed.

Wilkie Collins (1824-1889) is best known as the innovator of the detective novel. He was a prolific writer, with 30 novels, more than 60 short stories, 14 plays, and more than 100 non-fiction pieces to his name. He was a close friend of Charles Dickens and one of the best known and loved Victorian Fiction writers. After his death, his popularity diminished as Dickens's grew. Now, Collins is once again becoming popular with most of his books in print and film, television and radio adaptations being made. There is much still to be discovered about this great author and this volume contains his four most popular novels. The "Woman in White" is an engrossing and haunting read. It was the first novel to combine Gothic horror with psychological realism - haunting dreams, asylums, kidnappings and illnesses. A convoluted plot that requires the confessions of several fascinating characters in order to solve the mystery. "Moonstone" is another page-turner - another engrossing mystery. The story centres around the theft of an enormous diamond and takes us on a spellbinding journey of romance, theft and murder In "No Name" Magdalen Vanstone and her sister discover that their parents, who have died suddenly were not married at the time of their birth. Stigmatised, disinherited and ousted from their country estate, the two young women struggle to survive. Norah becomes a governess, accepting her lot. But Magdalen has different ideas, determined to regain her inheritance and willing to use her beauty and cunning she seeks revenge. A series of trials ensue leading to the final decision, will she trade herself in marriage to the man she hates? At the time the book was rejected as immoral, but today is seen as a story with stunning social insight. "Armadale" is another penetrating social commentary into the plight of women in the Victorian Era. Armadale has son who is in disgrace and so he decides to disinherit him, and so starts the story, as convoluted and thrilling as any of Collins stories. In the introduction he says, "In Armadale it is for once the men, rather than the women, who struggle to identify themselves - to themselves as well as to others - in relation to the name." The strongest character in the book is a woman - Lydia Gwilt - who defiantly keeps her original name, and hence her identity. Her character rejected at the time as unwomanly and unrealistic, and too wicked to be English. It was apparently impossible for any English woman to be jealous, murderous, bigamous, deceptive, intelligent, and sympathetic all at the same time. Collins clearly disagreed.

Wilkie Collins (1824-1889) is best known as the innovator of the detective novel. He was a prolific writer, with 30 novels, more than 60 short stories, 14 plays, and more than 100 non-fiction pieces to his name. He was a close friend of Charles Dickens and one of the best known and loved Victorian Fiction writers. After his death, his popularity diminished as Dickens's grew. Now, Collins is once again becoming popular with most of his books in print and film, television and radio adaptations being made. There is much still to be discovered about this great author and this volume contains his four most popular novels. The "Woman in White" is an engrossing and haunting read. It was the first novel to combine Gothic horror with psychological realism - haunting dreams, asylums, kidnappings and illnesses. A convoluted plot that requires the confessions of several fascinating characters in order to solve the mystery. "Moonstone" is another page-turner - another engrossing mystery. The story centres around the theft of an enormous diamond and takes us on a spellbinding journey of romance, theft and murder In "No Name" Magdalen Vanstone and her sister discover that their parents, who have died suddenly were not married at the time of their birth. Stigmatised, disinherited and ousted from their country estate, the two young women struggle to survive. Norah becomes a governess, accepting her lot. But Magdalen has different ideas, determined to regain her inheritance and willing to use her beauty and cunning she seeks revenge. A series of trials ensue leading to the final decision, will she trade herself in marriage to the man she hates? At the time the book was rejected as immoral, but today is seen as a story with stunning social insight. "Armadale" is another penetrating social commentary into the plight of women in the Victorian Era. Armadale has son who is in disgrace and so he decides to disinherit him, and so starts the story, as convoluted and thrilling as any of Collins stories. In the introduction he says, "In Armadale it is for once the men, rather than the women, who struggle to identify themselves - to themselves as well as to others - in relation to the name." The strongest character in the book is a woman - Lydia Gwilt - who defiantly keeps her original name, and hence her identity. Her character rejected at the time as unwomanly and unrealistic, and too wicked to be English. It was apparently impossible for any English woman to be jealous, murderous, bigamous, deceptive, intelligent, and sympathetic all at the same time. Collins clearly disagreed.