Bryan Matthews

The Palliser family comes to the forefront in a classic novel of politics and propriety from the series that inspired the BBC serial The Pallisers. With the Whigs and Tories at a standstill in attempts to form a working government, a compromise is finally reached, and the hardworking-and hardheaded-Plantagenet Palliser is installed as prime minister. But even as he gets used to the power and privilege of the high office, Palliser slowly and distressingly...

"A Modest Proposal" by Jonathan Swift is a satirical masterpiece that employs biting wit and irony to address the pressing issue of poverty and overpopulation in 18th-century Ireland. Swift's proposal, presented in a straightforward and logical manner, suggests a shocking and absurd solution to the problem: the consumption of infants. As readers delve into this essay, they quickly realize that Swift's proposal is not to be taken seriously but is...

The Secret Agent is widely considered one of Conrad's greatest literary achievements. Set in gloomy 1886 London, the novel follows the life of Alfred Verdoc, a Soho shop owner and secret agent who is a member of a largely ineffectual anarchist cell. During a meeting at an unnamed foreign embassy where he is a covert employee, Verdoc is tasked with bombing the Greenwich Observatory-ostensibly to create public outrage and goad a lax British government...

The Apparition of Mrs. Veal is a pamphlet published in 1706, often attributed to Daniel Defoe, and is considered one of the first modern ghost stories. The narrative unfolds through the experiences of Mrs. Bargrave, a resident of Canterbury, who receives an unexpected visit from her deceased friend, Mrs. Veal, the day after her death. On September 8, 1705, Mrs. Bargrave is surprised when Mrs. Veal knocks on her door at noon, dressed in a riding habit....

Considered to be one of the finest of the Icelandic sagas, "Njal's Saga" (or "The Story of Burnt Njal") was written sometime in the thirteenth century by an unknown author and is the longest and most developed of the sagas. The source material for the saga was historical but probably drawn largely from oral tradition. The story relates events that took place between 960 and 1020, involving blood feuds in the Icelandic Commonwealth. It features memorable...

Michel de Montaigne's Essays represent a groundbreaking contribution to literature and philosophy, establishing the essay as a distinct literary form. First published in 1580, with subsequent editions expanding the content, Montaigne published over 100 essays, exploring a diverse range of topics from the mundane to the profound. At its core, Essays is a collection of Montaigne's personal reflections, characterized by a conversational style that invites...

In this witty and engaging tale, Clovis, a reluctant matchmaker, finds himself entwined in the romantic pursuits of Hugo Peterby, who is determined to win the affections of the charming but talkative Betty Coulterneb. As Hugo grapples with his feelings, he faces competition from the wealthy and enigmatic Mr. Lanner, who has his own ulterior motives for visiting the countryside: a passion for collecting rare bird eggs, particularly those of the elusive...

In a bustling dining hall at the Golden Galleon Hotel, Kenelm Jerton finds himself seated next to a mysterious young woman who has lost her memory and identity. She recalls only that she holds a title, and in her quest to discover who she is, she humorously engages Jerton in a series of tests to eliminate potential identities. As their conversation unfolds, she reveals her whimsical approach to piecing together her past, including an extravagant lunch...

Alethia Debchance, a sheltered young woman from a remote hamlet, embarks on a journey to visit her cousin Robert Bludward after the death of her aunt. Having lived a life of isolation and limited social interaction, Alethia is both excited and apprehensive about this new adventure. As she travels by train, she overhears local farmers discussing Robert's unscrupulous character and his controversial political ambitions, which heightens her anxiety.

The Cupboard of the Yesterdays by Saki is a thought-provoking short story that presents a dialogue between two abstract figures, the Wanderer and the Merchant, set against the backdrop of the Balkan Wars of 1912-1913.