Showing results by publisher "Real Reads" in Literature & Fiction

Henchard is a handsome farm labourer. When he gets drunk at a country fair, he sells his wife and child to a sailor. The next day, ashamed by what he has done, he lets people believe that his wife has died. Thus begins a chain of events which leads Henchard deep into dishonesty and betrayal. Repentant and determined to change his ways, Henchard works hard to improve his fortunes. He becomes rich and is elected mayor of Casterbridge - though his temper and his pride make him difficult to like.

The world's greatest classics retold for children. Is it really possible to become famous throughout your country and beyond both as a fearless warrior and as a renowned poet? Egil Skallagrimsson lived in Iceland a thousand years ago, and this is the story of his long and violent life. He could compose beautiful poetry, but he was also capable of staggering brutality. Can Egil successfully avenge his father's exile from Norway, defend his honour against Norwegian King Erik Bloodaxe and support English King Athelstan in his battles against the Scots?

A violent storm shipwrecks the King of Naples and his noblemen on what appears to be an uninhabited island. They don't know that they have been brought here by powerful magic. Prospero, the mysterious ruler of the island, has a plan, but will he use his magic for revenge or for reconciliation? His daughter, Miranda, has never seen another man except her father. What will she think of the stranger who stumbles into her life? Will Propsero's monstrous servant, Caliban, succeed in overthrowing his master?

This drama is a retelling of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedy, made accessible to younger listeners but still true to the Bard's original style and vocabulary. On a dark heath, Macbeth stumbles across three witches who can see into the future. What he hears will change everything. Encouraged by his wife, he decides to kill in order to gain the Scottish crown. How many people will die in his pursuit of power? With armies, ghosts and magic against him, will Macbeth survive in this tale of greed and betrayal?

Edward Waverley is an English officer in the army of King George, but will his love for Flora, the beautiful Scottish rebel, lead him to betray his king? Life with his regiment in Scotland is dull until he visits his uncle's friends in the Highlands, where he meets Fergus McIvor and his sister Flora. Attracted by the wild freedom and romance of the Scottish clans, Edward finds himself in a difficult and dangerous position. His new friends are Jacobites, planning to overthrow King George and restore the Stuart monarchy.

After ten long years of war and the fall of Troy, Greek hero Odysseus sets sail for his homeland. His voyage, however, is destined to take much longer than he expects. During his eventful journey, Odysseus comes across all sorts of monsters and mythical creatures and loses his ships and crew. When he finally reaches his beloved island, he finds his queen besieged by suitors who claim his throne. What tricks will Penelope resort to in her effort to avoid them?

In this retold classic for children, it seems that poor Cosette will never escape from the wicked Monsieur and Madame Thénardier. She is only eight years old, but they force her to work hard every day. Jean Valjean has promised her mother that he will rescue the little girl - but Inspector Javert is on his trail. Will the fierce Inspector arrest Jean Valjean? If he does, will Cosette ever be set free? Cosette is not the only person who desperately needs help. When Marius is badly wounded, will even Jean Valjean's courage and determination be enough to save the brave young student?

Little Nell Trent's childhood is over. Her grandfather's mind is failing, his dark secret makes him sad and distracted and he has nobody to care for him but Nell. The grotesque Daniel Quilp is out to cause trouble. What plans does he hatch with the dreadful Sampson and Sally Brass? What use can he hope to make of the foolish Dick Swiveller? Is Nell’s one true friend, Kit, a match for Quilp's villainous mind? Nell and her grandfather must disappear or be separated forever and so they begin their lives as beggars.

The horsemen stopped close to where Ali Baba was hiding. He could scarcely breathe. As they dismounted, he counted them - there were 40 in all, and they were carrying bags of gold, silver and precious stones. When Ali Baba goes into the forest as usual to gather wood to sell, he can hardly imagine that it is the start of an amazing adventure that will change his life. After he discovers the secret of the treasure cave, his good fortune soon turns into terrible danger. Can he ever live safely again with his wife and family?

As Dimitry struck him, Grigory screamed and fell back, the blood streaming horribly from his head. Dimitry bent over him, trying to stop the flow with his handkerchief which turned soaking red in an instant. Alexey, Ivan and Dimitry Karamazov were sent away by their father, Fyodor, when they were very young and never knew a father's love. Now what will Dimitry's bitter quarrel with Fyodor lead to?

Sybylla Melvyn yearns for a life in the arts. She loves music and is determined to write a book. But as the daughter of a poor dairy farmer, she despairs of ever realising her ambitions. Then comes the opportunity for Sybylla to go and live with wealthy relatives. In her new home she tastes a life of culture and refinement. She also meets handsome, rich Harold Beecham, who offers her a future most young women would dream of.

An amazing sight met my eyes. All around me were dozens of human creatures a little less than six inches high, chattering together in high-pitched voices in a strange language. When Lemuel Gulliver is shipwrecked in the Indian Ocean, it's the start of a series of adventures stranger than he could possibly have imagined. After the tiny inhabitants of Lilliput become suspicious of Gulliver, they plan to kill their huge visitor. What deadly scheme do they come up with?

Huckleberry Finn is one of a series of retellings of classic literature by publisher Real Reads. True to the original plot, characters, and themes, Real Reads also imitate the original author's style. An intelligent, lively and enjoyable retelling of this classic tale.

Alone in a strange country where it isn't safe to be a single girl, Viola disguises herself as a boy called Cesario and finds work as a servant. But dressing in boy's clothes doesn’t stop Viola falling in love with a man - who is in love with someone else. Will she ever manage to win his love for herself? And who is this other young man that appears, looking so like Cesario? What confusion will result from his arrival? Perhaps Viola's brother didn't drown after all.

Henry Fleming leaves his widowed mother behind and marches off to join a war that is tearing his country apart. His regiment has yet to be tested in the fire of battle. Together the soldiers wait while distant guns rumble and the lights of enemy campfires flicker on the hills beyond a darkened river. The young man recalls his childhood dreams of valiant combat. Will he pass the test and return home to tell others of his triumphs on the battlefield? Or will he flee at the first sign of real danger?

A guard had stepped back into the path of a train and been crushed beneath the wheels. He had been killed instantly. When Anna Karenina arrives at the scene of the horrible accident, it is the beginning of a new and troubling time in her life. Will she ever find happiness with the man she loves? Anna's sister-in-law, Darya Oblonsky, is threatening to leave her selfish husband. Is Anna able to save their marriage?

A great roaring came from the mouth of the cave, and to our horror we saw an enormous giant striding towards us. His skin was a sickly green, and his eyes burned red like fiery coals. Sindbad makes an enormous fortune from his voyages, but he cannot resist joining further dangerous expeditions to far off lands. Will anything persuade him to remain at home in Baghdad? When Sindbad finds himself in the valley of huge serpents, there seems no way out. What clever plan does he use to escape?

As soon as Aladdin started cleaning the lamp there was a sound like a clap of thunder. A swirling cloud of smoke filled the room, changing until it formed the outline of a huge green figure. Aladdin and his mother live a poor and humble life. Then one day Aladdin meets his long-lost uncle and his life is changed for ever. Can his new friend be trusted? When Aladdin persuades the sultan to let him marry the beautiful Princess Badroulbadour, he thinks his happiness is complete.

A horrific apparition interrupts the Christmas festivities at King Arthur's Camelot. A green giant throws down a deadly challenge: one of the gathering must cut off his head, after which he will return the favour in a year's time! King Arthur must accept this challenge or appear a coward, but it's left to young Sir Gawain to act. Gawain chops off the giant's head and, horror of horrors, the giant strides over to pick up his head, which then begins to speak. He holds Sir Gawain to his promise and rides off into the wintry night.

A word of warning - if you are expecting to listen to a story about model children, you'd better listen to something else. Not one of the seven children in this story is truly good - Australian children never are. The Woolcot children enjoy a life of fun and adventure in their rambling riverside home, despite frequent reprimands from their strict father, Captain Woolcot.