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The first major writing by Turgenev that gained him recognition. The stories in this collection were written based on Turgenev’s own observations while hunting at his mothers’ estate. This work exposed many injustices of serfdom and led to Turgenev’s house arrest and eventual abolishment of serfdom in Russia. A fine example of realist tradition in Russian literature. Read in English

A local investigating magistrate unsuccessfully tries to explain that it is wrong to take nuts off the railroad track to a peasant, Grigoryev, who simply cannot see why he's to be deprived of his right to use an iron nut as a weight for his fishing line.

The tune of this traditional Christmas carol is also known by its Latin name, 'Adeste Fideles'. John Francis Wade was one of the first to include it within his publications, but it is quite possible that the lyrics and tune date from earlier times. Arrangements of this tune also exist in compositions of Franz Liszt. This recording offers reading of the English-language lyrics followed by magical harp music based on original Christmas carol melody.

This collection of Shakespeare's tales focuses on themes of friendship and betrayal. Included in this volume: 'The Two Gentlemen of Verona', 'The Comedy of Errors' and 'The Winter's Tale'. Read in English, unabridged.

This traditional Christmas carol is also known as 'The Basque Carol' or simply as 'Gabriel's Message'. It tells a story of Jesus' birth. Charles Bordes composed the tune while researching traditional Basque music. He published several of these traditional songs, and some were popularised elsewhere in Europe. This recording offers a reading of the English-language text followed by magical harp music based on original composition.

In Shakespeare plays the tragic and the comic often fade into each other, turning into a harmonious blending of these two elements. Shakespeare takes a special delight in the employment of such harmonies. His tragedies never fail having their comic interludes, and his comedies often have a serious undertone. Still, the comic is not the tragic, and in this collection we offer some of the more humorous and witty tales from Shakespeare. The following Shakespeare adaptations are included here: A Midsummer Night's Dream, As You Like It and Measure for Measure.

We continue to explore the world of our feral friends and learn about some of their darker secrets, some of the naughty episodes of their hidden lives, and some of the most revealing confessions of what cats think about their human masters. It may come as a surprise, but cats often do watch humans and attempt to imitate their behaviour, albeit not always very successfully. And in the second half of this collection we meet humans who don't seem to know how to handle their pets without embarrassment and even those humans who try to be a bit too close to nature for their own good.

This selection of stories and tales is perfect for that cold winter night to cosy up around fireplace and enter magical world of far away lands or kingdoms of the past. This volume opens with two tales from Beatrix Potter: 'The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse' and 'The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin', followed by 'Puss in Boots' by Charles Perrault. And in the second half we have Anton Chekhov's story, 'A Gentleman Friend', followed by William Shakespeare's 'Twelfth Night'. Read in English, unabridged.

Shakespeare was familiar with all beautiful forms and images, with all that is sweet or majestic in the simple aspects of nature and human life, of that indestructible love, and clear waters, and soft airs and sounds, and bright skies and woodland solitudes, and moon-light bowers. The writings of Shakespeare have been justly termed the richest, the purest, the fairest, that genius uninspired ever penned.

From Marilyn to Streisand and all the celebs in-between. Film producers and studio executives know the nitty-gritty behind the scenes. Award-winning writer, producer, and executive Ken Rotcop now tells all about the comical, dramatic, and tragic celebrities he befriended. Look through the mirror on the wall to see the stars as they were without their masks, including Marilyn Monroe, Peter O’Toole, Mel Brooks, Peter Faulk, Monty Hall, Regis Philbin, Mickey Mantel, John Barrymore, Jr., Baron Hilton, and Jack Klugman.

Strizhin, who normally leads a sober and regular life, comes home from a christening party where he had permitted himself to drink four glasses of vodka and a glass of wine. And of course spirituous liquors being like sea-water and glory: the more you imbibe of them the greater your thirst, Strizhin felt an overwhelming craving for another drink. He accidentally downed a glass of paraffin instead of vodka, and in desperate search for a doctor at 4 a.m. he found that a doctor is only readily found when he is not wanted.

Polinka, a thin fair little person whose mother is the head of a dressmaking establishment, is standing in the middle of the shop looking about for some one. Nikolay Timofeitch, a graceful dark young man, fashionably dressed, with frizzled hair and a big pin in his cravat, has already cleared a place on the counter and is craning forward, looking at Polinka with a smile.

A native Frenchman no longer tutors the wealthy landlord's children, as they've grown up and left the house. The Frenchman is now paid simply to be around, to be properly dressed, to smell of scent, and to listen to Kamyshev's babble, to eat and drink and sleep. It may sound like a dream job, but there's always a catch. Read in English, unabridged.

Some of the happiest memories of childhood often come from memorable magical tales. Rediscover this magic with this collection of fairy tales and stories.

This volume includes 'Little Red Riding-Hood' and 'The Sleeping Beauty' by Charles Perrault; 'The Looking Glass' and 'Her Husband' by Anton Chekhov; and 'The Gift of The Magi' by O. Henry.

Christmas is a special time of the year. It brings so many memories of happiness, childhood mischief, reflection and forgiveness. This selection of Christmas stories brings some of the best tales from around the world to share the magic, wisdom and love of Christmastime.

A nightingale finds a young, romantic student in tears because he cannot find a red rose for his beautiful ball partner. There are no red roses in the garden. The nightingale visits all the rose trees in the area, and one of the roses tells her there is a way to produce a red rose, but only if the nightingale is prepared to sing the sweetest song for the rose all night with her heart pressing into a thorn, sacrificing her life.

A collection of stories prized for their craftsmanship and comic irony from Russia’s greatest novelists and dramatists. The audiobook features Ivan Turgenev's "Mumu" and 11 Anton Chekhov stories: "A Tragic Actor", "In a Strange Land", "Oh the Public", "The Looking Glass", "Her Husband", "Overdoing It", "Talent", "Anyuta", "The Helpmate", "Ivan Matveyich", and "Polinka".

Chekhov's meticulous anatomies of complicated human impulse and response, his view of what's funny and poignant, and his clear-eyed observance of life as lived all match our own experience. This audiobook features a trilogy of interlinked stories: "About Truth", "Freedom", and "Love". Read in English, unabridged, and accompanied by orchestral music based on original compositions of Antonin Dvorak.

A collection of short stories by Anton Chekhov, featuring "A Tragic Actor", "In a Strange Land", "Oh the Public", "The Looking Glass", "Her Husband", and "Overdoing It".

These stories are small masterpieces. The scene is set quickly, and within a few sentences the storyline is underway. But all seem to contain elements of the unexpected.

The poignant, everyday dramas of imperial Russia with subtle sound effects, including music by Pyotr Tchaikovskiy, and the Russian-sounding narrator adds credibility and authenticity to the listening.

Featuring: Talent, Anyuta, The Helpmate, Ivan Matveyitch, and Polinka.

Read in English by Max Bollinger (unabridged) and accompanied by Tchaikovskiy piano music.