The Good Companions follows a number of discontents or 'lost souls' as they respectively gravitate towards a concert troupe that is on the verge of disbanding. An adventure around the Shires of England following the fates and fortunes of the unlikely group, The Good Companions is a popular contemporary classic which has recently experienced a resurgence in public interest and acclaim due to the finesse of Priestley's writing.
Pongo and Missis Pongo are a pair of Dalmatians who live with the newly married Mr. and Mrs. Dearly and their two nannies. Mr. Dearly is a "financial wizard" who has been granted life-long tax exemption and lent a house on the Outer Circle in Regent's Park in return for wiping out the government debt. The dogs consider the humans their pets, but allow the humans to think that they are the owners. Missis gives birth to a litter of 15 puppies.
The head of the Mortmain family is Cassandra Mortmain's father, a writer suffering from writer's block who has not published anything since his first book, a hit entitled, Jacob Wresstling. Ten years before the story begins, he took out a forty-year lease on a dilapidated but beautiful castle, hoping to find either inspiration or isolation there; now, his family is selling off the furniture to buy food.
From money-making schemes involving placing wagers on vicars to poor Bingo having to produce the village school Christmas entertainments, every one of Wodehouse's superb short stories are guarantee to raise a smile from even the most stony-faced listener!
The action takes place in British India in the 1880s and 1890s against the backdrop of 'The Great Game', the political conflict between Russia and Britain which was played out in central Asia. In the character of Kimball O'Hara - an Irish orphan who 'burned black as any native' - Kipling juxtaposes East and West, embodied by a boy who can blend seamlessly into both worlds.
These witty vignettes are full of great repartee and wonderfully astute observations - read with the dry humour and enthusiasm they deserve by 'The Olivier of Audiobooks' Martin Jarvis.
The Trick of It is a comical look at an odd couple. Original and witty, Frayn tells a complete story through one-sided letters. Compact, light and entertaining, The Trick of It is a clever tale. A nameless college professor writes letters to an esteemed friend living in Australia. The professor is a critic who has dedicated his life to teaching and explaining the writings of a profound female writer. He knows her books inside and out.
Alice is so bored of listening to her sister read that she gazes around the garden and sights a curious white rabbit, who seems to be wearing a coat and a pocket watch. Following the rabbit, she reaches the rabbit hole and tumbles down it - and the very strange adventure starts.
This wonderful collection, ideal for cat lovers and feline fanatics, brings together the best and worst of catty behaviour. Ranging from the very funny to the profound, this collection has something to please everyone - without running the risk of developing an allergy!
'Now what I want is Facts. Teach these boys and girls nothing but Facts. Facts alone are wanted in life...'. So says Thomas Gradgrind in Dickens' immortal story set in the North of England in the 19th century. Gradgrind, a local industrialist, gave this advice to his children, set against a backdrop of huge wealth and even huger poverty, where the rich marry for money and the poor cannot afford to divorce.
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