‘‘Your joy is your sorrow unmasked. And the self-same well from which your laughter rises were often times filled with your tears”
When a messiah, the source of infinite wisdom, comes to the fictional town of Orphalese, the people take it as a sign to get their deepest concerns answered. Here was a man who you could tell, “I’ve been jealous”, “I worry about money”, “I cry a lot”, “marriage is difficult for me”, “I feel life is unfair at times”, and not be judged.
Written as a conversation between Almustafa, the prophet, and people of Orphalese, together they explore what spirituality, freedom, family, ambition, failures, success means to everyone.
The Prophet is a highly moving and thoughtful reading experience, like a compassionate friend gently holding your hand through uncomfortable paths of life. Written in a simple yet lyrical way, it brings a sense of soothing and catharsis to the reader.
A timeless philosophical work that offers guidance and pearls of wisdom.
“Power is in tearing human minds to pieces and putting them together again in new shapes of your own choosing.”
In the fictious regime of Oceania, with an extremely over-powering administration, lives Winston Smith a disillusioned citizen of this regime.
He works for the party rewriting history to fit its ever-changing narrative to brainwash the minds of the people, reduce their ability to recognize and questions wrongs. He functions as a vessel to maintain the party’s throne, at the cost of reducing people to puppets.
Winston’s life is a monotonous existence of surrender, but underneath the harbors dangerous thoughts of rebellion and an innate desire for freedom. When Winston falls in love with Julia, a fellow party worker, their forbidden affair also strengthens their desire for revolt.
In the midst of absolute control, will Winston and Julia be able to break the shackles placed on thoughts, and carve a world free to love and live equally?
“If one is strong, one loves the more strongly.”
Set in 19th century, Isabel Archer is a spirited, intelligent and independent young American woman who inherits a fortune and embarks on a journey to Europe.
She always believed she’d live life on her own terms and ‘affront her destiny.’ However, during her travel, she realizes that an enduring relationship and a woman’s sense of self don’t go hand in hand. She had various encounters with suitors and manipulative individuals, including the enigmatic and cunning Gilbert Osmond, which challenged her idealistic notions. Isabel though stood fast on her believes and always chose herself first.
Through Isabel’s story we are compelled to wonder, should love to be this complicated? And more importantly, why are women, who are layered and complexed individuals, reduced to such singular roles?
The Portrait of a Lady is a deeply moving, romantic and sensitive story reflecting complex human emotions which will resonate with all readers alike.
‘Man is not truly one but truly two.’
The good and evil are equal parts of a human; what happens when one loses control over their dark side, what chaos ensues then?
Set in Victorian London, Dr. Jekyll, a respected scientist, becomes consumed by the desire to understand the darker aspects of human nature. In an unchecked scientific experiment, he concocts a potion that transforms into his malicious alter ego called Mr. Hyde.
Through this experiment, Dr. Jekyll can observe why Hyde makes the choices he does and what drives the evil within him, which is also a reflection of what must drive the amoral actions of society at large.
While the experiment seems a success, the two personalities become increasingly intertwined, leading to a downward spiral of Dr. Jekyll’s morality, causing immense psychological turmoil.
In an intense psychological thriller, will Dr. Jekyll be able to regain control of his other side, and should there be any limitations to scientific ambitions?
‘To love another person is to see the face of God.’
How crushing and dizzying the hunger must be, that you’re led to steal a bite of bread only to pay for it with your entire life.
Jean Valjean, an ex-convict who is released from prison after serving nineteen years for stealing a loaf of bread. Struggling to find redemption and live an honest life, he is constantly pursued by the relentless Inspector Javert. On this journey he meets Fantine, a woman who is forced to sell her hair and her teeth to support her daughter, Cosette. Both Valjean and a young student Maris are in love with Cosette, but their lives require bigger miracles, and this is a tiny problem.
But love is their saviour, Valjean’s love for Cosette helps him to find redemption, and Marius’s love for Cosette helps him to find courage.
Les Misérables is a complex story that displays how unequal wealth dictates lives, and the power of love.
‘It has long been an axiom of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important.’
On the treacherous grounds of Devonshire moors, lives Sir Charles Baskerville. One fine day he is found dead on the foggy moors, and the rumour is that a monstrous hound is responsible for this event.
As Sir Henry Baskerville, the last heir of the Baskerville estate, arrives from America to claim his inheritance, Holmes and Watson begin unravelling the dark secrets around the haunting murder.
Follows the famous detective Sherlock Holmes and his loyal companion Dr. John H. Watson though a thrilling investigation, as they the discover the supernatural and sinister curse that haunts the Baskerville family.
Their suspenseful journey highlights how the past continues to cast a dark shadow over the present, and the power of folklore and generational fears on the human mind.
‘Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts.’
A collection of twelve riveting detective stories featuring the iconic detective Sherlock Holmes and his loyal friend and chronicler, Dr. Watson. Set in Victorian London, the story engages readers with Holmes’s extraordinary problem solving and observation skills as he unravels complex mysteries.
The stories take readers on a thrilling journey through the shadowy streets of London, where Holmes tackles perplexing cases, from baffling murders and thefts to shocking disappearances. Alongside Holmes’s genius, Dr. Watson’s narration allows readers to witness Holmes’s methods and mind at work, capturing the essence of their enduring friendship.
‘This is a brief life, but in its brevity, it offers us some splendid moments, some meaningful adventures.’
Kimball O’Hara is a young orphan detective who lives in British India in the late 19th century. A street-smart child, he is fluent in several languages and recruited by the British Secret Service to help them gather intelligence on the Russian Empire.
Little Kim begins his journey across India, and he encounters a wide variety of people and cultures. He meets a Tibetan lama, a Hindu holy man, and a Pashtun tribesman.
Through his travels in the jungles, cities and the vibrant culture of India, Kim begins to explore what home means to him, is it in the sense of belonging he finds with the Lama so far away from his birthland?
Through his coming-of-age story, Kim’s adventures pay a homage to the inclusive, vibrant, and culturally diverse land of India.
We must go on, because we can’t turn back.’
There is nothing like a thrilling adventure transporting to wonderous lands, full of marvels showing milestone moments of life. Jim Hawkins embarks on such a voyage to find the legendary treasure buried by the infamous pirate Captain Flint.
With a treasure map in hand, he sets off to the land of pirates, dangerous ships and the angry sea. Jim and his friends fight off corrupt invaders in search of the treasure, showing how courage and bravery knows no age but just intention.
The thrill of discovery and the dream of unknown is what drives Jim, will he be able to reach his goal and accomplish his mission in this engaging and action-packed page turner? Or will the dangers serve as a reminder of why one must not blindly follow their desires?
‘Nowadays people know the price of everything and the value of nothing.’
When Dorian Gray, a handsome man is made aware of his exceptional beauty, it brings out his desire to freeze his looks. Dorian Gray sees a portrait of himself made by his close friend and on seeing that he decides to trade his soul, that which differentiates between moral and immoral, for unageing beauty.
As is often said, “beauty is as beauty does”; but what happens when Dorian loses the ability to choose moral actions and leads a life of amoral choices, seeking only to fulfil his desires; ensuring that his actions hurt everyone around him.
Will he still be beautiful, or will the portrait show another picture to the world? One with every sin displayed across the canvas.
A poignant and thoughtful story which reflects the importance of actions, intentions and realigns meaningful acts which are a source of goodness for the soul.
