THE matron had given her leave to go out as soon as the womens tea was over and Maria looked forward to her evening out. The kitchen was spick and span: the cook said you could see yourself in the big copper boilers. The fire was nice and bright and on one of the side-table

I had been dining with Erskine in his pretty little house in Birdcage Walk, and we were sitting in the library over our coffee and cigarettes, when the question of literary forgeries happened to turn up in conversation. I cannot at present remember how it was that we struck

We are experiencing the most severe financial crisis since the 1929 stock market crash in the United States. How did we get here? What are the causes of the current global economic crisis? In the Death of Money Joel Kurtzman, an economist and business editor at The New Yor

One evening I was sauntering along a soft, grey, dusty track between two breast-high walls of grain. So narrow was the track that here and there tar-besmeared cars were lying--tangled, broken, and crushed--in the ruts of the cartway. Field mice squeaked as a heavy car first

Every evening the young Fisherman went out upon the sea, and threw his nets into the water. When the wind blew from the land he caught nothing, or but little at best, for it was a bitter and black-winged wind, and rough waves rose up to meet it. But when the wind blew to th

The book of the dead In my opinion this has got to be one of the worst books Cornwell has written. Ok, I understand that the story have to do with people who have serious psychological problems but it seems that Cornwell decided to make all the characters ……. really mad.

“Would you wiling to repeat the precise life you have lived again and again throughout eternity?” Being confronted with cancer and his own death the psychotherapist Julius Hertzferd, try to re-examine his life and work. For reasons that he cannot clearly understands he see

When Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a man of the most punctilious honour, had felt i

And so, to the end of history, murder shall breed murder,always in the name of right and honor and peace,until the gods are tired of bloodand create a race that can understand. Democracy substitutes election by the incompetent many for appointment by the corrupt few. Life

"As a daughter she no longer exists for me. Cant you understand? She simply doesnt exist. Still, I cannot possibly leave her to the charity of strangers. I will arrange things so that she can live as she pleases, but I do not wish to hear of her. Who would ever have thought

IT was a wonderful night, such a night as is only possible when we are young, dear reader. The sky was so starry, so bright that, looking at it, one could not help asking oneself whether ill-humoured and capricious people could live under such a sky. That is a youthful ques

In the department of--but it is better not to mention the department. There is nothing more irritable than departments, regiments, courts of justice, and, in a word, every branch of public service. Each individual attached to them nowadays thinks all society insulted in his

Im deep in conversation with George Pelecanos, speaking from his home in Silver Spring, Maryland, when I ask if he minds being labelled a crime writer. Theres a pregnant pause. Dogs start barking, then howling. Have I asked the wrong question? He excuses himself, pacifies t

Now and again i like to return to the writings of that genius of a man, Mr. Oscar Wilde. For you today heres the story of The Selfish Giant: Every afternoon, as they were coming from school, the children used to go and play in the Giants garden. It was a large lovely garde

I think its obvious by now that Anton Chekhov is one of my favourite short story writers. So, today, i invite you to follow me At The Barbers: MORNING. It is not yet seven oclock, but Makar Kuzmitch Blyostkens shop is already open. The barber himself, an unwashed,greasy, bu

For this fine summer morning here are a few quotes by that great master of old, Mr. George Bernard Shaw: My method is to take the utmost trouble to find the right thing to say, and then to say it with the utmost levity. "England and America are two countries separated by

When you talk about the Classics one name that pops instantly into mind is that of the great Irish storyteller, James Joyce. Joyce became famous for his novels but he wrote short stories as well. In one of those stories you can read about A Little Cloud: Eight years before

For the first time in a long time I’ve spend a few days doing absolutely nothing. Ok, nothing is not exactly the right word, but that’s what it looked like to me since I haven’t been able to write. It seems that my “writer’s block” still has some way to go. The good thing i

The most famous writer that ever came out of Greece was Nikos Kazantzakis, the author of the widely acclaimed "The Last Temptation of Christ" and "Zorba the Greek". Today for you i have an extract from his "bible", the Askitiki, or, as it was translated in English, "The Sa

A banker is a fellow who lends you his umbrella when the sun is shining, but wants it back the minute it begins to rain. A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval. Always acknowledge a fault. This will throw those in authority off their guard and give you an o

Heres another story by the russian master storyteller, Anton Chekhov. Read about Dreams: Two peasant constables -- one a stubby, black-bearded individual with such exceptionally short legs that if you looked at him from behind it seemed as though his legs began much lower

That is the question. And the answer is: I think he has! At least, as far as his last novel, The Overlook is concerned. Why do I say that? Well, probably because for the first time ever in a Michael Connelly book I knew almost right from the start who was behind everything

Its been a while since the last time weve read something from Mr Mark Twain, so heres The Curious Republic of Gondour for you: As soon as I had learned to speak the language a little, I became greatly interested in the people and the system of government. I found that the

One has to return now and again to the really Greats of world literature. And one of them is Anton Chekhov, the ultimate master of short stories. Read and enjoy a story Gone Astray: A COUNTRY village wrapped in the darkness of night. One oclock strikes from the belfry. T

I dont usually do this but i have to say that the article ive read today in the internet edition of the Guardian was quite interesting. In it, Scottish writer Andrew O Hagan talks about Britain and the "big brother" across the ocean. Read and think...