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Mary Barton
by Elizabeth Gaskell"The rich know nothing of the trials of the poor; I say, if they don't know, they ought to know. We're their slaves as long as we can work; we pile up their fortunes with the sweat of our brows, and yet we are to live as separate as if we were in two worlds"Mary Barton, the heroine of Elizabeth Gaskell's novel, is beautiful but has been born poor. Her father fights for the rights of his fellow workers, but Mary wants to make a better life for them both. She rashly decides to reject her lover Jem, a struggling engineer, in the hope of marrying the rich mill-owner's son Henry Carson and securing a safe future. But when Henry is shot down in the street and Jem becomes the main suspect, Mary finds herself hopelessly torn between them. She also discovers an unpleasant truth - one that could bring tragedy upon everyone, and threatens to destroy her.The Penguin English Library - 100 editions of the best fiction in English, from the eighteenth century and the very first novels to the beginning of the First World War.
Meltdown
by Ben EltonFor amiable City trader Jimmy Corby money was the new Rock n' Roll. His whole life was a party, adrenaline charged and cocaine fuelled. If he hadn't met Monica he would probably have ended up either dead or in rehab.But Jimmy was as lucky in love as he was at betting on dodgy derivatives, so instead of burning out, his star just burned brighter than ever. Rich, pampered and successful, Jimmy, Monica and their friends lived the dream, bringing up their children with an army of domestic helps.But then it all came crashing down. And when the global financial crisis hit, Jimmy discovers that anyone can handle success. It's how you handle failure that really matters.
Mary Barton
by Elizabeth Gaskell'Gaskell's shocking, moving and contemporary account of the corrosive effects of injustice and poverty' Sunday Telegraph Mary Barton is the pretty daughter of a factory worker who finds herself dreaming of a better life when the mill-owner's charming son, Henry, starts to court her. She rejects her childhood friend Jem's affections in the hope of marrying Henry and escaping from the hard and bitter life that is the fate of the workers, who are resentfully dependent on the callous mill-owners for their livelihoods. But when Henry is shot dead in the street Jem becomes the prime suspect and Mary finds her loyalties tested to the limit.
Melt With You: A Rouge Erotic Romance
by Alison TylerDissatisfied with the lack of romance in her life, Dori returns to her hometown with the hopes of healing her wounded heart. But the small town has changed: it is restored to its former beauty. And not only that, much to her chagrin, Dori finds she’s been transported back to the 80s!She now has the opportunity to fully make the most of her teenage years. She even ends up dating a young teacher from her local high school. With time on her side, Dori not only has the chance to save her town from ruin, but also her heart …
Mary Barton: A Tale of Manchester Life
by Elizabeth GaskellMary Barton is beautiful but has been born poor. Her father fights for the rights of his fellow workers, but Mary wants to make a better life for them both. She rashly decides to reject her lover Jem, a struggling engineer, in the hope of marrying the rich mill-owner's son Henry Carson and securing a safe future. But when Henry is shot down in the street and Jem becomes the main suspect, Mary finds herself hopelessly torn between them. She also discovers an unpleasant truth - one that could bring tragedy upon everyone, and threatens to destroy her.
Melt With You
by Alison TylerIT'S 1983 ALL OVER AGAIN IN THIS BACK TO THE FUTURE STYLE EROTIC ROMANCEDori is the owner of a lonely heart. On a whim, she returns home to her old town to discover that her favourite movie theatre has been turned into a bookstore. But while pining for 1983 and listening to the classic radio station channel in the store, something inexplicable happens - by the time Dori is back outside in the alleyway, she realises she has also gone back in time - to 1983!As an adult, and no longer a teenager, she ends up working in the beauty supply store where she once worked as a teen. The place where she felt the happiest in her life. But this time she can immerse herself in the world of the older girls - the parties, the nightlife, the men. She even ends up dating a young teacher from the local high school - her high school - another interloper form the wrong time, but also someone determined to save the theatre from being sold.
Mary and Maria, Matilda
by Mary Wollstonecraft Mary ShelleyThese three works of fiction - two by Mary Wollstonecraft, the radical author of A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, and one by her daughter Mary Shelley, creator of Frankenstein - are powerfully emotive stories that combine passion with forceful feminist argument. In Mary Wollstonecraft's Mary, the heroine flees her young husband in order to nurse her dearest friend, Ann, and finds genuine love, while Maria tells of a desperate young woman who seeks consolation in the arms of another man after the loss of her child. And Mary Shelley's Matilda - suppressed for over a century - tells the story of a woman alienated from society by the incestuous passion of her father. Humane, compassionate and highly controversial, these stories demonstrate the strongly original genius of their authors.
Melmoth the Wanderer (The Penguin English Library)
by Charles MaturinWith an essay by Alathea Hayter.'My hour is come ... the clock of eternity is about to strike, but its knell must be unheard by mortal ears!'This violent, profound, baroque and blackly humorous novel is the story of Melmoth, who has sold his soul in exchange for immortality in a satanic bargain, and now preys on the helpless in their darkest moments, offering to ease their suffering if they will take his place and release him from his centuries of tortured wanderings. Melmoth the Wanderer (1820) blended Gothic fiction and psychological realism to create a work of hallucinatory power.The Penguin English Library - 100 editions of the best fiction in English, from the eighteenth century and the very first novels to the beginning of the First World War.
Martini Henry
by Sara CroweLife isn’t an exact science. Things can be troublesome. Like pregnant step-mothers, the ins-and-outs of French existentialism . . . having an unexceptional name. In 1988, seventeen-year-old Sue Bowl has a diary, big dreams and £4.73. What she wants most of all is to make it as a writer, as well as stop her decadent aunt Coral spending money she doesn't have. Living in their crumbling ancestral home should provide plenty of inspiration, but between falling in love, hunting for missing heirlooms and internship applications, things keep getting in the way.So when a young literary professor moves in and catches Sue's eye, life begins to take an unexpected turn . . .From the author of Campari for Breakfast, a witty and enchanting novel about what happens after you think you’ve grown up and fallen in love, perfect for fans of I Capture the Castle, Love, Nina and Where’d You Go Bernadette.
Melmoth the Wanderer
by Charles MaturinCreated by an Irish clergyman, Melmoth is one of the most fiendish characters in literature. In a satanic bargain, Melmoth exchanges his soul for immortality. The story of his tortured wanderings through the centuries is pieced together through those who have been implored by Melmoth to take over his pact with the devil. Influenced by the Gothic romances of the late 18th century, Maturin's diabolic tale raised the genre to a new and macabre pitch. Its many admirers include Poe, Balzac, Oscar Wilde and Baudelaire.
Megan of Merseyside
by Rosie HarrisA POWERFUL SAGA SET IN LIVERPOOL.She fell in love - he broke her heartYoung Megan Williams has come to Liverpool in search of work and a fresh start. She soon joins her father at Walker's Shipping Company where his co-driver Robert Field takes a great interest in her. But she has fallen deeply in love with dashing Miles Walker and does all she can to discourage Robert.Then, one fateful day, Megan's world falls apart when her younger sister is killed in a tragic accident. Distraught, Megan is also faced with shocking revelations about Miles, which force her to realise he's not the man she thought he was.Heartbroken, but determined to get on with her life, Megan starts up her own business, but will she ever love again...?
The Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce Book: The Ultimate Worcester Sauce Lover’s Guide
by H.J. Heinz Foods UK LimitedExpertly made by Lea & Perrins since 1837 and left to mature for 18 months before being sold, Worcestershire sauce provides a complex kick to any dish it's added to. But the much beloved sauce is far more than just a table condiment. Ideal for those who love a dash of extra flavour in life, this wonderful collection of recipes is full of exciting dishes and tangy twists on everyday favourites.The Lea & Perrins Worcester Sauce Book is dripping with delicious recipes to choose from, featuring classic family dinners, lunches and snacks - from souped up staples such Lancashire Hot Pot or Toad in the Hole to continental cuisine like Moules Mariniere; dig into the Summery Steak Sandwich or keep it light with a fresh Cobb Salad; lavish time on side dishes with offerings such as Dauphinois and Cheesy Potato Skins; or up your nibbles game with the perfect Parmesan Straws.Beautifully designed and illustrated with specially commissioned photography, fascinating memorabilia and vintage adverts from the Lea & Perrins archive, this the perfect, irresistible gift for every Worcestershire sauce fan you know.
Martin Pippin in the Daisy-Field
by Eleanor FarjeonWandering minstrel, Martin Pippin, encounters six little girls on his travels - who beg him to tell them stories. This he does whilst they are making daisy chains, and so his wonderful tales of magicians, mermaids, pirates and pigs are here-recounted.The collection includes one of Farjeon's most famous and charming stories, 'Elsie Piddock Skips in Her Sleep.This classic, magical collection will be loved by adults and children alike - perfect for bedtime reading.
The Megamogs In Moggymania
by Peter HaswellWatch out! The mighty moggies are here to make mischief and mayhem!The Megamogs think of a clever plan to see off a nasty group of dogs. Glitzy leaves the gang to lead a glamorous new life. Then Miss Marbletop and Tracy have a scary adventure in Scotland. Three linked stories - ideal for builging reading confidence.
Le Morte D'Arthur Volume 2 (Le Morte D'Arthur #2)
by Thomas MaloryVolume two of Le Morte D'Arthur, Sir Thomas Malory's powerful and elegaic version of the Arthurian legend, recounts the adventures of Sir Tristram de Liones and the treachery of Sir Mordred, and follows Sir Launcelot's quest for The Holy Grail, his fatally divided loyalties, and his great, forbidden love for the beautiful Queen Guenever. Culminating in an account of Arthur's final battle against the scheming, deceitful Mordred, this is the definitive re-telling of the Arthurian myth, weaving a story of adultery, treachery and ultimately - in its tragic finale - death. Edited and published by William Caxton in 1485, Malory's moving prose romance looks back to an idealised Medieval age of chivalry, drawing on French and English verse sources to create an epic masterpiece of passion, enchantment, war and betrayal.
Martin Pippin in the Apple Orchard
by Eleanor FarjeonWandering minstrel, Martin Pippin, encounters a lovelorn ploughman who begs him to release his beloved by entertaining the six young women sworn to guard her. This Martin Pippin does - telling beautiful tales of heartbreak, betrayal and everlasting love. But will the imprisoned Gillian ever be freed?This delightful collection will be loved by adults and children alike - a perfect introduction to sophisticated fairy tales.'She is one of the few who can conceive and tell a fairytale . . . Before I had read five pages of Martin Pippin, I had forgotten who I was and where I lived. I was transported into a world of sunlight, of gay inconsequence, of emotional surprise, a world of poetry, delight and humour. And I lived and took my joy in that rare world, until all too soon my reading was done.'From J. D. Beresford's Foreword to the first American edition of 1922.
Martin O'Neill: The Biography
by Alex MontgomeryMartin O'Neill is one of the most brilliant, successful and intriguing of the new manager/coaches to emerge from British football.Alex Montgomery's acclaimed biography brings O'Neill's story right up to date with an account of his first few months in charge at Aston Villa and deals with every aspect of his life and remarkable career from the early days as a player in Northern Ireland to his joining the tyrannical Brian Clough at Nottingham Forest.From non-league Grantham Town via Shepshed Dynamo and Wycombe Wanderers, to Norwich City, Leicester City and Celtic, where he broke the Rangers monopoly of Scottish football, to respected BBC pundit and a new role at Aston Villa, the book chronicles O'Neill's managerial triumphs. Montgomery offers a rare insight into the beliefs, lifestyle and ambitions of this private and complex football man.
Meeting Churchill: A Life in 90 Encounters
by Sinclair McKayThis insightful portrait of Winston Churchill delves beyond well-known political moments, incorporating perspectives from various individuals who encountered him throughout his life.From Bletchley Park codebreakers and Hollywood stars such as Charlie Chaplin, through writers as varied as H. G. Wells and P. G. Wodehouse, to the likes of Harold Wilson, Mahatma Gandhi and Queen Elizabeth II, these lesser-known interactions reveal glimpses of the man behind the legend.We meet Churchill the exuberant schoolboy thug with an early mania for bull-dogs, and Churchill the elder statesman shedding a tear in the House of Commons smoking room. Other incidents include a young journalist rudely dismissing a call from Churchill as a prank, and a visiting Dwight D. Eisenhower dreaming of being strangled, only to awake entangled in Churchill’s borrowed nightshirt.The book showcases the profound transformations during Churchill’s lifetime, which ran from Benjamin Disraeli’s premiership to the release of the Rolling Stones’ ‘Route 66’, and the shift from steam to atomic power. Examining controversial aspects of his legacy, this multifaceted portrait challenges preconceived notions, inviting readers to reconsider the complexities of Churchill.
Le Morte D'Arthur Volume 1 (Le Morte D'Arthur #1)
by Thomas MaloryLe Morte D'Arthur is Sir Thomas Malory's richly evocative and enthralling version of the Arthurian legend. Recounting Arthur's birth, his ascendancy to the throne after claiming Excalibur, his ill-fated marriage to Guenever, the treachery of Morgan le Fay and the exploits of the Knights of the Round Table, it magically weaves together adventure, battle, love and enchantment. Le Morte D'Arthur looks back to an idealized Medieval world and is full of wistful, elegiac regret for a vanished age of chivalry. Edited and published by William Caxton in 1485, Malory's prose romance drew on French and English verse sources to give an epic unity to the Arthur myth, and remains the most magnificent re-telling of the story in English.
Martin Chuzzlewit
by Charles Dickens'I plainly see to what foul uses all this money will be put ... sowing perjury, hatred, and lies among near kindred, where there should be nothing but love'Old Martin Chuzzlewit, in despair at a family more interested in his wealth than his wellbeing, drives out his grandson and namesake. While the younger Martin leaves to make his own way in the world, love of money drives the hypocritical Pecksniff into scheming his way closer to the older man, and compels Jonas Chuzzlewit to even darker deeds. Dickens thought Martin Chuzzlewit 'in a hundred points immeasurably the best of my stories'. A sinister, funny novel of greed, selfishness, blackmail and murder, it also sees Dickens's scathing moral sense make the voyage to America.The Penguin English Library - 100 editions of the best fiction in English, from the eighteenth century and the very first novels to the beginning of the First World War.
Meet the People with Love
by Derren Brown____________As well as being an incredible stage performer, a brilliant writer and a talented painter, Derren Brown is also a fantastic street photographer. Here, for the first time, is a selection of his work. As he writes of his passion:'Street photography is a fitting refuge for those who look at life from a distance. It both sanctifies our remoteness (by offering the standpoint of the observer) and challenges it, insisting we approach with a spritely curiosity. It offers a safe route back into the world: the camera is an entry ticket to daunting social situations and extraordinary environments where we might otherwise feel entirely out of place. Suddenly we have a role: a reason to be present. And for those of us smitten by its appeal, it provides a means of fortifying and forgetting ourselves, while extending out into the world with a controlled compassion.'
Make It Now!: Creative Inspiration and the Art of Getting Things Done
by Anthony Burrill'If you’re stuck for an idea, have a big decision to handle or need a new perspective on a problem, here are some approaches for thinking, communicating and creativity. An upbeat guide that anyone can use to help with the big and small challenges we face every day.’ Anthony BurrillA life-affirming guide to new thinking, creative problem-solving and getting things done from graphic artist Anthony Burrill. Full of inspiration and ideas, his best-loved prints as well as new work, this book will get you thinking bigger and better and recharge your creativity.
Martin Chuzzlewit
by Charles Dickens'Among the most powerful things Dickens ever did in fiction' GuardianGreed has led wealthy old Martin Chuzzlewit to become suspicious and misanthropic, leaving his grandson and name-sake to make his own way in the world. And so young Martin sets out from the Wiltshire home of his supposed champion, the scheming architect Pecksniff, to seek his fortune in America. In depicting Martin's journey Dickens created many vividly realized figures, from Martin's optimistic manservant Mark Tapley to the drunken and corrupt private nurse Mrs Gamp. With its portrayal of greed, blackmail and murder, and its searing satire on America, Dickens's novel is a powerful and blackly comic story of hypocrisy and redemption.Edited with an Introduction and Notes by Patricia Ingham
Medusa's Butterfly
by Simon RaeA box is left on Marcus’s doorstep in the rain. Fussy Aunt Hester has told Marcus not to open the front door under any circumstances. But she’s out – and just this once can’t hurt . . . can it?Except the parcel isn’t embroidery supplies for Aunt Hester. Or fishing tackle for Uncle Frank. Whatever is in there, it’s alive. And it’s ANGRY. The thing in the box sends Marcus’s life spinning horrifyingly out of control – controlling his mind and testing his will so that every moment is deadly. Can Marcus overcome the pull of the Gorgon’s gaze, and use her power for good? Because he received that box for a reason – but he must find out what it is, before the terrible, beautiful Medusa turns everyone he holds dear to stone . . . and then comes for him. Laced with myth, this modern story positively writhes with horror and suspense. A terrifying, unputdownable read for fans of Percy Jackson and Harry Potter.
The Lazarus Vault: a pacy, heart-thumping, race-against time thriller guaranteed to have you hooked…
by Tom HarperFrom the pen of prizewinning author Tom Harper, this is a high-octane adventure thriller in the bestselling tradition of The Da Vinci Code. With a lingering sense of tension and unease coupled with all-out action and a plethora of twists and turns, it is perfect for fans of Dan Brown, Clive Cussler and Scott Mariani.'In the tradition of The Da Vinci Code, a page-turner of a novel. Like Dan Brown, Tom Harper knows how to ratchet up the tension.' -- Choice'Be warned, you could become so hooked by this big adventure thriller that the tide will be lapping round your deckchair before you notice' - Peterborough Evening Telegraph'Brilliant storytelling linking the past to the present! The level of detail and historical and geographical information is amazing.... highly recommended' -- ***** Reader review'A story that keeps you guessing and reading. It is hard to put down until the very last page.' -- ***** Reader review'A gripping yarn' -- ***** Reader review'So far everyone I know who has read this has done so in one sitting, some doing all-nighters to manage it.' -- ***** Reader review**************************************************************************EIGHT CENTURIES OF DECEIT HIDE A DEADLY SECRETDeep in the heart of London, the Monsalvat Bank is small, secretive and fabulously wealthy. When Ellie Stanton, an impoverished graduate student, is unexpectedly invited to join the firm, the offer looks too good to turn down.But the bank is more than it seems. Soon Ellie realises that her life belongs to her employers - and they're watching her every move. For buried in their medieval vaults lies a closely-guarded treasure of immeasurable power - one inextricably bound up with Ellie's own history.Now Ellie is in a race against time, hunted by the bank and pursued by her past. Her only hope of escape is to unearth the secret hidden in the vault. But getting in is only the beginning...