Letters on Shetland (Northus Shetland Classics)

History

Jamieson, Peter

Europe

Michael Walmer

Descend Again

Literature & Fiction

Burroway, Janet

Literary

Young Inga Henderson has grown up as the daughter of the manse on a northerly Shetland isle named Vaalafiel. She is without a father; he died in a mysterious tragedy on a boat trip to Europe, in which his best friend also died, and which her mother, who was with them, won't speak about. Living with Inga and her mother in seclusion on Vaalafiel is that best friend's son, Laurence Traquair, a young man of culture who is subject to memory-obliterating fits and nervestorms, and who is Inga's kindest ally in a world made grim through her mother's coldness.In the meantime, on the neighbouring island of Jewbadaal, young, confident and cheerful Aytoun Weir lives with his father, the minister, his wise mother and happy sisters. Despite Inga's mother's wish to remain secluded, he is engaged to make the daily short trip across the voe to be her tutor. As time goes by, and her mother's fears are allayed, Inga is allowed to travel to Jewbadaal. The contrast with the gloom and quiet of her own existence could not be stronger, as is that between the two young men in Inga's life-retiring Laurence and gregarious Aytoun. Confounding their differences, the two young men become fast friends.Inga's curiosity about her father and the mysterious story of his death only grows more intense as she matures, and she discovers an even deeper ally in Aytoun. Slowly they uncover elements of the tale, but key parts are still missing. At the same time, Inga's loyalties are being tested - she has married Laurence, but feels drawn almost subconsciously to Aytoun. Only when Aytoun plans a boat-trip to Europe himself, taking Laurence and Inga's mother with him, does the full truth come to light. An astonishing story of smuggling, jealousy and embittered relationships is revealed. As the boat bringing the travellers home nears Vaalafiel, a storm erupts. In one night of momentous events, including the advent of a stranger who remains unknown to any but Inga, and a shipwreck in weather which would test the hardiest rescuer, her whole world is turned upside down. What she realizes in that time of storm and stress changes her life for ever.In this debut novel, Jessie Saxby took elements of her own life and experiences and wove them into the gripping story of a young woman discovering herself through her hitherto hidden past, and her maturing understanding of the costs and compromises of love. The result is a passionate novel with modern gothic undertones, reminiscent of the work of Charlotte Brontë and Robert Louis Stevenson, which anticipates the stirring tales of Daphne du Maurier.

Rock-Bound: A Story of the Shetland Isles (Northus Shetland Classics)

Saxby, Jessie M.E

Genre Fiction

Bird of Paradise

Leverson, Ada

Humor & Satire

Valmouth: A Romantic Novel

FIRBANK, RONALD

The Last of the Aldinis

SAND, GEORGE

Classics

Nakiketas and other poems

Sinclair, May

Poetry

Newly married, Regina and Antonio arrive in Rome, Antonio's native city. They are very young and headstrong, full of the illusions of love. Regina must come to terms with Antonio's vulgar family, as well as the sometimes gritty realities of this city she has dreamed of admiringly through a sheltered childhood in the valley of the Po.\nRegina is beautiful, somewhat commanding, and aware of her higher social status, but she is also at a newcomer's disadvantage in this city Antonio knows well. These circumstances, combined with her capricious youthful vigour, and Antonio's uncomprehending stubbornness, make for a testing time in their lives, and lead to a subtle rupture, a sense of discord.\nAntonio, crestfallen, makes a crucial private decision. Its exact nature eludes Regina, but she has strong suspicions. Her doubts begin to torture her. Can the two restore not only their accustomed life together, but find harmony within it? Will their vacillation and self-deceit make things worse? In the end, maturity in their relationship comes at enormous cost.\nThis intense and subtle novel traces the stormy passage of a marriage, balancing the comedic and the elegiac with an undertone of bitter melancholy. Grazia Deledda, in an extraordinary portrait of a relationship in which both partners endure much separate emotional suffering through their own frailties, creates a masterwork of psychological realism, touched with leavening humour and sadness.\nNostalgia was first published in Italian in 1905, and in this English translation later the same year.

Nostalgia (Mercury Books)

Deledda, Grazia

Leone Leoni

Romance

In the reign of Cleopatra, an insignificant young man is in love. Meïamoun is captivated by his beloved, but she seems unattainable. There is a reason why the handsome young fellow is barred from his quest. The one he wants is his queen. He stands on the outskirts of great ceremonies just to catch a glimpse of her. He dreams of her charms and fascinations constantly. One night, having followed her royal cangia along the Nile to a palace at the waters' edge, his obsession overtakes him - through an open window he fires an arrow with a note attached which bears the simple words "I love you." Will Cleopatra acknowledge him? What further feats of daring must he undertake to get near her? If he does, what could possibly happen? In this high-stakes undertaking, one thing is for sure - he will risk his life... One of Cleopatra's Nights was first published with other novellas in a volume entitled A Tear of the Devil in 1839.

One of Cleopatra's Nights (Zephyr Books)

GAUTIER, THÉOPHILE

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Books by Michael Walmer