The Library of Alexandria is an independent small business publishing house. We specialize in bringing back to live rare, historical and ancient Books. This includes manuscripts such as: classical fiction, philosophy, science, Religion, folklore, mythology, history, literature, politics and sacred texts, in addition to Secret and esoteric subjects, such as: occult, freemasonry, alchemy, hermetic, shamanism and ancient knowledge. Our Books are available in digital format. We have approximat...

The theme of this Megapack is classic mystery and crime fiction from the Victorian era. We have taken the liberty of extending the qualifying publication dates to the end of World War I, since that event marked more of a turning point in world literature than the advent of the Edwardian Age. Certainly the spirit of Victorian crime fiction continued beyond Queen Victoria. This volume contains 25 stories and 2 bonus novels, offering hours of reading pleasure.THE LENTON CROFT ROBBERIE...

Engaged, W.S. Gilbert's most popular stage work after the comic operas he produced in collaboration with Arthur Sullivan, is a farcical comedy that has long lived in the literary shadows – although wildly neglected today, the play influenced literary names as great as George Bernard Shaw, and directly inspired Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest.Centring on a rich young man's search for a wife and his uncle and best friend's attempts to hinder him, the play to...

The bab ballads presents a lively collection of humorous verses that blend wit, satire, and playfulness in poetic form. Through a series of fanciful scenarios and eccentric figures, the verses expose the absurdities of polite society, professional life, and social behavior with keen observation and comic exaggeration. The early section of the work introduces poems filled with absurd yet endearing situations, combining cheerful rhythms with sharp irony. One poem centers on an optimistic shi...

More bab ballads is a collection of lively and humorous verses that blend satire, rhyme, and playful observation to portray the contradictions of everyday life. Through an array of imaginative tales and eccentric narrators, the work captures the spirit of wit and irony while exposing the follies of social convention and human vanity. Opening with whimsical stories that mix sentiment with absurdity, the collection celebrates the eccentric and the ordinary alike, weaving humor from the trial...

W.S. Gilbert's "The Grand Duke" is a satirical comic opera that unfolds in the fictional Duchy of Pfennig Halbpfennig. With its characteristic wit, Gilbert employs intricate wordplay and clever rhymes that critique the absurdities of authority and social structures. The narrative centers around themes of love, betrayal, and the absurdities of governance, featuring a cast of eccentric characters embroiled in a farcical plot that includes a conspiratorial scheme to usurp the throne. Gilbert'...

W. S. Gilbert's "Original Plays [First Series]" is a remarkable anthology that showcases his masterful wit and keen societal observation through a collection of pioneering plays. Written in the late Victorian era, Gilbert employs sharp satire and clever dialogue, reflecting the complexities and absurdities of contemporary life. His plays blend humor with incisive commentary on class, morality, and the human condition, positioning him as a vital figure in the English theatrical landscape. E...

Songs of a Savoyard is a spirited collection of humorous and satirical verses that showcase the poet's sharp wit and playful critique of social life. The work combines melody and mockery to illuminate the ironies of everyday existence, where pride, folly, and pretense become subjects of light hearted ridicule. Opening with lively depictions of sailors, officers, and eccentric figures, the collection captures the charm of rhythmic storytelling and comic exaggeration. Through its engaging pa...

The plays in this volume reflect Gilbert's versatility and range in handling various themes, from social satire to absurd comedy. One of the key works in this series is "The Wicked World", which is a satirical play that touches on the moral and social issues of Victorian society. The plot typically revolves around misunderstandings, mistaken identities, and the humorous consequences of social conventions. Through his clever dialogue and playful structure, Gilbert critiques the societal mor...

In "The Bab Ballads, with Which Are Included Songs of a Savoyard," W. S. Gilbert presents a delightful collection of whimsical verse that masterfully combines satire, wit, and sharp social commentary. Gilbert's literary style is characterized by playful rhymes and an inventive use of meter, demonstrating his deep understanding of both the English language and theatricality. The ballads address various themes ranging from love and folly to the absurdities of Victorian society, creating a ri...

The Complete Plays of Gilbert and Sullivan represents a monumental anthology that captures the fin-de-siècle brilliance of two of Victorian England's most influential theatrical luminaries. This robust collection traverses the vibrant landscape of satire, whimsy, and social commentary woven through operettas that ranged from the comedically absurd to subtly profound, each piece reflecting the unique stylistic signatures of its creators. From the delicate parody in "H.M.S. Pinafore" to the ...

'Take care. The consequences of an act are often much more numerous and important than people have any idea of.'Today W.S. Gilbert is best known for the comic operas he produced in collaboration with Arthur Sullivan, a creative partnership that diverged over the supernatural. Unlike Sullivan, Gilbert was a great fan of fairy tales, and Foggerty's Fairy, one of his most unjustly neglected plays, is a brilliant farcical comedy that hinges on the wish-granting of a f...