• Chapter

      Up the Gulch

      Up the Gulch Cover
      by LovelyMay Kate, a delicate and introspective woman married to Jack, grapples with her own frail health and a profound empathy for others' suffering making her yearn for a change. At her father-in-law Major Shelly's urging, she leaves her family in the East to recuperate in the West, despite her husband's concerns about managing without her. Upon reaching the West, instead of encountering the rugged caricatures she expected, Kate finds herself immersed in the vast, raw landscapes that provoke a deep sense of wonder…
    • Unimportant Differences Cover
      by LovelyMay "Unimportant Differences" speaks to the essence of evaluating a person's character over superficial markers such as creed, politics, or race. It posits that a truly admirable individual is one who acts with kindness, honesty, and generosity, who respects others, and who carries a spirit of fairness and joy throughout their life. These virtues, the poem suggests, are far more significant than the divisions humans often focus on. In the grand tapestry of life, and certainly in the afterlife, these are the…
      Fiction • Poetry
    • Twisted Games (2-Twisted) Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Twisted Games by Ana Huang is a steamy, forbidden romance between a princess and her bodyguard, filled with intense chemistry and emotional depth. Perfect for fans of passionate, suspenseful contemporary romance.
    • The Woman in the Alcove Cover
      by LovelyMay The Woman in the Alcove by Anna Katherine Green is a mystery novel that follows detective Ebenezer Gryce as he investigates the complex case of a woman found murdered in a secluded alcove, uncovering secrets, deceptions, and hidden motives in the process. The story delves into themes of crime, justice, and the intricacies of human behavior, with a sharp focus on unraveling the truth behind the crime.
    • THE SONG-STORY OF AUCASSIN AND NICOLETE Cover
      by LovelyMay She was bathed and rested, then she sought out those herbals that know all manner of enchantments and properties of herbs. With them, she made an ointment and washed herself with it, and her flesh became whiter than it was ever before. She dressed herself nobly in clothes that became her right well, so beautiful she was that she seemed rather an angel than a human being. She went to the palace where Aucassin was, and when he saw her, he recognized her not. "Fair sir," said she, "know ye not me? I am…
    • THE SHOEMAKER AND THE DEVIL Cover
      by LovelyMay On Christmas Eve, a hardworking but poor shoemaker named Fyodor Nilov laments his lot in life as he finishes a pair of boots for a disturbing and peculiar customer from Kolokolny Lane. Consumed by thoughts of inequality and frustration with his poverty, Fyodor finds himself confronting the bizarre reality of his customer—who turns out to be the devil—with a horse-like hoof for a foot. Seeing an opportunity, Fyodor strikes a deal with the devil, asking to be made rich in exchange for his soul. The…
    • Chapter

      The Scoffer

      The Scoffer Cover
      by LovelyMay In "The Scoffer," a reflective poem, the speaker initially imagines himself scoffing at historical figures like Benjamin Franklin and Robert Fulton during their times of innovation. He depicts a scene where, had he lived in Franklin's era, he would have mockingly observed Franklin experimenting with electricity by flying a kite in the rain, a key attached to its tail, dismissing him as insane. Similarly, the speaker admits he might have been among those ridiculing Fulton, doubting the feasibility of…
      Fiction • Poetry
    • The Schoolmistress and Other Stories Cover
      by LovelyMay The Schoolmistress and Other Stories by Anton Chekhov is a poignant collection of short stories capturing the complexities of human nature, societal struggles, and the quiet tragedies of everyday life. With his characteristic wit and empathy, Chekhov explores themes of love, loneliness, and the fleeting nature of happiness.
    • THE SCHOOLMISTRESS Cover
      by LovelyMay In a quiet, reflective tone, the chapter introduces Marya Vassilyevna, a meticulous schoolmistress pondering over her school’s upcoming examination while journeying home through desolate, muddy Russian countryside. Her thoughts are momentarily diverged by news of a government clerk's arrest and the passing encounter with Hanov, a neighboring landowner known for his lethargy and alleged drinking habits, once an examiner at her school. Marya Vassilyevna reflects on Hanov’s inexplicable choice to live in…
    • Chapter

      THE REQUIEM

      THE REQUIEM Cover
      by LovelyMay In the peaceful village of Verhny Zaprudy, the churchgoers disperse after the conclusion of mass, leaving shopkeeper Andrey Andreyitch the last to linger, immersed in his private somber reflections amidst the church's familiar environs. His presence attracts the ire of Father Grigory, who confronts him over an insensitively worded prayer note for his deceased daughter, Mariya, igniting a heated exchange that publicly challenges Andrey's understanding of sin, repentance, and parental duty. Andrey, adorned…
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