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    495 Results with the "Fiction" genre


    • Chapter

      Chapter X

      Chapter X Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter X opens with the deliveryman pausing in the intense silence, seemingly contemplating what to do with the baby mice he had discovered nesting among his Bibles. His expression, tense and uncertain, suggests he is considering extreme options, such as poison, drowning, or perhaps even offering us as a meal to a cat. As he slowly removes his wilted carnation and loosens his pink necktie, his rolled-up sleeves reveal a gaunt chest beneath his worn-out overalls. Crossing his arms, two names appear on his…
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      The Stuntman

      The Stuntman Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with the artist G, who begins painting upside down as a radical response to his artistic and existential crisis. Initially, his inverted paintings appear accidental, but their deliberate nature is confirmed by his signature. This innovation earns critical acclaim, reinforcing G’s reputation despite his lingering resentment toward the art world, which had harshly criticized his early work. G’s wife observes that his inversion technique inadvertently mirrors the "female condition"—a…
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      Chapter 10

      Chapter 10 Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with the narrator traveling from Pennsylvania to Indiana, reflecting on her journey while anticipating a day with Davey, her lover. They drive into the hills, a secluded spot they hadn’t visited since before an earlier encounter referred to as "the Buccaneer." The setting is idyllic—a sunlit field dotted with tiny flowers—but the ground is uncomfortably prickly, prompting Davey to fetch makeshift bedding. As he returns, the narrator stretches toward the sky, and they share a moment…
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      The Dusk Market

      The Dusk Market Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter introduces the enigmatic Dusk Market, a hidden marketplace that emerges at twilight, filled with sensory richness—smoky stockfish, buzzing flies, sizzling agbara pans, and the cacophony of bartering voices. The market is preceded by flickering kerosene lanterns, guiding the way for those who belong. Ordinary pedestrians and drivers avoid the intersection instinctively, though children occasionally glimpse surreal sights like head-hopping men or winking birds, which adults dismiss or ignore.…
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      THE BEAUTIES

      THE BEAUTIES Cover
      by LovelyMay In "The Beauties," the narrator reminisces about two distinct encounters with extraordinary beauty that deeply moved him. The first account is a tender memory from his youth, traveling through the arid Don region with his grandfather, where they stop at an Armenian village. Here, he meets Masha, the Armenian's daughter, whose astounding beauty creates a profound sense of melancholy and longing within him. Despite the stifling heat and the dullness of their surroundings, Masha's appearance injects a moment…
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      The Little Army

      The Little Army Cover
      by LovelyMay In a nostalgic cadence, "The Little Army" captures the innocent and fleeting essence of childhood, evoking a vivid tableau of "little women, little men" engrossed in their make-believe battles and adventures. With great detail, it illustrates the vibrant and carefree world of children, who, equipped with wooden swords and guns, engage in playful skirmishes, their faces marked by joyous dimples and smiles. These little soldiers, adorned in paper hats and marching to the jubilant beats of makeshift drums,…
      Fiction • Poetry
    • LETTER–To W. M. Thackeray Cover
      by LovelyMay In this letter to W. M. Thackeray, the author navigates the nuances of praising the works of a departed novelist, where the usual constraints of criticism—such as envy or the potential for flattery—are absent, making it easier to commend wholeheartedly. Thackeray is celebrated for his versatility and unmatched excellence in literature, noted for his unique blend of humor, pathos, and keen observation of life. Unlike contemporaries who approached writing with the methodical dedication of a desk job,…
    • CHAPTER XIII – The Circus Boys on the Mississippi Cover
      by LovelyMay In Chapter XIII of "The Circus Boys On the Mississippi" titled "A Narrow Escape," despite a tumultuous performance, Phil showcases an incredible act of bravery and skill. The chapter opens with Phil performing a daring circus maneuver that nearly goes awry when Dimples, another performer, risks a dangerous fall. Phil's quick thinking and knowledge of circus gymnastics prevent a tragedy, allowing Dimples to land safely. However, Phil himself isn't so fortunate. He takes a risky fall, landing on his head and…
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      INTRODUCTION

      INTRODUCTION Cover
      by LovelyMay Introduction to “Aucassin and Nicolete”: A Unique Artistic Poetic Work “Aucassin and Nicolete” stands as a remarkable and rare artifact in the realm of artistic poetry. Its survival through the turbulent waves of time, which have erased much of ancient literary treasures like those of Menander and Sappho, presents a unique glimpse into a form of storytelling from the twelfth or thirteenth century that combines prose and verse in a singular manner—known as the cante-fable. Unlike the fabliaux and…
    • XV -The woman in the Alcove Cover
      by LovelyMay In Chapter XV of "The Woman in the Alcove," the tension between the inspector and the narrator deepens as they discuss the mysterious figures, Sears and Wellgood, in relation to Mrs. Fairbrother's murder. The inspector shares a detailed description of Sears, hoping it might prompt the narrator’s memory, but the description doesn't align well with her brief recollection of Wellgood, further complicating their investigation. The variability in witness accounts about Wellgood's appearance frustrates their…
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