The Moonstone
| Author | Wilkie Collins |
| Genres | thriller |
Synopsis
‘The Moonstone’ is a remarkable book written by Willkie Collins. It is considered to be the first detective novel. It has an interesting structure. Five witnesses in turn to tell their version of the events. The unusual story takes place in England in the 19th century. Colonel Herncastle served in India and stole a diamond from the statue of an Indian god. The legend says that three priests guard the diamond and follow it wherever it goes. So nobody can own it without getting into trouble. In his will Colonel Herncastle left the diamond to his niece Rachel. She receives it on her birthday. But the following day the diamond is gone. All the people who visited her house the night before are suspects now. But Rachel conducts herself in a strange way. What if she knows some terrible secret about the loss of the diamond?
The Prestige
| Author | Christopher Priest |
| Genres | novella |
Synopsis
‘The Prestige’ is an unusual story that centres on the rivalvy between Rupert Angier and Alfred Borden. The protagonists are acclaimed 19th century stage magicians. The novel is presented in the form of diaries written by Angier and Borden. The two talented men turn from partners into sworn enemies. Each of them will do anything to learn the secrets behind the magic tricks of his rival. So the main characters spend their lives trying to destroy each other. Finally, all the secrets are revealed. The reader may wonder if the success of the magicians was worth the sacrifice of their personal happiness. With its high tension, endless plot twists and provoking themes, this novel is rightfully considered one of the best modern books.
Les Miserables
| Author | Victor Hugo |
| Genres | novel |
Synopsis
The man with rough appearance has come into the town of Digne. It was in October 1815. He has just stand in the inn, but suddenly innkeeper has gone him out because the past of the man. Innkeeper has known that the name of this stranger is Jean Valjean and he has just been released from the prison. He’s been in prison for nineteen years for violent robbery and for trying to escape. In the other inns were the same. The news about prisoner quickly shared between townspeople and nobody gave him the bad. Nobody, except one man. It was a bishop. The priest gave Valjean a shelter for the night and fed him. At night, after some sleep, prisoner decided to robber that house, because the life had been unfair to him and he was very angry. This desperate decision will change his life… forever.
The Coral Island
| Author | R. M. Ballantyne |
| Genres | adventure |
Synopsis
Three young Englishmen, 15-year-old Ralph Rover, Jack, who is older than him for three years, and the cheerful 14-year-old Peter, were got on a desert island after their ship was wrecked. They made their life in the spirit of Robinson Crusoe, and despite the typhoons, wild boar attacks and hostile visitors to the island, they lived an almost perfect life. The boys made fire by rubbing two sticks and climb the palm trees for coconuts. The boys were building a boat with sails of copra to get to a nearby island, where Jack won the battle of the leader of the tribe Taror. Then the pirates kidnapped Ralph whose adventures continued in the southern islands.
The Hobbit
| Author | J. R. R. Tolkien |
| Genres | adventure |
Synopsis
Do you like fabulous world in which elves, dwarves, hobbits and dragons live? This book is for you. This story is about adventures of the young hobbit Bilbo Baggins who loves smoking his favourite pipe and eating – these things make his life calm and measured. Once the wizard Gandalf arrives at his house. The visit alarms Bilbo. He does not want such acquaintances. The same evening, some intruders knock on the door. Bilbo does not expect thirteen dwarves and that same wizard to come to him. Moreover, he gets an unusual offer to become a thief and go on a dangerous journey to obtain treasures from the den of the dragon. What choice will Baggins make? You will learn it while reading this book – a popular novel by J. R. R. Tolkien for the whole family.
The Notebook
| Author | Nicholas Sparks |
| Genres | novel |
Synopsis
This book sold many copies and became a significant contribution to the treasures of world literature. There is also a movie made on this novel. It is time to read it. Noah is returning to his home in North Carolina from World War II. His father died and Noah starts restoring the house. At the same time, Allie sees a photograph of the house in the newspaper. She decides to visit Noah. They have not seen each other for fourteen years. Long ago, they had a short but passionate romance. And then a separation followed. Their meeting is very emotional. They have lots of news and everyone talks about his or her life. Allie finds out that Noah has been writing letters to her all this time. But her mother hides all of them. At the same time, fiance of Allie is trying to contact her. This turns into a love triangle.