Reprint of the original, first published in 1883.

Fables of the East is the first anthology to provide textual examples of representations of oriental cultures in the early modern period drawn from a variety of genres: travel writing, histories, and fiction. Organized according to genre in order to illustrate the diverse shapes the oriental tale adopted in the period, the extracts cover the popular sequence of oriental tales, the pseudo-oriental tale, travels and history, and letter fictions. Authors represented range from the familiar - Joseph Addison, Horace Walpole, Montesquieu, Oliver Goldsmith - to authors of great popularity in their own time who have since faded in reputation such as James Ridley, Alexander Dow, and Eliza Haywood. The selection has been devised to call attention to the diversity in the ways that different oriental cultures are represented to English readers. Readers of this anthology will be able to identify a contrast between the luxury, excess, and sexuality associated with Islamic Turkey, Persia, and Mughal India and the wisdom, restraint, and authority invested in Brahmin India and Confucian China. Fables of the East redraws the cultural map we have inherited of the eighteenth century, demonstrating contemporary interest in gentile and 'idolatrous' religions, in Confucianism and Buddhism especially, and that the construction of the Orient in the western imagination was not exclusively one of an Islamic Near and Middle East. Ros Ballster's introduction addresses the importance of the idea of 'fable' to traditions of narrative and representations of the East. Each text is accompanied by explanatory head and footnotes, also provided is a glossary of oriental terms and places that were familiar to the texts' eighteenth-century readers.

The Troll Garden, and Selected Stories by Willa Cather: Journey into the world of Willa Cather's short stories, where she skillfully portrays the human experience in the vast landscapes of the American West. "The Troll Garden" is a collection of Cather's early works, showcasing her talent for capturing the essence of characters and their struggles with the challenges of life, love, and ambition. From the bustling city streets to the serene prairies, Cather's evocative storytelling transports readers to the heart of America's frontier. Key Aspects of the Book "The Troll Garden, and Selected Stories": Exploration of the American West: Cather's stories offer a vivid depiction of the American West and its impact on the lives of its inhabitants. Character Studies: Each story in the collection delves into the complexities of human emotions and motivations, creating memorable and relatable characters. Sense of Place: The narratives are imbued with a strong sense of place, with settings that play an integral role in shaping the stories' themes and conflicts. Willa Cather was an influential American author known for her novels and short stories that celebrated the American frontier and explored the human spirit. Born in Virginia in 1873, Cather's experiences in Nebraska and the American West greatly influenced her writing. Her works, including "The Troll Garden," earned her critical acclaim and a lasting legacy as one of America's most celebrated literary figures.

Selected Stories of Rabindranath Tagore: Our needs are always in a hurry. They rush and hustle; they are rude and unceremonious; they have no surplus of leisure; no patience for anything else but fulfilment of purpose. We frequently see in our country at the present day men utilising empty kerosene cans for carrying water. These cans are emblems of discourtesy; they are curt and abrupt; they have not the least shame for their unmannerliness; they do not care to be ever so slightly more than useful. Selected Stories of Honoré de Balzac by Honoré de Balzac: In this collection, Honoré de Balzac presents a selection of his acclaimed short stories, showcasing his incredible talent for vivid storytelling and character development. With its rich language and engaging narratives, this book is a must-read for fans of classical literature. Key Aspects of the Book "Selected Stories of Honoré de Balzac": Collection of Short Stories: The book features a collection of acclaimed short stories by Honoré de Balzac. Vivid Storytelling and Character Development: The stories showcase Balzac's incredible talent for vivid storytelling and character development. Useful for Literature Enthusiasts: The book is useful for fans of classical literature and those interested in the works of Balzac. Honoré de Balzac was a French novelist and playwright who is regarded as one of the greatest writers of Western literature. His book, Selected Stories of Honoré de Balzac, is highly regarded for its captivating storytelling and rich language.