Many people know Jonathan Swift only through the cartoon version of Gulliver's
Travels. However, Swift was an impressive writer, and one of the best satirists in
the English language. Here are a couple of sites you shouldn't miss:
The Poetry of
Jonathan Swift
A Modest Proposal
Irish author Oscar Wilde is probably as famous for his lifestyle as his writings. He was
a true artist who used such unpleasant personal circumstances as an incarceration in
Reading Gaol to turn out wonderful poetry and prose. If you aren't in the mood for
a whole book, have a look at his quotes - they are quite memorable.
FireBlade Coffee House: The Works of Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wilde Quotes
Here is an excellent site if you are interested in the text of classic novels. It has
everything from Lewis Carroll to H.G. Wells.
On Line Literature Library
Edgar Allan Poe - if the name gives you the shivers, then this is site is a must-see! It
contains story collections as well as biographical information on one of the early masters
of horror.
The Works of Poe
If you are interested in short stories, here is a collection of some of the classics.
Classic Short Stories
British Science Fiction writer John Wyndham, author of The Day of the Triffids
and The Midwich Cuckoos had a unique view of the world of the future. Some
of the details in his works are dated, but the concepts are still fresh today.
John Wyndham Page
Are you curious about how Italian author Umberto Eco (The Name of the Rose)
would describe your OS? Have a look at this article.
Umberto Eco's Mac versus
DOS column
If you aren't familiar with Douglas Adams and his Hitchhikers' Guide to the Galaxy
you should definitely check it out. There are literally hundreds of web pages devoted
to this, but this is a good place to start.
Page No.42
This page contains a list of the works by child psychologist/writer Jonathan Kellerman.
Kellerman brings his psychology background to his novels, and writes the only
mysteries I consistently enjoy.
Jonathan Kellerman Book List
Horror writer John Saul has his own web page. Check out family photos, teasers from
his books and reviews. Saul writes good scary stories with intriguing twists, and has
been one of my favourites of the genre for a long time.
The Official John Saul Web Site
American author John Irving first gained international recognition with The World
According to Garp, and has written several excellent novels. One of his most
recent is reviewed here.
Review of A Son of the Circus
When you are in the mood for horror but would rather listen than read, you can hear the
story of Frankenstein in RealAudio. The sound on this is excellent!
Frankenstein
They may not qualify as great literature, but one of my favourite listening experiences on
the web is the old Superman radio shows. Tune in every week or so for a new
episode.
Superman Radio Serial
On those stressful days when you just need to sit back and unwind, try some Chicken
Soup. The stories based on the successful series of books will remind you that there
are still a lot of good people and happiness in the world.
Chicken Soup of the Day Audio Site
Here is a wonderful collection of tales for the Christmas season, along with links to other
Christmas sites.
Christmas Stories and Poems
One of my personal favourite Christmas tales is Dr. Seuss's Grinch, whose heart is two sizes too small.
This version includes includes both sound and pictures.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
If you are looking for a little holiday humour, try these versions of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.
Christmas Funnies