In an English seaside village just after the Second World War, a seemingly ordinary family in a state of claustrophobic tension seethes with the violence that lies beneath so much of the surface of life

The original stories behind everyone's favorite Christmas ballet It wasn't until the 1950s that seeing The Nutcracker at Christmastime became an American tradition. But the story itself is much older and its original intent more complex. This eye-opening new volume presents two of the tale's earliest versions, both in new translations: E.T.A. Hoffmann's Nutcracker and Mouse King (1816), in which a young girl is whisked away to the Land of Toys to help her animated nutcracker defeat the Mouse King, and Alexandre Dumas's 1845 adaptation, The Tale of the Nutcracker, based on Hoffmann's popular work. Irresistible tales of magic, mystery, and childhood adventure, these timeless delights and fresh interpretations about the importance of imagination will captivate readers of all ages. For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

On a fateful day in May 1941, in Nazi-occupied Strasbourg, seventeen-year- old Pierre Seel was summoned by the Gestapo. This was the beginning of his journey through the horrors of a concentration camp. For nearly forty years, Seel kept this secret in order to hide his homosexuality. Eventually he decided to speak out, bearing witness to an aspect of the Holocaust rarely seen. This edition, with a new foreword from gay-literature historian Gregory Woods, is an extraordinary firsthand account of the Nazi roundup and the deportation of homosexuals.

Including his most widely recognized short works, as well as two new stories, this translation of Franz Kafka’s writings illuminate one of the century’s most controversial writers. Translated by PEN translation award-winner Joachim Neugroschel, The Metamorphosis, In the Penal Colony, and Other Stories has garnered critical acclaim and is widely recognized as the preeminent English-language anthology of Kafka's stories. Neugroschel’s translation of Kafka's work has made this controversial and monumental writing accessible to a whole new generation. This classic collection of forty-one great short works—including such timeless pieces of modern fiction as "The Judgment" and "The Stoker"—now includes two new stories, "First Sorrow" and "The Hunger Artist."

Immerse yourself in the haunting tale of passion and transcendence with "Death in Venice: Thomas Mann's Tale" by Thomas Mann, translated by Joachim Neugroschel. Journey into the depths of desire and longing as Mann's exquisite prose weaves a mesmerizing narrative that explores the complexities of the human condition. Experience the timeless beauty and profound insight of Mann's masterpiece as he delves into the innermost thoughts and emotions of his protagonist. Through Mann's lyrical prose and Neugroschel's evocative translation, readers are transported to a world where beauty and decay collide. But amidst the exploration of passion and transcendence lies a fundamental question: What drives an individual to pursue beauty at the expense of all else, and what price must be paid for the pursuit of perfection? Are there universal truths about the human experience that Mann's tale illuminates? Delve into the depths of Mann's narrative as he grapples with themes of desire, mortality, and the search for meaning in a world consumed by decay. With each page, readers are drawn deeper into the haunting allure of Venice and the enigmatic figure at the heart of the story. Are you ready to confront the complexities of desire and transcendence with "Death in Venice"? Prepare to be captivated by Mann's masterful storytelling and Neugroschel's exquisite translation, which brings the beauty and tragedy of the tale to life. Engage with Mann's exploration of passion and mortality as you immerse yourself in "Death in Venice: Thomas Mann's Tale." With each chapter, you'll gain new insights into the human condition and the eternal quest for beauty and meaning. Join the journey into the heart of Venice. Let Mann's tale of passion and transcendence wash over you like the waves of the Adriatic Sea! Don't miss your chance to experience the haunting beauty of Thomas Mann's masterpiece. Purchase your copy of "Death in Venice: Thomas Mann's Tale" by Thomas Mann, translated by Joachim Neugroschel, now and embark on a literary journey that will linger in your mind long after the final page. ```

The original stories behind everyone's favorite Christmas ballet It wasn't until the 1950s that seeing The Nutcracker.

Four friends set sail for the Amazon where they unexpectedly encounter the Ulysses, and abandoned ship containing a valuable cargo

A unique and rich anthology of Yiddish folk tales that never before have been available in English. Reveals the enormous breadth and depth of Yiddish folk lit., from its roots to its full blossoming in the modern era. Standing at the intersection of the spoken folk tale and the European tradition of printed lit., the Yiddish folk lit. collected here provides a fascinating glimpse into 4 centuries of Jewish cultural life. Includes not only original tales, but Yiddish retellings of biblical stories, and unexpected examples of cultural osmosis, such as a Yiddish version of an Arthurian legend. Pious, funny, and somber, these works paint a beautiful portrait of the cherished continuity -- and remarkable diversity -- of Jewish culture expressed through Yiddish folk lit.