French Classics
Greek Classics, Chinese Classics, Indian Classics – now Real Reads moves into one of the world’s richest seams of classic literature, the French canon. Starting with Victor Hugo’s powerful take on Beauty and the Beast set high in Paris’s most famous landmark, and Jules Verne’s story of a madcap rush around the globe to win an almost unwinnable wager, Real Reads starts a new list which will in time include many of the best-known classics of French fiction.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
A frightful horde of men and women, armed with scythes, pikes, billhooks and rusty swords, advanced towards the massive front doors of Notre Dame Cathedral.
For many years Quasimodo the bellringer has lived peacefully in the Cathedral of Notre Dame with his master, Archdeacon Claude Frollo. But the arrival of Esmeralda, the young and dazzlingly beautiful gypsy dancer, changes everything.
Esmeralda has fallen in love with the brave and handsome Captain Phoebus. Will the Archdeacon be able to control his violent jealousy when Esmeralda rejects him?
Esmeralda’s life is in danger, but Quasimodo will do anything to protect her. When the Kingrsquo;s soldiers clash with the thieves and beggars of Paris, can the innocent young dancer survive?
Click on the thumbnails below to see sample spreads.
Around the World in Eighty Days
‘Today is Wednesday 2nd October. If I am back in this very room in the Reform Club on Saturday 21st December by eight forty-five in the evening, I win.’
Phileas Fogg bets £20,000 that he can go round the world in eighty days – a huge sum of money in 1872, worth more than a million pounds today.
When he sets off on his amazing journey with his clever servant, Passepartout, they cannot afford the slightest delay. Will the two travellers have time to help Princess Aouda, when the brave and beautiful young woman is threatened with a cruel fate?
Detective Fix believes that Mr Fogg is a bank robber, and plans to arrest him. Will that be the end of Phileas Fogg’s chance to save his fortune?
Click on the thumbnails below to see sample spreads.
© Real Reads 2013