Fifteen vivid stories set in Europe and Mansfield's native New Zealand populate this selection of tales inspired by the complex nature of the human condition. The author delivers an insightful look at modern behavior post-World War I. The Garden Party and Other Stories features multiple tales highlighting the highs and lows of contemporary life. The title story, "The Garden Party," centers on a wealthy young woman struggling with the concept of...

"Winn Van Meter is heading for his family's retreat on the pristine New England island of Waskeke. Normally a haven of calm, for the next three days this sanctuary will be overrun by tipsy revelers as Winn prepares for the marriage of his daughter Daphne to the affable young scion Greyson Duff. Winn's wife, Biddy, has planned the wedding with military precision, but arrangements are sideswept by a storm of salacious misbehavior and intractable lust:...

A foundling of mysterious parentage brought up by Mr. Allworthy on his country estate, Tom Jones is deeply in love with the seemingly unattainable Sophia Western, the beautiful daughter of the neighboring squire—though he sometimes succumbs to the charms of the local girls. When Tom is banished to make his own fortune and Sophia follows him to London to escape an arranged marriage, the adventure begins.

Thomas Hardy's "The Woodlanders" was first published serially in 1887. The tale takes place in the woodland village of Little Hintock and is centers around the romantic dramas of its inhabitants. The story begins with Giles Winterborne, an honest woodsman, who wishes to marry his childhood sweetheart, Grace Melbury. While the two have been informally betrothed to each other since they were young, Grace gains an education through her father's persistent...

One of the most famous of Honore de Balzac's novels, "Lost Illusions" paints a faithful picture of the spectacular but superficial world of mid-19th century French society, and the indissoluble relationship between the bourgeois and aristocratic classes. Originally published serially from 1837 to 1843, the story features the main characters Lucien Chardon, a vain and naïve poet and journalist, and his friend and brother-in-law David Sechard, an innovative,...

Dickens' genius for creating eccentric yet entirely captivating characters found its fullest expression in his r novel, Nicholas Nickleby, published in 1830. The story follows Nicholas as he escapes from one situation into another.

Retells in simple language the events leading up to and following young Jane's arrival at Thornfield Hall, a country estate owned by the mysterious Mr. Rochester.

From Miramax, directed by Ian Softley, Helena Bonham-Carter, Linus Roache, Elizabeth McGovern, and Charlotte Rampling star in this film about a gravely ill young woman searching for happiness and self-fulfillment.