Author: Samuel Whitfield Thackeray

1Vanity Fair

By William Makepeace Thackeray

<i>Vanity Fair: A Novel without a Hero</i> is a novel by William Makepeace Thackeray that satirizes society in early 19th-century England. Like many novels of the time, <i>Vanity Fair</i> was published as a serial before being sold in book form; it was printed in 20 monthly parts between January 1847 and July 1848.<br /><br /> Thackeray meant the book to be not only entertaining but also instructive; this is shown both by the narrator of the book and in Thackeray's private correspondence. The novel is now remembered as a classic of English literature, though some critics claim that it has structural problems; Thackeray sometimes lost track of the huge scope of his work, mixing up characters' names and minor plot details. The number of allusions and references it contains can make it difficult for modern readers to follow.

2History of Henry Esmond, Esq., A Colonel in the Service of Her Majesty Queen Anne

By William Makepeace Thackeray

A classic Victorian novel and a historical novel rolled into one! Read about court and army life during the reign of Queen Anne - a story of Catholic - Protestant intrigue, and the party which aspired to the restoration of Bonny Prince Charlie. And, a good love story as well. (Summary by Karen Merline)

3Book of Snobs

By William Makepeace Thackeray

The necessity of a work on Snobs, demonstrated from History, and proved by felicitous illustrations:—I am the individual destined to write that work—My vocation is announced in terms of great eloquence—I show that the world has been gradually preparing itself for the WORK and the MAN—Snobs are to be studied like other objects of Natural Science, and are a part of the Beautiful (with a large B). They pervade all classes—Affecting instance of Colonel Snobley. (Summary excerpted from Prefatory Remarks from the book by W. M. Thackeray)

"Vanity Fair: A Novel without a Hero" is een in de jaren 1847-1848 gepubliceerde roman van William Makepeace Thackeray, een satire over de vroege 19e-eeuwse Engelse samenleving. Zoals in die tijd gebruikelijk was, verscheen de roman eerst in een (20-delige) serie als feuilleton in een tijdschrift.<BR><BR> Vanitas Vanitatum. Wie van ons is gelukkig in deze wereld? Wie van ons heeft wat hij verlangt?, of zoo hij het heeft wie is voldaan?<BR> (Samenvatting geschreven door nl.Wikipedia)

5Virginians

By William Makepeace Thackeray

It tells the story of Henry Esmond's twin grandsons, George and Henry Warrington. Henry's romantic entanglements with an older woman lead up to his taking a commission in the British army and fighting under the command of General Wolfe at the capture of Quebec. On the outbreak of the American War of Independence he takes the revolutionary side. George, who is also a British officer, thereupon resigns his commission rather than take up arms against his brother. (Summary by Wikipedia)

6Rose And The Ring

By William Makepeace Thackeray

Victorian social satire hiding in a set of children's fairy tales by the author of the classic "Vanity Fair" - Summary by Stav Nisser

7Vanity Fair (version 2)

By William Makepeace Thackeray

One of the great Victorian novels by an author at the height of his powers, Vanity Fair follows the fortunes of the calculating, upwardly-mobile Becky Sharp and her gentle, good-hearted friend Amelia Sedley as they leave their boarding school and embark upon their lives in Vanity Fair – the social climbing, wealth-obsessed world of Regency England in the time of the Napoleonic Wars. - Summary by Helen Taylor

8History of Pendennis

By William Makepeace Thackeray

In Pendennis, William Makepeace Thackeray skillfully shows the coming of age of Arthur Pendennis, a young gentleman trying to make his way in the world. Pen's difficulties in finding his place in the difficult maze of social obstacles are created to some extent by his being raised in the country and being from an ancient though impoverished family. We follow his course from the village in which he was raised via Oxbridge to London, meeting the most memorable characters, falling in and out of love, navigating the difficulties of society, and hopefully finally arriving at a happy end. - Summary by Carolin

9Memoirs of Barry Lyndon, Esq.

By William Makepeace Thackeray

First published as a serial in Fraser's Magazine in 1844 as The Luck of Barry Lyndon, The Memoirs of Barry Lyndon, Esq is a picaresque novel, narrated (occasionally charmingly, always unreliably) by a member of the 18th-century Irish gentry. Redmond Barry, later Barry Lyndon, describes his rise to - and inevitable fall from - the top of the English aristocracy. Romantic, military and political intrigue, as well as satire and pathos, follow. Editorial notes, courtesy of Thackeray's fictitious alter ego, G. S. FitzBoodle, interject further levels of irony, humour and detachment.<br><br>Thackeray, who based the novel in part on the life and exploits of the Anglo-Irish rake and fortune-hunter Andrew Robinson Stoney, among other historical sources, significantly revised and reissued the book in 1856 under its current title.<br><br>Its unreliable, morally dubious narrator, metafictional editor, and multiple layers of interpretive possibility make it a fascinating precursor to the modern novel, while Thackeray's characteristic interest in the specifics of 18th-century life ensures a rich and engaging backdrop.<br><br>In 1975, Stanley Kubrick adapted the book for his film Barry Lyndon, since widely regarded as one of the finest films ever made.<br><br>This audiobook was read from a 1902 edition edited by Walter Jerrold, who provides a brief introduction. - Summary by mb

10Our Street

By William Makepeace Thackeray

Written as an autobiographical sketch of a Mr. M.A. Titmarsh, Our Street is a tongue-in-cheek look at English society and the characters who live in the street where he finds himself. It is the second of five "Christmas Books" written by Thackeray under the pseudonym of M.A. Titmarsh.

11Newcomes

By William Makepeace Thackeray

The Newcomes: Memoirs of a Most Respectable Family was written in serial form in 1854- 1855 by the author of such works as Vanity Fair, The Book Of Snobs. It tells the story of a few generations of the Newcome family: their rise to respectability, marriages, love, and the culture in which they lived. The novel teaches the reader what it was like to live in Victorian England - Summary by Stav Nisser

12Catherine: A Story

By William Makepeace Thackeray

The wild and raw adventures of Catherine Hayes, who was burned for murder at Tyburn in 1742 - Summary by Mark Leder