This is a literary biography of Joseph Conrad who is regarded as one of the greatest novelists in English. He was granted British nationality in 1886, but always considered himself a Pole. Though he did not speak English fluently until he was in his twenties , he was a master prose stylist who brought a distinctly non-English sensibility into English literature. He wrote stories and novels, many with a nautical setting, that depict trials of the human spirit. Sir Hugh Seymour Walpole, CBE was an English novelist. He was the son of an Anglican clergyman, intended for a career in the church but drawn instead to writing. Among those who encouraged him were the authors Henry James and Arnold Bennett. His skill at scene-setting, vivid plots, and high profile as a lecturer brought him a large readership in the United Kingdom and North America. He was a best-selling author in the 1920s and 1930s, but has been largely neglected since his death.... Joseph Conrad said of him, "We see Mr. Walpole grappling with the truth of things spiritual and material with his characteristic earnestness, and we can discern the characteristics of this acute and sympathetic explorer of human nature."

The book is probably better known under the title `Mr Perrin and Mr Traill', later made into a well-known film in 1948. Perrin and Traill are masters at a grim old-fashioned second-rate boarding public school in Cornwall - Perrin has been there many years and the youthful Traill has just arrived. The book concerns the growing antagonism between the two which turns into active dislike following an unfortunate incident and which eventually has devastating consequences. The author vividly captures the dreadful nature of such a cloistered society and the stultifying effect it has on the pupils, their teachers and the other adults in the community.

Rachel, a spirited young girl, has to choose between Francis Breton, her difficult cousin who has been disowned by the family, and Roddy Seddon, a conventional and rather boring but wealthy young man. She chooses Roddy but the marriage begins to collapse, and she meets Francis again. Looming over them is the spectre of the Duchess, Rachel's grandmother, who rules the family and favours Roddy. Also in the mix is Lizzie Rand, secretary to Aunt Adela, who lives in the same house as Breton. Set against the world of high society in London at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, the book follows the characters as their lives are profoundly altered following a serious accident to one of them.

Toying with the distinctions between reader and narrator, author and character, imagination and perception, Sir Hugh Seymour Walpole's The Golden Scarecrow, in nine chapters, presents nine stories of nine children, united by location, more or less. A tenth story of a tenth life, divided into Prologue and Epilogue, provides a different sort of unity. These gentle and horrible tales of the weird may seem suitable for young readers, then again, they may not.

Setting the template for almost every subsequent novel set at school, `Jeremy at Crale' follows the trials and tribulations of our eponymous hero. The third in the series, Jeremy is now 15 and finds himself the centre of attention, thanks to his football skills. However, in the school setting, attention can be both wanted and unwanted. Soon, Jeremy acquires his one great enemy and must work out what to do in order to survive each day. Semi-autobiographical, `Jeremy at Crale' is a funny and poignant exploration of puberty and relationships. Hugh Walpole (1884 - 1941) was one of Britain's most prolific and popular novelists. Although originally destined for a career in the church, Walpole found himself drawn to writing. During his career, Walpole wrote 36 novels, five compendiums of short stories, three sets of memoirs, and two plays. He is most famous for `Rogue Herries,' `A Prayer for my Son,' and `The Story of Dolittle,' which was adapted for the silver screen, and starred Robert Downey Junior.

The first of the `Jeremy' books, Jeremy introduces us to our hero, at the age of eight. Jeremy and his two sisters, Helen, and Mary, live in the quiet, unassuming town of Polchester. However, Jeremy has a nose for finding quirky characters and, through him, we meet Uncle Samuel, Jampot the nurse, and Hamlet, a stray dog. Semi-autobiographical, `Jeremy' is Walpole's first foray into school-themed books and one that set the template for other authors to follow. Ideal for Walpole fans of all ages. Hugh Walpole (1884 - 1941) was one of Britain's most prolific and popular novelists. Although originally destined for a career in the church, Walpole found himself drawn to writing. During his career, Walpole wrote 36 novels, five compendiums of short stories, three sets of memoirs, and two plays. He is most famous for `Rogue Herries,' `A Prayer for my Son,' and `The Story of Dolittle,' which was adapted for the silver screen, and starred Robert Downey Junior.

The second in the `Jeremy' series, `Jeremy and Hamlet' switches between two perspectives: those of our 10-year-old hero and those of his dog, Hamlet. With Jeremy away at school, Hamlet must get through each day without his human best friend. Similarly, Jeremy is pitted against the problems that only school can throw at you. A funny and fascinating read, `Jeremy and Hamlet' is an ideal read for Walpole fans of all ages. Hugh Walpole (1884 - 1941) was one of Britain's most prolific and popular novelists. Although originally destined for a career in the church, Walpole found himself drawn to writing. During his career, Walpole wrote 36 novels, five compendiums of short stories, three sets of memoirs, and two plays. He is most famous for `Rogue Herries,' `A Prayer for my Son,' and `The Story of Dolittle,' which was adapted for the silver screen, and starred Robert Downey Junior.