William Makepeace Thackeray Livres

Mémoires de Barry Lyndon (originellement The Luck of Barry Lyndon) est à la fois une autobiographie fictive et un roman picaresque, historique, satirique et d'aventures de l'écrivain britannique William Makepeace Thackeray (1811-1863). Cette œuvre s'inspire en grande partie de la vie d'un personnage réel, l'aventurier irlandais Andrew Robinson Stoney. L'histoire couvre la période allant de 1745 environ jusqu'à 1814, année de la mort du héros. Bien que la vie de Barry s'étale sur l'ensemble de la seconde moitié du siècle et même au-delà, le récit se concentre sur les vingt-cinq années allant du départ de Barry de son Irlande natale (1759-1760) à sa chute ignominieuse deux ans après la mort de son fils (1785-1786). Le livre raconte l'histoire d'un « rogue », c'est-à-dire d'une canaille, imbu de lui-même jusqu'à la naïveté, dénué de scrupules, vaniteux et vantard, prêt à tout, jusqu'à la pire brutalité, pour parvenir à ses fins. C'est à lui, convaincu d'être le meilleur et le plus grand des hommes, que l'auteur a confié les clefs de la narration, point de vue, œil, oreille, voix, lui et les événements qu'il vit se donnant à voir et entendre tels qu'il les considère. Thackeray, cependant, a l'art de ridiculiser la société par son intermédiaire et, dans le même temps, de dessiner une critique en creux du personnage ; aussi Barry apparaît-il à la fois comme l'objet et l'agent de sa satire.

A collection of satirical works on English society in the mid 19th century and attributed with coining the word snob in its current usage.This humorous study begins with the assertion that 'Snobs are to be studied like other objects of Natural Science'.

The narrative centers on Catherine Hayes, an 18th-century criminal executed for her husband's murder, as Thackeray critiques the glorification of crime in contemporary literature. By choosing Hayes, he aims to present a starkly unflattering portrayal, contrasting with the romanticized depictions found in the works of authors like Bulwer-Lytton and Dickens. Thackeray's intention is to challenge the moral implications of crime fiction, offering a more realistic and harsh view of criminality, thereby marking a significant departure from the prevailing literary trends of his time.

Culturally significant, this work has been preserved from its original artifact, maintaining authenticity with original copyright references and library stamps. It serves as a vital piece of the knowledge base of civilization, reflecting the historical context and importance of the material. The reproduction aims to honor the integrity of the original text, making it a valuable resource for scholars and readers interested in historical works.

Known for his sharp satire, Thackeray's works provide a vivid portrayal of 19th-century English society, particularly through characters like Becky Sharp in Vanity Fair. He began his literary career with satirical sketches, later developing into a novelist whose themes often critique high society, marriage, and hypocrisy. His notable works include Catherine, The Fitz-Boodle Papers, and The History of Pendennis, showcasing his talent for blending humor with social commentary. Thackeray's unique voice and keen observations make his contributions to literature enduring.

Includes A Shabby Genteel Story Rebecca and Rowena Novels by Eminent Hands The Rose and the Ring selected parodies and poems

No one is better equipped in the struggle for wealth and worldly success than the alluring and ruthless Becky Sharp, who defies her impoverished background to clamber up the class ladder. Her sentimental companion Amelia, however, longs only for caddish soldier George.

Vanity Fair, Thackeray's panoramic, satirical saga of corruption at all levels of English society, was published in 1847 but set during the Napoleonic Wars. It chronicles the lives of two women who could not be more different: Becky Sharp, an orphan whose only resources are her vast ambitions, her native wit, and her loose morals; and her schoolmate Amelia Sedley, a typically naive Victorian heroine, the pampered daughter of a wealthy family. Becky's fluctuating fortunes eventually bring her to an affair with Amelia's dissolute husband; when he is killed at Waterloo, Amelia and her child are left penniless, while Becky and her husband Rawdon Crawley rise in the world, managing to lead a high life in London solely on the basis of their shrewdness. (The chapter entitled "How to Live on Nothing" is a classic.) Thackeray's subtitle, "A Novel Without a Hero," is understating the case; his view of humanity in this novel is distinctly bleak and deliberately antiheroic. Critics of the time misunderstood the book, decrying it as (among other things) vicious, vile, and odious. But VANITY FAIR has endured as one of the great comic novels of all time, and a landmark in the history of realism in fiction.

Set in the fictional realms of Paflagonia and Crim Tartary, this satirical fantasy critiques societal norms, particularly those surrounding monarchy, beauty, and marriage. The narrative follows the fortunes of four royal cousins, unfolding in a whimsical manner akin to a "Fireside Pantomime." Each page features a poetic line that encapsulates the plot, enhancing the storytelling experience. Accompanied by Thackeray's own illustrations, the book reflects his artistic aspirations and offers a humorous yet pointed commentary on the elite's values.