The Rat Catcher And Other Stories

What could be more terrifying than a city crawling with rats? In “The Ratcatcher,” a story eerily similar to the legend of the Piped Piper, readers are taken to an old German town where that’s exactly the problem. However, by the end of the tale, it’s not just the rats that have disappeared—it’s all the town’s children! This and other terrible tales are accompanied by full-color images and illustrations that add some beauty to otherwise dark literary worlds. The fire of readers’ imaginations will be lit as they encounter unforgettable storytelling in "Gold-tree and Silver-tree," "The Devil and his Grandmother," and "The King Who Would See Paradise."

These stories are fiendishly frightening to thrill, chill and thoroughly entertain young readers.

In a bucolic idyll, a terrorist agonizes over the act of violence he is about to commit. On a remote island in the South Pacific, the investigation of a case of mass suicide reveals further mysteries. In a far-flung colony, a cynical trio sends an unwitting man into the wilderness in search of a chimera. Mixing romance and high adventure, intrigue and the fantastic, these magnificent tales by one of Russia’s most enduringly popular writers deftly probe the depths of human nature and desire. Fandango and Other Stories presents a selection of essential short fiction by Alexander Grin, Russia’s counterpart to Robert Louis Stevenson, Edgar Allan Poe, and Alexandre Dumas. By turns a sailor, a dockworker, a vagrant, a gold prospector, a lumberjack, a soldier, a deserter, an agitator, an exile, a prisoner, and a runaway, Grin wrote seven novels and over three hundred short stories that transport the reader to a realm of pure art and imagination. His ingenious plots explore conflicts of the individual and society in a romantic world populated by a cast of eccentric, cosmopolitan characters. Fandango and Other Stories includes works drawn from across the entirety of Grin’s varied career to encompass the range and sophistication of his writing. Bryan Karetnyk’s elegant translations bring Grin’s distinctive voice to a new generation of readers.

The Ratcatcher is a short, sharp, distrubing story from Roald Dahl, the master of the shocking tale. In The Ratcatcher, Roald Dahl, one of the world's favourite authors, tells a sinister story about the darker side of human nature. Here, a ratcatcher has a most unusual way of dealing with these pests . . . The Ratcatcher is taken from the short story collection Someone Like You, which includes seventeen other devious and shocking stories, featuring the wife who serves a dish that baffles the police; a curious machine that reveals the horrifying truth about plants; the man waiting to be bitten by the venomous snake asleep on his stomach; and others. 'The absolute master of the twist in the tale.' (Observer ) This story is also available as a Penguin digital audio download read by Jessica Hynes. Roald Dahl, the brilliant and worldwide acclaimed author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, Matilda, and many more classics for children, also wrote scores of short stories for adults. These delightfully disturbing tales have often been filmed and were most recently the inspiration for the West End play, Roald Dahl's Twisted Tales by Jeremy Dyson. Roald Dahl's stories continue to make readers shiver today.

"The Old Willow Tree and Other Stories" by Carl Ewald is a captivating collection of short stories that transports readers into a world of imagination, wonder, and reflection. Through these tales, the author explores various themes, emotions, and human experiences, leaving a lasting impression on readers of all ages. The title story, "The Old Willow Tree," revolves around an ancient tree that stands as a witness to the passing of time and the unfolding of human lives. It becomes a focal point for a diverse cast of characters who seek solace, wisdom, and comfort beneath its branches. The story beautifully conveys the tree's significance as a symbol of resilience, continuity, and the cyclical nature of life. In "The Magic Cap," readers are introduced to a young boy who stumbles upon a magical cap that grants him the power to understand the language of animals. Through this newfound ability, he embarks on exciting adventures and learns valuable life lessons, emphasizing the importance of empathy and compassion. Other stories in the collection explore themes of friendship, love, and the complexities of human relationships. Each narrative introduces distinct characters and situations that resonate with readers, making them reflect on their own experiences and emotions. Carl Ewald's storytelling is imbued with a sense of wonder and a deep connection to nature and the human spirit. His prose flows gracefully, drawing readers into the worlds he creates with vivid imagery and emotional depth. Throughout "The Old Willow Tree and Other Stories," Ewald's narratives touch on universal themes that transcend time and place, making the collection a timeless treasure. Whether it's the enchanting encounters with animals, the exploration of human emotions, or the celebration of the beauty of nature, each story has its own unique charm and resonance. Readers of "The Old Willow Tree and Other Stories" will be captivated by Carl Ewald's ability to weave heartfelt tales that evoke a wide range of emotions. The collection serves as a reminder of the power of storytelling to connect us to our shared humanity and the world around us."

Hans Christian Andersen wrote many familiar fairy tales. However, his original stories have much scarier details than the versions many readers know. In “The Little Mermaid,” the sea witch didn’t just magically take the little mermaid’s voice to prevent her from speaking—she took her tongue! It’s tidbits like this that will give readers the chills as they enter the fantasy world of "The Witch," "Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp," and "How Bradamante Conquered the Wizard." Each story showcases how content and word choice can add to a story’s haunting tone, and full-color—but creepy—images and illustrations offer readers a jumping-off point to allow their imaginations to roam.