By George Meredith. Designed and Edited with an Introduction by Colin Heston.

Sandra Belloni, first published in 1864 under the title Emilia in England, occupies a distinctive place in the literary corpus of George Meredith. It represents one of his earliest extended efforts to merge the comic novel with a more pointed social critique, a technique that would become a hallmark of his mature style. This novel, rich in subtle irony and psychological insight, grapples with the tensions between individuality and conformity, art and social convention, and the constraints of class and gender in Victorian England. At its heart, it is a narrative about a young woman of Italian descent, Emilia Belloni, whose musical gifts and unorthodox spirit clash with the expectations of the rigid English society into which she is thrust.

Meredith uses Emilia’s character not merely as a protagonist but as a symbolic figure—an embodiment of passionate sincerity, artistic freedom, and the disruptive power of the outsider. Emilia’s foreignness is not just ethnic; it is deeply cultural and emotional. Her instincts are governed by feeling and a commitment to truth, which repeatedly brings her into conflict with the carefully cultivated hypocrisies and social facades of the English middle and upper classes. Through her, Meredith examines the ways in which English society suppresses emotional authenticity in favor of propriety and self-interest.

In reading Sandra Belloni today, one encounters not only a portrait of Victorian society in all its contradictions but also an enduring exploration of the universal struggle between the self and society, between the voice that seeks to sing freely and the forces that would silence it. It is a novel that resonates beyond its historical moment, inviting readers to reflect on the costs and necessities of remaining true to oneself in the face of overwhelming pressure to conform.

Read-Me.Org Inc. New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2025. 318p.

By R. L. Stevenson. Edited by Colin Heston.

“St. Ives: Being the Adventures of a French Prisoner in England” is an unfinished historical romance by Robert Louis Stevenson, posthumously Vol. XX published and included in Volume XX of the Swanston Edition of his collected works. Begun in 1893 during Stevenson’s final years in Samoa, the novel was left incomplete at his death in 1894 and later finished by Arthur Quiller-Couch, a respected British writer and editor.

Set during the Napoleonic Wars, St. Ives follows the escapades of Viscomte Anne de Keroual de St. Ives, a dashing and witty French officer who is captured and imprisoned in Scotland. The novel opens with his internment at Edinburgh Castle, from which he eventually escapes, embarking on a series of adventures across the British countryside. Along the way, he encounters a colorful cast of characters, including fellow prisoners, eccentric aristocrats, and a romantic interest, Flora Gilchrist, whose loyalty and courage become central to the story.

Thematically, St. Ives explores identity, honor, and the absurdities of war, all delivered with Stevenson’s characteristic blend of humor, irony, and narrative flair. The protagonist’s aristocratic pride and gallant demeanor are frequently tested by the unpredictable circumstances of exile and captivity, offering a light-hearted yet insightful commentary on the nature of heroism and national rivalry.

Although the novel remains incomplete in Stevenson’s hand—he wrote approximately thirty chapters before his death—Quiller-Couch’s continuation, based on Stevenson’s notes and stylistic cues, brings the story to a satisfying conclusion. The transition between authors is handled with care, though literary scholars often distinguish between the two parts in terms of tone and polish.

The Swanston Edition presents St. Ives with critical apparatus, including editorial notes and historical context, allowing readers to appreciate both the literary qualities of the work and the circumstances of its creation. As a late work, it reflects Stevenson’s enduring fascination with adventure, character, and the interplay between personal freedom and historical forces.

“St. Ives” stands as a testament to Stevenson’s narrative gifts and his ability to infuse even unfinished tales with charm, wit, and enduring appeal. It offers a unique glimpse into the author’s creative process and remains a valuable piece of his literary legacy.

This volume has been carefully edited and redesigned by Colin Heston, a renowned novelist and storyteller, to make the book more enjoyable and comprehensible to the modern reader.

Read-Me.Org Inc. Australia-New York-Philadelphia. 2025. 245p.

By Digby Anderson

A dictionary like no other!

"This book will shortly replace a university;education and it's cheaper." John Cleese.

The dictionary of dangerous words from access to zionist via exclusion, partner and self-esteem.

Contributors: Alice Thomas, Ellis Frederick Forsyth, Simon Heffer, Peter Hitchens, Andrew Roberts, Auberon Waugh, Michael Wharton, and many Others

London. Social Affairs Unit. No Date. 129p.