Gautier Théophile Knihy

"In the reign of Cleopatra, an insignificant young man is in love. MeIamoun is captivated by his beloved, but she seems unattainable. There is a reason why the handsome young fellow is barred from his quest. The one he wants is his queen. He stands on the outskirts of great ceremonies just to catch a glimpse of her. He dreams of her charms and fascinations constantly. One night, having followed her royal cangia along the Nile to a palace at the waters' edge, his obsession overtakes him - through an open window he fires an arrow with a note attached which bears the simple words "I love you." Will Cleopatra acknowledge him? What further feats of daring must he undertake to get near her? If he does, what could possibly happen? In this high-stakes undertaking, one thing is for sure - he will risk his life ... One of Cleopatra's Nights was first published with other novellas in a volume entitled A Tear of the Devil in 1839"--Cover description.

This 1856 novella from the master of fantasy and the supernatural, featuring one of the most hauntingly surreal denouements in nineteenth-century fiction, is a brilliant and witty examination of man's innermost fantasies and fears.

Nikdo si nevěděl rady s nemocí, která Octava de Savillea pomalu ničila zevnitř. Neležel v posteli, jeho život plynul obvyklým způsobem, a přestože nikdy nevyslovil žádnou stížnost, pro všechny bylo zřejmé, že se pomalu rozpadá. Jednoho dne však Octave dostane návštěvu od tajemného léčitele, jemuž se svěřuje se svým srdcem. Rozvíjí se vysoce zábavný příběh, v němž dochází k tělesné výměně a milostným zmatkům, které zpochybňují vše.

Un jeune homme s'apprête à devenir prêtre. Sa vie, jusqu'ici, fut un modèle pour tous. Mais en pleine messe, son regard croise celui d'une femme à la beauté sans égale. Et c'en est fini des convictions inébranlables. Lui qui consacre sa vie à Dieu est prêt à vendre son âme au Diable. Que lui importe alors les avertissements de ses congénères ? Cette femme est un suppôt de Satan, un vampire. La preuve ? Même après sa mort, elle continue de tourmenter le jeune prêtre, qui ne sait plus distinguer le songe de la réalité. Gentilhomme à Venise ou curé de campagne ? Jusqu'où le sortilège le mènera-t-il ?