Classics Gift Bundle

Robert Louis Stevenson, born in Edinburgh in 1850, was a novelist, poet and travel writer, best known for his adventure novels Kidnapped and Treasure Island, and gothic thriller The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.Stevenson was a sickly child, suffering bronchial issues throughout his life. His illnesses often prevented him from attending school, and so he was frequently educated at home by private tutors. However, he started writing stories in early childhood. Upon advice from his parents, he studied law at Edinburgh University, but always intended to pursue a career as a writer.In 1879, Stevenson set off for California to reunite with Fanny van de Grift, the woman who would become his wife. The journey provided exceptional inspiration for his writing, but it broke his health, and by the time he arrived in San Francisco he was on death’s door. Once he was recovered, the couple travelled extensively between Scotland and Europe, returning to the United States in 1887. It was in this period that Stevenson published his most successful novels. In 1888, the family sailed through the South Pacific for three years, an experience which transformed Stevenson’s health for the better. They settled in Samoa, where he died in 1894.

Lucy Maud Montgomery was a Canadian author best known for her series of children’s books featuring feisty orphan Anne Shirley.Born in the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island in 1874, which would serve as a setting for many of her novels, Montgomery was raised by her grandparents. Much of her childhood was spent alone, a fact which she credited with fostering her creativity and desire to write.Her first poem was published in 1890, but it would be nearly twenty years before she achieved fame as an author. She worked as a teacher, batting off multiple marriage proposals at the same time as she chose to focus on her career. In 1908, Anne of Green Gables was published to immediate success. She finally accepted a proposal and married in 1911, going on to have three sons. But she continued to write until her death in 1942, publishing over twenty novels, including several more instalments of the Green Gables series.Montgomery’s most famous work Anne of Green Gables, is available for purchase as a physical audiobook from the Voxblock website.

Anna Sewell is the author of one novel, children’s classic Black Beauty.Born in Norfolk in 1820, Sewell’s family moved to London when she was two, where they often struggled with poverty. When she was fourteen, Sewell slipped and severely injured her ankles, leaving her unable to walk without a crutch for the rest of her life. Her lack of mobility led her to develop a great reliance on horses, and as a result she was greatly concerned with the treatment of animals.‍Black Beauty, written while Sewell’s health was declining, was intended as a guide to the keeping of horses, and to encourage kindness to animals. Sewell died in 1878, only five months after the publication of Black Beauty, but having lived long enough to see her only novel become a success.

Born 1865 in India, Joseph Rudyard Kipling was a journalist, short story writer, poet and novelist. His childhood in India provided inspiration for much of his writing.At the age of five, Kipling was sent from India to England to be educated. He boarded with a couple in Portsmouth, where he was treated with cruelty and neglect. At the age of sixteen, Kipling returned to India, where he felt much more at home. There, he spent the next seven years working for English newspapers, and in 1886 he published his first collection of verse. Upon leaving his role at the newspaper in 1889, he sold the rights to six volumes of short stories and used the money to return to London, travelling through Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan and the United States on the way.Kipling continued to travel extensively throughout his life, publishing his most famous works The Jungle Book in 1894, and Kim in 1901. 1n 1907, he received the Nobel Prize for Literature, the first English language writer to do so and the youngest recipient to date.Kipling died in England in 1936, and his ashes are interred at Poet’s Corner.

Lyman Frank Baum was an American novelist, best known for his children’s books.Born in upstate New York in 1856, Baum was infatuated with the theatre from an early age. He married Maud Gage in 1882, and the couple moved to South Dakota where Baum ran a general store and edited the local newspaper. They later moved to Chicago where Baum held other journalistic posts, and in 1900 he published The Wonderful Wizard of Oz to great critical acclaim. The novel remained the bestselling children’s book for two years after publication. Baum went on to write thirteen more novels based on the Land of Oz. He also wrote several other books, under a variety of pseudonyms.Baum invested a significant amount of his own money in various creative and artistic endeavours, resulting in straitened financial circumstances for the family. The stress of this took its toll, and he died of a stroke in 1919 at the age of 62.

Jonathan Swift was an Anglo-Irish satirist, essayist and poet, born in Dublin in 1667.He studied at Trinity College, Dublin, and Oxford University, before working as a private tutor in England. Following the publication of A Tale of a Tub in 1704, Swift relocated to London and began to gain a reputation as a writer, establishing friendships with other literary figures such as Alexander Pope and John Gay. He became increasingly political, and was part of the Tory government’s inner circle in the 1710s.Queen Anne was not impressed with Swift’s writings, which she found blasphemous, and he was forced to return to Ireland in disgrace in the 1720s, where he took up the position of Dean of St Patrick’s Cathedral. He remained in Dublin until his death in 1745.

Jasper Britton's resonant voice and exceptional storytelling abilities make him a sought-after audiobook narrator. With a background in theater and a love for literature, Jasper infuses his narrations with energy and passion, drawing listeners into the heart of each story. His ability to convey a wide range of emotions and bring characters to life with authenticity adds depth and resonance to the audiobooks he narrates, making them a captivating and rewarding experience for listeners.

With her expressive and heartfelt narrations, Liza Ross captivates listeners, making audiobooks a joyful and immersive experience. With a background in theater and a deep appreciation for literature, Liza brings a unique blend of talent and passion to her narrations, creating a captivating and enchanting listening experience. Her ability to inhabit characters and convey a wide range of emotions with authenticity sets her narrations apart, making her audiobooks an absolute delight for listeners.

Jonathan Keeble's narrations are marked by his emotive and expressive voice, making audiobooks a captivating and enjoyable choice for listeners. With a background in performance and a love for literature, Jonathan infuses his narrations with enthusiasm and charm, drawing audiences into the heart of each story. His ability to create distinct voices for characters and convey a wide range of emotions adds depth and authenticity to the audiobooks he narrates, making them a cherished and captivating choice for all who listen.

Madhav Sharma's resonant voice and exceptional storytelling abilities make him a sought-after audiobook narrator. With a background in theater and a love for literature, Madhav infuses his narrations with energy and passion, drawing listeners into the heart of each story. His ability to convey a wide range of emotions and bring characters to life with authenticity adds depth and resonance to the audiobooks he narrates, making them a captivating and rewarding experience for listeners.

Benjamin Soames's captivating storytelling transports listeners to captivating worlds, making his audiobook narrations a thrilling and immersive journey. With a passion for history and a talent for vocal versatility, Benjamin brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to his narrations, creating an engaging and educational experience for those who listen. His ability to breathe life into historical figures and events adds depth and authenticity to the audiobooks he narrates, making them a fascinating choice for history enthusiasts and book lovers alike.