Spectator Out Loud: William Atkinson, Andreas Roth, Philip Womack, Mary Wakefield & Muriel Zagha

Moby-Dick is a novel that tells the story of Captain Ahab's maniacal quest for revenge against Moby Dick, the giant white sperm whale that bit off his leg. Narrated by Ishmael, the story follows the crew of the whaling ship Pequod as they embark on a journey that explores themes of obsession, man vs. nature, and the existential questions of good and evil. The novel is rich in detailed descriptions of whale hunting and life aboard a culturally diverse crew, and it has become a cornerstone of American and world literature.

King Lear, written by William Shakespeare around 1604-1606, is a tragedy that follows the story of King Lear, who decides to retire and divide his kingdom among his three daughters: Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia. The division is based on the eloquence of their declarations of love for him. However, Lear's youngest and favorite daughter, Cordelia, refuses to flatter him and is disinherited. The play unfolds with Lear's descent into madness, the betrayal by his elder daughters, and the subplot involving the Earl of Gloucester and his sons. Ultimately, the play ends in tragedy with the deaths of Lear, Cordelia, and several other main characters, highlighting themes of deception, power, and the consequences of poor judgment.

This version of 'The Monkey's Paw' is part of the Oxford Bookworms series, which adapts classic stories to make them more accessible to younger readers. The story revolves around a mummified monkey's paw that has the power to grant three wishes, but with dire and unintended consequences.

In 'Over the Edge of the World', Laurence Bergreen vividly recounts the epic journey of Ferdinand Magellan, who led the first expedition to circumnavigate the globe. This book delves into the challenges, discoveries, and tragic events that marked this historic voyage. It was a *New York Times* 'Notable Book' for 2003 and a bestseller.