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Theme: isolation

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Pride and Prejudice / Longing and Separation

Author: Jane Austen (Gutenberg)  | Themes: unrequited love, social class, courtship, isolation, hope  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2026-02-03

They were confined for the evening at different tables; and she had nothing to hope, but that his eyes were so often turned towards her side of the ro...
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Frankenstein / Descent and Liberation

Author: Mary Shelley (Gutenberg)  | Themes: struggle, enlightenment, nature, isolation, transformation  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2026-02-02

I walked and, I believe, descended, but I presently found a great alteration in my sensations. Before, dark and opaque bodies had surrounded me, imper...
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Gulliver's Travels / Imperial Vulnerability

Author: Jonathan Swift (Gutenberg)  | Themes: war, isolation, strategy, power, cunning  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2026-02-02

The empress’s apartment on fire by an accident; the author instrumental in saving the rest of the palace. The empire of Blefuscu is an island situated...
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Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea / Vigilance at Sea

Author: Jules Verne (Gutenberg)  | Themes: observation, duty, vigilance, mythology, isolation  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2026-02-02

I leave you to judge how eyes were used on board the _Abraham Lincoln_. For my own part I was not behind the others, and left to no one my share of da...
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A Journey to the Centre of the Earth / Man vs Nature

Author: Jules Verne (Gutenberg)  | Themes: vulnerability, isolation, hubris, human agency  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2026-01-30

As we are totally incapable of steering our frail craft, we shall become the mere plaything of the storm, and it is acting the part of madmen if we, a...
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Around the World in Eighty Days / Mormon Society Insight

Author: Jules Verne (Gutenberg)  | Themes: faith and governance, polygamy, community structure, isolation, identity  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2026-01-29

They saw few or no churches, but the prophet’s mansion, the court-house, and the arsenal, blue-brick houses with verandas and porches, surrounded by g...
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A Journey to the Centre of the Earth / Frozen Frontiers

Author: Jules Verne (Gutenberg)  | Themes: isolation, exploration, nature's power, existential dread  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2026-01-26

To the east one only existed somewhere about the eightieth degree of latitude, the Esk, upon the island of Jan Mayen, not far from the frozen regions ...
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Gulliver's Travels / Isolation and Discovery

Author: Jonathan Swift (Gutenberg)  | Themes: exploration, survival, nature's power, isolation, resilience  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2026-01-26

Three days after my arrival, walking out of curiosity to the north-east coast of the island, I observed, about half a league off in the sea, somewhat ...
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The War of the Worlds / Domestic Dread

Author: H.G. Wells (Gutenberg)  | Themes: trauma, isolation, fear, the uncanny, domesticity  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2026-01-24

I startled my wife at the doorway, so haggard was I. I went into the dining room, sat down, drank some wine, and so soon as I could collect myself suf...
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Gulliver's Travels / Observation and Folly

Author: Jonathan Swift (Gutenberg)  | Themes: wisdom vs folly, isolation, observation, authority, enlightenment  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2026-01-22

That he laughed at their folly, and went himself in the boat, ordering his men to take a strong cable along with them. That the weather being calm, he...
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Frankenstein / Alienation and Identity

Author: Mary Shelley (Gutenberg)  | Themes: isolation, identity, belonging, emotional distance, formative experiences  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2026-01-22

The gentle words of Agatha and the animated smiles of the charming Arabian were not for me. The mild exhortations of the old man and the lively conver...
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A Journey to the Centre of the Earth / Echoes of Solitude

Author: Jules Verne (Gutenberg)  | Themes: isolation, communication, dread, self-reflection, existentialism  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2026-01-17

Still it was a positive fact that someone was speaking. A dread fell upon my soul that it might be my own words brought back to me by a distant echo. ...
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Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea / Granite Majesty

Author: Jules Verne (Gutenberg)  | Themes: exploration, isolation, nature's power, romanticism, grandeur  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2026-01-15

At last, after about four hours, this marvellous excursion came to an end. A wall of superb rocks, in an imposing mass, rose before us, a heap of giga...
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Gulliver's Travels / Observing Power

Author: Jonathan Swift (Gutenberg)  | Themes: separation, perspective, power dynamics, isolation  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2026-01-12

and, the space being so wide between that and the palace, I could easily view it on every side.
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A Journey to the Centre of the Earth / Emotional Isolation

Author: Jules Verne (Gutenberg)  | Themes: isolation, responsibility, duality, sacrifice, conflict  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2026-01-12

I prepared to execute my self-allotted task--not, it must be confessed, without considerable emotion. After a hearty repast, my uncle and the hunter-g...
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Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea / Depth and Dependence

Author: Jules Verne (Gutenberg)  | Themes: isolation, technology, exploration, camaraderie, survival  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2026-01-10

“Let us remain together until we are out of this block.” “As you please, sir,” Conseil replied. I often looked at the instruments hanging from the par...
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Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea / Depths of Discovery

Author: Jules Verne (Gutenberg)  | Themes: exploration, pressure, isolation, adventure, the unknown  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2026-01-08

We had attained a depth of 16,000 yards (four leagues), and the sides of the _Nautilus_ then bore a pressure of 1,600 atmospheres, that is to say, 3,2...
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Frankenstein / Creators Horror

Author: Mary Shelley (Gutenberg)  | Themes: monstrosity, responsibility, isolation, ambition, fear  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2026-01-07

I started from my sleep with horror; a cold dew covered my forehead, my teeth chattered, and every limb became convulsed; when, by the dim and yellow ...
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Gulliver's Travels / Voyages and Encounters

Author: Jonathan Swift (Gutenberg)  | Themes: exploration, satire, adventure, critique, isolation  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2026-01-06

In the mean time, I here conclude the second part of my unfortunate voyages. A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA, BALNIBARBI, GLUBBDUBDRIB, LUGGNAGG AND JAPAN. I had n...
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Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea / Secrets of the Deep

Author: Jules Verne (Gutenberg)  | Themes: exploration, isolation, identity, technology, burdens  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2026-01-05

The chest was securely fastened, and the Captain wrote an address on the lid, in characters which must have belonged to Modern Greece. This done, Capt...
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Frankenstein / Fear of Knowledge

Author: Mary Shelley (Gutenberg)  | Themes: isolation, ambition, friendship, internal conflict, fear  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2026-01-03

He soon perceived that I disliked the subject; but not guessing the real cause, he attributed my feelings to modesty, and changed the subject from my ...
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Gulliver's Travels / Curiosity and Fear

Author: Jonathan Swift (Gutenberg)  | Themes: vulnerability, curiosity, isolation, unpredictability, companionship  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2026-01-03

The weather being very warm, the closet-window was left open, as well as the windows and the door of my bigger box, in which I usually lived, because ...
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Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea / Nemos Ascent

Author: Jules Verne (Gutenberg)  | Themes: isolation, mastery, nature, ambition, transcendence  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2026-01-03

Captain Nemo went towards the peak, which he doubtless meant to be his observatory. It was a painful ascent over the sharp lava and the pumice-stones,...
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The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes / Psychological Turmoil

Author: Arthur Conan Doyle (Gutenberg)  | Themes: isolation, trauma, investigation, change, narrative disconnect  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2026-01-03

That was a week ago, and from that time I have not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor seen the man in the road.” “Pray conti...
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Frankenstein / Desolation and Vulnerability

Author: Mary Shelley (Gutenberg)  | Themes: isolation, fear, despair, nature, emotional turmoil  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2026-01-03

dark when I awoke; I felt cold also, and half frightened, as it were, instinctively, finding myself so desolate. Before I had quitted your apartment, ...
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The War of the Worlds / Disruption and Isolation

Author: H.G. Wells (Gutenberg)  | Themes: industrialization, isolation, chaos, change, modernity  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2026-01-03

I could just see the curate’s face, a dim, oval shape, and his collar and cuffs. Outside there began a metallic hammering, then a violent hooting, and...
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Dracula / Maritime Uncertainty

Author: Bram Stoker (Gutenberg)  | Themes: exploration, danger, communication, isolation, adventure  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2026-01-03

The wind is high--I can hear it in the shrouds, and the bow throws back the foam.” It is evident that the _Czarina Catherine_ is still at sea, hasteni...
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Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea / Confrontation with Authority

Author: Jules Verne (Gutenberg)  | Themes: fear, authority, internal conflict, adventure, isolation  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2026-01-03

Certainly my trouble and agitation would have betrayed me to Captain Nemo’s eyes. At every moment I expected to see him appear, and ask me why I wishe...
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Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea / Survival in Isolation

Author: Jules Verne (Gutenberg)  | Themes: isolation, survival, psychological struggle, nature's hostility, human endurance  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2026-01-03

On March 22, the _Nautilus_ was in the open polar seas. For five days we had lived on the reserve on board. And what was left of the respirable air mu...
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Frankenstein / Creator and Creature

Author: Mary Shelley (Gutenberg)  | Themes: rejection, compassion, creation, isolation, identity  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2026-01-03

Relieve me from the sight of your detested form.” “Thus I relieve thee, my creator,” he said, and placed his hated hands before my eyes, which I flung...
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Dracula / Imminent Tension

Author: Bram Stoker (Gutenberg)  | Themes: fear, isolation, trust, the unknown, maritime  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2026-01-03

Mate getting very impatient with them; feared some trouble ahead. * * * * * On 17 July, yesterday, one of the men, Olgaren, came to my cabin, and in a...
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Frankenstein / Journey of Vengeance

Author: Mary Shelley (Gutenberg)  | Themes: resilience, revenge, isolation, suffering, endurance  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2025-12-17

I have traversed a vast portion of the earth and have endured all the hardships which travellers in deserts and barbarous countries are wont to meet. ...
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Dracula / Vulnerability and Anxiety

Author: Bram Stoker (Gutenberg)  | Themes: psychological burden, care, isolation, anxiety, vulnerability  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2025-12-16

She seems not too well herself, and doubtless she fears to worry me. I tried to keep awake, and succeeded for a while; but when the clock struck twelv...
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Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea / Echoes of Despair

Author: Jules Verne (Gutenberg)  | Themes: isolation, communication, uncertainty, hope, despair  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2025-12-16

help!” Our movements were suspended for an instant; we listened. It might be only a singing in the ear, but it seemed to me as if a cry answered the c...
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Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea / Exploration and Isolation

Author: Jules Verne (Gutenberg)  | Themes: discovery, isolation, nature, adventure, exploration  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2025-12-16

I thought that a mountainous region was succeeding the long plains; and accordingly, after a few evolutions of the _Nautilus_, I saw the southerly hor...
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The War of the Worlds / Desolation Aftermath

Author: H.G. Wells (Gutenberg)  | Themes: war, loss, destruction, isolation, nature  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2025-12-14

In a few minutes there was, so far as the soldier could see, not a living thing left upon the common, and every bush and tree upon it that was not alr...
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Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea / Exploration and Isolation

Author: Jules Verne (Gutenberg)  | Themes: adventure, loss, discovery, isolation, exploration  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2025-12-12

I had not seen Captain Nemo for a week, when, on the morning of the 27th, he came into the large drawing-room, always seeming as if he had seen you fi...
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Gulliver's Travels / Transformative Landscape

Author: Jonathan Swift (Gutenberg)  | Themes: transformation, leadership, isolation, pastoral beauty, societal critique  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2025-12-09

But, in three hours travelling, the scene was wholly altered; we came into a most beautiful country; farmers’ houses, at small distances, neatly built...
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Gulliver's Travels / Despair and Ingenuity

Author: Jonathan Swift (Gutenberg)  | Themes: isolation, survival, desperation, hope, communication  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2025-12-09

I then fastened my handkerchief to a stick I usually carried, and thrusting it up the hole, waved it several times in the air, that if any boat or shi...
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The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes / Urban Mystery

Author: Arthur Conan Doyle (Gutenberg)  | Themes: search for understanding, urban isolation, victorian life, personal conflict, anticipation  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2025-12-05

I tried to puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside until night should bring an explanation. It was a quarter-past nine when ...
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A Journey to the Centre of the Earth / Chaos and Isolation

Author: Jules Verne (Gutenberg)  | Themes: nature, isolation, time, chaos, human condition  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2025-12-04

There is a constant emission of light from the storm clouds; the electric matter is incessantly released; evidently the gaseous principles of the air ...
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Dracula / Disconnection and Nostalgia

Author: Bram Stoker (Gutenberg)  | Themes: nostalgia, disconnection, autumn, isolation, inertia  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2025-12-03

When we entered we saw with amazement that he had spread out his sugar as of old; the flies, lethargic with the autumn, were beginning to buzz into th...
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The War of the Worlds / Fear and Avoidance

Author: H.G. Wells (Gutenberg)  | Themes: competition, loss, isolation, tension, wreckage  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2025-12-02

He made a wide curve to avoid me, as though he feared I might prove a fresh competitor. As the yelping died away down the silent road, the wailing sou...
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The War of the Worlds / Unexpected Encounters

Author: H.G. Wells (Gutenberg)  | Themes: conflict, vulnerability, companionship, isolation, transformation  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2025-11-30

In another moment a bend in the road hid the three men from my brother’s eyes. So, quite unexpectedly, my brother found himself, panting, with a cut m...
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Frankenstein / Guilt and Creation

Author: Mary Shelley (Gutenberg)  | Themes: guilt, isolation, madness, responsibility, creation  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2025-11-29

Justine, poor unhappy Justine, was as innocent as I, and she suffered the same charge; she died for it; and I am the cause of this—I murdered her. Wil...
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A Journey to the Centre of the Earth / Exploration and Knowledge

Author: Jules Verne (Gutenberg)  | Themes: curiosity, isolation, discovery, science, nature  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2025-11-29

We began to hope that we should find some of those saurians which science has succeeded in reconstructing from bits of bone or cartilage. I took up th...
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Pride and Prejudice / Character Reflection

Author: Jane Austen (Gutenberg)  | Themes: introspection, knowledge, personal failure, isolation  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2025-11-26

Bennet was not of a disposition to seek comfort for the disappointment which his own imprudence had brought on in any of those pleasures which too oft...
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The War of the Worlds / Destruction and Indifference

Author: H.G. Wells (Gutenberg)  | Themes: power dynamics, isolation, existential dread, indifference, human fragility  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2025-11-25

Two days after I was imprisoned it had been destroyed, with every soul in it, by a Martian. He had swept it out of existence, as it seemed, without an...
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A Journey to the Centre of the Earth / Colorless Existence

Author: Jules Verne (Gutenberg)  | Themes: isolation, stagnation, environmental despair, emotional barrenness, existential melancholy  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2025-11-22

Upon their borders grew small treelike shrubs, such as are seen in the hot countries on our own inhabited globe. The one thing wanting in these plants...
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Frankenstein / Survival and Identity

Author: Mary Shelley (Gutenberg)  | Themes: civilization vs savagery, identity, isolation, survival, cultural dislocation  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2025-11-22

Only one dog remained alive; but there was a human being within it whom the sailors were persuading to enter the vessel. He was not, as the other trav...
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Frankenstein / Journey of Despair

Author: Mary Shelley (Gutenberg)  | Themes: loss, trauma, isolation, nature, survival  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2025-11-19

Six years had passed since then: _I_ was a wreck, but nought had changed in those savage and enduring scenes. I performed the first part of my journey...
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Dracula / Cliffs and Shadows

Author: Bram Stoker (Gutenberg)  | Themes: mortality, isolation, regional dialect, duty, darkness  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2025-11-19

Making straight for the steep cliff, where the churchyard hangs over the laneway to the East Pier so steeply that some of the flat tombstones--“thruff...
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A Journey to the Centre of the Earth / Desolation and Pity

Author: Jules Verne (Gutenberg)  | Themes: isolation, human struggle, empathy, environmental degradation  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2025-11-18

The country we had reached was already nearly a desert. Here and there could be seen an isolated farm, some solitary bur, or Icelandic house, built of...
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A Journey to the Centre of the Earth / Unexpected Care

Author: Jules Verne (Gutenberg)  | Themes: isolation, nourishment, community, kindness, survival  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2025-11-16

Soon however, about a quarter of an hour later I heard a voice above me, at one of the upper fireplaces. In an instant a basket was lowered with milk,...
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Frankenstein / Existential Struggle

Author: Mary Shelley (Gutenberg)  | Themes: evil, isolation, conflict, nature, moral ambiguity  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2025-11-15

The mere presence of the idea was an irresistible proof of the fact. I thought of pursuing the devil; but it would have been in vain, for another flas...
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The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes / Cultural Engagement

Author: Arthur Conan Doyle (Gutenberg)  | Themes: professional isolation, cultural identity, personal connection, music appreciation  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2025-11-15

Could your patients spare you for a few hours?” “I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very absorbing.” “Then put on your hat and come. I ...
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The War of the Worlds / Urban Despair

Author: H.G. Wells (Gutenberg)  | Themes: isolation, survival, urban chaos, hunger, fear  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2025-11-15

My brother supposes they must have filled outside London, for at that time the furious terror of the people had rendered the central termini impossibl...