THE FIFTY-TWO LIBRARY
by Various · from The Diamond Fairy Book
Adapted Version
Do you like stories? We have a special book for you. It is The Big Book of Stories. Mr. Miles helped make this book. He is a kind man. He helped choose all the stories. These stories are for all children. They are for you. You will love these stories. They are fun to read. This book is for all kids. It is a happy book. It has many pages. You can read them all. Each page has a new story. Each story is a treat.
The books are very pretty. They have many bright pictures. The pictures make the stories fun. You will like to look at them. The pictures are big. They show what happens. They help you see the story.
These stories are very good. They are also very fun. Many smart people wrote them. They are good writers. They wrote stories for all kids. All children can read them. You will love these tales. They are good stories. The writers worked hard. They made happy stories. They made fun stories. They made new stories. You will like them all.
Many people liked these books. A special paper said good things. Many children read them. They loved the stories very much. They read them again and again. They told their friends. Many kids wanted to read them. There are 52 stories in this book. One story for each week. You can read many kinds of stories. There are stories about pets. There are magic stories. There are stories about fun trips. There are friendship stories. And many more. These stories are for all children. They are for all kids. You will find a story you like. Maybe many stories you like. There are so many stories to read. Which one will you choose first? Happy reading!
Original Story
THE FIFTY-TWO LIBRARY
Edited by ALFRED H. MILES
In large crown 8vo, 400—500 pp., cloth, bevelled boards, richly gilt, gilt edges, well illustrated.
5s. each
The "Fifty-two Series" forms an excellent library of fiction for young people. The stories are by the best writers for boys and girls, including:
and Many Other Well-known Writers.
The Guardian says: "Such volumes are invaluable for young people, and all thanks are due to those who have brought them within easy reach of every child in the three kingdoms."
Over half a million volumes sold.
The following are the volumes:
1. Fifty-two Stories for Boys.
2. Fifty-two Stories for Girls.
3. Fifty-two more Stories for Boys.
4. Fifty-two more Stories for Girls.
5. Fifty-two further Stories for Boys.
6. Fifty-two further Stories for Girls.
7. Fifty-two other Stories for Boys.
8. Fifty-two other Stories for Girls.
9. Fifty-two Fairy Tales.
10. Fifty-two Stories for Boyhood and Youth.
11. Fifty-two Stories for Girlhood and Youth.
12. Fifty-two Stories for Children.
13. Fifty-two Stories of Boy Life.
14. Fifty-two Stories of Girl Life.
15. Fifty-two Stories of Life and Adventure for Boys.
16. Fifty-two Stories of Life and Adventure for Girls.
17. Fifty-two Stories of the Indian Mutiny and the Men who saved India. Edited by A. H. Miles and A. J. Pattle.
18. Fifty-two Stories of Pluck and Peril for Boys.
19. Fifty-two Stories of Pluck, Peril, and Romance for Girls.
20. Fifty-two Stories of the British Navy.
21. Fifty-two Stories of Duty and Daring for Boys.
22. Fifty-two Stories of Duty and Daring for Girls.
23. Fifty-two Stories of the British Army.
24. Fifty-two Holiday Stories for Boys.
25. Fifty-two Holiday Stories for Girls.
26. Fifty-two Sunday Stories for Boys and Girls.
27. Fifty-two Stories of Heroism in Life and Action for Boys.
28. Fifty-two Stories of Heroism in Life and Action for Girls.
29. Fifty-two Stories of the Wide, Wide World.
30. Fifty-two Stirring Stories for Boys.
31. Fifty-two Stirring Stories for Girls.
32. Fifty-two Stories of the British Empire.
33. Fifty-two Stories of Courage and Endeavour for Boys.
34. Fifty-two Stories of Courage and Endeavour for Girls.
35. Fifty-two Stories of Greater Britain.
36. Fifty-two Stories of the Brave and True for Boys.
37. Fifty-two Stories of the Brave and True for Girls.
38. Fifty-two Stories for the Little Ones.
39. Fifty-two Stories of School Life and After for Boys.
40. Fifty-two Stories of School Life and After for Girls.
41. Fifty-two Stories of Animal Life and Adventure.
42. Fifty-two Stories of Grit and Character for Boys.
43. Fifty-two Stories of Grit and Character for Girls.
44. Fifty-two Stories of Wild Life, East and West.
45. Fifty-two Stories of Head, Heart, and Hand for Boys.
46. Fifty-two Stories of Head, Heart, and Hand for Girls.
47. Fifty-two Thrilling Stories of Life at Home and Abroad.
48. Fifty-two New Stories for Boys.
49. Fifty-two New Stories for Girls.
50. Fifty-two Pioneer Stories all round the Compass.
51. Fifty-two Excelsior Stories for Boys.
52. Fifty-two Excelsior Stories for Girls.
List of corrections:
p. 160: "It inceased yet more" was changed to "It increased yet more."
p. 225: "made a despeate effort" was changed to "made a desperate effort."
p. 250: "From it the the castle had received its name" was changed to "From it the castle had received its name."
Errata:
Some chapter titles do not match exactly with the corresponding titles in the contents' page. The original wording has been retained.
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Story DNA
Plot Summary
This text is an advertisement or catalog entry for 'The Fifty-two Library' series, edited by Alfred H. Miles, a collection of fiction for young people. It highlights the series' quality, popular authors, and positive reception, including a quote from 'The Guardian' and impressive sales figures. The core of the text is a comprehensive list of all 52 volumes, categorized by themes such as 'Stories for Boys', 'Fairy Tales', 'Stories of Pluck and Peril', often with separate editions for boys and girls. The document concludes with technical notes regarding corrections, errata, and Project Gutenberg's copyright and distribution terms for the digital version.
Themes
Emotional Arc
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Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This text is an advertisement or catalog entry for a popular Victorian/Edwardian era children's book series, reflecting the publishing trends and societal values of that period, particularly regarding children's literature and imperial themes.
Plot Beats (9)
- The text begins by introducing 'The Fifty-two Library' series, edited by Alfred H. Miles, as a collection of fiction for young people.
- It details the physical specifications of the books (size, binding, illustrations) and their price.
- The text emphasizes the quality of the stories, noting contributions from 'best writers for boys and girls'.
- A quote from 'The Guardian' praises the series' value for young people, and impressive sales figures are mentioned.
- A numbered list of 52 distinct volumes is presented, each with a specific theme (e.g., 'Stories for Boys', 'Fairy Tales', 'Stories of Pluck and Peril').
- The list shows a clear pattern of alternating 'Boys' and 'Girls' themed volumes, alongside more general or mixed-gender collections.
- Following the list of volumes, a section titled 'List of corrections' details specific textual errors that were fixed.
- An 'Errata' section notes discrepancies between chapter titles and contents page titles, stating the original wording was retained.
- The text concludes with a standard Project Gutenberg disclaimer regarding copyright, distribution, and trademark usage for the digital edition.
Characters
Alfred H. Miles
A man of average height and build, likely in his middle age, with a scholarly yet approachable demeanor. His features would suggest a thoughtful and meticulous individual, given his role as an editor.
Attire: Typical late 19th-century British professional attire: a dark wool suit, possibly a three-piece suit with a waistcoat, a crisp white collared shirt, and a conservative tie. His clothing would be well-maintained and practical, suitable for an editor.
Wants: To curate and provide high-quality, morally uplifting, and entertaining literature for young people, ensuring a wide reach and positive impact.
Flaw: Potentially overly traditional in his literary choices, possibly overlooking more avant-garde or controversial works in favor of established, 'safe' narratives.
As an editor, his arc is primarily in the ongoing expansion and success of the 'Fifty-two Series,' continually adapting and adding new volumes to meet demand and evolving tastes within his established framework.
Organized, meticulous, dedicated, discerning, influential.
A. J. Pattle
Likely a contemporary of Alfred H. Miles, suggesting a similar age range and professional appearance. His build would be typical for a man of his era, perhaps slightly more robust if his interests leaned towards historical or military subjects.
Attire: A dark, respectable suit, similar to that of Alfred H. Miles, indicating a professional or academic background. Perhaps a slightly less formal tie or waistcoat, but still appropriate for a co-editor.
Wants: To contribute to the historical accuracy and narrative quality of specific volumes within the 'Fifty-two Series,' particularly those focused on military history.
Flaw: His role is very specific, suggesting a potential lack of broader editorial scope compared to Miles.
His arc is limited to his specific contribution to one volume, suggesting a stable, established role as a subject matter expert.
Collaborative, knowledgeable (especially in historical/military subjects), diligent, reliable.
Locations
The Library of 'The Fifty-two Series'
A well-stocked library, likely in a late 19th or early 20th-century British home or institution, featuring numerous volumes of 'The Fifty-two Series'. The books themselves are described as large crown 8vo, 400-500 pages, bound in cloth with bevelled boards, richly gilt, and gilt edges, well illustrated. The atmosphere is one of literary abundance and accessibility for young readers.
Mood: Scholarly, inviting, educational, nostalgic
This is the conceptual space where the collection of stories resides, representing the entire published series and its intended purpose as a library for young people.