The Amulet

Hendrik ConscienceProject Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

3.5

Word count: 348K words
Chapters: 35

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.The Amulet by Hendrik ConscienceAuthor: Conscience, Hendrik, 1812-1883,Language: English, Class: PT: Language and Literatures: Germanic, Scandinavian, and Icelandic literatures, Release Date: Oct 22, 2004

Editor's review

Hendrik Conscience was a major figure in the national literature of Flanders, Belgium, and The Amulet is an English translation of one of his works, issued as a public-domain eBook by Project Gutenberg. According to the available information, the book is in English and classified under Germanic literatures; its length and plot are not described in the introduction, so it is best regarded as an introductory text for understanding nineteenth-century Flemish literature. Conscience's writing often combines local attachment with moral narrative, and readers may note its depictions of local customs and human and ethical relations. Because this public-domain edition lacks a modern introduction and notes, readers are advised to familiarize themselves first with the Belgian national literary revival in which the author worked before entering the text. It suits readers interested in minority-language European literature and historical local narrative, and also works as English extensive reading, but it is not for readers expecting a strong plot or a modern narrative pace.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in nineteenth-century European local-color literature and historical narrative
Literature enthusiasts who want to learn about Flemish literature in Belgium
Intermediate and advanced English learners who need a public-domain English text for extensive reading
Readers who enjoy slow unfolding and a focus on human and ethical relations

Not a good fit for

Readers of popular fiction who expect fast pacing and strong suspense
Academic researchers who need detailed annotations and an authoritative introduction
Readers with no interest in nineteenth-century moral narrative and local themes

Reading tips

Before reading, learn about Conscience and the Flemish national literary revival to help understand the text's standpoint.
Read the work in the context of nineteenth-century European local-color fiction, and note its depictions of local customs and ethical conflict.
Mark unfamiliar place names and personal names as you go, and review the character relationships together after finishing.
If using it for English study, summarize the plot and characters' motives in two or three sentences after each chapter.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

How difficult is the English in The Amulet?

This is an English translation of a nineteenth-century work, with fairly traditional sentence patterns; the vocabulary is not obscure, but the narrative pace is slow. Intermediate and advanced English learners can read it extensively with a dictionary; beginners are advised to start with a Chinese introduction or selected chapters before gradually taking on the full text.

What kind of writer was Conscience?

Hendrik Conscience was a major nineteenth-century writer in Flanders, Belgium, and is often regarded as one of the representative figures of Flemish national literature; his works often focus on local life and national consciousness. For specific biographical details, consult reliable literary-historical sources.

Is this public-domain edition suitable for academic citation?

This edition is a Project Gutenberg public-domain electronic text with plain formatting and no modern annotations or introduction, suitable for general reading and text comparison. For academic citation, verify an authoritative edition and page numbers, and rely on formal publications.

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About the author

Hendrik Conscience Author · Belgian · 1812–1883

Hendrik Conscience (1812–1883) was a Belgian Flemish-language novelist. Born in Antwerp, he took part in the Belgian Revolution of 1830. In 1838 his historical novel De Leeuw van Vlaanderen (The Lion of Flanders) founded the tradition of the Flemish novel, and he has been called "the man who taught his people to read." His works mostly draw on Flemish history and country life, blending historical romance with realistic sketches of ordinary existence. The library holds 21 of his works, including the German translation Der Löwe von Flandern, De Kerels van Vlaanderen, De Ziekte der Verbeelding, De baanwachter, The Amulet and The Poor Gentleman. Beyond the outline of his life, public information on his education and official career is limited, and none is supplied here.