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In revolutionary Paris, a disaffected Victorian wife becomes enraptured by her husband’s mistress—a “brilliantly entertaining” historical fiction novel that was “far ahead of its time” (Guardian). “One of the great under-read British novelists of the 20th century . . . my favorite of her novels.” —Sarah Waters, author of Fingersmith Sophia Willoughby, a young Englishwoman from an aristocratic family and a person of strong opinions and even stronger will, has packed her cheating husband off to Paris. He can have his tawdry mistress. She intends to devote herself to the serious business of raising her two children in proper Tory fashion. Then tragedy strikes: the children die...
A unique novel about life in a 14th-century convent by one of England's most original authors. Sylvia Townsend Warner’s The Corner That Held Them is a historical novel like no other, one that immerses the reader in the dailiness of history, rather than history as the given sequence of events that, in time, it comes to seem. Time ebbs and flows and characters come and go in this novel, set in the era of the Black Death, about a Benedictine convent of no great note. The nuns do their chores, and seek to maintain and improve the fabric of their house and chapel, and struggle with each other and with themselves. The book that emerges is a picture of a world run by women but also a story—stirring, disturbing, witty, utterly entrancing—of a community. What is the life of a community and how does it support, or constrain, a real humanity? How do we live through it and it through us? These are among the deep questions that lie behind this rare triumph of the novelist’s art.
Behind the scenes at the legendary Warner Brothers film studio, where four immigrant brothers transformed themselves into the moguls and masters of American fantasy Warner Bros charts the rise of an unpromising film studio from its shaky beginnings in the early twentieth century through its ascent to the pinnacle of Hollywood influence and popularity. The Warner Brothers—Harry, Albert, Sam, and Jack—arrived in America as unschooled Jewish immigrants, yet they founded a studio that became the smartest, toughest, and most radical in all of Hollywood. David Thomson provides fascinating and original interpretations of Warner Brothers pictures from the pioneering talkie The Jazz Singer throug...
Lolly Willowes: or, The Loving Huntsman by Sylvia Townsend Warner is a captivating and unconventional novel that blends elements of fantasy, feminism, and dark comedy. The story follows Laura Willowes, a spinster who defies societal expectations by embracing a life of independence and adventure in the English countryside. After the death of her overbearing father and the departure of her family, Laura, or “Lolly,” relocates to a remote village where she finds solace and freedom. However, her quiet life takes a fantastical turn when she becomes involved with witchcraft and a mysterious pact with the devil. Warner’s novel is celebrated for its unique exploration of themes such as autonomy, the role of women in society, and the conflict between personal desires and societal norms. With its rich prose, sharp wit, and imaginative narrative, Lolly Willowes offers a profound and entertaining commentary on the constraints placed on women and the transformative power of embracing one’s true self. It’s a must-read for those interested in literary fiction with a touch of the supernatural and a deep, feminist perspective.
All of us repeatedly grieve, heal, and reinvent ourselves throughout our lives. Being aware of, and active in, this inherent aspect of our existence I believe to be a less painful and more satisfying way of living than blindly struggling with, or resisting, these natural processes.-John S. Campbell, M.D., author of A Journey: Creative Grieving and Healing. "We all die, he seems to be telling us. What is far more important is that we live a meaningful life before that time comes.". "We all need to dig deep to find our own wisdom so we may understand what John is telling us."-Nikki DeFrain, M.S, and John DeFrain, Ph.D. from their Foreword.
There's a strong interest in reading for pleasure or self-improvement in America, as shown by the popularity of Harry Potter, and book clubs, including Oprah Winfrey's. Although recent government reports show a decline in recreational reading, the same reports show a strong correlation between interest in reading and academic acheivement. This set provides a snapshot of the current state of popular American literature, including various types and genres. The volume presents alphabetically arranged entries on more than 70 diverse literary categories, such as cyberpunk, fantasy literature, flash fiction, GLBTQ literature, graphic novels, manga and anime, and zines. Each entry is written by an ...
In ten succinct chapters, Marina Warner guides us through the rich world of fairy tale, from Cinderella and Hansel and Gretel to Snow White and Pan's Labyrinth. Exploring pervasive themes of folklore, myth, the supernatural, imagination, and fantasy, Warner highlights the impact of the genre on human understanding, history, and culture.
New York magazine was born in 1968 after a run as an insert of the New York Herald Tribune and quickly made a place for itself as the trusted resource for readers across the country. With award-winning writing and photography covering everything from politics and food to theater and fashion, the magazine's consistent mission has been to reflect back to its audience the energy and excitement of the city itself, while celebrating New York as both a place and an idea.
New York magazine was born in 1968 after a run as an insert of the New York Herald Tribune and quickly made a place for itself as the trusted resource for readers across the country. With award-winning writing and photography covering everything from politics and food to theater and fashion, the magazine's consistent mission has been to reflect back to its audience the energy and excitement of the city itself, while celebrating New York as both a place and an idea.