Literary companions, book reviews and guides Books

Book SynopsisFor Fans of the Tales of Tolkien, Middle-earth, and More Learn about the man who wrote The Lord of the Rings in this Middle-earth treasury. Full of answers to common questions asked by readers to learn about Middle-earth and the fandom, this book about Tolkien celebrates Why We Love Middle-earth. The Lord of the Rings omnibus for all. Who wrote The Lord of the Rings? What details are in the movies, books, maps, and other stories—and how do they tie together? Intrigued by Amazon’s new show The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power? What’s considered canon and what isn’t? Dive into Middle-earth’s expansive lore with Why We Love Middle-earth, a fandom book about Tolkien’s work.The perfect companion for any Middle-earth traveler. Written by beloved Tolkien commenters of The Prancing Pony Podcast, Shawn E. Marchese and Alan Sisto, Why We Love Middle-earth is the ultimate guide to the fandom. Newcomers and existing fans of Tolkien will revel in the dragon’s hoard of information inside.Inside, find: An easy-to-digest guide map that deepens your knowledge from start to finish, or from any interest point A brief history of each of the major books and adaptations of Middle-earth, how to read, watch, or play them, and deepen your understanding of them A manual for fandom niches—what they are, where to find them, and how to get started If you enjoy fandom books or a good book about Tolkien’s works such as Atlas Of Middle-Earth, Recipes from the World of Tolkien, or Why We Love Star Wars, you’ll love Why We Love Middle Earth.Trade Review“Written for new or casual fans, but with material to enlighten those deeply entrenched in Tolkien’s legendarium, Marchese and Sisto (hosts of the podcast Prancing Pony) share insights both scholarly (with ample footnotes) and irreverent (with chapter names like ‘Sequel, Schmequel’ and ‘Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes: Tolkien in Adaptation’). The book makes suggestions for the best Tolkien reading journey, enumerates high points and shortcomings of adaptations, and discusses collecting, moots (or conferences), and online fandoms. VERDICT A delightful addition to most libraries. Expect an uptick in circulation of other Tolkien-related books and DVDs after purchase.” —Library Journal “One could not ask for a more congenial pair of guides to Middle-earth than Alan Sisto and Shawn E. Marchese. The combination of learning and fun that has made The Prancing Pony Podcast such a delight shines through in this tour of the Middle-earth experience. Why We Love Middle-earth is a great resource for readers and film-viewers who are new to Tolkien and curious about all things Middle-earth.” —Corey Olsen, The Tolkien Professor and president of Signum University “Alan and Shawn bring the same love for Tolkien and the fandom to this book that they’ve brought to The Prancing Pony Podcast for years. I would expect nothing less, but I can also think of no higher praise.” —Matt Graf, Nerd of the Rings “This delightful read is accessible, humorous, and informative, with the appropriate dash of nostalgia. Perfect for both new and veteran Tolkien fans alike, it is sure to entertain, enlighten, and just maybe help you step out your front door and meet other members of the Tolkien community.” —K.M. Rice, author of the Afterworld series “An absolutely phenomenal read. Sisto and Marchese perfectly encapsulate the spirit of Tolkien’s legacy and bring it to the page. A heartfelt look at the passion found in the Professor’s stories and why Middle-earth remains such a beloved fantasy world. Tolkien fans of all ages will certainly want to add this book to their collections.” —Don Marshall, Obscure Lord of the Rings Facts Guy “You will not find a friendlier, more informative-yet-easygoing introduction to Tolkien’s world than this book. Alan and Shawn are like wisecracking Hobbits, simultaneously goofing off and admiring every song and story shared in Elrond’s Hall of Fire. Come for the groanworthy dad jokes; stay for the deep love of the lore.” —Jeff LaSala, author of The Silmarillion Primer “The Prancing Pony Podcast has established itself as an institution among those of us who like to live, breathe, and dream J.R.R. Tolkien’s magnificent Middle-earth legendarium. Approachable yet knowledgeable, fan-friendly yet scholarly, the PPP is one of those rare podcasts that successfully bridges the gap between the absolute Tolkien beginner and the serious devotee. This has clearly also been their intention with this book, and they have definitely succeeded in that aim. Why We Love Middle-earth is an entertaining read, but it also offers in-depth commentary on Tolkien’s works, the various film adaptations, and the fan responses to those works, guiding the novice through approaching the books as well as offering new insights for the serious reader. Maintaining the balance between the disparate audiences is no mean feat, but the result is a delightful and fascinating read that I would heartily recommend to all fans of Middle-earth.” —Dr. Sara Brown, language & literature department chair, Signum University “From erudition to entertainment, from comedy to camaraderie, The Prancing Pony Podcast is the Car Talk of Tolkien podcasts. Whether you are a Tolkien beginner or were there 300 episodes ago, Alan and Shawn are always worth listening to. Why We Love Middle-earth is a great introduction to Tolkien and the podcast. By treating the books, adaptations, and fandom individually, Alan and Shawn have once again proven themselves excellent guides for those wanting to enter Middle-earth. (Pre-order now and get a free Gollum GPS.)” —Thomas Hillman, author of Pity, Power, and Tolkien’s Ring: To Rule the Fate of ManyTable of ContentsForeword Prologue: Who Was John Ronald Reuel Tolkien? Part One: Discovering Tolkien’s Books: What Should I Read Next? The Hobbit The Lord of the Rings The Silmarillion Unfinished Tales The “Great Tales”: The Children of Húrin, Beren & Lúthien, The Fall of Gondolin Part Two: Tolkien in Adaptation Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings Trilogy Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit Trilogy Ralph Bakshi’s The Lord of the Rings Rankin/Bass’s The Hobbit and The Return of the King BBC Radio Play Video Game Adaptations: The Lord of the Rings Online and many more Audiobooks Part Three: Expressions of Fandom Collecting Tolkien Tolkien’s Invented Languages Tolkien Studies Art and Artists Fan Organizations Online Content DIY (cosplay, crafting, cooking, brewing)

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhen an essay is due and dreaded exams loom, this book offers students what they need to succeed. It provides chapter-by-chapter analysis, explanations of key themes, motifs and symbols, a review quiz, and essay topics. It is suitable for late-night studying and paper writing.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe essential guide to twentieth-century literature around the worldFor six decades the Penguin Modern Classics series has been an era-defining, ever-evolving series of books, encompassing works by modernist pioneers, avant-garde iconoclasts, radical visionaries and timeless storytellers.This reader''s companion showcases every title published in the series so far, with more than 1,800 books and 600 authors, from Achebe and Adonis to Zamyatin and Zweig.It is the essential guide to twentieth-century literature around the world, and the companion volume to The Penguin Classics Book.Bursting with lively descriptions, surprising reading lists, key literary movements and over two thousand cover images, The Penguin Modern Classics Book is an invitation to dive in and explore the greatest literature of the last hundred years.Trade ReviewA heavyweight - but never burdensome - history of the publishing house... A must for quiz-hounds -- Alex Diggins * Telegraph *As close to pornography as you can get as a bibliophile. From one angle it is a testament to book design over nigh on a century. On another, it is a work of publishing history -- Stuart Kelly * Scotsman *

Read more less

Book Synopsis**SHORTLISTED FOR WATERSTONES BOOK OF THE YEAR 2020**From renowned, Pulitzer Prize-winning literary critic, Michiko Kakutani, comes an inspiring and gorgeously illustrated selection of the life-changing books that none of us should missWhy do we love books so much?'For legendary literary critic Michiko Kakutani, books have always been an escape and a sanctuary, the characters of some novels feeling so real to her childhood self that she worried they might leap out of the pages at night if she left the book cover open. In Ex Libris, she offers a personal selection of over 100 works of fiction, nonfiction and poetry, with passionate essays on why each has had a profound effect on her life.From Homer's The Odyssey to The Writings and Speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale to Elena Ferrante's Neapolitan Novels, Ex Libris covers a rich and vast range of classics, old and new, that will help build a well-rounded reader and citizen of the world. With gor

Read more less

Book Synopsis Discover over 300 seasonal book recommendations in the ultimate reading list for book lovers everywhere.-----'I will be giving this book to everyone I know' - Elizabeth Day'Francesca Beauman writes about the books she loves with irresistible passion, knowledge and warmth ... This is the best kind of reading celebration' - Rachel Joyce-----Spanning the dreary, cold days of January to the first flushes of spring and then the blazing August heat, bibliophile Francesca Beauman offers up a wealth of book recommendations. From The Count of Monte Cristo to Elena Ferrante's Neapolitan Quartet, each has been selected to chime with a particular time of year and provide a richer reading experience. Beautifully illustrated throughout, this charming guide will delight, inspire and seriously extend your 'To Be Read' list!Trade ReviewReading this book was the literary equivalent of eating a fantastic meal consisting of a selection of comfort food and deliciously surprising new dishes, all hosted by an incredibly knowledgeable and friendly maitre d'. I left the table both replete and wanting more. Francesca Beauman writes with wit, warmth and a wise, compassionate intelligence that makes every page a joyous delight. I met old friends, discovered new ones and learned something in each chapter - and yes, I will be giving this book to everyone I know. -- Elizabeth DayThe perfect book for readers who want to be reminded of books they have loved, or discover those they have somehow missed. This is like taking the best road map and discovering yourself stopping off at gems of views and bistros that no one else has ever heard of. Francesca Beauman writes about the books she loves with irresistible passion, knowledge and warmth, and the illustrations are to die for. This is the best kind of reading celebration. -- Rachel Joyce, author of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhen we spend so much of our time immersed in books, who's to say where reading ends and living begins? The two are impossibly and gloriously wedded, as Hill shows in Jacob's Room Is Full of Books. Considering everything from Edith Wharton's novels through to Alan Bennett's diaries, Virginia Woolf and the writings of twelfth century monk Aelred of Rievaulx, Susan Hill charts a year of her life through the books she has read, reread or returned to the shelf. From beneath a shady tree in a hot French summer, or the warmth of a kitchen during an English winter, Hill reflects on what her reading throws up, from writing and writers to politics and religion, as well as the joy of dandies or the pleasure of watching a line of geese cross a meadow. Full of wry observations and warm humour, as well as strong opinions freely aired, this is a rare and wonderful insight into the rich world of reading from one of the nation's most accomplished authors.Trade ReviewHill is wise, affectionate, insightful. Here is a distillation of a lifetime of reading, writing, editing, publishing, buying, hoarding, lending, borrowing and dog-earing books * The Times *The bookworm in your life will be champing at the bit to read [Hill's] recommendations * Saga *This thought-provoking book gives both inspiration on new titles to explore and a soothing sense that reading is indeed a vital and central part of living * Press Association *

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhen an essay is due and dreaded exams loom, this book offers students what they need to succeed. It provides chapter-by-chapter analysis, explanations of key themes, motifs and symbols, a review quiz, and essay topics. It is suitable for late-night studying and paper writing.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhen an essay is due and dreaded exams loom, this title offers students what they need to succeed. It provides chapter-by-chapter analysis, explanations of key themes, motifs, and symbols, a review quiz and essay topics. It is suitable for late-night studying and paper writing.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhen an essay is due and dreaded exams loom, this book offers students what they need to succeed. It provides chapter-by-chapter analysis, explanations of key themes, motifs and symbols, a review quiz, and essay topics. It is suitable for late-night studying and paper writing.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhen an essay is due and dreaded exams loom, this book offers students what they need to succeed. It provides chapter-by-chapter analysis, explanations of key themes, motifs and symbols, a review quiz, and essay topics. It is suitable for late-night studying and paper writing.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe third edition of The Oxford Companion to Classical Literature is the complete and authoritative reference guide to the classical world and its literary heritage. It not only presents the reader with all the essential facts about the authors, tales, and characters from ancient myths and literature, but it also places these details in the wider contexts of the history and society of the Greek and Roman worlds. With an extensive web of cross-references and a useful chronological table and location maps (all of which have been brought fully up to date), this volume traces the development of literary forms and the classical allusions which have become embedded in our Western culture. Extensively revised and updated, the Companion includes more thematic entries - medicine, friendship, science, the concept of freedom, and sexuality. These topical entries provide an excellent starting point to the exploration of their subjects in classical literature. The Companion contains extensive biogrTrade ReviewReview from previous edition 'useful and enjoyable... a miniature encyclopedia of the Graeco-Roman world' * Listener *a standard reference book for the forseeable future * Contemporary Review *a volume for all seasons... indispensable * Times Educational Supplement *will be the vade mecum of schoolchildren and undergraduates for generations to come * Sunday Telegraph *A necessity for any seriously literary household. * History Today *Table of ContentsPREFACE; A-Z ENTRIES; CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE; MAPS

Read more less

Book SynopsisA completely revised edition of this best-selling Bible resource with new ideas, diagrams and illustrations Uniquely presented, this handbook uses modern language, humour and ingenious diagrams to bring the Bible to life.The Bible Book is a unique kind of guide to the Bible. Informative, though-provoking and very, very readable, this is a book that will help you explore the most famous book in the world. Informal, but informed, simple but never simplistic, The Bible Book tackles the Bible with honesty, humour and inventiveness. This book won''t baffle you with jargon, but it won''t insult your intelligence either.Nick Page maps out the way the Bible works, showing you the route through and the places of interest along the way. With its illuminating graphics and user-friendly design, The Bible Book is an indispensable handbook for anyone setting out to explore the exciting world of the Bible.Contents include:Quick Guide Your at-a-glance introduction to every book of the BibleQuestions,

Read more less

Book SynopsisWho had birds called Death, Wigs and Spinach? How do you spell the noise of a door slamming? Whose working title was The Chronic Argonauts?Henry Eliot - author, editor and insatiable bookworm - has ransacked the libraries and archives of world literature, compiling hundreds of bookish lists. This eclectic gallimaufry showcases his favourites: we witness the tragic ends of the Ancient Greek tragedians, learn the name of George Orwell''s pet cockerel and rummage through Joan Didion''s travelling bag; we consider the history of literary fart jokes, orbit the Shakespearean moons of Uranus and meet several pigs with wings. From the sublime to the ridiculous - and everything in between ­- Eliot''s lists, recommendations and nuggets of trivia will delight, inspire and surprise anyone who loves reading.Beautifully presented with supplementary maps and illustrations, Henry Eliot''s Book of Bookish Lists is the essential gift for book-lovers.Trade ReviewI loved this so much. Lists for bookish folk, filled with things I had not known or dreamed -- Neil GaimanTotally enthralling... The perfect bedside book -- Jilly CooperAn eccentric idea beautifully executed -- Louis de BernièresIf there was a list of books about lists, Eliot's Book of Bookish Lists would be top -- Philip PullmanAn absolute delight - Borges meets Buzzfeed -- Tom HollandA gorgeous confection . . . How do I love this book? Let me list the ways . . . -- Chris RiddellBrimful of piquant and scrumptious surprises -- John LloydHours of innocent snacking -- Iain SinclairVery entertaining and sprightly -- Ian McKellenThoroughly enjoyable... As amusing as it is informing -- Michael PortilloBuried deep in the etymology of the word 'list' is the notion of pleasure. Mr Eliot's marvellous vade mecum reminds us why -- John MitchinsonI loved Eliot's book for its wit, learning, eccentricity and unrepentant bookishness -- Alan TaylorA magnificent labyrinth of literary trivia to get lost in . . . fun and fascinating things on every page -- Edward Brooke-HitchingA trove of treasures from start to finish -- Dennis DuncanDeliciously idiosyncratic -- Rachel Cooke * Observer *Reading this book is like going on a literary Grand Tour . . . Essential for the pub quiz * Country Life *Eliot's books have been my equivalent of big game almanacs. This book is half a delight and half a gauntlet -- Stuart Kelly * Scotsman *The ultimate book for lovers of lists and literature . . . surprising, inspiring and amusing -- Denise O'Donoghue * Irish Examiner *

Read more less

Book Synopsis Our brand-new York Notes for GCSE Workbooks offer a wide range of write-in tasks and exercises to boost your students’ knowledge of the text and help them practise for the new GCSE (9-1) English Literature exams.Table of Contents Part 1: Getting Started Part 2: Plot and Action Part 3: Characters Part 4: Key Contexts and Themes Part 5: Form, Structure and Language Part 6: Progress Booster

Read more less

Book SynopsisTest your knowledge, practise your skills and feel ready for 2021 assessments and 2022 exams. Enhance your learning with tasks, tests and activities that will sharpen your skills. Test your knowledge with write-in space to plan and write your answers. Perfect your responses with the Test your understanding'' assessment-style exercises. Build on your strengths and identify areas that need work using the quick Practise your skills'' tests and longer questions. For the first time, York Notes bring you a Workbook for the whole of your English Language and English Literature GCSE 9-1 courses. So whether you''re studying at home, online or in the classroom, York Notes is your best bet for the best grades. The biggest and most in-depth available, this English Language & Literature Workbook from York Notes is simple to use and will help you practise, improve and test all your skills and knowledge so you can bui

Read more less

Book SynopsisIt gives a well researched, fascinating and entertaining insight to the stories behind the stories of London's literature.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe first official colouring book based on Frank Herbert''s Dune - one of the bestselling science fiction novels of all time.Visit Arrakis in a whole new way as you colour in your favourite characters and scenes from Frank Herbert''s enduring and beloved classic novel. Dune tells the unforgettable story of the boy Paul Atreides, heir to a noble family tasked with ruling an inhospitable desert planet, and his journey to a mythic destiny that will bring to fruition humankind''s most ancient and unattainable dream. This intricate, beautifully wrought colouring book will include forty-four original illustrations, featuring character studies, locations, and scenes inspired by Dune, the profound and triumphant novel adored by millions of readers around the world.

Read more less

Book SynopsisEvery bookshop has a story.Trade Review...it wonderfully illustrates the love of books that sellers and buyers across the world can have * Image Magazine *...a perfect present for any booklover of your acquaintance -- Harriet Devine

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhen an essay is due and dreaded exams loom, this book offers students what they need to succeed. It provides chapter-by-chapter analysis, explanations of key themes, motifs and symbols, a review quiz, and essay topics. It is suitable for late-night studying and paper writing.

Read more less

Book SynopsisTable of Contents Part 1: Introducing Hamlet Part 2: Studying Hamlet Part 3: Characters and Themes Part 4: Structure, Form and Language Part 5: Contexts and Critical Debates Part 6: Grade Booster Essential Study Tools

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhen an essay is due and dreaded exams loom, this book offers students what they need to succeed. It provides chapter-by-chapter analysis, explanations of key themes, motifs and symbols, a review quiz, and essay topics. It is suitable for late-night studying and paper writing.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhen an essay is due and dreaded exams loom, this title offers students what they need to succeed. It provides chapter-by-chapter analysis, explanations of key themes, motifs, and symbols, a review quiz and essay topics. It is suitable for late-night studying and paper writing.

Read more less

Book SynopsisImmerse yourself in the stories behind the most shocking and infamous books ever published!Censorship of one form or another has existed almost as long as the written word, while definitions of what is deemed acceptable in published works have shifted over the centuries, and from culture to culture.Banned Books explores why some of the world''s most important literary classics and seminal non-fiction titles were once deemed too controversial for the public to read - whether for challenging racial or sexual norms, satirizing public figures, or simply being deemed unfit for young readers. From the banning of All Quiet on the Western Front and the repeated suppression of On the Origin of the Species, to the uproar provoked by Lady Chatterley''s Lover, entries offer a fascinating chronological account of censorship and the astonishing role that some banned books have played in changing history. Packed with eye-opening insights

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe word mesmerising is frequently applied to memoirs, but seldom as deservedly as in the case of Girl With Dove' Financial TimesReading is a form of escape and an avid reader is an escape artist'Brilliantly original, funny and clever Honor Clark, Spectator, Book of the YearGrowing up in a dilapidated house by the sea where men were forbidden, Sally's childhood world was filled with mystery and intrigue. Hippies trailed through the kitchen looking for God their leader was Aunt Di, who ruled the house with charismatic force. When Sally's baby brother vanishes from his pram, she becomes suspicious of the activities going on around her. What happened to Baby David and the woman called Poor Sue? And where did all the people singing and wailing prayers in the front room suddenly go?Disappearing into a world of books and reading, Sally adopts the tried and tested methods of Miss Marple. Taking books for hints and clues, she turns herself into a reading detective. Her discovery of Jane Eyre Trade Review‘This is a very eccentric memoir … I liked it, because I was captivated by Sally Bayley's poetic light touch … Thanks to the guidance of three beloved fictional characters … who came alive in her imagination, young Sally negotiated her way through the jungle of her childhood’ The Times ‘The strangest and most striking memoir I have read in years … Her bold poetic prose carries the sinister cackle of Bertha Mason on a warm breeze through St Mary Mead, to be wafted away in comic disdain by Betsey Trotwood’ Helen Brown, Daily Telegraph ‘A testament to innocence, resilience and the protective power of the imagination …This is a story about the child’s need to make sense of chaos and the redemptive power of stories to bestow meaning … The word “mesmerising” is frequently applied to memoirs, but seldom as deservedly as in the case of Girl With Dove, a work suffused with psychological depth, literary inventiveness and subtle brilliance’ Financial Times ‘Bayley’s family are compelling, certainly, but it’s the formidable and moving lines of much-loved prose, sketched long ago in the classics, that provide much of Girl With Dove’s horsepower’ Irish Times ‘A brilliant evocation of the porousness for children between reality and fiction …The book is beautifully written … just let its poetic rhythms lap over you … it left me longing for more of Bayley's recollections from a place of relative tranquility’ Spectator ‘A moving, highly original memoir … It’s a remarkable testament to reading as a “strong torch, shining through the dark”’ The Bookseller ‘This extraordinary book … an astonishing tale, astonishingly written in clear, precise prose … Bayley is exceptionally good at bringing us into the child's world … there's a raw, visceral power to the writing, which turns the abstract physical on almost every page … the prose sings … This bold, arresting memoir is about the quest for a different kind of truth’ Sunday Times

Read more less

Book SynopsisSuper Hero. Leader. Avenger. One of Marvel Comics most inspiring characters is all this and so much more. With a foreword by the equally legendary Stan Lee, Captain America: The Ultimate Guide: New Edition celebrates the 80th Anniversary of the iconic Captain America. Delve into the long and storied history of the First Avenger, from his service in World War II through to the earth-shattering events of the Infinity Wars and Empyre.Discover the origins of Captain America and how he joined the Avengers. Learn about his first encounters with his courageous allies, including Peggy Carter, Winter Soldier, and Falcon, and his epic clashes with villains such as Baron Zemo and Red Skull. Iconic, brave, and principled, Captain America has become one of Marvel Comics'' most beloved Super Heroes. Expertly written and lavishly illustrated, no Marvel or Captain America fan will want to miss this indispensable guide. 2021 MARVEL

Read more less

Book SynopsisWilliam Shakespeareâs Macbeth is a timeless tale of love, greed and power, which has given rise to heated debates around such issues as the representation of gender roles, political violence and the dramatisation of evil.Taking the form of a sourcebook, this guide to Shakespeareâs play presents: extensive introductory comment on the contexts, critical history and performance of the text, from publication to present annotated extracts from key contextual documents, reviews, critical works and the text itself cross-references between documents and sections of the guide, in order to suggest links between texts, contexts and criticism suggestions for further reading. Part of the Routledge Guides to Literature series, this volume is essential reading for all those beginning detailed study of Macbeth and seeking not only a guide to the play, but a way through the wealth of contextual and critical material that surrounds Shakespeareâs text.Table of ContentsIntroduction Part 1: Contexts, Introduction, Chronology, Source Part 2: Interpretations, Critical History, Early Critical Reception Part 3: Key Passages Part 4: Further Reading Recommended Editions of Macbeth. Contexts. The Play in Performance. Film Versions. Criticism

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis guidebook offers the ideal introduction to one of the most enduringly popular works of the nineteenth century. Richard J. Dunn first places David Copperfield in its social, biographical and literary contexts, touching upon such fascinating issues as autobiography and Victorian social conditions, before offering a handy chronology and reprinted documents from the period. In a second section, ''Interpretations'', he traces responses to the novel from the first reviews to modern criticism and reprints extracts from key critical works. The overview and extracts together offer insight into a remarkable range of issues, from the novel''s humour to its reflections of class and gender structures. The section also considers the long history of stage and screen interpretations of Dickens''s highly dramatic text. The third major section pulls together text and context by reprinting key passages of the novel, carefully cross-referenced to materials in the previous sections. The links

Read more less

Book SynopsisWilliam Shakespeare's Twelfth Night (c.1600) is one of his most captivating plays. A comedy of mistaken identities, it has given rise to thought-provoking debates around such issues as gender identity and role-playing, manipulation and deception.Taking the form of a sourcebook, this guide to Shakespeare's spirited play offers: extensive introductory comment on the contexts, critical history and performance of the text, from publication to the present annotated extracts from key contextual documents, reviews, critical works and the text itself cross-references between documents and sections of the guide, in order to suggest links between texts, contexts and criticism suggestions for further reading. Part of the Routledge Guides to Literature series, this volume is essential reading for all those beginning detailed study of Twelfth Night and seeking not only a guide to the play, but a way through the wealth of contextual and critical material that surrounds Shakespeare's text.Table of ContentsIntroduction 1. Contexts 2. Interpretations 3. Key Passages 4. Further Reading Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisPlaces Flannery O'Connor's work in constructive and collaborative dialogue with Spanish literature and literary aesthetics. Contributors explore the ways in which O'Connor's literary and religious vision continues to work in the imaginations of both American and European - mostly Spanish - authors.

Read more less

Book SynopsisExamining three turning points that shaped exceptionalism in both Americas - the late colonial and early Republican period, expansion into the frontier, and the Cold War - John Ochoa pursues literary travellers across landscapes and centuries.Trade ReviewA witty, erudite, and original contribution to hemispheric American studies. " - Lois Parkinson Zamora, University of Houston

Read more less

Book SynopsisFor all those who journey to Middle Earth, here is the definitive guide to its lands, legends, histories, languages and people.The Complete Tolkien Companion explains, translates, and links every single reference - names, dates, places, facts, famous weapons, even food and drink - to be found in J. R. R. Tolkien's world, which includes not only The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings but also The Simarillion and many other posthumously published works. A detailed explanation of the various Elvish writing systems, together with maps, charts, and genealogical tables, bring the remarkable genius of Toilkien and the unforgettable world and wonder of Middle Earth to life with focus and accuracy.First published in 1976, this is an indispensable accompaniment for anyone who embarks on the reading journey of a lifetime.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Cambridge Companion to F. Scott Fitzgerald, 2nd edition, provides authoritative critical insight into Scott Fitzgerald's life and writings for both new readers and long-time fans. It features seven new essays and an updated list of suggested reading alongside updated versions of four essays from the first edition.Table of ContentsList of Figures; List of Contributors; Chronology; List of Abbreviations; Introduction: F. Scott Fitzgerald: 'A Writer Only' Michael Nowlin; 1. Youth, Maturation, and Adult Sexuality Kirk Curnutt; 2. The Beautiful and Damned and Literary Decadence Kirsten MacLeod; 3. The Short Stories of F. Scott Fitzgerald Bryant Mangum; 4. 'The Modern Old Master': Reading The Great Gatsby Again Sarah Churchwell; 5. 'I Was Gone Again': Disintegration, Fragmentation, and the Recovery of Nicole Warren Diver in Tender Is the Night Erin E. Templeton; 6. Fitzgerald's Expatriate Years and the European Stories J. Gerald Kennedy; 7. Legends of Zelda Anne Margaret Daniel; 8. Fitzgerald's Nonfiction Scott Donaldson; 9. Great Art, Small Art, and Modernist Cachet: Reading Himself and His Contemporaries Michael Nowlin; 10. Fitzgerald and Hollywood Tom Cerasulo; 11. Fitzgerald's Cultural and Critical Reputation in the Twenty-First Century Jackson R. Bryer; Select Bibliography; Index.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFind everything you need to achieve your full potential with York Notes for GCSE Study Guides, now updated for GCSE (9-1).Table of Contents Part 1: Induction Part 2: Plot and Action Part 3: Characters Part 4: Key Contexts and Themes Part 5: Language and Structure Part 6: Grade Booster Literacy Terms

Read more less

Book Synopsis Test your knowledge, practise your skills and feel ready for 2021 assessments and 2022 exams. Test and build your knowledge of every part of the text with a huge range of questions, activities and exercises. Find out what you really know about key characters, themes, contexts and quotations before tests and assessments. Perfect your responses, practise writing great answers and find out how to score the best grades you can. Learn to apply what you''ve learned and get vital experience of test and assessment-style questions. York Notes are the long-established experts in English Literature, and we take your success seriously. So whether you''re studying The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare for GCSE at home, online or in the classroom, York Notes is your best bet for the best grades.   The biggest and most in-depth available, this The Merchant of Venice Work

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhen an essay is due and dreaded exams loom, this book offers students what they need to succeed. It provides chapter-by-chapter analysis, explanations of key themes, motifs and symbols, a review quiz, and essay topics. It is suitable for late-night studying and paper writing.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAmericanah features explanations of key themes, motifs and symbols including: the importance of authenticity; race and racism; the male peacock; reading and novels; lies; and hair.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFeatures explanations of key themes, motifs and symbols and detailed analysis of important characters.

Read more less

Book SynopsisTable of Contents Part 1: Introducing The Bloody Chamber Part 2: Studying The Bloody Chamber Part 3: Characters and Themes Part 4: Structure, Form and Language Part 5: Contexts and Critical Debates Part 6: Grade Booster Essential Study Tools

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis light-hearted but deeply researched book offers interest and guidance to walkers, social historians and lovers of the Bronte family; their lives and works. Set in and around the town of Haworth it gives a dual introduction to walkers and lovers of literature who can explore this unique area of Yorkshire and walk in the footsteps of those who knew and loved this town and its moorlands two hundred years ago. With guided tours around special buildings as well as outdoor walks and the history of people and places who lived and worked in Haworth over centuries, it offers an insight into life and death in the melee of the Industrial Revolution. Its joint authors have combined their lifelong interests in Victorian literature and social history with writing, walking, photography and cartography and have included quotes from Bronte poetry and novels.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFor a whole year on his train to work, Stig Abell read books from across genres and time periods. Then he wrote about them, and their impact on our culture and his own life.The result is a work of many things: a brisk guide to the canon of Western literature; an intimate engagement with writers from Shakespeare to JK Rowling, Marcel Proust to Zora Neale Hurston; a wise and funny celebration of the power of words; and a meditation on mental unrest and how to tackle it. It will help you discover new books to love, give you the confidence to give up on those that you don't, and remind you of ones that you already do.What to Read Next has been written for the reader in all of us.Trade ReviewBeyond splendid . . . a brilliant idea, beautifully realised * Bill Bryson *Far more than a guide, this is a book lover's companion, a wise friend's recommendations, an answer to the question "what to read next" and why. I wish I knew half as much about books as Stig Abell * Kit de Waal *A witty, warm and wonderfully wise celebration of the written word. A huge treat * Lucy Foley *It's like being a member of the best book club ever * Frank Skinner *Stig's books are must-haves. He educates, informs and entertains in equal measure * Dermot O'Leary *This is Abell at his best - frank, funny and fascinating. Did Clive James and Bill Bryson have a secret love child? * Lee Child *A thoroughly enjoyable saunter through some great, and not so great, works of literature * Times Literary Supplement *A book for Christmas and the fireside, but a book also for all days and weathers, even for a chilly morning commuter train - once commuting is back in fashion -- Allan Massie * Scotsman *It is always interesting when an intelligent reader comes fresh to books you have known for a long time . . . the whole book is a lucky dip: put in your thumb, pull out a plum, and relish it. * Yorkshire Post *

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn this elegant but pocketable edition in the Ross's Discoveries series, passionate bibliophile Michael Ross has curated his favorite literary quotes spanning a multitude of important life topics from the collection of over 1500 well-read books on his shelves. In Ross's Life Discoveries Michael Ross brings together quotes from such a new perspective even the authors themselves will probably find this book useful and insightful.Trade ReviewPraise for Michael Ross"Truly exceptional and simply stated, Ross's Timely Discoveries is a bibliophile's treasure that is unreservedly and enthusiastically recommended for personal reading lists, as well as community, and academic library Literary Studies collection."―Midwest Book Review"Reading Michael Ross’s collection of quotes along with his comments feels like peeking into another’s diary and finding a relationship with the enclosed contents. Just as elusive time flies from us, so do we adapt to different identities at varied ages. As a consummate reader, the author, intrigued by the changing aspects of time, selects quotes from literature relating to how the present, past, and future are viewed. Take a quote from John Updike, who comments on how paradise always lies in the past or future, but not in the present. It seems the grass is always greener somewhere else. Pithy truisms related to impressions of mutable time, feelings of age, and the value of memory selected from American and British authors grace the pages with insightfully incisive editorial comments. Familiar authors such as Bernard Malamud, Garrison Keillor, Doris Lessing, Oscar Wilde, Elia Kazan, and more serve as the sources. The book’s design is unique; it resembles an old-fashioned hardback classic in pocket-book size with a valentine red binding. The script on the black and white pages is elegantly lettered, and these are interspersed with skillful illustrations of some of the included authors by Cara Lowe. An interesting collection of timely thoughts."―San Francisco Book Review

Read more less

Book Synopsis'A holiday in the complex, joyful, indelicate medieval world'John Higgs, author of Watling StreetChaucer's People is an absorbing and revealing guide to the Middle Ages, populated with Chaucer's pilgrims from The Canterbury Tales. These are lives spent at the pedal of a loom, maintaining the ledgers of an estate or navigating the high seas. Drawing on contemporary experiences of a vast range of subjects including trade, religion, toe-curling remedies and hair-raising recipes, bestselling historian Liza Picard recreates the medieval world in glorious detail.Trade ReviewLiza Picard, a chronicler of London society across the centuries, now weaves an infinity of small details into an arresting tapestry of life in 14th-century England. Her technique - pursued with the verve and spirit for which she is already justly admired - is to celebrate Chaucer's pilgrim portraits by resituating them within an enlarged field of medieval practices and assumptions ... Picard concludes with a speculative Chaucer continuation ... Most notably, she - a woman who has herself lived long and thought much - creates an inner monologue for the Wife of Bath, who, after visiting the shrine, drifts into a Molly Bloomian soliloquy, reflecting on the pros, cons, and possible personal advantages of taking the veil. As in the rest of the book, we here encounter not presumption but homage, an enthusiast enacting her respect for Chaucer's enduring and indelible accomplishment -- Paul Strohm * The Spectator *Chaucer's pilgrims are the first historical characters who feel like real people, and now Liza Picard makes their world as vivid and three-dimensional as the merry band themselves. Chaucer's People is a holiday in the complex, joyful, indelicate medieval world - an approachable, engaging and highly recommended account of an England which is long gone, but whose spirit lingers -- John Higgs, author of Watling StreetAs you read this book, Chaucer's writing gains a depth and pungency it usually lacks ... Sometimes these snippets, in their oddness, distance the toiling pilgrims from us. At others, they bring them much closer ... There is a Chaucerian pleasure in plain sentences, plainly written. This is more almanac than argument, but no less enjoyable for that. If you were to reread The Canterbury Tales, you'd get so much more from it with this at your side ... And there are some excellent titbits -- Catherine Nixey * The Times *An absorbing and revealing companion volume to The Canterbury Tales * The Oldie *Wonderfully readable and full of delights ... It buoyed me up with its brilliant insights, many of them entirely new to me -- John Simpson, BBC World Affairs EditorEngaging and fun ... The premise of this entertaining book is to provide historical context for the multitude of figures in Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. It is well researched and packed with intriguing nuggets - from the etymology of the word "haberdasher" (from an old Icelandic word meaning a pedlar's sack), to the story of Richard Steris, "one of the cunningest players at the tenys in England", and a wonderful selection of medieval recipes ... Picard provides a wealth of detail both about the occupations of the various characters, and the wider contexts in which they operated. The section on the overwhelmingly complex nature of medieval law is particularly clear and effective -- Hannah Skoda * BBC History Magazine *Chaucer's fourteenth-century story collection The Canterbury Tales is a classic hook on which to hang an exploration of the Middle Ages, and this take pleasingly spirals outwards to cover the characters (the nun, the knight, the miller) and the lives they would have led * History Revealed *Instructive fun ... The writing is always lively, and there are excellent colour illustrations -- Dr G. R. Evans * Church Times *Brings to life the social history of a period we still know little about. A jolly good read for historians * This England *

Read more less

Book Synopsis'A very special book' DIANA HENRY. 'Perfect' NINA STIBBE. The Little Library Year takes you through a full twelve months in award-winning food writer Kate Young's kitchen. Here are frugal January meals enjoyed alone with a classic comfort read, as well as summer feasts to be eaten outdoors with the perfect beach read to hand. Beautifully photographed throughout, The Little Library Year is full of delicious seasonal recipes, menus and reading recommendations. 'A wonderful, brilliant book' RUBY TANDOH. 'The best present a food-obsessed bookworm could ask for' OLIA HERCULES. 'Tender, gorgeous, clever and generous' ELLA RISBRIDGER. 'Bibliophile foodies have a treat in store for them. Many treats, in fact' JASPER FFORDE.Trade ReviewRecipes you long to cook, suggestions for books you want to read, a sense of place and season, and tales of a life lived thoughtfully and well. This is a very special book, written with great generosity. I loved it -- Diana HenryA cookbook and culinary almanac that celebrates the books and characters conjured by each season and its food. Leafing through a cookery book has never been so satisfying. Perfect -- Nina StibbeA wonderful, brilliant book. Instantly comforting, effortlessly beautiful and suffused with the generosity that's at the heart of any good meal -- Ruby TandohBibliophile foodies have a treat in store for them. Many treats, in fact -- Jasper FfordeCombines two of my most favourite things – interesting and flavour-packed recipes, and reading lists. The best present a food-obsessed bookworm could ask for -- Olia HerculesTender, gorgeous, clever and generous... A book to be both treasured and treated as the hands-on, practical food bible it really is. As perfectly balanced as her recipes – with photographs like Vermeer paintings, stories the never overwhelm the food itself, and lovely, lyrical writing – I want to eat everything Kate cooks, and I want to cook everything she writes, and I want to buy this book for everyone I love. I loved it' -- Ella RisbridgerI love this so much. It's so cheering in an I Capture the Castle way of not being able to be depressed when there is a good egg tea inside you. I love Kate Young's writing and the way she weaves herself, the books, and the food together. What a treat -- Cathy RetzenbrinkKate's writing is as delicious and vibrant as her recipes. Her passion for food, for books, and for seasonal home cooking is completely infectious. This book sings with love, with flavour, with invention: I want to cook everything in it -- Olivia PottsMakes me want to read, cook and eat in equal measure -- Sue Quinn.A deeply personal book written in a sincere voice; reading it is like talking to your best and greediest book-loving friend * Daily Telegraph. *[An] engaging cookbook... Young's culinary almanac is sure to inspire an appetite for reading as well as cooking' * Town & Country UK *This is the book to curl up with on Christmas Day. It's a big cosy hug of a read, written with such love and care... Kate's recipes and suggestions for timely books to read as you cook and then eat are seamlessly blended' * Haverhill Echo *Bookworm Kate Young has penned the perfect gift for foodie friends who revel in the meal descriptions in their favourite novels' * Sainsbury's Magazine *What to eat when, and with what perfect read in your hand, need never be a cause for concern again thanks to Kate Young's latest cookbook. She considers the art of eating, imagination and literature in the most hunger-inducing ways * Dorset Echo *A beautifully presented, written and illustrated book, which gives real insight into the author and her love of the English seasons, and should inspire anybody to both cook and read more * Crumbs *

Read more less