Traditional or cultural fiction and true stories, tales and retellings

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Book SynopsisThe Stripper Goddess of Japan: The Life and Afterlives of Ame no Uzume is the first complete English translation of Ame no Uzume den (1991) by one of Japan''s most influential post-war intellectuals, Tsurumi Shunsuke (1922-2015). Tsurumi regarded this book as the most important of his vast and varied corpus; in a sense, it is his tour de force, liberally drawing from his profound knowledge and thinking in multiple fields, ranging from classic and contemporary literature to philosophy, sociology, history, anthropology, politics, popular culture and ''marginal'' (genkai) art.Tsurumi''s subject, Ame no Uzume, is a minor goddess in Japanese mythology who appears in the ancient texts Kojiki and Nihon shoki. She is famous for her comic-shamanistic dance performance enticing the Sun Goddess Amaterasu out of the Heavenly Cave where she has retreated as a result of her brother''s violence. Uzume''s half-naked performance is so entertaining to the other deities that Amaterasu ventures outside, thus restoring light to the world. In another episode, Uzume faces a formidable stranger giant, Sarutahiko, at the crossroads of Heaven and Earth, and manages to ease tensions and avoid confrontation. In both instances she reveals her abilities as an open-minded and border-crossing goddess with a democratic, pacifist and mirthful approach to dealing with discomfort and adversity.Tsurumi identifies Uzume''s eight quintessential characteristics and demonstrates how some of these are found in people across a wide range of genres, fields and cultures through time and space. Many of his examples are women, including the founder of kabuki, Izumo no O-Kuni; the legendary post-war striptease performer, Ichijo Sayuri; the founder of the ''dancing religion'', Kitamura Sayo; the provocative writer-nun, Setouchi Harumi/Jakucho; and the famously humorous novelist-essayist, Tanabe Seiko. Tsurumi''s method, structure and style perfectly match his subject, opening the way for deep consideration into ways in which the many serious global issues facing humankind such as climate change, human rights, and escalating warfare may be resolved or at least diminished.

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Book SynopsisA juggernaut in the literary world at the apex of history, culture, politics, and art, the Greeks altered almost every facet of Western ideology and stand alone as a legend in the realm of human history. No other culture can boast such a profound importance on the rest of the known world and the Greeks have the mythology to back it up. Out of their curiosity about the world around them, their pursuits of science and knowledge, conquest, and avarice, the rich tradition of their gods and goddesses reach out to us from across the creative divide and tell a tall tale of what the Greeks cherished, revered, feared, and believed.Now the wealth of this glorious empire’s mythology is at your fingertips, filled with the triumphs and tragedies of these larger-than-life characters. From the fiery creation of the universe and to the petty jealousies of its lowliest, smallest players, the spectrum of Greek mythology is yours to explore. Discover the great conflicts that plagued both the lords of the skies as well as the leagues of men who battled against their gods and spun forth these incredible tales. Prepare to do battle with the kind of creatures known only to nightmares that the Greeks introduced into popular culture and beyond. Experience the love, loss, history, infidelity, triumph, and tradition of the these ancient heroes and villains that continue to inspire the masses even thousands of years after their demise.

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Book SynopsisIn a magical city seen only at twilight, resentful second son Matteo unlocks secrets which could cause his world’s star to set. For fans of Neil Gaiman and Paulo Coelho comes “a haunting lyrical fantasy dealing with love, loss, and political turmoil.” (Publisher’s Weekly) In Panduri, an enchanted city seen only at twilight, everyone's path is mapped, everyone's destiny decided, their lives charted at birth and steered by an unwavering star. Everyone has his place, and Matteo, second son of Panduri's duca, is eager to take up his as Legendary Protector—at the border and out from under his father's domineering thumb. Then Matteo's older brother pulls rank and heads to the border in his stead, leaving Panduri's orbit in a spiral and Matteo's course on a skid. Forced to follow an unexpected path, resentful and raw, Matteo is determined to rise, to pursue the one future Panduri's star can never chart: a life of his own.Trade Review"There’s a lot to like about Tarquini’s Italian-inflected fantasy story, starting with her often lyrical prose." —Kirkus Reviews “Tarquini spins a haunting, lyrical fantasy dealing with love, loss, and political turmoil . . . Patient readers will be rewarded by the mysteries at the heart of these brothers’ struggles, which slowly unfold until the last page.” —Publishers Weekly "Deepest Blue is a paean to the indelible journey of life, from expectation and station to our destinies and hopes. Braiding myth and fairy tale into melodic prose that borders on poetry, Tarquini gives us a story of yesterday, today, and, most importantly, tomorrow. The world of Panduri’s characters are deftly drawn, their discordant desires juxtaposed with a world seemingly in demand of harmonic balance. The author carefully conducts her brilliant third novel with her signature deft humor and wry insight. Through deep grief and even deeper love, Tarquini brings readers a new symphony of our stars: hope, light, life, and dreams." —Camille Griep, author of Letters to Zell and New Charity Blues "Mindy Tarquini, weaver of magical stories and poetic prose, has spun a riveting tale of royal brothers whose lives churn with conflict and rock with the consequences of word and deed. Deepest Blue sets an undaunted gaze upon the mysterious city of Panduri, and into the family dynamics that manage to keep love afloat even when all seems lost." —Jan Von Schleh, author of But Not Forever "This is an engaging story that moves at a blistering pace . . . a powerful tale that takes us to a mythical place where magic and the simple and purest joys in life are prized above all else . . . If you haven't read a book by Tarquini before then I can only encourage you to sit down and strap yourself in for the ride with faith." —Sandra Ruttan, author of The Spying Moon and What Burns Within

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisOnce, I was a broke college student. Now, it seems I''m destined to rule as the Lightbringer--queen of the demon realm. Except I have competition in the form of Orion, the Lord of Chaos. Like me, he has been marked as a leader. We can''t keep our hands off each other, even if he swore an oath to kill me.It seems we both want the same thing--the crown. And in this battle of wills, only one of us will be left standing.

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