Traditional or cultural fiction and true stories, tales and retellings
Image Comics I Hate Fairyland Volume 4: Sadly Never After
Book SynopsisWhat started as a normal, everyday, child-sucked-into-a-magical-land-to-fulfill-an-inane-quest has changed Fairyland forever. In the continuation of SKOTTIE YOUNG'S saccharine fantasy-satire, Gertrude hands over the spotlight to Larry, Duncan Dragon, and some of Fairyland's other supporting cast, misfits, and forgotten threats.Collects issues 16 through 20.
£13.49
Vintage Publishing The Story of a Nutcracker
Book SynopsisAlexandre Dumas (Author) Alexandre Dumas was a French playwright, historian and prolific novelist, penning a string of successful books including The Three Musketeers (1844), The Count of Monte Cristo (1845), and Twenty Years After(1845). His novels have been translated into a hundred different languages and inspired over two hundred films. In his day Dumas was as famous for his financial irresponsibility and flamboyant lifestyle as for his writing. Dumas died in 1870.Trade ReviewA family story that everyone can enjoy * Guardian *For all its darkness, [The Nutcracker] appeals to parents and their children because it's like one of those glowing glass globes that you can shake and see the snow swirl. It's a dream bubble, a vision of middle-class happiness and fantasy that precedes the Russian Revolution and all the horrors of the last century and this one. That world may have faded, but it is still our sweetest dream * New York Times *An enduring Christmas classic * Daily Telegraph *Like Hansel And Gretel, The Nutcracker is a slightly dark story, but it s also magical...a world of childhood imagination * Glasgow Herald *
£8.82
HarperCollins Publishers The Voyage of Freydis An epic new feminist
Book SynopsisThe Vinland Viking Saga: Book 1History set her fate in stoneMurderer. Mercenary. Temptress.Trickster. Traitor. Thief.But under a hammer that falls like thunder, stone will always shatter.So with her voice she lights the forge.The Voyage of Freydis sings the silenced tale of Freydis Eiriksdottir, the first and only woman to lead a Viking voyage across the Atlantic in this tempestuous retelling of an ancient Icelandic saga set at the dawn of the 11th century.Content notice: spousal abuse.Praise for The Voyage of Freydis:Anyone who loves Vikings and historical fiction definitely should pick up this book' Emily, NetGalley reviewerVery lyrically written, I felt as if I was reading a song' Tiffany, NetGalley reviewerAs a lover of mythology and historical fiction I knew immediately I was going to like this book and I'm pleased to say I not only liked it but I LOVED it!' Libby, NetGalley reviewerTamara Goranson's writing really shines here. I felt the cold, heard the wind, flinched with the blTrade Review‘Anyone who loves Vikings and historical fiction definitely should pick up this book’ Emily, NetGalley reviewer ‘Very lyrically written, I felt as if I was reading a song’ Tiffany, NetGalley reviewer ‘As a lover of mythology and historical fiction I knew immediately I was going to like this book – and I’m pleased to say I not only liked it but I LOVED it!’ Libby, NetGalley reviewer ‘Tamara Goranson’s writing really shines here. I felt the cold, heard the wind, flinched with the blows – that takes a lot of skill’ Dawn, NetGalley reviewer ‘Took me on a rollercoaster of emotions’ Charlotte, NetGalley reviewer
£9.49
Orenda Books Sealskin
Book SynopsisAn exquisitely written, heart-achingly beautiful retelling of the Selkie legend … both timeless and timely … by award-winning debut author Su Bristow SHORTLISTED FOR THE PAUL TORDAY MEMORIAL PRIZE ‘Sorrowful and lovely, with a well-earned, satisfying conclusion' Publishers Weekly ‘Accomplished and intelligent … a fine piece of craftsmanship and a pleasure to read’ Allan Massie What happens when magic collides with reality? Donald is a young fisherman, eking out a lonely living on the west coast of Scotland. One night he witnesses something miraculous … and makes a terrible mistake. His action changes lives – not only his own, but those of his family and the entire tightly knit community in which they live. Can he ever atone for the wrong he has done, and can love grow when its foundation is violence? Based on the legend of the selkies – seals who can transform into people –Sealskin is a magical story, evoking the harsh beauty of the landscape, the resilience of its people, both human and animal, and the triumph of hope over fear and prejudice. With exquisite grace, Exeter Novel Prize-winner Su Bristow transports us to a different world, subtly and beautifully exploring what it means to be an outsider, and our innate capacity for forgiveness and acceptance. Rich with myth and magic, Sealskin is, nonetheless, a very human story, as relevant to our world as to the timeless place in which it is set. And it is, quite simply, unforgettable. 'This assured and readable story is determined to show that change and growth are possible, even on the very margins of society. The heartfelt message seems to be that acceptance comes when individuals face up to their fears and act for the good beyond themselves' Guardian 'It’s a multi-layered romance which sits equally well in the realms of literary fiction which is where its publisher’s interests lie’ Frost Magazine ‘Told with skill and beauty … held me spellbound to the very last page’ Amanda Jennings ‘Achingly beautiful … written smoothly and skilfully … I absolutely loved it’ Gill Paul ‘Original, vivid, tender and atmospheric … this is a story so deeply immersive that you emerge at the end, gasping for air’ Iona Grey ‘An enthralling human love story. A profound achievement and a stunning debut’ Richard Bean ‘I love books in which magic takes on a gritty reality, and Sealskin is just such a book. Dark and brooding and half-familiar, the tale steals over you till you’re half-in, half-out of a dream’ Jane Johnson ‘A beautiful and bewitching read that haunted my thoughts for days. The sense of the sea, of this small community, of guilt is palpable. This is one of those books you place reverentially on your bookcase and envy those who are yet to dive in’ Michael J. Malone ‘Ms Bristow’s skill in weaving a centuries-old tale into a current-day fiction novel and binding the two together is simply superbly done. Sealskin is boldly written, brilliantly told and a tale of legendary proportions’ JM Hewitt ‘Sealskin is a magical and moral tale woven with a deft hand’ Sara MacDonald ‘Sealskin is a tender, moving and gentle read. Whilst there is an obvious magical feel to it, it’s so well written that it becomes almost believable. It’s a really lovely story and one which I think will stay with me’ New Books MagazineTrade Review'Sealskin is an accomplished and intelligent novel, a fine piece of craftsmanship and a pleasure to read' Allan Massie * 'Bristow has taken a known myth, and created an enthralling, human love story. A profound achievement, and a stunning debut' Richard Bean * 'An extraordinary book: original, vivid, tender and atmospheric. Su Bristow's writing is fluid and flawless, and this is a story so deeply immersive that you emerge at the end, gasping for air' Iona Grey * 'I love books in which magic takes on a gritty reality, and Sealskin is just such a book. Dark and brooding and half-familiar, the tale steals over you till you're half-in, half-out of a dream' Jane Johnson * 'An evocative story, told with skill and beauty, that held me spellbound until the very last page' Amanda Jennings * 'On the face of it, Sealskin is a gentle tale, a lovely reworking of the selkie legend many of us have known and loved since childhood. Do not be fooled, dear reader; beneath this simple re-imagining lies a story as deep as the ocean the selkie comes from. I was captivated from the first page to the poignant last one, by the sympathetically drawn characters and a mesmerising sense of place. In between are moments of tragedy, moments of grace and redemption; the whole wrapped in Su Bristow's charismatic writing. This is a story that catches on the edge of your heart, leaving tiny scars; reminders of a journey into a beloved legend, the human lives caught up in it and the consequences of the choices they make. It is, quite simply, exceptional' Carole Lovekin * 'In this achingly beautiful retelling of the classic Scottish folk tale, Su Bristow brings psychological depth and great warmth to the characters, making the ending all the more heart-breaking. It's a story about the tensions of life in a tiny fishing community, about bullying and violence as well as the healing magic of nature. It's written smoothly and skilfully with not a word too many or a word too few. I absolutely loved it and can't recommend it highly enough' Gill Paul * 'A beautiful and bewitching read that haunted my thoughts for days. The sense of the sea, of this small community, of guilt is palpable. This is one of those books you place reverentially on your bookcase and envy those who are yet to dive in' Michael J. Malone * 'Sealskin is the most exquisite tale of love, forgiveness and magic. Inspired by the legends of the selkies, this gorgeous novel is a dark fairy tale, an ode to traditional storytelling, a tribute to the stories we loved hearing as children. But be warned - this is no happy-ever-after tale. The language is just glorious, poetic and rich but precise. And her characters - oh, they will remain in your heart long after you've closed the last page. Mairhi - especially since she never really "speaks" - is a beautiful mystery, but one who haunted me when I was between chapters. If this is her first, then I can't wait to read whatever Su Bristow bestows upon the literary world next' Louise Beech * 'Ms Bristow's skill in weaving a centuries-old tale into a current-day fiction novel and binding the two together is simply superbly done. Sealskin is boldly written, brilliantly told and a tale of legendary proportions' JM Hewitt * 'Sealskin is a magical and moral tale woven with a deft hand' Sara MacDonald * 'With its beautiful language and magical storytelling, Sealskin is a clear winner for me' Sophie Duffy
£8.54
Image Comics I Hate Fairyland Book One
Book SynopsisFrom SKOTTIE YOUNG, New york Times Best Selling, Eisner Award winning cartoonist of the Wizard of OZ graphic Novels, Rocket Raccoon, and Fortunately, The Milk comes a satirical fairytale adventure that smashes it’s cute little face against hilariously violent comedy that’s definitely NOT bedtime story material for the kiddies. (unless your parents are super cool and don’t screen your entertainment, then... whatever.) In this oversized DELUXE HARDCOVER, join Gert (a grown woman in a six-year old girl’s body, who has been stuck in a the magical world of Fairyland for over thirty years) on a maddening quest to return home. It’s just her, a fly named Larry, a giant blood-soaked battle-axe and and endless amount of cute and cuddly Fairylanders standing in her way. Collects issues 1-10, along with EXCLUSIVE EXTRAS!Trade ReviewLIBRARY JOURNAL -- Once upon a time, a little girl named Gertrude made a wish to visit Fairyland, a fantasy kingdom filled with magic and the promise of endless adventure. Queen Cloudia, ruler of Fairyland, granted Gertrude's wish and charged her with a quest to retrieve a key that would allow her to return home. Twenty-seven years later, an ageless, immortal Gertrude has been driven mad by her ceaseless wanderings, which are less and less a mission and more of a bloody rampage across the kingdom. Tired of seeing her subjects disemboweled but bound by magical law against doing away with Gertrude herself, Queen Cloudia plots to throw a series of obstacles in her way. Collecting the first ten issues of an ongoing series, this volume opens with Gertrude killing an anthropomorphic moon via cannon and only gets more berserk from there. Creator Young (Rocket Raccoon) has a knack for brutally funny dialog and presents the action in a candy-colored, supercute style, making fountains of blood simultaneously horrifying and a little bit charming.Verdict Gory, endlessly inventive, and often laugh-out-loud funny.-Tom Batten, Grafton, VA
£25.64
Humanoids, Inc The Fire of Theseus
Book SynopsisThe true story of Theseus and the Minotaur. Everyone thinks they know Theseus, the great Hero of Athens. But what legend has retained is merely a web of lies, a fable to hide the truth—a truth that time was not ready to accept... It's time Her story was told.
£15.29
Flame Tree Publishing Japanese Myths
Book SynopsisJapan's mythology is alive with gods, spirits and monsters. It draws on Buddhist and Shinto traditions to explain the nature of the world of the island of Japan, and the heavenly status of the long line of emperors. The warrior class of the imperial court, and the natural spirits of the countryside represent parallel and interdependent aspects of Japanese society, explored through ancient legend and folklore in this fascinating new book in the Flame Tree Myths and Legend series. FLAME TREE 451: From mystery to crime, supernatural to horror and myth, fantasy and science fiction, Flame Tree 451 offers a healthy diet of werewolves and mechanical men, blood-lusty vampires, dastardly villains, mad scientists, secret worlds, lost civilizations and escapist fantasies. Discover a storehouse of tales gathered specifically for the reader of the fantastic.
£6.64
Dedalus Ltd Venice Noir: The dark history of the lagoons
Book Synopsis
£9.49
Batsford Ltd Faeries, Elves and Goblins: The Old Stories and
Book SynopsisA unique collection of traditional stories about faeries, elves and goblins. Faeries, elves, goblins, leprechauns, brownies, spriggans and many other supernatural beings leap vividly off the page in this collection of haunting stories. Included are 25 stories drawing on folklore from the rich narrative heritage of Britain and Ireland. Marvel over ancient spells to summon faeries to your house, tremble at the shapeshifting powers of dangerous faery queens, lose yourself amongst the illusions of Faeryland and learn how to protect family members from the terrors of faery abduction. Interspersed with facts on faery folklore, these tales cover faery morals, elvish misdemeanours, the spells cast by goblins and the sightings of the creatures, as well as their dealings with mortals. With charming illustrations from favourite illustrators throughout, including Arthur Rackham, this book reminds us of the enduring appeal of folklore and mystery for all generations.
£12.34
Hackett Publishing Co, Inc Mulan: Five Versions of a Classic Chinese Legend,
Book SynopsisThe legend of Mulan--the daughter who disguises herself as a man, dons her father's armor, and heads off to war in his place--remains one of the most popular Chinese folktales despite (or because of) its lack of supernatural demonstrations or interventions.This volume offers lively translations of the earliest recorded version of the legend and several later iterations of the tale (including the screenplay of the hugely successful 1939 Chinese film Mulan Joins the Army), illustrating the many ways that reinterpretations of this basic story reflect centuries of changes in Chinese cultural, political, and sexual attitudes.An Introduction traces the evolution of the Mulan legend and its significance in the history of Chinese popular culture. Annotation explaining terms and references unfamiliar to Western readers, a glossary, and a comprehensive bibliography further enhance the value of this volume for both scholars and students.Trade ReviewIdema's scholarship . . . [and his] ability to translate popular texts into comparably idiomatic English are outstanding achievements.--Hugh R. Clark, Ursinus CollegeThe plots and the elaborations of the Mulan narratives reproduced (and summarized) here demonstrate the many ways in which the Mulan figure has spoken to succeeding generations with differing heroic characteristics and in the idiom that each audience understood; they offer excellent texts for a deep background for any consideration of Mulan in contemporary culture. For scholars of European fairy tales, the narratives offer striking points of comparison with European crossdressing heroines of the sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth centuries.--Ruth B. Bottigheimer, Stony Brook University
£37.39
Hackett Publishing Co, Inc Monks, Bandits, Lovers, and Immortals: Eleven
Book SynopsisThis magnificent collection of eleven early [1250–1450] Chinese plays will give readers a vivid sense of life and a clear understanding of dramatic literature during an extraordinarily eventful period in Chinese history. Not only are the eleven plays in this volume expertly translated into lively, idiomatic English; they are each provided with illuminating, scholarly introductions that are yet fully intelligible to the educated lay reader. A marvelous volume.--Victor Mair, University of PennsylvaniaTrade Review"An exciting new resource for undergraduate teaching. The translated plays were clearly chosen for their literary value as well as their significance to the history of Chinese drama, and each is preceded by an introduction providing its historical context In their lucid introduction, West and Idema describe the historical background of early drama, discussing its urban setting, the theater, the actors, and the sources to trace the transformation of Yuan drama from urban popular performance into an elite reading form by the end of the Ming dynasty". --Kimberly Besio, Colby College, in The Journal of Asian StudiesWest and Idema's Monks, Bandits, Lovers, and Immortals represents a milestone in the reception of early Chinese drama in the West. Not only do the translations of eleven plays take precision, readability, and range to new heights, but the substantial yet accessible Introduction, together with a number of useful appendices, illustrations, and tables, make it the anthology of choice for courses in Chinese literature, world literature, and theater.--Patricia Sieber, Ohio State UniversityTable of ContentsIntroduction: Mending a Broken Lineage: Women, Writing, Theology; Fear & Women's Writing: Choosing the Better Part; 'A Wretched Choice?': Evangelical Women & the Word; 'My God Became Flesh': Angela of Foligno Writing the Incarnation; Speaking Funk: Womanist Insights into the Lives of Syncletica & Macrina; 'A Moor of One's Own': Writing & Silence in Sara Maitland's "A Book of Silence"; With Prayer & Pen: Reading Mother E J Dabney's "What It Means to Pray Through"; Writing a Life, Writing Theology: Edith Stein in the Company of the Saints; Writing Hunger on the Body: Simone Weil's Ethic of Hunger & Eucharistic Practice; The Body, to be Eaten, to be Written: A Theological Reflection on the Act of Writing in Theresa Hak Kyung Cha's "Dictee"; Not with One Voice: The Counterpoint of Life, Diaspora, Women, Theology, & Writing; Embodying Theology: Motherhood as Metaphor/Method; Postscript: Wounded Writing / Healing Writing.
£17.09
Canongate Books Ragnarok: The End of the Gods
Book SynopsisAs the bombs rain down in the Second World War, one young girl is evacuated to the English countryside. Struggling to make sense of her new wartime life, she is given a copy of a book of ancient Norse myths and her inner and outer worlds are transformed.Linguistically stunning and imaginatively abundant, Byatt's mesmerising tale - inspired by the myth of Ragnarok -is a landmark piece of storytelling from one of the world's truly great writers.The Myths series brings together some of the world's finest writers, each of whom has retold a myth in a contemporary and memorable way. Authors in the series include Karen Armstrong, Margaret Atwood, A.S. Byatt, David Grossman, Natsuo Kirino, Alexander McCall Smith, Philip Pullman, Ali Smith and Jeanette Winterson.Trade ReviewLyrical and urgent * * The Times * *Brilliant, highly intelligent, fiercely personal . . . Gorgeous -- Ursula K. Le GuinByatt has made . . . an entire world, compressed but energetically alive in all its details. When we have artists like this, who needs gods? * * Observer * *Byatt's prose is majestic, the lush descriptive passages - jewelled one minute, gory the next - a pleasure to get lost in * * Sunday Telegraph * *Byatt's writing, impassioned and liberated from the strictures of the novel, has never been so beautiful * * Telegraph * *Byatt's prose, compact and lyrical, treats the gods with dignity . . . Ragnarok is a clever, lucid, lovely book * * Guardian * *Surely among the most beautiful and incisive pages Byatt has ever written * * Independent * *Byatt enters with gusto and an almost Ted Hughes-like relish for savagery into this primitive world of sorcery and trickery * * Sunday Times * *Byatt peels back the cover of the book that the girl reads and takes us deep inside it as she delights in reimagining the twilight of the gods and the destruction of the world . . . Like Wagner before her, she dares to dream how the world might end . . . this rewriting of the Ragnarok is a story for our time of overpopulation and anthropomorphic climate change, and of all time * * Financial Times * *Byatt's retelling of Ragnarok is permeated with the loving familiarity of long acquaintance * * Evening Standard * *
£9.49
Hackett Publishing Co, Inc Anthology of Classical Myth: Primary Sources in
Book SynopsisThis new edition of Anthology of Classical Myth offers selections from key Near Eastern texts—the Babylonian Epic of Gilgamesh, Epic of Creation (Enuma Elish), and Atrahasis; the Hittite Song of Emergence; and the flood story from the book of Genesis—thereby enabling students to explore the many similarities between ancient Greek and Mesopotamian mythology and enhancing its reputation as the best and most complete collection of its kind.Trade ReviewReview of the first edition: "This book is a treasure-trove. It will be hugely useful to instructors teaching any level of mythology course. Not only does it provide, under one cover, good translations of the two complete books essential to every course (Theogony; Homeric Hymns), but it also offers hundreds of pages of additional primary material. . . . No other book in English offers such a wide range of well-translated and important sources. This will be the perfect complement to courses in myth and ancient civilization, making exploration of the mythic heritage richer and more intellectually exciting for all. . . . The quality of translation is universally high—passages are simple, direct, accurate, yet preserve (as the editors wished) a good sense of the native stylistic variations found in the range of excerpts." —Richard Martin, Stanford UniversityReview of the first edition: "I am astonished by the simplicity of the idea, and, at the same time, the complexity of the effort, that joined to produce this outstanding work . . . the organization is impeccable and the selection is provocative. [An] invaluable contribution to the way we teach Classical myth at the university level." —Monica Cyrino, University of New MexicoReview of the first edition: "I believe any mythology teacher who uses primary texts should order this volume for their classes; I certainly will. While the combination of Hesiod and the Homeric Hymns in one volume is in itself welcome, the addition of Apollodorus, Pausanias, Lucian, and Ovid's Heroides, among many others, should prove irresistible to experienced teachers of myth. . . . The introductory materials are very clear and well presented." —Robin Mitchell-Boyask, Temple University
£26.99
Hackett Publishing Co, Inc Anthology of Classical Myth: Primary Sources in
Book SynopsisThis new edition of Anthology of Classical Myth offers selections from key Near Eastern texts—the Babylonian Epic of Gilgamesh, Epic of Creation (Enuma Elish), and Atrahasis; the Hittite Song of Emergence; and the flood story from the book of Genesis—thereby enabling students to explore the many similarities between ancient Greek and Mesopotamian mythology and enhancing its reputation as the best and most complete collection of its kind.Trade ReviewReview of the first edition: "This book is a treasure-trove. It will be hugely useful to instructors teaching any level of mythology course. Not only does it provide, under one cover, good translations of the two complete books essential to every course (Theogony; Homeric Hymns), but it also offers hundreds of pages of additional primary material. . . . No other book in English offers such a wide range of well-translated and important sources. This will be the perfect complement to courses in myth and ancient civilization, making exploration of the mythic heritage richer and more intellectually exciting for all. . . . The quality of translation is universally high—passages are simple, direct, accurate, yet preserve (as the editors wished) a good sense of the native stylistic variations found in the range of excerpts." —Richard Martin, Stanford UniversityReview of the first edition: "I am astonished by the simplicity of the idea, and, at the same time, the complexity of the effort, that joined to produce this outstanding work . . . the organization is impeccable and the selection is provocative. [An] invaluable contribution to the way we teach Classical myth at the university level." —Monica Cyrino, University of New MexicoReview of the first edition: "I believe any mythology teacher who uses primary texts should order this volume for their classes; I certainly will. While the combination of Hesiod and the Homeric Hymns in one volume is in itself welcome, the addition of Apollodorus, Pausanias, Lucian, and Ovid's Heroides, among many others, should prove irresistible to experienced teachers of myth. . . . The introductory materials are very clear and well presented." —Robin Mitchell-Boyask, Temple University
£50.99
Flame Tree Publishing African Myths
Book SynopsisSub-Saharan Africa is a land of colourful contrasts and diverse cultures. Despite the destructive influences of colonialism and the slave trade and the lack of early written records, Africa has persevered with its powerful tradition of storytelling, with tales of its history passed down in songs and stories through the generations. Because of the huge diversity of lifestyles and traditions, no real unified mythology exists in Africa, but broadly speaking, a number of beliefs, ideas and themes are shared by African peoples. So this collection offers a selection of descriptions and tales, often those recorded faithfully by some of the first to put them to paper – tales of the gods, creation stories, trickster adventures, animal fables and stories which amuse and teach – from 'Olukun’s Revenge', from the Yoruba people of west Africa, to' The Story of the Glutton', from the Bantu-speaking peoples of east Africa, all brought together with the aim of providing an insight into the boundless and vibrant world of African myth. FLAME TREE 451: From mystery to crime, supernatural to horror and myth, fantasy and science fiction, Flame Tree 451 offers a healthy diet of werewolves and mechanical men, blood-lusty vampires, dastardly villains, mad scientists, secret worlds, lost civilizations and escapist fantasies. Discover a storehouse of tales gathered specifically for the reader of the fantastic.
£8.07
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Circe
Book SynopsisThe international Number One bestseller from the author of The Song of Achilles, shortlisted for the Women's Prize for FictionWoman. Witch. Myth. Mortal. Outcast. Lover. Destroyer. Survivor. CIRCE. In the house of Helios, god of the sun and mightiest of the Titans, a daughter is born. Circe is a strange child not powerful and terrible, like her father, nor gorgeous and mercenary like her mother. Scorned and rejected, Circe grows up in the shadows, at home in neither the world of gods or mortals. But Circe has a dark power of her own: witchcraft. When her gift threatens the gods, she is banished to the island of Aiaia where she hones her occult craft, casting spells, gathering strange herbs and taming wild beasts. Yet a woman who stands alone will never be left in peace for long and among her island's guests is an unexpected visitor: the mortal Odysseus, for whom Circe will risk everything. So Circe sets forth her tale, a vivid, mesmerizing epic of family rivalTrade ReviewA novel to be gobbled greedily in a single sitting * Observer *Circe is poised to become the literary sensation of the summer, as much for the quality of its writing as its timeliness * Sunday Times Magazine *Enough magic, enchantment, voyages and wonders to satisfy the most jaded sword-and-sorcery palate. Miller approaches Odysseus’s story from Circe’s point of view, richly evoking her protagonist’s overlapping identities as goddess, witch, lover and mother -- Adam Roberts * Guardian, Books of the Year *A triumph * The Times, Books of the Year *Circe back as superwoman … Homer’s witch get a kickass modern makeover… Miller’s Me Too-era, kickass portrait of a woman trying to defy the men and Fates arrayed against her is enchanting… Blisteringly modern * The Times *In a thrilling tour de force of imagination, Miller makes her otherworldly heroine a complex, sympathetic figure for whom we cheer throughout. Circe is a truly spellbinding novel, the mesmerising shimmer of ancient magic rising from it like a heat haze * Mail on Sunday *A brilliantly strange work of mythic science fiction, as effortlessly expressive within the palaces of gods as it is about the world below … Superb … This is both a fabulous novel and a fascinating retelling; the best compliment, perhaps, that any myth could hope for * Daily Telegraph *This year’s novels were filled with the angry clamour of women’s voices: ignored, idealistic or excitingly ambivalent. Madeline Miller reflected the mood for feminist revisionism with her lissom follow-up Circe, which casts the witch goddess in the Odyssey not as a bit player in a man’s epic but as the star of her own show -- Claire Allfree * Daily Telegraph, Books of the Year *It was a big year for creative retelling of myth and pre-modern literature; a favourite was Madeline Miller's Circe, a distinctive, lyrical novel about power, agency and reponsibility, from the point of view of this crafty, much-misunderstood goddess -- Emily Wilson * Times Literary Supplement, Books of the Year *The writing is lovely, the tone assured, and the touch just right -- Alexander McCall Smith * Independent, Books of the Year *It is out of these insights that Miller achieves real narrative propulsion … Supple, pitched in a register that bridges man and myth * Guardian *The first witch in Western literature sets Homer straight as she tells her life story, from her unhappy childhood to her lonely island exile. The woman who emerges is complex and sympathetic. A spellbinding tour de force of imagination * Mail on Sunday, ‘Sizzling summer reads’ *Miller has effected a transformation just as impressive as any of her heroine’s own: she’s turned an ancient tale of female subjugation into one of empowerment and courage full of contemporary resonances -- Lucy Scholes * Independent *What more could you wish for on holiday than this fabulously written re-imagining of the myth? Gods, monsters and mortals are lushly evoked in a page-turner that is as gripping as a soap opera and which triumphantly fuses myth with our contemporary concerns -- Elizabeth Buchan * Daily Mail, Books of the Summer 2018 *Dubbed the ‘feminist Odyssey’, there’s so much to like about Circe. From the author of the much-loved The Song of Achilles, this novel puts a feminist spin on Greek mythology, recasting Circe, the vilified witch infamous for turning men into pigs, in a sympathetic light. Subverting the usual masculine tropes of epic adventure narratives, Miller tells the story of the women who have been historically silenced. And on top of that, she makes Greek myths and culture, which is often perceived as impenetrable and intimidating, accessible. A real page-turner * Elle Magazine *Illuminates known stories from a new perspective … Miller has determined, in her characterization of this most powerful witch, to bring her as close as possible to the human, as a thoughtful and compassionate woman who learns to love unselfishly … A highly psychologized, redemptive and ultimately exculpatory account of the protagonist herself -- Claire Messud * New York Times *The Orange prizewinner Madeline Miller reimagines Circe, the witch from The Odyssey. In Miller’s retelling Circe is a suitably bolshie character who is not going to be bossed around by men. The writing is beautiful * The Times *An epic that’s also a page-turner * i *Fabulous … Bold and sensuously written, it plays brilliantly with the original myth of Circe * Daily Mail *I’ve been waiting for Circe by Madeline Miller for what feels like forever. Since her 2011 debut, The Song of Achilles – a queer retelling of the Iliad from Patroclus’ perspective – I’ve been crowing about the wit and magic of Miller’s prose. Circe did not disappoint. It’s a feminist tale of the nymph child of Helios, the sun god, who is exiled for practising witchcraft. Circe lives for hundreds of years, encountering heroes, gods and legends, but it never feels like a Greek mythology lesson. Actually, it feels more like a splashy, gossipy memoir written by a celebrity who has met everyone. I suspect this will be my book of the year -- Caroline O'Donoghue * Irish Times *Greek myth is fertile fictional terrain for Miller, who won the Orange Prize with her debut, The Song of Achilles. Her new novel is narrated by Circe, the witch from Homer’s Odyssey, who is banished to a remote island and there learns how to survive as a woman alone in the world -- Anita Sethi * Independent, Books of 2018 *A bold and subversive retelling of the goddess’s story that manages to be both epic and intimate in its scope, recasting the most infamous female figure from the Odyssey as a hero in her own right * New York Times *[Miller] gives voice to Circe as a multifaceted and evolving character ... Circe is very pleasurable to read, combining lively versions of familiar tales and snippets of other, related standards with a highly psychologized, redemptive and ultimately exculpatory account of the protagonist herself * New York Times Book Review *God though she may be, here she faces life – and its love, heartbreak, loneliness and motherhood – with immensely relatable humanity. The definition of female strength in all its fractured, fragile glory * **** Stylist *Offers opportunities for feminist revision of famous characters both mortal and divine, especially the egotistical Odysseus and the irresponsible and laddish Hermes. It also leads to a suspenseful metaphysical dilemma … Polished diction and descriptive powers * Prospect *Absorbing ... One of the most amazing qualities of this novel [is]: We know how everything here turns out -we’ve known it for thousands of years - and yet in Miller’s lush reimagining, the story feels harrowing and unexpected. The feminist light she shines on these events never distorts their original shape; it only illuminates details we hadn’t noticed before… In the story that dawns from Miller’s rosy fingers, the fate that awaits Circe is at once divine and mortal, impossibility strange and yet entirely human * Washington Post *A look at mythology with fresh eyes ... In Circe the female perspective sharpens into focus in a way that doesn’t happen in the original * Wall Street Journal *Miller excels at reworking myths and legends for a modern audience … Miller conjures up a cast of strong, relatable characters, from cold-hearted gods and flawed heroes to deadly monsters-and best of all-a strong female protagonist. Fabulously readable * Scotsman *Beautifully written throughout … Miller has broken [Circe] free of the conventions of the masculine epic * Literary Review *A refreshingly complex and utterly compelling portrait of one of the most intriguing women in western literature … Miller’s depiction of what it feels like to work magic is extraordinarily vivid and convincing … What elevates Circe is Miller’s luminous prose, which is both enormously readable and evocative, and the way in which she depicts the gulf between gods and mortals … Circe can be part of that cycle of cruel and pointless conflict, or she can choose to break it. In this unforgettable novel, Miller makes us care about that magical, mythical choice * Irish Times *In Circe, Miller gives depth and history to the title character, how it was she came to be on her island, and her struggles as an independent woman. The “heroes” of Greek myths - the gods, Odysseus and so on - get shoved to the side, as Miller brings to the forefront a fascinating, captivating female character. This is wonderfully detailed and well worth the more than five year wait since The Song of Achilles * Stylist, The 20 must-read books to make room for in 2018 *A mesmerising, fiercely feminist and lyrical retelling of a story from Greek mythology – as enchanting as the enchantress herself * Psychologies *Circe is the utterly captivating, exquisitely written story of an ordinary, and extraordinary, woman's life -- Eimear McBride, author of A Girl is a Half-Formed ThingAn epic spanning thousands of years that's also a keep-you-up-all-night page turner -- Ann PatchettHorror, heartache and grit pour from the pages of this exquisitely written and compelling novel. An alchemist with words, Miller continues to rejuvenate the classics with her exceptional talent … Circe is one of the best and most rewarding books of 2018 * Attitude, 'Book of the Month' *Gives Greek mythology a modern, feminist twist * Elle *Miller weaves an intoxicating tale of gods and heroes, magic and monsters, survival and transformation * i *Gorgeously written ... It leaves you thinking about it for weeks * Grazia *
£9.49
The New Press Creole Folktales
Book SynopsisPatrick Chamoiseau first became known to the international literary world with Texaco, the vast and demanding novel that won France's prestigious Goncourt Prize in 1992. Less well known is the fact that Chamoiseau has written a number of extraordinary books about his childhood in Martinique. One of these, Creole Folktales, recreates in truly magical language the stories he heard as a child. Folktales with a twist, fairy tales with attitude, these stories are told in a language as savory as the spicy food so lovingly evoked within these pages. The urchins, dowagers, ne'er-do-wells, and gluttons in these tales are filled with longing for the simple things in life: a full plate, a safe journey, a good night's sleep. But their world is haunted, and the material comforts we take for granted are the stuff of dreams for them, for there are always monsters waiting to snatch away their tasty bowl of stew—or even life itself. Some of these monsters are familiar: the wicked hag, the envious neighbor, the deceitful suitor, the devil who gobbles up unwary souls. Others may be surprising, and their casual appearance in these tales makes them all the more frightening—like an unexpected glimpse into a fun-house mirror. But in contrast to these folktales' more fantastic creations, the white plantation owner and the slave ship's captain remind us that these are stories of survival in a colonized land. A marvelous introduction to a world, both real and imaginary, that North Americans have ignored for far too long.Trade Review"An engaging collection [of] darkly mischievous stories." —Mirabella"Celebrated in Europe, [Chamoiseau] has been compared to modern masters like Joyce and Kafka . . . but his prose is more accurately described as Rabelaisian . . . Erudite. . . . Stupendously energetic. . . . A powerful artist." —The New York Times Book Review"Chamoiseau is a writer of exceptional and original gifts whose prose is saturated with a kind of bemused gorgeousness, fermented in a broth of unexpected juxtapositions." —The New York Times"Chamoiseau's language is a marvel of unexpected connections and casual exuberance . . . Not a word goes astray." —Los Angeles Times
£9.99
Restless Books Popol Vuh: A Retelling
Book SynopsisAn inspired and urgent prose retelling of the Maya myth of creation by acclaimed Latin American author and scholar Ilan Stavans, gorgeously illustrated by Salvadoran folk artist Gabriela Larios and introduced by renowned author, diplomat, and environmental activist Homero Aridjis.The archetypal creation story of Latin America, the Popol Vuh began as a Maya oral tradition millennia ago. In the mid-sixteenth century, as indigenous cultures across the continent were being threatened with destruction by European conquest and Christianity, it was written down in verse by members of the K'iche' nobility in what is today Guatemala. In 1701, that text was translated into Spanish by a Dominican friar and ethnographer before vanishing mysteriously.Cosmic in scope and yet intimately human, the Popol Vuh offers invaluable insight into the Maya way of life before being decimated by colonizationtheir code of ethics, their views on death and the afterlife, and their devotion to passion, courage, and the natural world. It tells the story of how the world was created in a series of rehearsals that included wooden dummies, demi-gods, and eventually humans. It describes the underworld, Xibalbaa place as harrowing as Dante's helland relates the legend of the ultimate king, who, in the face of tragedy, became a spirit that accompanies his people in their struggle for survival.Popol Vuh: A Retelling is a one-of-a-kind prose rendition of this sacred text that is as seminal as the Bible and the Qur''an, the Ramayana and the Odyssey. Award-winning scholar of Latin American literature Ilan Stavans brings a fresh creative energy to the Popol Vuh, giving a new generation of readers the opportunity to connect with this timeless story and with the plight of the indigenous people of the Americas.
£18.04
Bodleian Library Reynard the Fox
Book SynopsisReynard – a subversive, dashing, anarchic, aristocratic, witty fox from the watery lowlands of medieval East Flanders – is in trouble. He has been summoned to the court of King Noble the Lion, charged with all manner of crimes and misdemeanours. How will he pit his wits against his accusers – greedy Bruin the Bear, pretentious Courtoys the Hound or dark and dangerous Isengrim the Wolf – to escape the gallows? Reynard was once the most popular and beloved character in European folklore, as familiar as Robin Hood, King Arthur or Cinderella. His character spoke eloquently for the unvoiced and disenfranchised, but also amused and delighted the elite, capturing hearts and minds across borders and societal classes for centuries. Based on William Caxton’s bestselling 1481 English translation of the Middle Dutch, but expanded with new interpretations, innovative language and characterisation, this edition is an imaginative retelling of the Reynard story. With its themes of protest, resistance and duplicity fronted by a personable, anti-heroic Fox making his way in a dangerous and cruel world, this gripping tale is as relevant and controversial today as it was in the fifteenth century.Trade Review“Anne Louise Avery presents the full, complicated glory of the silver-tongued predator and his milieu in Reynard the Fox, a tour de force of storytelling and a beautiful object in itself. A writer and art historian, Ms. Avery deploys a scholar’s fluency with medieval language, literature and religion and a raconteur’s ease with anecdote.” -- Meghan Cox Gurdon * The Wall Street Journal *"Game of Thrones meets The Wind in the Willows in Avery's retelling of Reynard the Fox. Riffing on William Caxton's 1481 English translation of a popular Dutch beast epic, this is set in an intricate medieval world reminiscent of Brian Jacques's 'Redwall' series, except bawdy and violent. . . . By cleaving close to Caxton's medieval text, the challenge of Avery's language is equaled by the reward of world-building." -- Katherine Magyarody * School Library Journal *"Anne Louise Avery has done a new translation of the Caxton tale for the Bodleian Library, but has amplified the relatively brief traditional tales with her own prose. . . . By all means, give this book to someone you love as a gift, but be sure to buy one for yourself. The immersive reading experience is lovely." -- Jill O’Neill * Scholarly Kitchen *"This is marvelously spirited and adroit storytelling and an exciting example of innovative translation. Anne-Louise Avery communicates throughout sheer pleasure in the material and luxuriates in its lexical exuberance. Adding mischievous contemporary twists, she has wonderfully refreshed and revivified the medieval collection and shows how these traditional animal fables, with their large and lively cast of characters and their wicked and seductive protagonist, have lost none of their truth-telling power." * Marina Warner *“Reynard the Fox as retold by Anne Louise Avery is a delight to read and an example of how our oldest tales are still some of the best ones around.” -- Richard Marcus * Seattle Post Intelligencer *
£18.00
Headline Publishing Group How the Marquis Got His Coat Back
A Neverwhere short story from one of the brightest, most brilliant writers of our generation - the Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author of the award-winning The Ocean At the End of the Lane. The coat. It was elegant. It was beautiful. It was so close that he could have reached out and touched it.And it was unquestionably his.***'Gaiman's achievement is to make the fantasy world seem true' The Times
£5.05
Flame Tree Publishing Polynesian Island Myths
Book SynopsisThe Polynesian triangle covers Easter Island, Hawaii, New Zealand and the many isles in between. The legends of the region are based on the creation of land, fish, sea, valleys and the volcanic outcrops scattered across the long stretches of the Pacific. The beautiful myths of the ancient Polynesians are brought together in this new collection: from Hawaii the Rainbow Maiden of Manoa undulates through the valleys and rainbow mists; the creator Maui releases his fish hooks into the sea to raise the islands to the surface; and tales of Pele the Fire Goddess, who hurls fountains of molten rock into the air creating vast flows of lava. From the Maori of New Zealand come the strange fruit of darkness, the tales of Tiki and the Great Mother from whom the gods descend, then humankind. And from Polynesia, more legends of Maui creating the ancestors, and Hina the moon goddess. Such myth-making joy creates a rare unity in diversity as the ancient Polynesians strove to explain the beauty and darkness of their lush ocean worlds, now offered in this new selection of myths and legends. FLAME TREE 451: From myth to mystery, the supernatural to horror, fantasy and science fiction, Flame Tree 451 offers a healthy diet of werewolves and mechanical men, blood-lusty vampires, dastardly villains, mad scientists, secret worlds, lost civilizations and escapist fantasies. Discover a storehouse of tales gathered specifically for the reader of the fantastic.
£6.64
Unbound Tatterdemalion
Book Synopsis'It is like a folk tale, but seen in its tattered shreds, glimpsed, then utterly realised in language. It makes me glow; it makes my fur rise'Jay Griffiths, author of Wild: An Elemental JourneyIn a ruined world, what will survive are the stories we tellPoppy, who speaks the languages of wild things, travels east to the mountains with the wheeled and elephantine beast Lyoobov. He’s seeking answers to the mysteries of his birth, and the origins of the fallen world in which he lives.Up in the glacial peaks, among a strange, mountainous people, a Juniper Tree takes Poppy deep into her roots and shows him the true stories of the people who made his world, people he thought were only myths. Their tales span centuries, from three hundred years in the future all the way back to our present day. It is through this feral but redemptive folklore that Poppy begins to understand the story of his own past and his place in the present.Tatterdemalion is a stunning collaboration between writer Sylvia V. Linsteadt and artist Rima Staines, featuring colour reproductions of the fourteen original paintings that inspired the narrative.
£14.99
Hodder & Stoughton Girls Made of Snow and Glass
Book SynopsisONLY ONE CAN BE QUEEN'A feminist fantasy fairy tale not to be missed' BookPage Sixteen-year-old Mina is motherless, her magician father is vicious, and her silent heart has never beat with love for anyone. In fact, it has never beat at all, for her father cut it out and replaced it with one of glass. When she moves to Whitespring Castle, Mina forms a plan: win the king's heart with her beauty, become queen, and finally know love. The only catch is that she'll have to become a stepmother.Fifteen-year-old Lynet looks just like her late mother, and one day she discovers why: a magician created her out of snow in the dead queen's image. Lynet would rather be like her fierce and regal stepmother, Mina, but when her father makes her queen of the southern territories, Mina starts to look at Lynet with something like hatred, and Lynet must decide what to do - and who to be - in order to win back the only mother she's ever known . . . or else defeat her once and for all.'An empowering and progressive original retelling' School Library Journal'Utterly superb' ALA Booklist'Dark, fantastical, hauntingly evocative' KirkusTrade ReviewGirls Made of Snow and Glass is recognisably drawing on Snow White, but its queerness, and its focus on relationships between (step) mothers and daughters, makes it a compelling, refreshingly new version of a very old story. I liked it a lot * Tor.com *In Girls Made of Snow and Glass, Melissa Bashardoust has given us exquisite displays of magic, complex mother-daughter relationships, and gloriously powerful women triumphing in a world that does not want them to be powerful. A gorgeous, feminist fairy tale * Traci Chee, New York Times bestselling author of The Reader *A feminist fairy tale not to be missed * BookPage *Utterly superb * ALA Booklist *Dark, fantastical, hauntingly evocative * Kirkus Reviews, starred review *An empowering and progressive original retelling * School Library Journal *
£8.54
Flame Tree Publishing Arthurian Myths
Book SynopsisMany medieval writers, especially from France and Wales, wrote stories about the great British leader that was King Arthur. Legends, folklore and myths from this period come together to paint a picture of who he was. Some describe him as a great warrior, defending Britain from its enemies, while others suggest Arthur had magical qualities. Throughout this mystery, King Arthur has become an iconic figure, known for his court and knights, all over the world. This collection offers a selection of myths, featuring Arthur’s knights of the round table, his love for Queen Guinevere and of course the ultimate betrayal by one of his most trusted knights, Sir Launcelot. All awaken the magical and exciting world of King Arthur. FLAME TREE 451: From mystery to crime, supernatural to horror and myth, fantasy and science fiction, Flame Tree 451 offers a healthy diet of werewolves and mechanical men, blood-lusty vampires, dastardly villains, mad scientists, secret worlds, lost civilizations and escapist fantasies. Discover a storehouse of tales gathered specifically for the reader of the fantastic.
£6.64
Little, Brown Book Group The Kingdom Of Gods: Book 3 of the Inheritance
Book SynopsisThe debut series from the double Hugo Award-winning N. K. Jemisin, author of The Fifth SeasonFor two thousand years the Arameri family has ruled the world by enslaving the very gods that created mortalkind. Now the gods are free, and the Arameri's ruthless grip is slipping. Yet they are all that stands between peace and world-spanning, unending war.Shahar, last scion of the family, must choose her loyalties. She yearns to trust Sieh, the godling she loves. Yet her duty as Arameri heir is to uphold the family's interests, even if that means using and destroying everyone she cares for.As long-suppressed rage and terrible new magics consume the world, the Maelstrom - which even gods fear - is summoned forth. Shahar and Sieh: mortal and god, lovers and enemies. Can they stand together against the chaos that threatens the kingdom of gods?The Inheritance Trilogy begins with The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, continues in The Broken Kingdoms and concludes in The Kingdom of Gods.Trade Review'This has been an intensely enjoyable series to read...What began as a twist on the familiar fantasy epic has developed into a penetrating analysis of the relationships between gods and humans, and the problems that arise, but also issues of power among people and countries, and who gets to wield it' * INTERZONE *The Inheritance Trilogy has all the elements I love in fantasy: worlds that are fresh and not overly derivative of fantasy that's gone before, complex characters with both strengths and flaws, powerful magic that isn't just a substitute for technology but affects everything from the obvious like power structures to the subtle, like everyday attitudes and habits. Oh, and a compelling, gripping plot * Trudi Canavan (SUNDAY TIMES bestselling author) *
£9.99
HarperCollins Publishers Inc The Silmarillion Illustrated by the Author
Book Synopsis
£56.25
Hackett Publishing Co, Inc The Poetic Edda: Stories of the Norse Gods and
Book Synopsis"The poems of the Poetic Edda have waited a long time for a Modern English translation that would do them justice. Here it is at last (Odin be praised!) and well worth the wait. These amazing texts from a 13th-century Icelandic manuscript are of huge historical, mythological and literary importance, containing the lion's share of information that survives today about the gods and heroes of pre-Christian Scandinavians, their unique vision of the beginning and end of the world, etc. Jackson Crawford's modern versions of these poems are authoritative and fluent and often very gripping. With their individual headnotes and complementary general introduction, they supply today's readers with most of what they need to know in order to understand and appreciate the beliefs, motivations, and values of the Vikings." --Dick Ringler, Professor Emeritus of English and Scandinavian Studies at the University of Wisconsin–MadisonTrade Review"An excellent and entertaining work that succeeds in achieving its intended purpose: to create an accessible and readable English translation of the Poetic Edda. Crawford's knowledge of and passion for the topic is clear throughout, and he strikes an excellent balance between approachability and authenticity. I will most certainly be using this translation when I teach Norse mythology in the future and will recommend it to anyone looking for an approachable introduction to the subject." —Natalie M. Van Deusen, University of Alberta, in Scandinavian-Canadian Studies
£42.50
HarperCollins Publishers Arabian Nights Collins Classics
Book SynopsisHarperCollins is proud to present its new range of best-loved, essential classics.So he rose and lighted one lamp after another, till he had lighted the whole eighty and the palace seemed to dance with brilliancy.'Beginning with the legend of King Shahryr, whose anger at his queen's infidelity leads him to murder a new wife each day, Arabian Nights weaves together ancient folklore and magic in an anthology of fantastical and evocative stories dating from the ninth century.Rich with suspense, passion and tragedy, Sir Richard Burton's celebrated translation continues to transport readers across oceans, to mystical lands and ancient palaces in tales such as The Lovers of Bessorah', The Fellah and His Wicked Wife' and The Hunchback's Tale'.
£8.54
HarperCollins India Aranyaka: Three Rishikas. One Vedic Forest. Fear.
Book SynopsisIn the wilderness of humanity, In the forest of the mind, who eats whom? Who sees whom?
£20.89
![Lanka ka Yuddh [War Of Lanka]](//bookcurl.com/cdn/shop/files/9789356991590.jpg?v=1722557071&width=645)
HarperCollins India Lanka ka Yuddh [War Of Lanka]
Book Synopsis
£11.99
Flame Tree Publishing Hannibal of Carthage
Book SynopsisWith a new introduction, comes the story of Hannibal, often regarded as a successor to the mantle of Alexander the Great, at a time when Carthage, in North Africa, and Rome were rivals for land and power across the Mediterranean sea. A masterful tactician, a resourceful planner and courageous general, Hannibal famously crossed the Alps with a vast army of 100,000 soldiers and their elephants to make his mark on history, winning a series of battles across the Roman territories, holding much of Italy for over 15 years without ever quite overthrowing the Roman Republic. FLAME TREE 451: From myth to mystery, the supernatural to horror, fantasy and science fiction, Flame Tree 451 offers a healthy diet of werewolves and mechanical men, blood-lusty vampires, dastardly villains, mad scientists, secret worlds, lost civilizations and escapist fantasies. Discover a storehouse of tales gathered specifically for the reader of the fantastic.
£6.64
Simon & Schuster Treacle Walker
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£16.50
Transworld Publishers Ltd Normal Rules Dont Apply
Book SynopsisThe first story collection from Kate Atkinson in twenty years, Normal Rules Don''t Apply is a dazzling array of eleven interconnected tales from the bestselling author of Shrines of Gaiety and Life After LifeIn this first full collection since Not the End of the World, we meet a queen who makes a bargain she cannot keep; a secretary who watches over the life she has just left; a man whose luck changes when a horse speaks to him.With clockwork intricacy, inventiveness and sharp social observation, Kate Atkinson conjures a feast for the imagination, a constantly changing multiverse in which nothing is quite as it seems.What really binds these stories is their underlying theme, which has perhaps always been Atkinson's true subject: the nature of storytelling itself' Times Literary SupplementLife in all of its surreal, tragic and comic glory is perfectly captured within these pages' RedTrade ReviewWhat really binds these stories is their underlying theme, which has perhaps always been Atkinson’s true subject: the nature of storytelling itself. She can be very funny, but she is highly serious about the idea that human existence is bound up with words… If you’re thinking about what fiction means, no invocation could be more thought-provoking or ironically complex * Times Literary Supplement *What joy! A loosely connected collection of short stories from Kate Atkinson. Life in all of its surreal, tragic and comic glory is perfectly captured within these pages. * Red *Sublime … showcases her superb storytelling and the wit of her writing * Good Housekeeping *Hilarious, breathtaking, horrific, irresistible ... [Atkinson is] always in command ... Heart in mouth, I never wanted this book to end * Sydney Morning Herald *Atkinson has the happy knack of capturing the nature of her characters with arch aplomb * Daily Mail *
£13.49
Random House USA Inc Misrule: Book Two of the Malice Duology
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£10.62
HarperCollins Publishers The Battle of Maldon
Book SynopsisFirst ever standalone edition of one of J.R.R. Tolkien's most important poetic dramas, that explores timely themes such as the nature of heroism and chivalry during war, and which features unpublished and never-before-seen texts and drafts.In 991 AD, vikings attacked an Anglo-Saxon defence-force led by their duke, Beorhtnoth, resulting in brutal fighting along the banks of the river Blackwater, near Maldon in Essex. The attack is widely considered one of the defining conflicts of tenth-century England, due to it being immortalised in the poem, The Battle of Maldon.Written shortly after the battle, the poem now survives only as a 325-line fragment, but its value to today is incalculable, not just as an heroic tale but in vividly expressing the lost language of our ancestors and celebrating ideals of loyalty and friendship.J.R.R. Tolkien considered The Battle of Maldon the last surviving fragment of ancient English heroic minstrelsy'. It would inspire him to compose, during the 1930s, hiTrade Review ‘If you were to choose only one [book] to gain some insight into the prolific smorgasbord of his multifaceted writing, this is peak Tolkien’ Wall Street Journal ‘Offers valuable insight into Tolkien’s creative process and enriching our understanding of his scholarly contributions’ Amon Hen, Bulletin of the Tolkien Society ‘Tolkien was a storyteller of genius’ Literary Review
£17.00
HarperCollins India War Of Lanka (Ram Chandra Series Book 4)
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£10.44
Chiltern Publishing The Prophet
Book SynopsisChiltern Publishing creates the most beautiful editions of the World?s finest literature. Your favorite classic titles in a way you have never seen them before; the tactile layers, fine details and beautiful colors of these remarkable covers make these titles feel extra special and will look striking on any shelf.The Prophet is a fable about the prophet Al Mustafa, who has lived in city of Orphalese for over 12 years and when finally leaving for his home country, people gather to bid him farewell, and ask for his guidance on important aspects of life.A worldwide bestseller since it''s original publication in 1923, the book is divided into chapters dealing with love, marriage, children, giving, eating and drinking, work, joy and sorrow, houses, clothes, buying and selling, crime and punishment, laws, freedom, reason and passion, pain, self-knowledge, teaching, friendship, talking, time, good andevil, prayer, pleasure, beauty, religion, and death.The Prophet has been translated into over 100 different languages, making it one of the most translated books in history, as well as one of the bestselling books of all time.
£18.00
Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc A Classic Christmas Treasury: Includes 'Twas the
Book SynopsisCozy up with your favorite Christmas stories and discover new wintry tales with this keepsake holiday anthology. Just in time for the holidays, A Classic Christmas Treasury gathers together many of the season’s classics and introduces new, diverse stories from around the globe in one decorative holiday volume. This cheerful, collectible treasury of stories, poems, and carols makes a wonderful gift any time of the year and reminds us that simple gifts of the heart and memories made with loved ones truly are the most meaningful gifts of all. Experience a variety of wintry and holiday tales, including: ’Twas the Night Before Christmas A Christmas Carol The Gift of the Magi The Nutcracker and The Mouse King Christmas at Melrose The Fir Tree Babouscka Little Piccola The 12 Days of Christmas Bits Featuring a beautifully designed coverwith glittering finishes fit for the grandeur of the season, A Classic Christmas Treasury will become a beloved holiday keepsake that can be enjoyed by the whole family for years to come. Let these wonderful literary masterpieces warm your heart, and remind you of the joy and love to be discovered anew each holiday season. The Timeless Classics series from Rock Point brings together the works of classic authors from around the world. Complete and unabridged, these elegantly designed gift editions feature luxe, patterned endpapers, ribbon markers, and foil and deboss details on vibrantly colored cases. Celebrate these beloved works of literature as true standouts in your personal library collection.Table of ContentsJoy to the World: A Letter from the Editors The 12 Days of Christmas A Christmas Carol The Gift of the Mag The First Noel Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Christmas at Melrose ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Deck the Hall The Nutcracker and the Mouse King Babouscka Up on the Housetop Jolly Old Saint Nicholas Bits Little Piccola The Fir Tree The Boy With The Box
£14.24
HarperCollins Publishers Inc Heart of the Sun Warrior
Book SynopsisThe stunning sequel to Daughter of the Moon Goddess delves deeper into beloved Chinese mythology, concluding the epic story of Xingyin?the daughter of Chang?e and the mortal archer, Houyi?as she battles a grave new threat to the realm, in this powerful tale of love, sacrifice, and hope.After winning her mother?s freedom from the Celestial Emperor, Xingyin thrives in the enchanting tranquility of her home. But her fragile peace is threatened by the discovery of a strange magic on the moon and the unsettling changes in the Celestial Kingdom as the emperor tightens his grip on power. While Xingyin is determined to keep clear of the rising danger, the discovery of a shocking truth spurs her into a perilous confrontation.Forced to flee her home once more, Xingyin and her companions venture to unexplored lands of the Immortal Realm, encountering legendary creatures and shrewd monarchs, beloved friends and bitter adversaries. With alliances shifting quicker than the tides, Xingyin has to overcome past grudges and enmities to forge a new path forward, seeking aid where she never imagined she would. As an unspeakable terror sweeps across the realm, Xingyin must uncover the truth of her heart and claw her way through devastation?to rise against this evil before it destroys everything she holds dear, and the worlds she has grown to love . . . even if doing so demands the greatest price of all.
£14.99
The History Press Ltd Illustrated Welsh Folk Tales for Young and Old
Book SynopsisStoryteller is storïwr in Welsh. The old word is cyfarwydd. And this book is a sneaky peek into a storyteller's repertoire.Meet the rowdy mermaids and drowned lands of Cardigan Bay, an ancient tree with a door into the otherworld, and the wise old toad who lives in Borth bog and knows everything. Discover a clever girl who transforms into a swan, the herd of fairy cattle who live beneath Llyn Barfog and an elephant who may or may not have died in Tregaron.Trade ReviewFeature/extract in West Wales Chronicle
£17.00
The History Press Ltd Dark Folklore
Book SynopsisHow did our ancestors use the concept of demons to explain sleep paralysis? Is that carving in the porch of your local church really what you think it is? And what’s that tapping noise on the roof of your car..? The fields of folklore have never been more popular – a recent resurgence of interest in traditional beliefs and customs, coupled with morbid curiosities in folk horror, historic witchcraft cases and our superstitious past, have led to an intersection of ideas that is driving people to seek out more information.Tracey Norman (author of the acclaimed play WITCH) and Mark Norman (creator of The Folklore Podcast) lead you on an exploration of those more salubrious facets of our past, highlighting those aspects of our cultural beliefs and social history that are less ‘wicker basket’ and more ‘Wicker Man’.Trade Review"It is certainly a book that will stay with the reader well into the night—and one to add a pinch of delicious darkness to any bookshelf." -- Dee Dee Chainey * Folklore Society Journal *
£13.49
St Martin's Press Be Sure
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£15.29
Rebellion Publishing Ltd. The Pomegranate Gate
Book SynopsisTwo worlds bound by a pomegranate gateToba Peres can speak but she can’t shout; she can walk but she can’t run; and she can write in five languages… with both hands at the same time.Naftaly Cresques dreams every night of an orange-eyed stranger; when awake, he sees things that aren’t real; and he carries a book he can never lose and never read.When the Queen of Sefarad orders all the nation’s Jews to leave or convert, Toba and Naftaly are forced to flee, but an unlucky encounter leaves them both separated from their caravan. Lost in the wilderness, Toba follows an orange-eyed stranger through a mysterious gate in a pomegranate grove, leaving Naftaly behind. With a single step, Toba enters an ancient world that mirrors her own. There, she finds that her fate—and Naftaly’s—are bound to an ancient conflict threatening to destroy both realms.Trade Review“Lush and exciting”—Publishers Weekly“Combines lyrical writing with meticulous world-building and brilliant characters and douses it all with a good dose of magic.”—Grimdark Magazine“Marvellous, numinous and strange.” --Tor.com
£15.19
Vitasta Publishing Pvt.Ltd Narayani: True Story Of A Sati
Book SynopsisNarayani: True Story of a Sati takes readers on a captivating journey into the heart of modern-day Rajasthan and Haryana, where the narrative unfolds. . This tale, filled with poignant moments that resonate deeply, offers a captivating blend of history, mystery, and mythology. Through the character of Narayani, Monica Gupta introduces a heroine for our times, weaving an intriguing and inspiring journey that reminds us of the enduring power of legends.
£15.19
Pan Macmillan Stone Blind: Longlisted for the Women's Prize for
Book SynopsisLonglisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction 2023.In Stone Blind, the instant Sunday Times bestseller, Natalie Haynes brings the infamous Medusa to life as you have never seen her before.'Witty, gripping, ruthless' – Margaret Atwood via Twitter'Beautiful and moving' – Neil Gaiman‘So to mortal men, we are monsters. Because of our flight, our strength. They fear us, so they call us monsters’Medusa is the sole mortal in a family of gods. Growing up with her Gorgon sisters, she begins to realize that she is the only one who experiences change, the only one who can be hurt.When Poseidon commits an unforgiveable act against Medusa in the temple of Athene, the goddess takes her revenge where she can: on his victim. Medusa is changed forever – writhing snakes for hair and her gaze now turns any living creature to stone. She can look at nothing without destroying it.Desperate to protect her beloved sisters, Medusa condemns herself to a life of shadows. Until Perseus embarks upon a quest to fetch the head of a Gorgon . . .‘A fierce feminist exploration of female rage, written with wit and empathy’ – GlamourTrade ReviewWitty, gripping, ruthless -- Margaret Atwood via TwitterBeautiful and moving -- Neil Gaiman via TwitterThe rollicking narrative voice that energises Stone Blind . . . is a voice that feels at once bitingly (post)modern and filled with old wisdom * Observer *Stone Blind is an exceptionally powerful retelling of Medusa's story, an emotional gut punch of a novel. Haynes brilliantly pulls off the feat of seamlessly alternating humour and heartbreak, creating characters that stay with you long after the novel's end. It is a dazzling achievement -- Elodie Harper, author of The Wolf Den trilogyWith this, her third novel based on ancient myth, [Haynes] has found a way of using all her classical erudition and her vivid sense of the ambiguous potency of the ancient stories, while being simultaneously very, very funny * Guardian *A fierce feminist exploration of female rage, written with wit and empathy. Haynes makes the classics brutally relevant, and we reckon this one is going to be huge * Glamour *It is no exaggeration to say that Haynes is the modern embodiment of the best of Homer. She is a proper, classic storyteller, whose linguistic skills and wit will have you hanging on every word * Radio Times *Stone Blind is inventive and playful . . . [and] very funny -- Antonia Senior * The Times *Natalie Haynes’s genius is to not just focus on the female experience of Greek myth but also to add zest, humour and more than a little mischief. * Metro *What makes a monster is the central question in Natalie Haynes’ wry, spry feminist take on the Medusa myth . . . an earthy, playful yet rage-filled upending of the Greek hero trope * Mail Online *Natalie Haynes has made a contemporary classic out of a classic . . . and it should win prizes -- Monique Roffey, author of The Mermaid of Black ConchWith wit, humanity and extraordinary imagination, Haynes breathes life and meaning into myths as she has done so brilliantly before (most famously with A Thousand Ships). She also shows that monsters can be divine or mortal. Not all heroes wear capes – and not all villains have snakes * The i *Haynes’ clever, empathetic writing transforms Medusa from Gorgon into a girl, who’s a victim of the cruel machinations of the gods and of circumstance -- Sarra Manning * Red Magazine *There’s real tenderness in Haynes’s portrait of Medusa, a mortal abomination born into a family of divinities, and the efforts of her immortal Gorgon sisters to protect her from herself -- Daisy Dunn * The Spectator *
£9.49
British Library Publishing The Flaw in the Crystal
Book SynopsisIncluding the contents of the classic collections Uncanny Stories (1923) and The Intercessor and Other Stories (1931), this new volume also features two rare strange tales from a third, lesser-known book which explore further facets of Sinclair's fascination with the uncanny.
£9.49
Disney Book Publishing Inc. Rick Riordan Presents Paola Santiago and the
Book Synopsis
£6.99
Titan Books Ltd Loki: Journey Into Mystery Prose: A Novel of the
Book SynopsisThis truly epic adaptation of Kieron Gillen's Loki series spans the nine realms as the reborn trickster struggles to walk the hero's path and save the universe from an epidemic of fear. The god of lies has been reborn, but will young Loki be Asgard's savior? When Earth is plagued by an epidemic of fear, ancient prophecy says only Thor can stop the monstrous threat of the Serpent, but without help from Loki, Thor is certain to fail. Aided by a handmaiden from Hel and a demon puppy, Loki must risk everything to find redemption-or doom himself for eternity. Either way, a Nightmare lies in wait hoping to rule the world and Loki will have to risk everything on his craziest scheme of all! Meanwhile, new gods threaten to disrupt the status quo, throwing everything out of balance. Loki must act as a responsible ambassador, but will the nine worlds end in Surtur's fire? In this brand-new prose novel inspired by the epic comic series by Kieron Gillen, young Loki must cross the realms to reclaim his own story, outwit ancient enemies, struggle to do the right thing, and avoid falling in love.
£17.09
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