6/10/2023 0 Comments The New Decameron by Jan Potocki![]() ![]() None of the comparisons we can make with other comparably structured works would be valid in isolation, although many of these may have been contributory inluences (as, in some cases too, on Potocki’s The Manuscript Found in Saragossa). As such it is a formal curiosity, unique in Russian literature and perhaps even in European literature. It comprises a series of short stories of an assorted romantic nature (most of which had earlier been published separately), collected and embedded in a philosophical discussion on romantic aesthetics and the prospects of Russia as a force for the reinvigoration of the so-called «dying west» (18 sections in all, within nine «nights»). Odoevsky’s Russian Nights (Russkie nochi, 1844) may be best described as a «philosophical frame-tale» and it is sometimes termed a «philosophical novel». ![]()
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6/10/2023 0 Comments Hoffmann nutcracker![]() ![]() ![]() What is usually referred to as a tale within a tale, the best part, I thought, of the whole story was the little girl's fantasy into the story of the hard nut. This is a tiny bit earlier than the period I most prefer in my reading (post-1830) so I found the style not quite my thing but the story is a fantastical tale. Excellent piece of writing.The tale itself is a product of the Regency Era, albeit from the German counterpart. He then goes on to recount how he became involved in both a new ballet production of the original in the early '80s and the illustration of this first true-to-the-original English translation. Sendak starts the book off with a very informative Introduction that explains how Hoffman's story got mixed up with a tale by Alexandre Dumas to become the popular tale told in the ballet we know today. But I cannot compare it to the abridged version everyone is more familiar with. I *have* seen some Christmas movies which featured a girl who was in the ballet and have a very basic knowledge of the story from that, so I was very interested to finally read the original story. Neither have I seen a movie version of the story. I am also a huge fan of Maurice Sendak.I have not ever read the Nutcracker before, nor have I ever seen the ballet. ![]() ![]() Reason for Reading: I have never read this classic Christmas story and thought it would be a wonderful addition to my Christmas reading this year. ![]() ![]() ![]() The poems beat with the pulse of myth and music. There’s a strong storytelling component and recurring natural imagery such as crows, horses, and the landscapes of the Southwest. Her writing is deeply personal, rooted in her individual experience as a woman and Native American, and at the same time, universal in exploring human pain, compassion, and love.Įven if you’re not usually a poetry fan, Harjo’s work is surprisingly accessible. ![]() ![]() The book is a collection of Harjo’s poetry written across a twenty-six year period, providing the reader insight into the evolution of not only a remarkable poetic voice, but also the development of a remarkable person. One such opportunity for discovery is poet Joy Harjo, visiting Eugene this weekend to keynote the fourth “Big Read” program with her “How We Became Human.” Why? Well, studies show that reading for pleasure reduces stress, heightens empathy, slows the onset of dementia, and makes us more active and aware citizens. ![]() The National Endowment for the Arts has partnered with Arts Midwest to support over a decade of “Big Read” programs across the nation, in which an entire community reads and explores a single book, together. I’m Connie Bennett, Director of Eugene Public Library, with a book review of “How We Became Human” by Joy Harjo. ![]() 6/9/2023 0 Comments Out of range by cj box![]() ![]() ![]() Eventually, this disagreement in values leads to a shootout and Horn dies, keeping his reputation intact.Īt a position of power, it is easy to believe that “proper” utilization of that power is to help your friends and family. It’s the big game set up to get rid of people like me” (Box p. ![]() Despite Joe’s mercy, Horn refuses to remove the salt blocks, saying “I don’t think what I did is wrong. Much like Thor, it is tempting for Joe to just outright punish Horn, but the fact that Joe gave Horn the option to atone immediately without any severe consequence demonstrates that Joe believed that Horn can be better. Despite Loki’s crimes Thor chooses to spare Loki from death and gives him lighter sentences such as jail. Joe is similar to Thor: even though Loki does commit crimes (like invading New York City), Thor is there to not only stop Loki, but also to remind him that he can be better. Smoke Van Horn is like that friend who always gets into trouble a lot, much like Loki in Marvel Movies. Talking with Horn made Joe like him a lot. They had a couple of beers together and had a good time. While Joe was searching, Horn barged in and cooked steak for Joe. My comments on Wyoming steak, before the confrontation with Horn, Joe was investigating a cabin for Will’s old notebook. ![]() 6/9/2023 0 Comments Midnight riot ben aaronovitch![]() and there's something festering at the heart of the city I love, a malicious vengeful spirit that takes ordinary Londoners and twists them into grotesque mannequins to act out its drama of violence and despair. Now I'm a Detective Constable and a trainee wizard, the first apprentice in fifty years, and my world has become somewhat more complicated: nests of vampires in Purley, negotiating a truce between the warring god and goddess of the Thames, and digging up graves in Covent Garden. ![]() Then one night, in pursuance of a murder inquiry, I tried to take a witness statement from someone who was dead but disturbingly voluable, and that brought me to the attention of Inspector Nightingale, the last wizard in England. My only concerns in life were how to avoid a transfer to the Case Progression Unit - we do paperwork so real coppers don't have to - and finding a way to climb into the panties of the outrageously perky WPC Leslie May. My name is Peter Grant and until January I was just probationary constable in that mighty army for justice known to all right-thinking people as the Metropolitan Police Service (as the Filth to everybody else). ![]() 6/9/2023 0 Comments Lost roses a novel![]() But when Sofya’s letters suddenly stop coming, she fears the worst for her best friend.įrom the turbulent streets of St. On the other side of the Atlantic, Eliza is doing her part to help the White Russian families find safety as they escape the revolution. ![]() ![]() In need of domestic help, they hire the local fortune-teller’s daughter, Varinka, unknowingly bringing intense danger into their household. Now Eliza embarks on the trip of a lifetime, home with Sofya to see the splendors of Russia: the church with the interior covered in jeweled mosaics, the Rembrandts at the tsar’s Winter Palace, the famous ballet.īut when Austria declares war on Serbia and Russia’s imperial dynasty begins to fall, Eliza escapes back to America, while Sofya and her family flee to their country estate. The two met years ago one summer in Paris and became close confidantes. Petersburg with Sofya Streshnayva, a cousin of the Romanovs. It is 1914, and the world has been on the brink of war so often, many New Yorkers treat the subject with only passing interest.Įliza Ferriday is thrilled to be traveling to St. Petersburg to Paris under the shadow of World War I. Now Lost Roses, set a generation earlier and also inspired by true events, features Caroline’s mother, Eliza, and follows three equally indomitable women from St. ![]() ![]() The million-copy bestseller Lilac Girls introduced the real-life heroine Caroline Ferriday. ![]() ![]() ![]() Now, chance has led Trey to his beloved at last but the devastating truth behind her disappearance might prove more than he can bear. After tirelessly searching for her for months, Trey gave up hope and reverted to his former wicked ways. Defying his family, Hawthorne intended to wed Maria but she mysteriously vanished before he could take her as his bride. Then he found his heart’s desire in gentle, innocent Maria Ashton, whose healing touch ignited a forbidden passion between the noble duke and the lowborn vicar’s daughter. ![]() Trey Hawthorne, the Duke of Salterdon, once had a reputation that would humble the Marquis de Sade. USA Today bestselling author Katherine Sutcliffe sweeps fans away to the passionate affair she began in Devotion, as one man’s search for his lost love leads him to the heights of Obsession. ![]() ![]() Swedish duo Anders Roslund & Börge Hellström took out the coveted CWA International Dagger for their novel THREE SECONDS. That is what great writing always has been about and always will be.” This is because through this medium the authors write in depth and with the greatest intelligence about human life, the human condition, and issues that affect the lives of each and every one of us. ![]() CWA Chair Peter James said: “Crime fiction is today more popular throughout the western world than any other form of fiction writing. The CWA Dagger Awards are the longest established literary awards in the UK and are internationally recognised as a mark of excellence and achievement. ![]() The Crime Writers’ Association (CWA) has awarded a number of this year’s Daggers during the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, being held this weekend in Harrogate, England. ![]() 6/8/2023 0 Comments An Ocean Apart by Gillian Chan![]() ![]() The sun is relentless, the ants are attacked by seagulls, they starve, a storm capsizes their boat, and many ants are lost. The story switches to the perspective of a family of ants who have boarded the paper boat. They follow the insects to water and manage to meet up with the boat that will take them to safety. ![]() After they eat, the girl spots a trail of ants in the moonlight. The mother gives the hungry girl a bun wrapped in paper, which she then folds into a paper boat. When the army arrives, the family must flee, and in the chaos, the girl and her mother become separated from the others, and get lost in the jungle. As the adults around her frantically make plans for escape, she dips her chopstick into the bowl to save the drowning insects. Boat People starts with a story inspired by Thao's mother's life: a young girl watches as a bowl of sugar water is put out to attract (and get rid of) some pesky aunts. ![]() When Thao started thinking about how to tell this story, she couldn't stop thinking about ants: small, seemingly insignificant creatures who are able to travel amazingly long distances overwater, work hard, and thrive on almost every continent on the planet. Thao Lam's family came to Canada as refugees during the Vietnam War. ![]() ![]() Tegan is the first government guinea pig to be cryonically frozen and successfully revived, which makes her an instant celebrity–even though all she wants to do is try to rebuild some semblance of a normal life. Sixteen-year-old Tegan is just like every other girl living in 2027 – she’s happiest when playing the guitar, she’s falling in love for the first time, and she’s joining her friends to protest the wrongs of the world: environmental collapse, social discrimination, and political injustice.īut on what should have been the best day of Tegan’s life, she dies–and wakes up a hundred years in the future, locked in a government facility with no idea what happened. People are being killedand their eyes are being removed. But something terrifying also haunts Ellie and her community. Seventeen-year old Ellie Spencer has a crush on the cute and mysterious Mark. "My name is Tegan Oglietti, and on the last day of my first lifetime, I was so, so happy." Debut novelist Karen Healey taps Maori mythology for this fresh spin on the fantasy genre. ![]() |