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The Failure is a picaresque novel set in Los Angeles about two guys who conceive and badly execute a plan… to rob a Korean check-cashing store in order to finance the prototype for an impossibly ridiculous Internet application James Greer one of the nimblest and most multilayered American fiction writers has with his latest novel The Failure pulled off a sublime and shivery-smooth literary hat-trick-cum-emotional-gotcha I defy anyone to come up with an equation to explain how this book s first impression as a ridiculously clever funny crime story can gradually disclose a metanovel built from far more encyclopedic scratch only to reveal upon its conclusion a central overriding thought so heartfelt literally it trembles your lower lip This is one stunning piece of work --Dennis Cooper author of Ugly Man James Greer s The Failure is such an unqualified success both in conception and execution that I have grave doubts he actually wrote it --Steven SoderberghJames Greer is the author of the novel Artificial Light Akashic Books which won a California Book Award for Best Debut Novel and the nonfiction book Guided By Voices A Brief History Grove Press a biography of the band for which he once played bass guitar He is currently working with director Steven Soderbergh on a rock musical about Cleopatra starring Catherine Zeta-Jones He lives in Los Angeles
Trinie Dalton s voice is so charming in these stories and they fly right by so it takes a… little time to realize how deftly she is talking about death and sex and fear and love and fur and slumber parties how lightly she touches upon heaviness making an imprint so gentle you don t know it s there until later when the story floats back up in your memory light as a butterfly or a blood-oil lilypad in the bath --Aimee Bender Trinie Dalton is as radically original a young writer as I ve ever come across a post-punk post-apocalyptic post-everything sensibility casting spells of willed innocence against the powers of darkness she knows terrifyingly well --David Gates These charming stories vibrate with innocence and awe Trinie Dalton is an effortless purveyor of wonder strangeness and love She is a writer of high spirits and unguarded vision and this debut collection is an absolute pleasure to read --Ben Marcus In Wide Eyed a wonderfully eccentric and vibrant collection Trinie Dalton showcases her ability to put a fresh spin on the world leading the reader into places never explored--sometimes dreamlike sometimes nightmarish always riveting Her vision is wholly unique and memorable --Jill McCorkleIn Trinie Dalton s tweaked vision of reality psychic communications between herself and Mick Jagger The Flaming Lips Marc Bolan Lou Reed and Pavement are daily occurrences Animals also populate this book beavers hamsters salamanders black widows owls llamas bats and many more are characters who befriend the narrator This collection of stories is told by a woman compelled to divulge her secrets fantasies and obsessions with native Californian animals glam rock icons and horror movies among other things With a setting rooted in urban Los Angeles but colored by mythic tales of beauty borrowed from medieval times Shakespeare and Grimm s fairy tales Wide Eyed makes the difficulties of surviving in a contemporary American city more palatable by showing the reader that magic and escape is always possible Stories include Hummingbird Moonshine in which the narrator s frustrated hunt for authentic religion in botanicas and science books culminates in a spiritual connection made with a hummingbird In Oceanic she resolves to marry a manatee after a drunken pre-party for her best friend s wedding In Tiles four vignettes about bloody accidents in tiled bathrooms intermingle with scenes from Dalton s favorite scary movies Featuring oddball prose in the traditions of Dalton s literary heroes--Denton Welch Robert Walser and Jane Bowles--these stories have a dreamy imaginative quality that reveal a peculiar state of mental ecstasy To be inside the mind of Trinie Dalton is to be escorted into bliss
The idea of human cruelty to animals so consumes novelist Elizabeth Costello in her later years that she can no… longer look another person in the eye: humans, especially meat-eating ones, seem to her to be conspirators in a crime of stupefying magnitude taking place on farms and in slaughterhouses, factories, and laboratories across the world. Costello's son, a physics professor, admires her literary achievements, but dreads his mother's lecturing on animal rights at the college where he teaches. His colleagues resist her argument that human reason is overrated and that the inability to reason does not diminish the value of life; his wife denounces his mother's vegetarianism as a form of moral superiority. At the dinner that follows her first lecture, the guests confront Costello with a range of sympathetic and skeptical reactions to issues of animal rights, touching on broad philosophical, anthropological, and religious perspectives. Painfully for her son, Elizabeth Costello seems offensive and flaky, but--dare he admit it?--strangely on target. In this landmark book, Nobel Prize-winning writer J. M. Coetzee uses fiction to present a powerfully moving discussion of animal rights in all their complexity. He draws us into Elizabeth Costello's own sense of mortality, her compassion for animals, and her alienation from humans, even from her own family. In his fable, presented as a Tanner Lecture sponsored by the University Center for Human Values at Princeton University, Coetzee immerses us in a drama reflecting the real-life situation at hand: a writer delivering a lecture on an emotionally charged issue at a prestigious university. Literature, philosophy, performance, and deep human conviction--Coetzee brings all these elements into play. As in the story of Elizabeth Costello, the Tanner Lecture is followed by responses treating the reader to a variety of perspectives, delivered by leading thinkers in different fields. Coetzee's text is accompanied by an introduction by political philosopher Amy Gutmann and responsive essays by religion scholar Wendy Doniger, primatologist Barbara Smuts, literary theorist Marjorie Garber, and moral philosopher Peter Singer, author of Animal Liberation. Together the lecture-fable and the essays explore the palpable social consequences of uncompromising moral conflict and confrontation.
<P>Hairstyles of the Damned is an honest, true-life depiction of growing up punk on Chicago's south side: a study in… the demons of racial intolerance, Catholic school conformism, and class repression. <P>It is the story of the riotous exploits of Brian, a high school burnout, and his best friend, Gretchen, a punk rock girl fond of brawling. <P>Based on the actual events surrounding a Chicago high school's segregated prom, this work of fiction unflinchingly pursues the truth in discovering what it means to be your own person.
One day, KokoCat, a well-loved housecat, sees an open door, a chance to escape her pleasant life, to explore an… exciting world outdoors. Once outside, she finds that life is more frightening and less enjoyable than she bargained for. Hungry, lost, and alone, KokoCat takes shelter under a dumpster and dreams of her former life inside. In vibrant images, KokoCat's story shows the reader that keeping a domestic cat indoors is better both for the well being and longevity of the cat as well as for the birds and wild animals on which a cat preys. The book's final page for parents and adults offers important information, provocative questions, and tips to increase young readers' awareness of this important animal health and welfare issue. Lynda Graham-Barber's abiding passions for writing and animals have intermingled for four-decades, as children's book editor, writing teacher, author of thirteen books, and animal rights advocate. The author, who holds an MFA in writing for children from Vermont College, lives in a small stone cottage, which she helped build, situated on 160 wooded acres in the Northeast Kingdom, Vermont, with her artist husband David and their rescued dog Biscuit. Nancy Lane has been an award-winning illustrator for the last twenty years. Her picture books include Call the Horse Lucky and A Home for Dakota (both from The Gryphon Press). She lives in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York with her family and her rescued dog and cats.
Ten-year-old Jonathan practically lives at the Anchorage Zoo, where his father is a keeper. He loves animals, and even imagines… himself inside their bodies, seeing what they see, feeling what they feel.Meanwhile, a young brown bear is wandering through the woods near Anchorage, alone and hungry. One night, while searching for food, the bear crosses paths with Jonathan, who eagerly follows him onto the zoo grounds.But when the bear accidentally kills Mama Goose, Jonathan's favorite zoo creature, the boy loses the empathy he had felt earlier. He wishes that the bear-now nicknamed Trouble-would meet the same fate as his beloved goose, and he impulsively takes steps to make sure that happens.Based on an actual incident, and told in alternating chapters from the bear's and Jonathan's points of view, this is both an involving animal story and a thought-provoking investigation into the consequences of one's actions.
<P>Aged 15, Jordan Bone got into a car with friends. She would never walk again. Paralysed from the chest down,… her life was changed forever. Becoming depressed and feeling like life wasn't worth living, these weren't the teenage years that Jordan had envisaged. <P>However, slowly but surely, she began to get herself out of the darkness. With a little help from the internet, Jordan started to embrace positive thinking and embarked on a personal journey to get her confidence - and her life - back. Eleven years on from the accident, Jordan creates her own beauty tutorials on YouTube and has a range of successful brand partnerships. She has reclaimed her life and her independence and now wants to share her inspirational story with others and is telling it through different aspects of beauty. This isn't a book about looking good on the surface, this is a story of inner strength, believing in yourself and finding motivation when you feel like all hope is gone.
Lauded as the “Queen of Lesbian Pulp” for her landmark novels of the 1950s, Ann Bannon defined lesbian fiction for… the pre-Stonewall generation. Following the release of Cleis Press’s new editions of Beebo Brinker and Odd Girl Out, I Am a Woman finds sorority sister Laura Landon leaving college heartbreak behind and embracing Greenwich Village’s lesbian bohemia. This edition includes a new introduction by the author.
Zinny Weston has been Ava's best friend since the moment they met. There's only one problem: Ava's house is like… a zoo, and Zinny's idea of a pet is a fur coat. When the Westons get a fishpond in their backyard, Ava hopes Zinny might finally be turning into an animal lover. Then a raccoon starts eating the fish, and soon the rumors start flying. What did Mrs. Weston do to eliminate her raccoon trouble? Who ratted on her to the Animal Protection Agency? Drawn into a nasty battle with Zinny over who did what, Ava wonders: Can they ever be friends again? Talented first novelist Amy Goldman Koss blends sensitivity and humor in this thought-provoking and often hilarious novel about animal rights and friendship.
What is it like to live in a tiny polar haven for two months? To paint penguins outdoors in freezing… weather? To be flipper-slapped by a bird whose wings are powerful enough to propel it swiftly through frigid waters? To look into the oddly expressive eyes of a penguin chick? With charming watercolors and intriguing journal entries, this book inspires our curiosity. Sophie Webb gives readers a vivid, frank, firsthand account of what it is like to spend a season in a land not yet affected by people, yet populated for centuries by true dwellers of the Antarctic - the fearless, round-bellied, pink-footed, gliding, diving, utterly adept Adélie penguins.<P><P> Winner of the Sibert Honor
Internationally acclaimed as a playwright, screen-writer, comic and sardonic commentator on the endless gaffs, absurdities and the profound and painful… misunderstandings that continue to characterize social interactions between aboriginal and non-aboriginal peoples, Taylor's stories in Fearless Warriors are a full frontal assault on stereotypes of all kinds and an edifying affirmation of humanity unlike anything else in fiction.
Meet Bertie. He's an excitable little scamp. 'You will adore this gorgeous book' - MILLY JOHNSON'Charming and touching' - KATIE… FFORDE'The perfect feel-good read!' - MANDY BAGGOTThe heartwarming tale of how Bertie saves a family at Christmas is perfect for fans of A Pug Like Percy: the ideal read for curling up with in front of the fire. Bertie is alone, devastated after his beloved sister and fellow beagle Molly is adopted, leaving him behind. When Bertie is taken in by the Green family, it seems he's finally found a place to call home...Yet Bertie swiftly realises that the kind and loving Green family is in crisis. After a tragedy two years ago, they've never recovered - and as Christmas approaches, grief is pulling them apart. Never has a four-legged friend been more in need - and brave, warm-hearted Bertie must rise to the challenge. Can he find Molly and bring the Green family back together again...all in time for Christmas?
Have you ever:Wrestled a crocodile?Dived with great white sharks?Had a tarantula walk on your hand?If you answered NO to all… of the above then this is the book for you!Are you a scaredy cat? Perfect! Feel frightened of animals? Woohoo! Inside you can read about loads of crazy stuff and how to survive - or avoid it.Love you inner wimp!Inside:Deadly Land Predators - Polar Bears, Lions, Tigers, Snakes, HippopotamusesUnder Water Killers - Sharks, Box Jellyfish, CrocodilesTiny Assassins - Mosquitos, Spiders, ScorpionsThis title is published by Franklin Watts EDGE, which produces a range of books to get children reading with confidence. We believe this title will be of interest to readers aged 7+ and to older readers who struggle with reading.EDGE - for books kids can't put down.
It's the Queen's birthday, and the palace is ready to celebrate. But the discovery of an ancient curse threatenes to… spoil the plans - for ever. Can Lupo and his friends get to the bottom of a mysterious curse which was brought to Buckingham Palace from ancient Egypt? That is ... before Vulcan gets his paws on it! And this time, brave Lupo faces another opponent in the form of a sleek and formidable queen cat called Ebony who has designs on becoming the next queen of England. Full of animal mayhem and adventure, Lupo's second book will delight all fans of the royal family - especially baby Prince George - and anyone who enjoys classic animal stories.
Early Readers are stepping stones from picture books to reading books. A blue Early Reader is perfect for sharing and… reading together. A red Early Reader is the next step on your reading journey.Dizzy the dog loves to sing, but the mean old Alley Cats won't let him join their chorus. But what do cats know about singing anyway? It's time to show them just what the dogs can do!
The narrative Rainbow Custodians describes the incredible efforts of creatures to rise against the environmental destruction caused since the European… invasion of Australia. The central characters Bert and Bennie Koala rally all manner of wildlife to jolt humans into growing a conscience and acting to save endangered creatures and the environment. Rainbow Custodians is designed to link to school curriculum and focuses on important issues such as indigenous people's relationship to land, creation, spiritual connection to mother earth and custodianship. The text exposes environmental degradation, human apathy towards extinct and endangered species and sustainability. Cultural inclusion, sustainability and right relationship are further topics that can be used to enhance the application of this book. Australian wildlife is proudly paraded throughout to familiarise the reader with our unique and wonderful creatures. Poetry is woven throughout the text to enchant the audience with this tale of perplexing complications, intelligent solutions and climactic inspirational codas. The text assumes a life of its own through the brilliant illustrations of Candice Leathem that adorn the cover and each of the ten chapters. These images are designed to delight viewers, provoke discussion and are superb teaching tools. The intended audience ranges from middle - upper primary to early secondary levels, as the text relates to key concepts explored within educational curriculum, but it also has inherent appeal for an older audience. The issues explored within this book have global appeal and it is hoped that a wider audience may enjoy this text and learn from the experience. Thank you for taking the time to read Rainbow Custodians.
A wonderfully quirky, heart-breaking, heart-warming and thought-provoking story of a woman's dog who not only talks to her, he talks… to God. Recently widowed Mary Fassler has no choice except to believe Rufus, the miniature schnauzer, who claims to speak to the Divine. The question is: Will Mary follow the dog's advice, and leave everything she knows and loves? Is this at the urging of God? Or is it something else? Will Mary risk it all or ignore the urgings of her own heart?
Super Black places the appearance of black superheroes alongside broad and sweeping cultural trends in American politics and pop culture,… which reveals how black superheroes are not disposable pop products, but rather a fascinating racial phenomenon through which futuristic expressions and fantastic visions of black racial identity and symbolic political meaning are presented. Adilifu Nama sees the value—and finds new avenues for exploring racial identity—in black superheroes who are often dismissed as sidekicks, imitators of established white heroes, or are accused of having no role outside of blaxploitation film contexts. Nama examines seminal black comic book superheroes such as Black Panther, Black Lightning, Storm, Luke Cage, Blade, the Falcon, Nubia, and others, some of whom also appear on the small and large screens, as well as how the imaginary black superhero has come to life in the image of President Barack Obama. Super Black explores how black superheroes are a powerful source of racial meaning, narrative, and imagination in American society that express a myriad of racial assumptions, political perspectives, and fantastic (re)imaginings of black identity. The book also demonstrates how these figures overtly represent or implicitly signify social discourse and accepted wisdom concerning notions of racial reciprocity, equality, forgiveness, and ultimately, racial justice.