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The Literary Beach: History and Aesthetics of a Modern Topos (Routledge Studies in Comparative Literature)
By Carsten Meiner, Katrine Helene Andersen. 2024
As a geo-historical place, the beach integrates a variety of characteristics and functions so multiple that they tend to contradict…
each other. The beach is both a place of work and trade but also of leisure; it is both a place of therapy and health but also of migration, war, and death; it is a place of mass tourism and boredom but also the place of experiencing the Other; it is a public place but also an uncivilized and desolate place.This book studies the literary representation of the beach from ancient Greek literature up until today, drawing on English, French, Italian, American, and Spanish literatures from various periods and genres and presenting multiple ways of comparing and understanding literary beaches as a ubiquitous literary phenomenon. It demonstrates how the literary beach as a both geo-historical place and as an aesthetic literary commonplace has been a constant and privileged resource for the analysis of more general existential, sociological, and moral problems. This is the case when for instance the Tahitian beach becomes the place of the "already modern" in Stevenson's tales, or when the Italian beach becomes a question of modern feminism in Ferrante.In this sense, literature expands the local or national beach by articulating its transnational complexities.Great Books
By David Denby. 1996
*NATIONAL BESTSELLER* &“A lively adventure of the mind...The tone of the prose...is one of unqualified enthusiasm: energy, vigor, intellectual curiosity,…
and what might be called an ecstasy of imaginative journalism.&” —The New York Times Book ReviewAt the age of forty-eight, writer and film critic David Denby returned to Columbia University and re-enrolled in two core courses in Western civilization to confront the literary and philosophical masterpieces -- the "great books" -- that are now at the heart of the culture wars. In Great Books, he leads us on a glorious tour, a rediscovery and celebration of such authors as Homer and Boccaccio, Locke and Nietzsche. Conrad and Woolf. The resulting personal odyssey is an engaging blend of self-discovery, cultural commentary, reporting, criticism, and autobiography -- an inspiration for anyone in love with the written word.Nordic Tales: Folktales from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and Denmark (Tales Ser.)
By Chronicle Books. 2019
Nordic Tales is a collection of 16 traditional tales from the enchanting world of Nordic folklore.Translated and transcribed by folklorists…
in the 19th century, these stories are at once magical, hilarious, cozy, and chilling.Welcome to a world of mystical adventure—where trolls haunt the snowy forests, terrifying monsters roam the open sea, a young woman journeys to the end of the world, and a boy proves he knows no fear.• Offers a fascinating view into Nordic culture• The tales come alive alongside bold, contemporary art• Part of the popular Tales series, featuring Tales of Japan, Celtic Tales, Tales of India, and Tales of East AfricaNordic Tales will enthrall fans of fairytales and captivate those interested in the rich history of Nordic culture.Ulla Thynell's glowing contemporary illustrations accompany each tale, conjuring dragons, princesses, and the northern lights.• A visually gorgeous book that will be at home on the shelf or on the coffee table• A perfect gift for fairy tale and folklore lovers, fans of Nordic culture, people of Nordic ancestry, collectors of illustrated classics, and bibliophiles looking for a comforting wintertime read• Add it to the collection of books like D'Aulaires' Book of Norse Myths by Ingri d'Aulaire and Edgar Parin d'Aulaire, Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman, and Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes by Edith Hamilton.People who love Greek mythology, roman mythology, Chinese mythology, Celtic mythology, and folklore and cultural studies from around the globe will love Nordic Tales.Inventions of A Present: The Novel in its Crisis of Globalization
By Fredric Jameson. 2024
The giant of literary theory analyses the novel: Conrad, James, Atwood, Oe, Mailer, Grass, Grossman, Garcia Marquez, Gibson, Knausgaard and…
moreA novel is an act, an intervention, which, most often, the naïve reader takes as a representation. The novel intervenes to modify or correct our conventional notions of a situation, and, in the best and most intense cases, to propose a wholly new idea of what constitutes an event or of the very experience of living.The most interesting contemporary novels are those which try – and sometimes succeed – in awakening our sense of a collectivity behind individual experience; opening up a relationship between the isolated subjectivity and class or community. But even if this happens (rarely!), one must go on to find traces of collective praxis hidden away within the mere awakening of a feeling of multitude.And, since it is in the sense of the nation and nationality that collectivity is most often expressed, it is urgent to disengage the possibilities of genuine action within these nationalisms.This sweeping collection of essays ranges from the elusive politicality of North American literature to the sometimes frozen narrative experiences of the eastern countries and the old Soviet Union; from East Germany to Japan, Latin America and the Nordic countries. Like any such voyage, it is an arbitrary movement across the world of historical situations which, however, seeks to dramatize their common kinship in late capitalism itself.Beckett and Cioran (Elements in Beckett Studies)
By Null Steven Matthews. 2024
This Element discusses the association between Samuel Beckett, and the Romanian-born philosopher, E. M. Cioran. It draws upon the known…
biographical detail, but, more substantially, upon the terms of Beckett's engagement with Cioran's writings, from the 1950s to the 1970s. Certain of Cioran's key conceptualisations, such as that of the 'meteque', and his version of philosophical scepticism, resonate with aspects of Beckett's writing as it evolved beyond the 'siege in the room'. More particularly, aspects of Cioran's conclusion about the formal nature that philosophy must assume chime with some of the formal decisions taken by Beckett in the mid-late prose. Through close reading of some of Beckett's key works such as Texts for Nothing and How It Is, and through consideration of Beckett's choices when translating between English and French, the issues of identity and understanding shared by these two settlers in Paris are mutually illuminated.Progressive Intertextual Practice In Modern And Contemporary Literature (Routledge Studies in Contemporary Literature)
By Katherine Ebury, Christin M. Mulligan. 2024
This edited volume aims to reposition intertextuality in relation to recent trends in critical practice. Inspired by the work of…
Sara Ahmed in particular, our authors explore and reconfigure classic theories of authorship, influence and the text (including those by Roland Barthes, Michel Foucault and Harold Bloom), updating these conversations to include intersectionality specifically, broadly understood to include gendered, racial and other forms of social justice including disability, and the progressive impact of the transmission and transformation of texts. This diverse volume includes discussions of major canonical works such as James Joyce’s Ulysses alongside the recent contemporary literature by authors such as Siri Husvedt and Maggie O’Farrell, as well as theoretical interventions. This volume also engages with how intertextuality can facilitate interdisciplinary and ekphrastic thinking and representation, as the inspiration of music and the visual arts for texts and their transmission is addressed. The choice of intertexts become deliberately political, ethical and artistic signifiers for the authors discussed in this volume, and our contributors are thus enabled to address topics ranging from visual impairment to Shakespearean motherhood to the influence of Jazz culture on writing on the Northern Irish Troubles.DK Eyewitness Kraków (Travel Guide)
By Dk Eyewitness. 2024
Whether you want to enjoy a coffee in Kraków's iconic market square, explore the cavernous Wieliczka salt mine, or simply…
indulge in moreish Pierogi, your DK Eyewitness travel guide makes sure you experience all that Kraków has to offer. With winding medieval streets, monumental palaces, soaring Gothic spires, and an imposing castle overlooking the city, Kraków is a historic gem. This array of medieval architecture belies the city's cosmopolitan vibrancy; Kraków abounds with atmospheric pubs, trendy wine bars, and an excellent assortment of eateries serving delectable Polish delicacies.Our updated guide brings Kraków to life, transporting you there like no other travel guide does with expert-led insights, trusted travel advice, detailed breakdowns of all the must-see sights, photographs on practically every page, and our hand-drawn illustrations that place you inside the city's iconic buildings and neighborhoods.You'll discover: -Our pick of Kraków's must-sees, top experiences and hidden gems-The best spots to eat, drink, shop and stay -Detailed maps and walks that make navigating the city easy -Easy-to-follow itineraries -Expert advice: get ready, get around and stay safe -Color-coded chapters to every part of Kraków, from the Old Town to Wawel Hill, Kazimierz to Piasek and Nowy Swiat -A lightweight format, so you can take it with you wherever you goTouring the country? Try our DK Eyewitness Poland.Explores the long history of anti-Zionist and non-Zionist American JewsThroughout the twentieth century, American Jewish communal leaders projected a unified…
position of unconditional support for Israel, cementing it as a cornerstone of American Jewish identity. This unwavering position served to marginalize and label dissenters as antisemitic, systematically limiting the threshold of acceptable criticism. In pursuit of this forced consensus, these leaders entered Cold War alliances, distanced themselves from progressive civil rights and anti-colonial movements, and turned a blind eye to human rights abuses in Israel. In The Threshold of Dissent, Marjorie N. Feld instead shows that today’s vociferous arguments among American Jews over Israel and Zionism are but the newest chapter in a fraught history that stretches from the nineteenth century. Drawing on rich archival research and examining wide-ranging intellectual currents—from the Reform movement and the Yiddish left to anti-colonialism and Jewish feminism—Feld explores American Jewish critics of Zionism and Israel from the 1880s to the 1980s. The book argues that the tireless policing of contrary perspectives led each generation of dissenters to believe that it was the first to question unqualified support for Israel. The Threshold of Dissent positions contemporary critics within a century-long debate about the priorities of the American Jewish community, one which holds profound implications for inclusion in American Jewish communal life and for American Jews’ participation in coalitions working for justice.At a time when American Jewish support for Israel has been diminishing, The Threshold of Dissent uncovers a deeper—and deeply contested—history of intracommunal debate over Zionism among American Jews.Rick Steves Pocket Athens (Rick Steves)
By Rick Steves. 2024
Make the most of every day and every dollar with Rick Steves! This colorful, compact guidebook is perfect for spending…
a week or less in Athens: City walks and tours: Five detailed tours and walks showcase Athens's essential sights, including the Acropolis, a tour of the Ancient Agora, the National Archaeological Museum, and more Rick's strategic advice on what experiences are worth your time and money What to eat and where to stay: Sip authentic ouzo at a sidewalk café, chat with locals over traditional Greek mezedes, and admire views of the Acropolis from your hotel rooftop Day-by-day itineraries to help you prioritize your time A detailed, detachable fold-out map, plus museum and city maps throughout Full-color, portable, and slim for exploring on-the-go Trip-planning practicalities like when to go, how to get around on public transit, basic Greek phrases, and more Lightweight yet packed with valuable insight into Athens' history and culture, Rick Steves Pocket Athens truly is a tour guide in your pocket. Expanding your trip? Try Rick Steves Greece!Matrilineal Dissent: Women Writers and Jewish American Literary History
By Jessica Kirzane, Rachel Rubinstein, Josh Lambert, Tahneer Oksman, Karen Skinazi, Jennifer Glaser, Alex Ullman. 2024
Bridging literary studies and cultural history, this edited volume examines Jewish women writers’ wide-ranging contributions to American literary culture from…
the turn of the twentieth century to the present. Matrilineal Dissent features innovative considerations of contemporary autofiction, graphic narratives, and novels by Mizrahi writers as well as middlebrow, Progressive Era, and second-wave feminist literature. Authors discussed herein—such as Roz Chast, Erica Jong,Annie Nathan Meyer, and Adrienne Rich—challenge monolithic representations of Jewishness and gender while imagining radical alternatives. By drawing attention to the politics of these authors and their readers, texts emerge as tools and living practices rather than as ends in themselves. Collectively, contributors reframe Jewish American literary history through feminist approaches that have revolutionized the field, from intersectionality and the #MeToo movement to queer theory and disability studies. Examining both canonical and lesser-known texts, this collection invites questions about conventional understandings of Jewish American literature when we center women’s writing and acknowledge women as dominant players in Jewish cultural production.Reading the Impossible: Sexual Difference, Critique, and the Stamp of History
By Elizabeth Weed. 2024
Reading the impossible has never seemed less possible. A few decades ago, critical readings could view the collapse of foundationalism…
optimistically. With meaning no longer soldered onto being, there was hope for all those beings whose meaning had been forever ordained by Nature or the Divine. Critical reading thus became a way of exploring the devious workings of knowledge and power. But as non-foundational systems of meaning have proven to be so perfectly suited to the transactional logics of the market, reading for the impasses of meaning has come to be seen as quixotic, impractical, and dated. To concur with that view, Elizabeth Weed argues, is to embrace the fantasy told by the neoliberal order. To read the impossible is to disrupt that fantasy, with its return to stable categories of marketable identity, in order to contest the inexorable workings of misogyny and racism. This book seeks to disturb the positivity of identity in the hope of retrieving the impossibility of sexual difference, an impossibility that has its effects in the Real of misogyny.A return to the famous debate between Derrida and Lacan on the impossibility of sexual difference yields two different readings of the impossible. In reconsidering these questions, Weed shows how the practice of reading can powerfully stage the wiles of language and the unconscious. In returning to that earlier moment in the context of current debates on the role of reading and interpretation, Weed offers a fresh perspective on what is at stake for critical reading in the neoliberal university.English Industrial Fiction of the Mid-Nineteenth Century discusses the valuable fiction written in mid-nineteenth-century Britain which represents the situations of…
the new breed of industrial workers, both the mostly male factory workers who operated in the oppressive mills of the midlands and north and, in other stories, the oppressed seamstresses who worked mostly in London in very poor and low-paid conditions. Beginning with a general introduction to workers’ fiction at the start of the period, this volume charts the rise of an identifiable genre of industrial fiction and the development of a substantial mode of seamstress fiction through the 1840s, including an analysis of novels by Benjamin Disraeli, Charles Kingsley, Elizabeth Gaskell and Charles Dickens, and more briefly Charlotte Bronte, Geraldine Jewsbury and George Eliot. This volume is essential reading for students and scholars of industrial fiction and nineteenth-century Britain, or those with an interest in the relationship between literature, society and politics.The Occult Sylvia Plath: The Hidden Spiritual Life of the Visionary Poet
By Julia Gordon-Bramer. 2024
• Decodes the alchemical, Qabalistic, hermetic, spiritual, and Tarot-related references in many of Plath&’s poems• Based on more than 15…
years of research, including analysis of Plath&’s unpublished personal writings from the Plath archives at Indiana University• Examines the influences of Plath&’s parents, her early interests in Hermeticism, and her and husband Ted Hughes&’s explorations in the supernatural and the occultSharing her more than 15 years of compelling research—including analysis of Sylvia Plath&’s unpublished calendars, notebooks, scrapbooks, book annotations, and underlinings as well as published memoirs, biographies, letters, journals, and interviews with Plath and her husband, friends, and family—Plath scholar Julia Gordon-Bramer reveals Sylvia Plath&’s enduring interest and active practice in mysticism and the occult from childhood until her tragic death in 1963. She examines Plath&’s early years growing up in a transcendentalist Unitarian church under a brilliant, if stern, Freemason father and a mother who wrote her master&’s dissertation on the famous alchemist Paracelsus. She reveals Plath&’s early knowledge of Hermeticism, how she devoured books on the occult throughout her life, and how, since adolescence, Plath regularly wrote of premonitory dreams. Examining Plath&’s tumultuous marriage with poet Ted Hughes, she looks at their explorations in the supernatural and Hughes&’s mentoring of Plath in meditation, crystal-gazing, astrology, Qabalah, tarot, automatic writing, magical workings, and use of the Ouija board.Looking at Plath&’s writing and her evolution as a person through mystical, political, personal, and historical lenses, Gordon-Bramer shows how Plath&’s poems take on radically new, surprising, and universal meanings—explaining why Hughes perpetually denied that Plath was a &“confessional poet.&” Contrasting the versions in Letters Home with those held in the Plath archives at Indiana University, the author also shows how all occult influences have been rigorously excised from the letters approved for publication by the Plath and Hughes estates. Revealing previously undiscovered meanings deeply rooted in her mystical and occult endeavors, the author shows how Plath&’s writings are much broader than the narrow lens of her tragic autobiography.A Summer with Pascal
By Antoine Compagnon. 2024
From an eminent scholar, a spirited introduction to one of the great polymaths in the history of Europe.Blaise Pascal (1623–1662)…
is best known in the English-speaking world for his contributions to mathematics and physics, with both a triangle and a law in fluid mechanics named after him. Meanwhile, the classic film My Night at Maud’s popularized Pascal’s wager, an invitation to faith that has inspired generations of theologians. Despite the immensity of his reputation, few read him outside French schools. In A Summer with Pascal, celebrated literary critic Antoine Compagnon opens our minds to a figure somehow both towering and ignored.Compagnon provides a bird’s-eye view of Pascal’s life and significance, making this volume an ideal introduction. Still, scholars and neophytes alike will profit greatly from his masterful readings of the Pensées—a cornerstone of Western philosophy—and the Provincial Letters, in which Pascal advanced wry theological critiques of his contemporaries. The concise, taut chapters build upon one another, easing into writings often thought to be forbidding and dour. With Compagnon as our guide, these works are not just accessible but enchanting.A Summer with Pascal brings the early modern thinker to life in the present. In an age of profound existential doubt and assaults on truth and reason, in which religion and science are so often crudely opposed, Pascal’s sophisticated commitment to both challenges us to meet the world with true intellectual vigor.DK Eyewitness The Netherlands (Travel Guide)
By Dk Eyewitness. 2024
Whether you want to immerse yourself in the timeless art of the Dutch Masters, cycle through fields of tulips in…
Keukenhof, or cruise the canals in cozy Utrecht, your DK Eyewitness travel guide makes sure you experience all that the Netherlands has to offer.The Netherlands offers a breathtaking network of canals alongside a striking background of historic city skylines. It takes only two and a half hours to drive across the country, and with its excellent train systems, exploring the magnificent, rugged heathlands and picturesque cities has never been easier.Our updated guide brings the Netherlands to life, transporting you there as no other travel guide does with expert-led insights, trusted travel advice, detailed breakdowns of all the must-see sights, photographs on practically every page, and our hand-drawn illustrations that place you inside the Netherlands' iconic buildings and neighborhoods.You'll discover:-Our pick of the Netherlands' must-sees, top experiences and hidden gems-The best spots to eat, drink, shop and stay-Detailed maps and walks that make navigating the country easy-Easy-to-follow itineraries-Expert advice: get ready, get around and stay safe-Color-coded chapters to every part of the Netherlands, from Amsterdam to Utrecht, Zeeland to Groningen-A lightweight format, so you can take it with you wherever you goWant the best of Amsterdam in your pocket? Try our DK Eyewitness Top 10 AmsterdamDK Eyewitness Venice and the Veneto (Travel Guide)
By Dk Eyewitness. 2024
Whether you want to wander around a magical maze of canals, sample delicious cuisine, ramble through majestic mountains, or relive…
fascinating history, your DK Eyewitness travel guide makes sure you experience all that Venice and the Veneto have to offer.The jewel of the Veneto, Venice is a dreamlike city filled with architectural wonders and incredible collections of art. But this region offers far more than this watery oasis. Lake Garda boasts beautiful scenery, Verona features the world's third-largest Roman Arena, and the Dolomites are rich with alpine forests and verdant hills.Our updated guide brings Venice and the Veneto to life, transporting you there like no other travel guide does with expert-led insights, trusted travel advice, detailed breakdowns of all the must-see sights, photographs on practically every page, and our hand-drawn illustrations that place you inside the region's iconic buildings and neighborhoods.You'll discover:-Our pick of Venice and the Veneto's must-sees, top experiences and hidden gems-The best spots to eat, drink, shop and stay-Detailed maps and walks that make navigating the region easy-Easy-to-follow itineraries-Expert advice: get ready, get around and stay safe-Color-coded chapters to every part of Venice and the Veneto, from San Marco to Castello, The Lagoon Islands to The Dolomites-A lightweight format, so you can take it with you wherever you goTouring the country? Don't forget to check out DK Eyewitness Italy.DK Eyewitness Naples and the Amalfi Coast (Travel Guide)
By Dk Eyewitness. 2024
Whether you want to kick back with an aperitif in the historic streets of Naples, be awed by the Roman…
site of Pompeii, or soak up the coastal splendor of Capri, your DK Eyewitness travel guide makes sure you experience all that Naples and the Amalfi Coast have to offer.Naples and the Amalfi Coast are treasure troves of things to see and do. Packed with world-class eateries, hidden galleries, and Baroque churches, the ancient Naples thrums with life. Meanwhile, the nearby sights of the Amalfi Coast offer a perfectly restorative and scenic contrast to the bustle of the city.Our updated guide brings Naples and the Amalfi Coast to life, transporting you there like no other travel guide does with expert-led insights, trusted travel advice, detailed breakdowns of all the must-see sights, photographs on practically every page, and our hand-drawn illustrations that place you inside the region's iconic buildings and neighborhoods. We've also worked hard to ensure our information is up-to-date.You'll discover:-Our pick of the area's must-sees, top experiences and hidden gems-The best spots to eat, drink, shop and stay-Detailed maps and walks that make navigating the region easy-Easy-to-follow itineraries-Expert advice: get ready, get around and stay safe-Color-coded chapters to every part of Naples and the Amalfi Coast, from Castel Nuovo to Spaccanapoli, Pompeii to Capri-A lightweight format, so you can take it with you wherever you goTouring the country? Try our DK Eyewitness Italy. Want the best of Naples in your pocket? Try our DK Eyewitness Top 10 Naples and the Amalfi Coast.Why we read: On bookworms, libraries, and just one more page before lights out
By Shannon Reed. 2024
A hilarious and incisive exploration of the joys of reading from a teacher, bibliophile, and Thurber Prize Semifinalist We read…
to escape, to learn, to find love, to feel seen. We read to encounter new worlds, to discover new recipes, to find connection across difference, or simply to pass a rainy afternoon. No matter the reason, books have the power to keep us safe, to challenge us, and perhaps most importantly, to make us more fully human. Shannon Reed, a longtime teacher, lifelong reader, and New Yorker contributor, gets it. With one simple goal in mind, she makes the case that we should read for pleasure above all else. In this whip-smart, laugh-out-loud-funny collection, Reed shares surprising stories from her life as a reader and the poignant ways in which books have impacted her students. From the varied novels she cherishes (Gone Girl, Their Eyes Were Watching God) to the ones she didn't (Tess of the d'Urbervilles), Reed takes us on a rollicking tour through the comforting world of literature, celebrating the books we love, the readers who love them, and the ways in which literature can transform us for the betterWork, Inheritance, and Deserts in Joseph Conrad’s Fiction
By Evelyn Tsz Chan. 2022
This book focuses on the complex relationships between inheritance, work, and desert in literature. It shows how, from its manifestation…
in the trope of material inheritance and legacy in Victorian fiction, “inheritance” gradually took on additional, more modern meanings in Joseph Conrad’s fiction on work and self-making. In effect, the emphasis on inheritance as referring to social rank and wealth acquired through birth shifted to a focus on talent, ability, and merit, often expressed through work.The book explores how Conrad’s fiction engaged with these changing modes of inheritance and work, and the resulting claims of desert they led to. Uniquely, it argues that Conrad’s fiction critiques claims of desert arising from both work and inheritance, while also vividly portraying the emotional costs and existential angst that these beliefs in desert entailed. The argument speaks to and illuminates today’s debates on moral desert arising from work and inheritance, in particular from meritocratic ideals. Its new approach to Conrad’s works will appeal to students and scholars of Conrad and literary modernism, as well as a wider audience interested in philosophical and social debates on desert deriving from inheritance and work.This book examines representations of precocity in Victorian textual culture – canonical literature, children’s fiction, scientific texts, and writing by…
children – to argue that precocity challenges the idea of progress. It considers how practitioners of literature and science from Wordsworth to Freud represented human development, and the way in which Darwin’s “non-progressive model of evolution” troubled the existing model of progression by stages (from childhood inexperience to adult maturity and understanding). Roisín Laing argues that the precocious child undermines the equation of growth with progress, and thereby facilitates other ways of imagining both individual and species development. The idea represented by the precocious child in Victorian culture – that the adult is not necessarily an improvement on the child, the human not necessarily an improvement on the ape – still troubles us today.