Showing titles in Literary History & Criticism

Dive into the evocative world of narrative poetry with Captain Craig, a captivating collection by Edwin Arlington Robinson. This volume, beautifully summarized by Carolin, brings to life rich characters and poignant stories that resonate deeply with readers.

In this final volume, we delve into Hesters journey as she navigates her identity within a family that is hers by blood but not by nurture. As the bank where her father once worked faces new threats, Hester must confront her feelings towards her suitors and make pivotal decisions that could shape her future. Join us as we explore themes of belonging, love, and resilience in this captivating conclusion to Hesters story. - Summary by Anne Erickson

Embark on a thrilling journey aboard the Eamont, an opium clipper crafted in Cowes and immortalized in Captain Lindsay Andersons 1891 book, A Cruise in an Opium Clipper. This remarkable vessel played a pivotal role in opening Japan to foreign trade in 1858, serving as a daring dispatch boat between Nagasaki and Shanghai. The Eamont was not only one of the first ships to establish trade with Formosa but also undertook perilous missions, including a courageous survey of the port of Taku, where she braved treacherous reefs and formidable surf. Amidst the chaos of a typhoon and attacks from armed ...

Childe Harolds Pilgrimage is a captivating narrative poem in four parts penned by the illustrious Lord Byron between 1812 and 1818. This poignant work chronicles the journey of a young man, Childe Harold, who, disenchanted with a life filled with excess and indulgence, seeks solace and meaning in distant lands. It reflects the deep-seated melancholy and disillusionment of a generation weary from the tumultuous aftermath of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars. The title Childe is derived from a medieval term denoting a young man aspiring for knighthood. In Cantos I and II, we follow Harold as...

Delve into the intriguing world of Balzacs Magic Skin, a captivating novel that echoes the themes of Dorian Gray within the framework of Comedies Humane Philosophique. This work not only marked Balzacs debut success but also showcases his unique promotional approach, where he penned criticisms of his own writing to generate excitement before its release. A sharp critique of materialism and the French bourgeoisie, this novel invites readers to explore recurring characters that appear throughout his body of work. Join us as we unravel the complexities of human desire and societal values in this ...

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER “From The New Yorker’s beloved cultural critic comes a bold, unflinching collection of essays about self-deception, examining everything from scammer culture to reality television.”—Esquire Book Club Pick for Now Read This, from PBS NewsHour and The New York...

First published in 1875, General William T. Sherman's memoir was one of the first from the Civil War and was offered to the public because, as Sherman wrote in his dedication, "no satisfactory history" of the war was yet available. Although Memoirs has been revised and corrected many times over the years, Sherman famously never changed the original text of his recollections.

VOL. 2: THE UPSTART CROW. Ambitious Actor and Poet. (c. 1590 - Midsummer Night's Dream) Peter Ackroyd's insightful new biography positions Shakespeare in the close context of his world. In this way, Ackroyd not only richly conjures up the texture of Shakespeare's life, but also imparts an...

Agatha Christie revelled in the use of poison to kill off unfortunate victims in her books; indeed, she employed it more than any other murder method, with the poison itself often being a central part of the novel. Her choice of deadly substances was far from random—the characteristics of each often provide vital clues to the discovery of the murderer. Christie's extensive chemical knowledge provides the backdrop for A Is for Arsenic, in which Kathryn Harkup investigates the poisons used by the murderer in fourteen classic Agatha Christie mysteries.

An early Miller gem about a young Midwesterner who finds good fortune shining on him while it passes others by. As his successes pile up, he starts to wonder if he deserves it—and what will happen when his luck finally runs out.

Hail Reaper is a podcast dedicated to the Red Rising universe, where we explore the book series through conversation, creative world-building content, and music.

William Shakespeare may have been the greatest playwright in the English language, but how does he measure up as a historian? In this brilliant comparison between the events and characters in Shakespeare's history plays and the actual events that inspired them, acclaimed historian John Julius Norwich examines the nine works that together amount to an epic masterpiece on England's most fascinating period.

From the very first book publication in 1920 to the recent film release of Death on the Nile, this investigation into Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot celebrates a century of probably the world’s favourite fictional detective. This book tells his story decade-by-decade, exploring his...

The story of the Siege of Troy from the infamous Helen and her sister Klytemnestra's points of view - a tale of secrets, passion and revenge from the women behind mythology's most devastating war. Two sisters parted. Two women blamed. Two stories reclaimed. 'Required reading for fans of Circe...

Homer's Iliad is the famous epic poem set among the tales of Troy. Its subject is the anger of the hero Achilles and its consequences for the warring Greeks and Trojans. Unlike other books on the Iliad, this one combines the detailed expertise of a historian with the sensitivity of a teacher of it as poetry. Lane Fox goes on to consider hallmarks of the poem, its values, implicit and explicit, its characters, its women, its gods and even its horses. He argues repeatedly for its beautiful observation and addresses its parallel use of what is, to us, the natural world.

Highlights from the light-hearted literary quiz chaired by James Walton The Write Stuff is the book-based panel show that takes a witty and whimsical look at well-known authors and their work. Host James Walton challenges the erudite contestants with tricky literary teasers, which they endeavour...

Random House presents the audiobook edition of Shakespeare’s Sonnets, Retold by William Shakespeare and James Anthony, with a foreword by Stephen Fry. Read by Stephen Fry, Paapa Essiedu and the author. 'James Anthony has done something I would have confidently stated to be impossible. He has...

Follow the adventures of Bertie Wooster and his gentleman's gentleman, Jeeves, in this stunning new edition of one of the greatest comic novels in the English language. Bertie must deal with the Market Snodsbury Grammar School prize giving, the broken engagement of his cousin Angela, the wooing of Madeline Bassett by Gussie Fink-Nottle, and the resignation of Anatole, the genius chef. Will he prevail? Only with the aid of Jeeves!

a podcast for fans of the works / adaptations of Irvine Welsh

Jock of the Bushveld is a beloved South African classic based on the true story of the author’s loyal dog, Jock. Together, they travel through the untamed wilderness, facing wild animals, treacherous landscapes, and the hardships of frontier life.