A new selection of stories by Canada's Hemingway, with an afterword by Pulitzer Prize--winner William Kennedy. Morley Callaghan's literary circle included Hemingway, Fitzgerald, and Joyce. In a career spanning more than six decades, he published sixteen novels and more than one hundred works of short fiction. Bringing together more than twenty-five stories from five different collections, Ancient Lineage and Other Stories confirms Callaghan's pre-eminent status.
There was a card party at the rooms of Narumoff, a lieutenant in the Horse Guards. A long winter night had passed unnoticed, and it was five o'clock in the morning when supper was served. The winners sat down to table with an excellent appetite; the losers let their plates remain empty before them. Little by little, however, with the assistance of the champagne, the conversation became animated, and was shared by all. "How did you get on this evening, Surin?" said the host to one of his friends. "Oh, I lost, as usual. I really have no luck. I play mirandole. You know that I keep cool. Nothing moves me; I never change my play, and yet I always lose." "Do you mean to say that all the evening you did not once back the red? Your firmness of character surprises me." "What do you think of Hermann?" said one of the party, pointing to a young Engineer officer. "That fellow never made a bet or touched a card in his life, and yet he watches us playing until five in the morning." "It interests me," said Hermann; "but I am not disposed to risk the necessary in view of the superfluous." "Hermann is a German, and economical; that is the whole of the secret," cried Tomski. "But what is really astonishing is the Countess Anna Fedotovna!" "How so?" asked several voices. "Have you not remarked," said Tomski, "that she never plays?" "Yes," said Narumoff, "a woman of eighty, who never touches a card; that is indeed something extraordinary!" "You do not know why?" "No; is there a reason for it?" "Just listen. My grandmother, you know, some sixty years ago, went to Paris, and became the rage there. People ran after her in the streets, and called her the 'Muscovite Venus.' Richelieu made love to her, and my grandmother makes out that, by her rigorous demeanour, she almost drove him to suicide. In those days women used to play at faro. One evening at the court she lost, on parole,to the Duke of Orleans, a very considerable sum. When she got home, my grandmother removed her beauty spots, took off her hoops, and in this tragic costume went to my grandfather, told him of her misfortune, and asked him for the money she had to pay. My grandfather, now no more, was, so to say, his wife's steward. He feared her like fire; but the sum she named made him leap into the air. He flew into a rage, made a brief calculation, and proved to my grandmother that in six months she had got through half a million rubles. He told her plainly that he had no villages to sell in Paris, his domains being situated in the neighbourhood of Moscow and of Saratoff; and finally refused point blank. You may imagine the fury of my grandmother. She boxed his ears, and passed the night in another room.
The complete short fiction of Morley Callaghan appears as he comes into full recognition as one of the singular storytellers of our time. In four volumes, several stories are collected for the first time, two of which--"An Autumn Penitent” and "In His Own Country”--have been out of print for decades.
Born in Naples, he spent his childhood in various Italian cities since his father was a banker. In Bologna he began to attend intellectual circles at Roberto Roversi 's renowned Palma Verde bookstore. It was in one of the magazines published by this cultural center that the first part of "James Joyce, Rome & Other Stories" was first published. He later worked for various radio producers, especially Radio Capodistria and the Italian Swiss Radio so he moved to Tuscany. Finally he was able to devote himself to reading and to pursue his literary work. His main literary influence was Calvin, author of extraordinary literary intellectual subtlety and intelligence. Giuseppe Cafiero continuously reads Borges, another great sublime, inimitable author who also worshiped Joyce. Yes, Joyce is intriguing, beautiful, but Borges ... Giuseppe Cafiero has written renditions, free adaptations, reductions for the radio, translations from French. The spectrum of names is extensive, from Shakespeare to O'Neill, from Raspe to Daudet, from Toller to Brecht. But his strongest point is the "bio-fiction," as this book about Joyce in Rome, another published in 2008 about Vincent van Gogh, and one about Monsieur Gustave Flaubert in 2010. The three characters were revolutionary in their own field. Van Gogh, with his extraordinarily beautiful explosion of colors. Joyce, who broke with the literary realism of the 1800's. Hence, his books boast a great command of his characters' voice thanks to his experience writing for the radio. Giuseppe Cafiero wrote such a program called "James Joyce in una notte in Valpurga" in 1990 and after that he finished the fictionalized story about Joyce's stay in Rome in 1906 and 1907. Giuseppe Cafiero lives in the Tuscan countryside, in Lucignano, Italy.
Dive into Mark Twain's collection of stories that unravel the complexities of fortune, misfortune, and the unexpected humor of life. Delve into the wit and satire of Mark Twain's short stories with The $30,000 Bequest and Other Stories. Immerse yourself in a collection that showcases Twain's mastery of humor, irony, and social commentary, offering readers a glimpse into the complexities of human nature and society. As Twain presents his short stories, witness the humor, satire, and keen observations that define his unique style. Each story is a microcosm of the human experience, offering both laughter and insight into the quirks and follies of individuals and society. But here's the thought-provoking question that lingers: How do Twain's short stories, filled with humor and satire, reflect the timeless aspects of human behavior and societal absurdities? Twain's exploration prompts readers to reflect on the enduring relevance of his observations and the comedic dimensions of the human condition. Explore the nuanced details of this literary collection, where each short story is a gem waiting to be discovered. Twain's wit not only entertains but also offers a mirror to human nature, making The $30,000 Bequest and Other Stories a delightful journey through the humorous tales of a literary legend. Are you ready to be entertained and enlightened by the wit of The $30,000 Bequest and Other Stories? The world of Twain's short stories beckons. Engage with short, amusing paragraphs that guide you through the comedic and satirical landscapes of Twain's stories. Each tale is an opportunity to laugh and reflect on the idiosyncrasies of human behavior. Don't miss the opportunity to own a piece of Twain's comedic genius. The $30,000 Bequest and Other Stories is not just a collection; it's a journey through the humor and satire that define Twain's literary legacy. Will you join Twain in the laughter and reflection? Seize the opportunity to own a timeless collection of humor and insight. Purchase The $30,000 Bequest and Other Stories now, and let Twain's words transport you to a world where laughter and satire illuminate the quirks of human nature.
Mark Twain was an American writer, journalist, and publisher. Among his most famous novels are “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” and its sequel, “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” His wit and satire, in prose and in speech, earned praise from critics and peers. This volume is a collection of amazing works like “A Dog’s Tale,” “A Cure for the Blues,” and “The $30,000 Bequest.”
