Longlisted for the 2020 Women's Prize for Fiction One of Time's 100 Must-Read Books of 2020 “A critique, a confession, a love letter—and another brilliant novel from Anne Enright.” —Ron Charles, Washington Post Katherine O’Dell is an Irish theater legend. Every moment of her life is a performance, with her daughter, Norah, standing in the wings. With age, alcohol, and dimming stardom, however, Katherine’s grip on reality grows fitful. Fueled by a proud and long-simmering rage, she commits a bizarre crime. As Norah’s role gradually changes to Katherine’s protector, caregiver, and finally legacy-keeper, she revisits her mother’s life of fiercely kept secrets; and Norah confronts in turn the secrets of her own sexual and emotional coming-of-age. With virtuosic storytelling, Actress weaves together two generations of women with difficult sexual histories, touching a raw and timely nerve.
Showcasing a dazzling collection of 200 photographs, many of which have never before been seen, this lavishly illustrated book offers a captivating historical, social, and political examination of the first 75 women--from Janet Gaynor to Emma Stone--to have won the coveted and legendary Academy Award for Best Actress.t Actress.
This 2002 Companion is designed for readers interested in past and present productions of Shakespeare's plays, both in and beyond Britain. The first six chapters describe aspects of the British performing tradition in chronological sequence, from the early staging of Shakespeare's own time, through to the present day. Each relates Shakespearean developments to broader cultural concerns and adopts an individual approach and focus, on textual adaptation, acting, stages, scenery or theatre management. These are followed by three explorations of acting: tragic and comic actors and women performers of Shakespeare roles. A section on international performance includes chapters on interculturalism, on touring companies and on political theatre, with separate accounts of the performing traditions of North America, Asia and Africa. Over forty pictures illustrate peformers and productions of Shakespeare from around the world. An amalgamated list of items for further reading completes the book.
Budapest’s most beautiful young actress is notorious for affairs that only last six months. When she finally marries, she chooses the city’s most handsome and talented young actor. Five and a half months later, suspecting his new wife is getting restless, the actor takes on his most daring role yet—disguising himself as a dashing Emperor’s guardsman—to test her fidelity and win her love. But the more he woos his wife as this guardsman, the more insanely jealous he gets of the character he feels compelled to play. This new translation by Richard Nelson is sharp, funny, and perhaps calls to mind that other psychodrama about a stormy marriage, Who's Afraid of Virgina Woolf?
Love & Passion Through The Ages is a riveting boxed-set collection that traverses the evolving landscapes of love and passion through the lenses of some of the most illustrious names in literature. Spanning centuries and encapsulating a variety of literary stylesfrom the refined elegance of the Regency period to the poignant realism of the late 19th centurythis anthology celebrates the timeless nature of human emotion and connection. It showcases the remarkable breadth of narrative techniques and thematic explorations, from the windswept moors of Brontë to the lavish courts of Dumas, illuminating the universality and diversity of romantic experience. The inclusion of seminal works by Mary Wollstonecraft and Edith Wharton, among others, serves to highlight the collection's literary significance and its contribution to the evolving discourse on love and relationships. The diverse group of authors represented in this collection brings a rich array of cultural, historical, and personal perspectives to the theme of love and passion. Drawing from various movements and epochs, these writersranging from the pioneering feminist insight of Wollstonecraft to the tragic romanticism of Hardyoffer a panoramic view of how love has been conceived, portrayed, and reimagined across time and space. Their collective works, informed by their distinct backgrounds and the socio-political climates they navigated, provide a multilayered exploration of love's complexity, enriching the anthology with depth and authenticity. Love & Passion Through The Ages invites readers on a journey through the heart's many seasons, offering an unparalleled opportunity to engage with the myriad forms love has taken in literature. This collection is a compelling testament to the enduring power of love as a universal theme, appealing to students of literature, enthusiasts of historical fiction, and anyone captivated by the inexhaustible nuances of human emotion. It promises not only a rich educational experience but also a deeply personal exploration of the passion and poignancy that love, in its countless incarnations, brings to the human experience.
The 'Historical Romances Boxed Set' stands as a monumental collection, amalgamating an exquisite variety of literary styles that traverse the vast landscapes of classical and modern romances. This anthology encapsulates the thematic depths of love, societal norms, and the evolution of the romance genre over centuries. The diversity within embraces works that range from the passionate moors of England to the aristocratic salons of France, highlighting the remarkable versatility and depth of narratives from different periods. Notable for its inclusion of seminal pieces from several literary movements, the collection offers readers a comprehensive view of the historical evolution of romance literature, underpinned by a diverse range of narrative voices and settings. The anthology's broad span, encompassing both the celebrated Brontë sisters' intense narratives and the sophisticated social explorations of Jane Austen, alongside the poignant realism of Guy de Maupassant and the dramatic complexities of Alexandre Dumas, renders it a compelling compendium. The editors' meticulous selection ensures that each story stands out for its unique contribution to the genre, while collectively offering a sweeping overview of the romantic literary tradition. The contributing authors represent a who's who of literary genius spanning several centuries, bringing together the pioneering women writers of the 18th and 19th centuries, such as Mary Wollstonecraft and Fanny Burney, with the nuanced, often critical examination of societal norms found in the works of Henry James and Edith Wharton. United by the common theme of romance, these authors collectively contribute to the canon from within their respective historical, cultural, and intellectual contexts. The collection draws from the Romantic, Victorian, and even the early Modernist periods, illustrating the evolving expressions of romantic themes against the backdrop of changing societal norms and reflections on human nature. Their works, revered for historical depth and narrative innovation, come together to form a rich tapestry that enriches the readers understanding of the global romance narrative. Recommended for literary scholars, enthusiasts of historical fiction, and readers seeking to immerse themselves in the romance genre's rich diversity, this boxed set offers a unique opportunity to explore the evolution of romantic literature. Beyond entertainment, it serves as an invaluable educational resource, providing insights into the nuances of cultural and historical contexts across diverse geographical landscapes and time periods. The collection fosters a meaningful dialogue between the works of various authors, inviting readers to compare and contrast styles, themes, and the portrayal of the enduring human quest for love and connection. Engaging with this anthology promises not only a journey through loves myriad forms but also a deeper appreciation for the art of storytelling across the ages.
DigiCat presents to you the collection of the greatest historical novels, the romance stories in the time of Ancient Egypt, Medieval Castles, Renaissance Cities, Regency Social Circles and Parisian Belle Époque: Uarda: A Romance of Ancient Egypt (Georg Ebers) The New Abelard: Love in the Times of Cathedrals (Robert Williams Buchanan) Hildebrand: The Days of Queen Elizabeth (Anonymous) Love-at-Arms (Rafael Sabatini) The Cloister and the Hearth (Charles Reade) The Princess of Cleves (Madame de La Fayette) The Forest Lovers (Maurice Hewlett) Malcolm (George MacDonald) Scarlet Letter: Love in the Colonial Period (Nathaniel Hawthorne) The Wild Irish Girl (Lady Sydney Morgan) The Dark Mile (D. K. Broster) Sophia (Stanley John Weyman) Paul and Virginia (Bernardin de Saint-Pierre) Memoirs of Emma Courtney (Mary Hays) The History of Miss Betsy Thoughtless (Eliza Haywood) Olinda's Adventures (Cockburn) Belinda (Maria Edgeworth) Dangerous Liaisons (De Laclos) Evelina (Fanny Burney) Pamela Trilogy Mary (Mary Wollstonecraft) Jane Austen: Pride & Prejudice Sense & Sensibility Mansfield Park Emma Persuasion Miss Marjoribanks & Phoebe, Junior (Mrs. Olifant) Vanity Fair (Thackeray) Mr. Rowl (D. K. Broster) The Battle of the Strong (Gilbert Parker) Kitty Alone (Sabine Baring-Gould) Sentimental Education (Gustave Flaubert) Lady Anna (Anthony Trollope) The Manoeuvring Mother (Lady Charlotte Bury) Ramona (Helen Hunt Jackson) Jane Eyre (Charlotte Brontë) Wuthering Heights (Emily Brontë) The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (Anne Brontë) The Lady of the Camellias (Alexandre Dumas) The Portrait of a Lady (Henry James) Anna Karenina (Leo Tolstoy) The Age of Innocence (Edith Wharton) Tess of the d'Urbervilles (Thomas Hardy) Bel Ami (Guy de Maupassant) The Squatter and the Don The Four Feathers (A. E. W. Mason) The Miranda Trilogy (Grace Livingston Hill) The Great Gatsby (F. Scott Fitzgerald)
