This book consists of a remarkable suite of four monologues: "The Orphan", "The Master", "The Landlord", and "The Mother". They place in counterpoint, the stories of a mother and her daughter, a landlord, and the Master of a workhouse in mid-19th century Ireland. In the immediate aftermath of the "hard hunger", and against the backdrop of other miseries -- an American Wake, poverty, deaths in childbearing -- Eugene McCabe relates memories, confessions, and apologies. Through nimble shifts of time, perspective, and voices, he reveals why he is celebrated as a chronicler of complex historical predicaments and the details of social nuance. In this memorable fiction, his imagination and narrative artistry are at their most vital.
In this companion book to a new Twin Cities Public Television documentary also called "Tales of the Road" (airing in November 2008), Wurzer unearths stories about Highway 61, spotlighting famous and fascinating locations, many of them little remembered today.
Welcome to the enchanting world of "Tales from Dickens" by Charles Dickens, a captivating collection of timeless stories that showcase the author's genius for character, plot, and social commentary. Prepare to be transported to the colorful streets of Victorian London as you encounter a cast of unforgettable characters and embark on a journey through the trials and triumphs of human experience. Join Charles Dickens as he invites you to explore the rich tapestry of life in 19th-century England through a series of masterfully crafted tales. From the heartwarming adventures of Oliver Twist to the haunting mysteries of Great Expectations, Dickens' stories offer a window into a world of poverty and wealth, love and loss, and the enduring resilience of the human spirit. As you delve into the pages of "Tales from Dickens," you'll encounter a diverse array of characters—from plucky orphans and conniving villains to noble heroes and wise old souls—each brought to life with Dickens' signature wit, humor, and keen eye for detail. Whether you're laughing along with the antics of Mr. Pickwick or shedding tears over the fate of Little Nell, Dickens' stories are sure to leave an indelible impression on your heart. With its blend of humor, pathos, and social commentary, "Tales from Dickens" offers readers a glimpse into the human condition that is as relevant today as it was in Dickens' time. Through his vivid descriptions and keen observations of society, Dickens shines a light on the injustices and inequalities that plagued Victorian England, while also celebrating the strength and resilience of the human spirit. Since its publication, "Tales from Dickens" has been hailed as a classic work of literature, beloved by readers of all ages for its timeless themes and unforgettable characters. Its enduring popularity and cultural significance attest to Dickens' status as one of the greatest storytellers of all time, whose stories continue to resonate with readers around the world. As you journey through the pages of "Tales from Dickens," you'll be captivated by Dickens' vivid imagination, his richly drawn characters, and his ability to illuminate the universal truths that bind us all together. His stories serve as a testament to the enduring power of literature to inspire, entertain, and provoke thought. In conclusion, "Tales from Dickens" is more than just a collection of stories—it's a journey through the human experience, brought to life through the incomparable genius of Charles Dickens. Whether you're a longtime fan of Dickens' work or discovering his stories for the first time, this book offers a captivating and unforgettable reading experience that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page. Don't miss your chance to experience the magic of "Tales from Dickens" by Charles Dickens. Join the countless readers who have been captivated by Dickens' timeless stories of love, loss, and redemption, and discover why his work continues to resonate with audiences around the world. Grab your copy now and prepare to be swept away on a literary journey through the streets of Victorian London!
Now available in one volume -- 44 YEARS in DARKNESS and FRACTURED SPIRITS 44 YEARS IN DARKNESS In the later part of the nineteenth century, Rhoda Derry spent over forty years in the Adams County Poor Farm, curled in a fetal position in a box bed. She had clawed her own eyes out. She had beaten her front teeth in. Her legs had atrophied to the point where she could no longer stand on her own, or even sit in a wheelchair. She had been committed there by her own family when they could no longer care for her at home. She spent decades locked away from the world. Her crime? Falling in love. Rhoda suffered a mental breakdown after being “cursed” by the mother of the boy she was engaged to marry. Committed to the almshouse for violent insanity, she was eventually rescued by Dr. George A. Zeller. She was transferred to the Peoria State Hospital in Bartonville, Illinois, where she spent the remainder of her days in peace and comfort. Rhoda died in 1906, but her spirit seems to live on … Sylvia Shults, author of Fractured Spirits: Hauntings at the Peoria State Hospital, returns to the hilltop to tell the story of Rhoda's life, and her afterlife. She examines the social pressures that led to Rhoda's breakdown and her eventual insanity. And she explores the stories that continue to be told about Rhoda, and her presence on the hilltop. FRACTURED SPIRITS During the first half of the twentieth century, the Peoria State Hospital was the premiere mental health facility of its day. Dr. George Zeller instituted the eight-hour workday for his staff, removed patient restraints, and made the asylum into a model for the care of the mentally ill. Today, there are only a few buildings of the hospital left. Some of them are still in use, others are inhabited only by ghosts. Our guide to these ghosts -- and the history they represent -- is Sylvia Shults. In Fractured Spirits: Hauntings at the Peoria State Hospital, she brings a passion for paranormal investigation to her adventures at this haunted hotspot. The spirits come to life once more as Shults explores their former home. Other voices help her tell the story: this is a collection of people's experiences at the Peoria State Hospital. Ghost hunting groups, sensitives, former nurses, and ordinary people share their stories with us, their voices resonating to create a panoramic view to rival the vista of the Illinois River. To visit the remaining buildings of the Peoria State Hospital today is to visit a small piece of history. A ghost story over a hundred years in the making, Fractured Spirits is narrative nonfiction at its finest.
Voices from the Workhouse tells the real inside story of the workhouse - in the words of those who experienced the institution at first hand, either as inmates or through some other connection with the institution. Using a wide variety of sources — letters, poems, graffiti, autobiography, official reports, testimony at official inquiries, and oral history, Peter Higginbotham creates a vivid portrait of what really went on behind the doors of the workhouse — all the sights, sounds and smells of the place, and the effect it had on those whose lives it touched. Was the workhouse the cruel and inhospitable place as which it’s often presented, or was there more to it than that? This book lets those who knew the place provide the answer.
This book consists of a remarkable suite of four monologues: "The Orphan", "The Master", "The Landlord", and "The Mother". They place in counterpoint, the stories of a mother and her daughter, a landlord, and the Master of a workhouse in mid-19th century Ireland. In the immediate aftermath of the "hard hunger", and against the backdrop of other miseries -- an American Wake, poverty, deaths in childbearing -- Eugene McCabe relates memories, confessions, and apologies. Through nimble shifts of time, perspective, and voices, he reveals why he is celebrated as a chronicler of complex historical predicaments and the details of social nuance. In this memorable fiction, his imagination and narrative artistry are at their most vital.
Presents essays by thirty-five leading scholars of Irish fiction that provide authoritative assessments of the breadth and achievement of Irish novelists and short story writers.
Dr Helena Sheehan's original study, Irish television drama, appeared in 1987. It traced 25 years (1962-87) of Irish society in a process of social transformation and the role of television drama in a struggle to define the nature of that process. This book is a sequel, advancing the story another 15 years (1987-2002). From 'Fair City' to 'Family' to 'Father Ted', it examines television drama in the time of the Celtic tiger, striving to come to terms with the flux of Irish life in an increasingly globalized world, in a time of significant changes in the climate of broadcasting.
A multicultural collection of traditional tales contributed by more than forty of America's most experienced storytellers, with tips for telling the stories.
