W. Somerset Maugham was one of the seminal writers of the twentieth century, and his travel writing has long been considered among his finest work. Now, acclaimed travel writer Pico Iyer maps out a masterful tour of these vivid, evocative pieces that are collected here for the first time. Maugham worked as a secret agent in Russia, published novels in London, staged plays in New York, and traveled throughout Europe, Asia, India, and the United States, chronicling his travels, wherever he went, with exceptional insight. Beginning with “In the Land of the Blessed Virgin” and culminating in “A Partial View,” Iyer selects vignettes of Maugham’s razor-sharp prose that track his transformation from a boyish traveler in Spain to a worldly man of letters. This is Maugham at his most keenly observant, direct, and powerful.
W. Somerset Maugham was one of the seminal writers of the twentieth century, and his travel writing has long been considered among his finest work. Now, acclaimed travel writer Pico Iyer maps out a masterful tour of these vivid, evocative pieces that are collected here for the first time. Maugham worked as a secret agent in Russia, published novels in London, staged plays in New York, and traveled throughout Europe, Asia, India, and the United States, chronicling his travels, wherever he went, with exceptional insight. Beginning with “In the Land of the Blessed Virgin” and culminating in “A Partial View,” Iyer selects vignettes of Maugham’s razor-sharp prose that track his transformation from a boyish traveler in Spain to a worldly man of letters. This is Maugham at his most keenly observant, direct, and powerful.
Of Human Bondage (1915) is a novel by W. Somerset Maugham. Inspired by his experiences as an orphan and young student, Maugham composed his masterpiece. Adapted several times for film, Of Human Bondage is a story of tragedy, perseverance, and the eternal search for happiness which drives us as much as it haunts our every move. Orphaned as a boy, Philip Carey is raised in an affectionless household by his aunt and uncle. Although his Aunt Louisa tries to make him feel welcome, William proves an uncaring, vindictive man. Left to fend for himself most days, Philip finds solace in the family’s substantial collection of books, which serve as an escape for the imaginative boy. Sent to study at a prestigious boarding school, Philip struggles to fit in with his peers, who abuse him for his intelligence and club foot. Despite his struggles, he perseveres in his studies and chooses his own path in life, moving to Heidelberg, Germany and denying his uncle’s wish that he attend Oxford. As he struggles to become a professional artist, Philip learns that one’s dreams are often unsubstantiated in the world of the living. Of Human Bondage is a tale of desire, disappointment, and romance by a master stylist with a keen sense of the complications inherent to human nature. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of W. Somerset Maugham’s Of Human Bondage is a classic work of British literature reimagined for modern readers.
From “one of the most exciting breakout novelists” (USA TODAY) comes the first novel in an irresistible new series—a spin-off of the bestselling Marriage to a Billionaire series—featuring a matchmaker who falls for a man who doesn’t believe in love. In charming Verily, New York, Kate Seymour has a smashing success with Kinnections, the matchmaking service she owns with her two best girlfriends. But Kate’s more than a savvy businesswoman: She’s gifted with a secret power, a jolting touch that signals when love’s magic is at work. It rocked her when she picked up a strange volume of love spells in the town’s used bookstore...and it zapped her again when she encountered Slade Montgomery, the hot-tempered— and hot-bodied—divorce lawyer who storms into Kinnections demanding proof that playing Cupid won’t destroy his vulnerable sister, Kate’s newest client. The only way to convince this cynic that she’s no fraud, and that love is no mirage, is for Kate to meet his audacious challenge: find him his dream woman. Can Kate keep their relationship strictly business when her electrifying attraction nearly knocked her off her feet? Or has the matchmaker finally met her match?
To what extent has the demand for a vicarious experience of other cultures fuelled the expectation that the most important task for writers is to capture and convey authentic cultural material? This text argues that authenticity is in fact a restrictive category of literary judgment.
Bovo d'Antona by Elye Bokher (Elyiahu ben Asher haLevi Ashkenazi, 1469-1549) is a chivalry poem written in Yiddish in Padoa, in the year 1507, and printed under the author's supervision in Isny (Germany) in the year 1541. The present book intends to present a critical edition of this poem, together with a commentary. An introduction will focus on various related questions, such as the place of the Bovo d'Antona in European literature and in Italian literature, Bovo d'Antona and the chivalric genre in Old Yiddish literature, the analysis of the manuscript versions in comparison with the printed edition, the relationship with the Italian source and the readership. An appendix will deal with later transformations of the Bovo-Bukh. "Bovo Bukh is an excellent example of the relationship between romances and folktales,and Rosenzweigʼs introduction and edition of this important early Yiddish text will be appreciated by scholars of early Modern literature and folk narrative." - Dr. David Elton Gay, Indiana University, in: Fabula 59:1-2 (2018)
From a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of over 30 romance novels comes a trio of full-length contemporary romances all about Brides & Babies and feel-good emotions. What do readers get with a Mindy Neff book? Small town romance filled with laughter and emotion, tough-guy heroes who are gentle and kind, and secondary characters—both human and animal—who help keep everyone stirred up! Books that touch your heart. Suddenly a Daddy (Secret baby best friends to lovers romance) A Pregnancy and a Proposal (Secret baby second chance at love romance) A Bachelor for the Bride (Runaway bride bad boy romance) Suddenly a Daddy (A True Love Classic: Brides & Babies) You’re going to be a daddy! Wealthy entrepreneur Dylan Montgomery is the kind of man who can take anything on the chin and give as good as he gets in business and in life. But when he finds a note in his tux pocket that says he’s going to be a father, he’s stunned, remembering one impulsive night with the only woman who made him want to give up his bachelor status—his best friend, Whitney Emerson. Fashion designer Whitney knew immediately she’d made a huge mistake sleeping with Dylan, the one man she will not allow herself to have. His friendship is too important to her to jeopardize. After she insists on putting that fateful night behind them, Whitney learns she is carrying his baby. But the timing couldn’t be worse—she can’t bring herself to tell him now that he’s obligated to an upcoming, prearranged marriage that will cement a business merger he’s dreamed about for years. How long can she keep her secret from showing? “Strong, stubborn, lovable, wonderful characters that make for a terrific not-to-be-put-down read.” –Rendezvous “A charmer…absolutely delightful!” –Romantic Times Magazine * * * A Pregnancy and a Proposal (A True Love Classic: Brides & Babies A not so secret baby? Since their impulsive night of passion, widower Flynn O’Grady has visualized countless scenarios of seeing Darcie Moretti again. Never in his wildest dreams did the single dad imagine he would look up during a Daddy Club meeting to see her waddling—er, walking back into his life, pregnant with his child. Darcie knows family is priority number one for Flynn. He’s an honorable man who will insist on marriage. But Darcie wants more than just a “pregnancy proposal.” And she’ll give Flynn four short months to figure out the three little words he need to say. Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award Winner “Neff blends great romance with a deep, serious storyline . . . a truly moving tale.” –Romantic Times Magazine (4 ½ GOLD MEDAL) TOP PICK *** A Bachelor for the Bride (A True Love Classic: Brides & Babies) A botched kidnapping and a runaway bride… Security expert Tanner Caldwell is in the right place at the right time when chaos erupts on the steps of the church. He’s been in love with Jordan Grazer most of his life, even though the debutante is marrying another. But when Jordan is threatened, Tanner whisks the bride away, taking her on the run for her life. Renowned horse trainer Jordan feels safe with her sexy rescuer. In Tanner’s strong arms, she feels full of hope for the first time. There is no secret past, no uncertain future, only a present filled with hand-in-hand walks, sensuous kisses, and long night together. Jordan knows she will have to go home when the mystery kidnapping attempt is cleared up. She is the only one who can save her family from financial disaster—but that means saying goodbye to Tanner and “I do” to another man. “Mindy Neff continues to redefine the parameter of category romance, thus always giving readers a fresh, original and delightful read!” –Romantic Times “Witty, funny story! Splendid!”
Through his provocative and influential work, most notably The Culture of Desire and A Queer Geography, Frank Browning has proven himself to be an erudite and intellectual writer with deep insights into the fusion of culture and identity. In his new book The Monk and the Skeptic, Browning examines the intersection of sexuality and religion through the framework of conversations between the author and a gay priest to discuss the nature of secular and spiritual friendship; religious thought on same-sex marriage; the relation of the body to God; the mission of charity enacted by the drag troop Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence; the biblical prohibitions on improper pleasures of the body; and the history of how the church has viewed the body and desire. Browning manages to bring in a host of influences to his discussion: Descartes, Locke, Greek Myth, Christian Myth, Buddhist myth, Harry Potter, St. Thomas Aquinas, as well as modern writers like Jeanette Winterson, John Boswell, and Daniel Mendelsohn. The result is an engaging, timely, and very modern discourse on how the self and sexuality has been interpreted throughout the ages.
