Contemplative and filled with possibility, each evanescent story in this collection inhabits the fleeting, unrepeatable place between the falling droplets on our island of rain. A bed thief breaks into a HDB flat every day, only to steal a few hours’ rest. Singapore is interviewed as a psychiatric patient on National Day. The Space Between the Raindrops is a remarkable collection of short stories told by a startling new voice. This book is perfect for a brief subway ride or the interval spent waiting for the bus, as well as that languid afternoon spent contemplating a thunderstorm.
Spaces of Tolerance addresses the topic of tolerance in architectural production. Through examining the boundaries of where discourses, practices and designs are considered publishable (suitable to be made public) or not, the book exposes criteria and cultures which censor architecture so as to offer ways that architecture can be more inclusive and diverse for society at large. The contributors to the book discuss: disciplinary tolerances and constraints related to architecture and its interdisciplinary exchanges and modes of working; physical, spatial, temporal and digital tolerance in material assemblages and production between drawing and building; and social, cultural and political tolerance and threats contingent on geography and history. This timely book aims to look at extremities, margins and marginality to explore acceptable levels – and their fluctuations – in deviation and divergence. Chapters in the book involve ungendering, unacculturating (in disciplinary terms) and diversifying the architectural practitioner, writer, editor, reviewer, and reader, and retooling the instruments and tactics of architectural practice and theory. They argue that tolerance in interdisciplinary research in architecture can cultivate more diverse and productive conversations. The chapters in this book were originally published as a special issue of the journal Architecture and Culture.
This book offers an eclectic range of transdisciplinary insights into the role of metaphor, myth and fable in shaping our understanding of the world and how we interact with it and with each other. Drawing on innovative perspectives from widely different fields, this book explores how metaphor might facilitate and underpin transformative change towards environmental, ecological and societal sustainability. It illustrates the ways in which contemporary metaphors lock us into patterns of thinking, modes of behaviour, and styles of living that reproduce and accentuate our current socio-environmental problems. It sets itself the task of finding new metaphors and myths that might help move us towards sustainability as societal flourishing. By examining the use of metaphor in diverse fields such as energy use, the food system, health care, arts and the humanities, it invites the reader to reflect on the deep-seated influence of language in general, and metaphor in particular, in shaping how we understand and act upon the world. Re-imagining the use of language in framing both the problems we face and the solutions we devise, this novel contribution is a vital source of ideas for those aiming to change how we think and act in pursuit of more sustainable futures.
""The Umbrella"" unfolds a captivating historical fiction adventure that spans centuries and continents, following the secret history of an everyday object. Dr. Amelia Rainsworth, an unconventional historian, stumbles upon an ancient umbrella with mysterious markings, setting off a globe-trotting quest alongside antique dealer Marcus Canopy and Chinese exchange student Zhen Li. As they unravel the umbrella's hidden past, they find themselves embroiled in a centuries-old conspiracy that could reshape our understanding of human civilization. From the misty bamboo forests of ancient China to the rain-soaked streets of Victorian London, the narrative weaves through time and space, revealing the umbrella's profound impact on society. The trio races against a shadowy organization to uncover the truth, their journey taking them through pivotal historical moments and culminating in a high-stakes confrontation at a modern Japanese umbrella factory. Along the way, they confront personal challenges, uncover hidden strengths, and grapple with themes of cultural exchange and the power of everyday objects to shape history.
Featuring choice selections from the core anthologies The Columbia Anthology of Modern Japanese Literature: From Restoration to Occupation, 1868–1945, and The Columbia Anthology of Modern Japanese Literature: From 1945 to the Present, this collection offers a concise yet remarkably rich introduction to the fiction, poetry, drama, and essays of Japan's modern encounter with the West. Spanning a period of exceptional invention and transition, this volume is not only a critical companion to courses on Japanese literary and intellectual development but also an essential reference for scholarship on Japanese history, culture, and interactions with the East and West. The first half covers the three major styles of literary expression that informed Japanese writing and performance in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries: classical Japanese fiction and drama, Chinese poetry, and Western literary representation and cultural critique. Their juxtaposition brilliantly captures the social, intellectual, and political challenges shaping Japan during this period, particularly the rise of nationalism, the complex interaction between traditional and modern forces, and the encroachment of Western ideas and writing. The second half conveys the changes that have transformed Japan since the end of the Pacific War, such as the heady transition from poverty to prosperity, the friction between conflicting ideologies and political beliefs, and the growing influence of popular culture on the country's artistic and intellectual traditions. Featuring sensitive translations of works by Nagai Kafu, Natsume Soseki, Oe Kenzaburo, Kawabata Yasunari, Mishima Yukio, and many others, this anthology relates an essential portrait of Japan's dynamic modernization.
Willow Grainger's skills as a vet tech are always in demand, and animals don't ask questions—but when a horribly battered man collapses before her one evening, she can't ignore that kind of distress. Bleeding, nonverbal, and clinging to consciousness, he's pursued by the same shadowy menace that has hunted Will all her life...and now, that evil is chasing them both. Jacob's mind is a wasteland; his body isn't far behind, and he's escaped the Mad God's minions. His savior isn't just a woman but an angel—more than that, a potential, invaluable in a war he barely remembers fighting. His memory unreliable and his instincts hair-trigger murderous, he has no problem violently protecting Willow or taking her on the run. Chased by nightmarish monsters, forced into unwilling alliance, Will and Jacob have no-one to trust but each other. But then the Sons of Ymre find them, and the real danger begins… Praise for Sons of Ymre: Erik— "Lilith Saintcrow is a master at world building. And her imagination is endless. I can't wait to see what's next."—Cheryl B, Goodreads reviewer "This writer cannot write a bad book. Her unique writing style literally has me tasting her words and slavering for more. This book better be a series—that's all I'm saying."—Craig Bethel, Amazon reviewer About the Author: Lilith Saintcrow lives in Vancouver, Washington, with her children, dogs, cat, a library for wayward texts, and assorted other strays.
Shortlisted for the 2016 David Gemmell Morningstar Award for Best Debut Death and destruction will bar her way. . . Kyndra's fate holds betrayal and salvation, but the journey starts in her small village. On the day she comes of age, she accidentally disrupts an ancient ceremony, ending centuries of tradition. So when an unnatural storm targets her superstitious community, Kyndra is blamed. She fears for her life until two strangers save her, by wielding powers not seen for an age - powers fuelled by the sun and the moon. Together, they flee to the hidden citadel of Naris. And here, Kyndra experiences disturbing visions of the past, showing war and one man's terrifying response. She'll learn more in the city's subterranean chambers, amongst fanatics and rebels. But first Kyndra will be brutally tested in a bid to unlock her own magic. If she survives the ordeal, she'll discover a force greater than she could ever have imagined. But could it create as well as destroy? And can she control it, to right an ancient wrong? With George R. R. Martin's Game of Thrones now a huge TV success, fantasy fiction has never been more popular. And these books are traditional fantasy at its very best.
Silent Reveries is a poignant and heart-wrenching love story that delves into the lives of Saraswat and Meera. Set against a backdrop of longing and unspoken emotions, the novel captures the essence of a love that is as tender as it is tragic. As the story unfolds, the characters navigate the deep waters of love, loss, and heartache, leaving readers to reflect on the fragile nature of relationships and the enduring power of memories. Himanshu Jain, author of The Enigma of Hidden Strength, masterfully weaves a narrative that is both poetic and profound, drawing readers into a world where love blossoms only to be torn apart by the cruel hands of fate. With every page, Silent Reveries evokes emotions of vulnerability, resilience, and the haunting silence that lingers in the spaces between words. Published by VK Wordings Publications, soon to be rebranded as Hybrix Publications, this novel is a must-read for those who appreciate the complexities of human emotions and the beauty of a love that transcends time and space.
Historically speaking, the majority of efforts in the study of ancient Greek physics have traditionally been devoted either to the analysis of the surviving evidence concerning Presocratic philosophers or to the systematic examination of the Platonic and the Aristotelian oeuvre. The aim of this volume is to discuss the notion of space by focusing on the most representative exponents of the Hellenistic schools and to explore the role played by spatial concepts in both coeval and later authors who, without specifically thematising these concepts, made use of them in a theoretically original way. To this purpose, renowned scholars investigate the philosophical and historical significance of the different conceptions of space endorsed by various thinkers ranging from the end of the Classical period to the middle Imperial age. Thus, the volume brings to light the problematical character of the ancient reflection on this topic.
