As insinuated by the metaphoric title Treading; to stay afloat, usually in water too deep to stand in and, in a Sea of Bricks; identification of the storys location through the towns nickname, Brick Citythis is ultimately a tale of triumph but mainly of struggle. Keeping your head above water. Its an illustrative depiction of the harsh choices and realities offered to the inner-city youth in the early 80s through late 90s, many of which still exist amongst others today. The story centers around two young men, Ezra and Choke, growing up in Newark, New Jersey, who are seemingly fated to face many of their lifes trials together. The road to adulthood can be blissful and/or blistering, so as the pair weather the storm, they learn theres no better aide than wisdom and true friendship.
William Hoffman alternates enduing themes of land and sea by taking inhabitants mostly of Virginia’s inland and Chesapeake Bay regions and making them thoroughly his own in this superb collection of stories. The stories deal with the clash between old and new values, with ties to the land and the lure of the sea, with the struggle to maintain relationships–between parents and children, husbands and wives, community and individual. In “Fathers and Daughters,” a man fears that his pretty teenage daughter is throwing away her life by taking up with a handsome young man whose values are primitive and rapacious. In “Landfall,” an ailing, elderly couple makes a last trip. In their beloved sailboat, which has been like a vessel holding their marriage, the two cruise the New England coast to Canada, where the end of their journey is not what either foresaw. The protagonist of “Cuttings” is a bold, decorated veteran of Vietnam who has become softened by living in a metropolitan southern city. He is forced to show his bravery by facing a white oak that has died and needs felling to protect his beach cottage. In “Smoke,” a former convict, sickly and cynical, comes in poverty to live with his sister and her family, and by his courage restores the idea of honor in those whom he has caused to feel shame and anger. “Lover” is the haunting story of an aging businessman who seeks desperately to regain love and his youth through a relationship with an adolescent girl. An intellectually sophisticated minister, in “The Question of Rain,” is asked by member of his congregation to offer a special prayer day for rain when a drought scorches the countryside. He is reluctant to perform the service, to be tapped in the position of publicly asking for rain and putting himself and his God to the test. In “Patriot, a coal miner’s love of country makes him a true patriot, though the war he fights is not against a foreign enemy but against new, potentially destructive values. Hoffman’s skill as a craftsman is matched by the veracity of his eye and ear for poignant detail in these quietly powerful and always deeply moving stories.
This is a story like a novel, of two generations of a fugitive family who land at Harwich in 1939. There are backward glances through Germany and Poland to the mid-nineteenth century, and it ends in the present day. The actions take place in the villages of old Poland, Nazi Berlin, wartime London and seaside towns, in school and the sports-field, in the Paris of 1945, on Alpine glaciers, amongst rising stars of British politics... It has two main threads – the mind of Etienne, and the characters of the mother, the sister and later of the Cabinet Minister who was a leading persuader in the formation of the party that was to re-shape British politics and was its Leader in the Lords. The sister was ‘the nearest thing the Left had to a political hostess’. Theme might be said to be corruption of character associated with idealistic politics; even more portentously, the pre-Socratic mind of Etienne through whom the action is seen – overwhelmed by his present experiences and historical daydreams, retarded in rationality, unable to speak, his mind a disorder of mists and his values dark – un-English, unmodern. North Sea Passage and the Women of Spirit is a memoir but written in the style of literary novel and will appeal to readers of that genre, as well as of biography and modern history.
Drawing from the Bible, the Pseudepigrapha, the Talmud and Midrash, the kabbalistic literature, medieval folklore, Hasidic texts, and oral lore collected in the modern era, Schwartz has gathered together nearly 700 of the key Jewish myths. For each myth, he includes extensive commentary, revealing the source of the myth and explaining how it relates to other Jewish myths as well as to world literature --from publisher description
Jules Verne's '20,000 Leagues Under the Sea' is a classic adventure novel that follows the journey of Captain Nemo and his submarine, the Nautilus, as they explore the depths of the oceans. Verne's mastery of vivid imagery and scientific detail transports readers to a world beneath the waves, showcasing his skill in blending excitement with meticulous research. The inclusion of original illustrations by Alphonse de Neuville enhances the immersive experience of the narrative, bringing the fantastical technology of the Nautilus to life on the page. Set in a time when deep-sea exploration was still a novel concept, the novel remains a seminal work in the science fiction genre, inspiring generations of readers and writers alike. Jules Verne, a visionary author known for his prophetic imagination, drew inspiration from the rapid advancements in science and technology during the 19th century. His fascination with the mysteries of the natural world and the potential of human innovation culminated in '20,000 Leagues Under the Sea', a pioneering work that continues to captivate audiences till this day. Verne's ability to combine scientific speculation with thrilling narrative propelled him to become one of the most celebrated authors of his time, and his legacy endures in the realm of speculative fiction. For readers who crave adventure, exploration, and a dash of scientific intrigue, '20,000 Leagues Under the Sea' is a must-read. Verne's timeless tale of underwater discovery offers a compelling blend of imagination and intellect, inviting audiences to delve into the wonders of the deep sea alongside the enigmatic Captain Nemo. Whether you are a seasoned science fiction enthusiast or a curious reader seeking an enthralling literary voyage, this novel promises a thrilling odyssey through uncharted waters.
