Showing results for "life" in Literary History & Criticism

Every book has two stories: the one it tells, and the one it hides.The Secret Life of Books is a fascinating, addictive, often shocking, occasionally hilarious weekly podcast starring Sophie Gee, an English professor at Princeton University, and Jonty Claypole, formerly director of arts at the BBC. Every week these virtuoso critics and close friends take an iconic book and reveal the hidden story behind the story: who made it, their clandestine motives, the undeclared stakes, the scandalous backstory and above all the secret, mysterious meanings of books we thought we knew.-- To join the ...

Charming, vibrant, witty and edifying, The Life of Samuel Johnson is a work of great obsession and boundless reverence. The literary critic Samuel Johnson was 54 when he first encountered Boswell; the friendship that developed spawned one of the greatest biographies in the history of world literature. The book is full of humorous anecdote and rich characterization, and paints a vivid picture of 18th-century London, peopled by prominent personalities of the time.

Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts, is one of the most recognizable and mysterious figures in the Harry Potter series. As an unscrupulous beetle-like journalist once said, he's "a biographer's dream." Is he omniscient or limited? Is he benevolent or malevolent? What really drove him in the last years of an extraordinary life? Dumbledore dives between the lines of the Harry Potter books to create a portrait of the controversial Headmaster. We find Dumbledore's hand in every seeming coincidence and consider the impossible decisions he had to make.

Dive into volume 3 of Laurence Sternes remarkable novel, The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman. Originally published in nine volumes between 1759 and 1769, this work may have faced skepticism from contemporaries like Samuel Johnson, who claimed, Nothing odd can last. Yet, its irreverent humor captivated London society, earning its place as one of the greatest comic novels in the English language. With its innovative narrative techniques, Tristram Shandy continues to influence modern storytelling. (Summary from Wikipedia)

The Life of Harriot Stuart, Written by Herself presents a complex and problematic view of self-creation in the eighteenth century. Within the novel, there is a constantly reoccurring theme of self-invention through fiction, which is echoed by the author's own use of the novel to shape her identity. Published in December of 1750, Harriot Stuart gained critical praise as a successor of Richardson's Clarissa and by 1752, Charlotte Lennox had become a protégé of Johnson. Lennox's second novel reflects the influences of men like Richardson and Johnson. Their individual styles and commitments to ...

"One of the most important thinkers to emerge on the world stage for many years." THE SPECTATOR FOREWORD BY NORMAN DOIDGE

If F. Scott Fitzgerald was the hero of the Jazz Age, Edna St. Vincent Millay, as flamboyant in her love affairs as she was in her art, was its heroine. A winner of the Pulitzer Prize, Millay was dazzling in the performance of herself. Her voice was likened to an instrument of seduction, and her impact on crowds and on men was legendary. Yet beneath her studied act, all was not well.

Acclaimed author Karen Swallow Prior takes fans on a guided tour through works of great literature both ancient and modern, exploring 12 virtues that philosophers and theologians throughout history have identified as most essential for good character and the good life. In reintroducing ancient virtues that are as relevant and essential today as ever, Prior draws on the best classical and Christian thinkers, including Aristotle, Aquinas, and Augustine.

With the release of a flurry of feature and TV films about his life and work, and the publication of new books looking at his correspondence, his boat, and even his favorite cocktails, Ernest Hemingway is once again center stage of contemporary culture. Now, in this concise and sparkling account of the life and work of America's most storied writer, Clancy Sigal, himself a National Book Award runner-up, presents a persuasive case for the relevance of Ernest Hemingway to readers and listeners today.

The Life of Jesus Christ in a Year: From the Visions of Anne Catherine Emmerich is a podcast from TAN that takes you through one of the most extraordinary books ever published. Follow along daily as Father Edward Looney works his way through the classic 4-volume set, The Life of Jesus Christ and Biblical Revelations, by reading a passage from the book and then giving his commentary. Discover the visions of the famous 19th-century Catholic mystic, Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich, a nun who was privileged by God to behold innumerable events of biblical times.

Drawing from exclusive interviews and previously unseen archival materials, this one-of-its-kind biography of Hannibal Lecter documents the cannibal’s journey from terrifying villain to unexpectedly adored antihero. This unique biography traces the many lives and crimes of Hannibal Lecter: his...

For anyone who ever wondered what Marcel Proust had in mind when he wrote the one-and-a-quarter-million words of In Search of Lost Time (while bedridden no less), Alain de Botton has the answer. For, in this stylish, erudite and frequently hilarious book, de Botton dips deeply into Proust’s life and work - his fiction, letter, and conversations – and distils from them that rare self-help manual: one that is actually helpful.

Dive into The Triumph of the Egg, a captivating collection of stories and poems by Sherwood Anderson. Departing from the interconnected style of his renowned work Winesburg, Ohio, Anderson presents a rich tapestry of perspectives and settings, delving into themes of personal growth, disillusionment, loneliness, and the contrast between urban and rural life. Critic Lawrence Gilman praised Andersons ability to create beauty within his prose, stating, Mr. Anderson has achieved a beauty that irradiates his page. Although it may be less celebrated than his earlier works, The Triumph of the Egg is a...

THE HEPTAMERON, first published posthumously in 1558, is a captivating collection of stories divided into seven days, each featuring ten tales, plus an eighth day with two additional stories. Richly exploring themes of love, infidelity, and the complexities of human emotion, these narratives sparked accusations of looseness from contemporary critics. Authored by Margaret of Navarre (also known as Margaret of Angoulême), a pivotal figure in the French Renaissances intellectual and cultural spheres, this work stands out for its unique blend of passionate desire and spiritual reflection. As ...

Dive into this captivating 1898 collection of thirteen stories that bring the wild West to life through the eyes of one of the eras most celebrated writers. Henry Inman’s “Tales of the Trail” are rooted in real experiences he witnessed firsthand, offering a fascinating glimpse into a time when the vast landscape west of the Missouri River was largely unexplored, known only to trappers, hunters, and military figures. Inman, a soldier and frontiersman who served valiantly during the Indian campaigns and the Civil War, settled in Kansas after his military career, turning his adventures into...

Dive into a captivating exploration of agricultural education as envisioned by early 20th-century authors. They passionately argue that agriculture is as teachable as subjects like arithmetic, geography, or grammar. This insightful textbook emphasizes the importance of training youth for farming with the same dedication afforded to any profession, making a compelling case for the value of agricultural knowledge in a childs education. Discover the rich connection between plant life and the principles of farming that shaped a generation.

Have you ever wondered…whether God exists? whether life has meaning? Whether pain and suffering have a purpose? This audiobook is my invitation to sit down with C. S. Lewis and me to think about some of the persistent questions and dilemmas every person faces in life. We’ll explore Lewis’s thoughts on everything from friendships to heaven, from the reasons for faith to the power of stories.

Total Timepass is a delightfully fun take on the Indian way of life – a witty and light-hearted collection of original snippets and anecdotes presented with endless humour and affection. From the age-old North-South divide and the fascinating inventions of Indian English to our cricket mania and love for family drama – the audiobook captures it all holding up a mirror to our quirks, contradictions, and cultural chaos. Based on the author’s real-life experiences, this book encourages us to laugh at ourselves and embrace the lighter side of life.

The major texts of Western culture are a gateway to wisdom that can widen your views on self and society in enduring ways. And now you can examine its most important works - whether drama, poetry, or narrative - in this series of 64 penetrating lectures that reveal astonishing common ground.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot Book Review by Medha Paidimarri (9th grade English assignment)