Literary History & Criticism

Poetic and powerful, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is a modern American classic....

Once Upon a Prime explores the many ways mathematics can transform our understanding of literature and vice versa, by the first woman to hold England's oldest mathematical chair....

Don’t be intimidated by Shakespeare! These popular guides make the Bard’s plays accessible and enjoyable....

In this brilliant conclusion to his best-selling Mythos trilogy, legendary author and actor Stephen Fry retells the tale of the Trojan War....

From pop culture podcaster and a voice of a generation, Kate Kennedy, a celebration of the millennial zeitgeist: One In a Millennial is an exploration of pop culture, nostalgia, the millennial zeitgeist, and the life lessons learned....

In the rigid theocracy of Salem, Massachusetts, rumors that women are practicing witchcraft galvanize the town....

Short Stories in Spanish for Beginners has been written especially for students from beginner to intermediate level, designed to give a sense of achievement, a feeling of progress and, most importantly, enjoyment....

Farah Jasmine Griffin’s father died when she was nine, bequeathing her an unparalleled inheritance in closets full of remarkable books and other records of Black genius. In Read Until You Understand - a line from a note he wrote to her - she shares a lifetime of discoveries....

One of William Faulkner’s finest novels, As I Lay Dying, originally published in 1930, remains a captivating and stylistically innovative work. The story revolves around a grim yet darkly humorous pilgrimage, as Addie Bundren’s family sets out to fulfill her last wish....

Jennifer Pepito was intent on loving her children well, but fear and worry pushed her around. Ultimately, she found joy in a most surprising place: the pages of classic literature she was reading aloud to her children every day. These stories helped her reclaim the wonder of childhood....

For the last 20 years, George Saunders has been teaching a class on the Russian short story to his MFA students at Syracuse University. In A Swim in a Pond in the Rain, he shares a version of that class with us....

For generations, the book of Genesis has been treated by scholars as a collection of documents by various hands, expressing different factional interests, with borrowings from other ancient literatures that mark the text as derivative....

Highly topical, morally wise, honest to the core, Monsters is certain to incite a conversation about whether and how we can separate artists from their art....

Few writers today have reshaped our view of the ancient Greek myths more than revered bestselling author Natalie Haynes. Divine Might is a female-centered look at Olympus and the Furies, focusing on the goddesses whose prowess, passions, jealousies, and desires rival those of their male kin....

Aristotle was a Greek philosopher and polymath during the Classical period in Ancient Greece. His writings cover many subjects including physics, biology, zoology, metaphysics, logic, ethics, aesthetics, poetry, theatre, music, rhetoric, psychology, linguistics, economics, politics....

All Souls fans have been captivated from the start by the many sources of inspiration Harkness draws on in her novels. Here, with her signature historian's touch, she offers an encyclopedic look at the series, complete with synopses, character bios, maps, recipes, and more....

Sound interesting? The author thinks so too! Listen to 12 Books to Read Before You Die, Volume 1 and learn about these classic books: Father Goriot by Honoré de Balzac, The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle, and more....

Los Angeles, 1948: Easy Rawlins is a black war veteran just fired from his job at a defense plant....

The tellers of Greek myths—historically men—have routinely sidelined the female characters....

Often, there is much more going on in a novel or poem than is readily visible on the surface....

Five years after Return of the Jedi, the last of the Emperor's warlords have taken command of the remains of the Imperial fleet - and could destroy the fragile new Republic....

Published posthumously in 1964, A Moveable Feast remains one of Ernest Hemingway's most beloved works....

At long last, millions of Dune fans can now hear the unpublished chapters and scenes from Dune and Dune Messiah....

From breakout stand-up comedian Iliza Shlesinger comes a subversively funny collection of essays and observations on a confident woman's approach to friendship, singlehood, and relationships....

A collection of three medieval English poems, translated by Tolkien for the modern-day reader and containing romance, tragedy, love, sex and honour....

"Flat Earth Reimagined: An AI-Curated Odyssey" is an innovative exploration of the Flat Earth theory, uniquely combined with Artificial Intelligence and the author's expert analysis. This book delves into the intriguing world of Flat Earth beliefs from ancient to modern times, presenting a balanced view of historical, scientific, and sociological perspectives. It critically examines the theory's evolution, key arguments, and the psychological appeal behind such contrarian beliefs. Enhanced by AI-driven research, this narrative offers a multifaceted look at the Flat Earth community, its ...

Dive into an intellectually stimulating journey with "Intriguing Insights" - the ultimate guide to literary criticism and interpretation! This compendium of knowledge is designed to bridge the gap between those who appreciate literature and those who want to analyze it at a deeper level. Prepare to embark on an expedition that will inject a fresh perspective into your love for the written word. In this comprehensive volume, you'll journey through various approaches to literary theory, delving into the captivating world of Structuralism, Post-Structuralism, Hermeneutics, Reader-Response ...

Dive into the enchanting world of Celtic literature with the mesmerizing eBook, "Exploring the Celtic Tapestry"! This captivating journey will take you through time and across the European landscape, unveiling the interwoven richness of Celtic storytelling and its profound impact on the global literary scene. Embark on an adventure that begins with an introduction to Celtic literature and its European contexts, then traverses through early Irish literature, the Welsh bardic tradition, Scottish poetry, and the evolution of English literary heritage in the Celtic context. Along the way, ...

Are you ready to dive into the captivating world of Asian Indic Literary Criticism? Look no further! Introducing "The Complexities of Asian Indic Literary Criticism" - a must-read for anyone intrigued by the literary heritage of Asia. This all-encompassing eBook explores the richness and diversity of Asian Indic Literature, offering readers an unparalleled voyage through time and the timeless beauty of its literary traditions. Embark on a fascinating journey that begins with the ancient foundations of the world-renowned Natyashastra, the bedrock of Sanskrit Poetics, and traces the evolution...

Discover the fascinating world of visual storytelling! Unveil the secrets behind the most powerful and captivating form of storytelling through the magnificent art of comics and graphic novels. Introducing "Visual Storytelling," a groundbreaking eBook that will lead you on a journey through the enthralling universe of comics and graphic novels. Immerse yourself in the evolution, history, and techniques that have shaped the iconic art of visual storytelling, and learn how this medium has journeyed from the static images of early comic strips to the dynamic and powerful narratives we know and...

"A Room of One's Own" began life as a pair of lectures delivered by Virginia Woolf in October 1928 at Newnham College and Girton College, women's colleges at the University of Cambridge and was published as a stand-alone book in 1929. In this brilliant examination of literature, history and gender discrimination, Woolf posits that the dearth of female writers in literature did not result from a lack of talent; it was the lack of opportunity.

Feminism is not just a movement, it's a way of life. It's about creating a world where everyone has equal rights and opportunities, regardless of their gender. Feminism is not just for women, it's for all genders. It's about dismantling the patriarchy, challenging gender roles and stereotypes, and creating a society that is inclusive, diverse, and equitable. In this e-book, we will explore the history of feminism, its key concepts, and its impact on society. We will also discuss current feminist issues, how we can continue to make progress towards gender equality and finally why feminism ...

Are you fascinated by history's darkest mysteries and the intricate tapestry of human nature? Curious about the forces that led to one of the darkest periods in American history? Wondering how superstition and fear could ignite a whirlwind of chaos and injustice? Dive into the gripping world of 17th-century Massachusetts, where accusations of witchcraft ignited a blaze of hysteria and justice teetered on a precipice. In A Brief History of the Salem Witch Trials, we unravel the captivating and haunting events that transpired during this dark chapter in American history. If you've ever been ...

Can AI truly fathom literary artistry or emotion? Is there space for machine-human partnership expanding creative frontiers? As artificial intelligence permeates our world, intriguing questions arise around its role in the arts. In The Future of Storytelling: AI and the Art of Flash Fiction, writer Charles Eugene Anderson chronicles his adventures on the frontier of AI-assisted fiction. With warmth and wit, Anderson welcomes you along his journey, pioneering techniques for wedding AI’s tireless productivity with human inspiration. Together, you’ll craft micro tales brimming with life ...

Ignite Your Inner Storyteller: A Guide to Flash Fiction Mastery Have you ever wished you could write a captivating story in just a few minutes? Flash fiction might be the perfect answer for you. This exciting, accessible form of writing is experiencing a surge in popularity, offering a creative outlet for writers of all levels. Don't worry if long novels seem daunting. Flash fiction lets you explore a diverse range of ideas and hone your storytelling skills in bite-sized bursts. This book will be your guide to unlocking the world of flash fiction. Inside, you'll discover: The secrets of ...

Like Love is a momentous, raucous collection of essays drawn from twenty years of Maggie Nelson's brilliant work. These profiles, reviews, remembrances, tributes, and critical essays, as well as several conversations with friends and idols, bring to life Nelson's passion for dialogue and dissent. The range of subjects is wide—from Prince to Carolee Schneemann to Matthew Barney to Lhasa de Sela to Kara Walker—but certain themes recur.

When Suzanne Scanlon was a student at Barnard in the '90s, grieving the loss of her mother—feeling untethered and swimming through inarticulable pain—she made a suicide attempt that landed her in the New York State Psychiatric Institute. After nearly three years and countless experimental treatments, Suzanne left the ward on shaky legs. In the decades it took her to recover from the experience, Suzanne came to understand her suffering as part of something larger.

This is an annotated edition with an additional biography section and an original prelude by J.J. Calvert. Humor is subjective, but at least for many in the CR community, this packs a hilarious punch. Stephen Butler Leacock, born in 1869 and died in 1944, was a Canadian humorist. He was also a professor of political science at McGill University for almost three decades--but he is better remembered as a world famous humorist who could make men and women bend at the waist with laughter whilst reading his nonsensical literature. His Secrets To Success is satirical response to the ubiquitous ...

From the Baillie Gifford and Orwell Prize longlisted author of The Ministry of Truth comes an equally original and revealing exploration of one of the central concerns of our times: fantasies and nightmares of the end of the world, from Mary Shelley’s The Last Man to the Manic Street Preachers’ Everything Must Go.

To be a bookseller or librarian...you have to play detective. Be a treasure hunter. A matchmaker. A brilliant listener. A person who creates a kind of magic by pulling a book from a shelf, handing it to someone and saying, 'You've got to read this. You're going to love it'. In this love letter to the heroes of literacy, James Patterson uncovers true stories from booksellers and librarians.