Showing results for "2" in Literary History & Criticism

The Radio 2 Book club celebrates the best in new fiction and recommends great reads. Sara will be interviewing top authors about their latest novels, and she’ll be catching up with librarians and reading groups from across the UK. Whether you’re after a summer blockbuster, a twist-filled thriller, or want to curl up with a heart-warming love story, Sara has you covered!

At just eleven years old, Jude Fawley is inspired by his teacher, Mr. Phillotson, who leaves their small village of Marygreen to pursue a university degree in Christminster. Determined to follow in his footsteps, Jude studies diligently with the help of old Latin and Greek texts gifted by his mentor. He trains as a stonemason to support himself while striving for higher education. However, upon arriving in Christminster, he quickly realizes that opportunities are scarce for someone of his humble background. As he falls in love with his cousin Sue Bridehead, Judes life becomes a tumultuous ...

Dombey and Son is a captivating novel by the renowned Victorian author Charles Dickens. It follows the story of Paul Dombey, a wealthy shipping magnate whose greatest desire is to have a son to inherit his business. Tragedy strikes when Dombeys wife dies shortly after giving birth to their son, setting off a chain of events that explores the darker side of familial ambition. Dickens delves into critical social issues of his time, including the troubling practice of arranged marriages for financial gain, child cruelty—especially in the way Dombey treats his daughter Florence—and the complex...

Dive into the revolutionary world of Ulysses, a monumental novel by Irish author James Joyce that reshapes our understanding of literature through its innovative stream-of-consciousness technique and dynamic narrative styles. Serialized between 1918 and 1920, and published as a complete book in 1922, this groundbreaking work chronicles the life of Leopold Bloom over the course of a single day—June 16, 1904—in Dublin. The characters and events echo those of Homers epic, with Bloom embodying the modern Odysseus. Despite facing early obscenity trials and being deemed unreadable by many, ...

Dive into the intricate world of Middlemarch A Study of Provincial Life, a timeless novel by George Eliot, the pen name of Mary Anne Evans. Written during a period of personal turmoil, this is Eliots seventh novel, which she began in 1869 and later revived after a brief hiatus. Serialized between 1871 and 1872, it became an immediate sensation upon its first one-volume release in 1874. Set in the imaginative Midlands town of Middlemarch during the early 1830s, the novel weaves together multiple narratives and a rich tapestry of characters. It explores profound themes such as the status of ...

A bi-weekly book club podcast. Two friends talking about words, drinking wine and probably offering too many opinions.

How did the most wanted man in the country outwit the greatest manhunt in British history? In January 1649, King Charles I was beheaded in London outside his palace of Whitehall and Britain became a republic. When his eldest son, Charles, returned in 1651 to fight for his throne, he was crushed...

Dive into the poignant narrative of Uncle Toms Cabin, a groundbreaking novel that delves into the harrowing experiences of Uncle Tom and those around him. Set against the backdrop of the American South during the tumultuous times leading up to and during the Civil War, this story powerfully illustrates the profound suffering inflicted by slavery. Through the lives of various characters—including slave owners, their families, traders, and the brave individuals involved in the underground railroad—readers witness a stark contrast between ignorance and cruelty on one side, and love, ...

The Fiendish Comedy Podcast! Season 3: Buffy the Vampire Slayer - The Poorly Read boys get knees deep in your favourite 90's heroine. Season 2: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe/Twilight - The first two books of these best-selling series are given the brutal Poorly Read treatment. With ice cream on top. Season 1: Harry Potter - The magical journey through Hogwarts revisited through jaded, adult eyes…

Una mujer lucha por seguir viva cada noche y, para alejar la muerte unas horas más, se inventa un cuento. Todos conocemos la historia de Sherezade, pero nadie ha leído Las mil y una noches como lo haría Jeanette Winterson, que se sumerge en este libro legendario para plantear preguntas y respuestas aún hoy vigentes: ¿cómo influyen nuestros relatos en las creencias sobre el mundo?, ¿cuál es el impacto de la imaginación sobre la realidad?, ¿dónde está el límite entre la honestidad y la mentira?, ¿es el amor, acaso, lo más importante?

George Eliot, the pen name of Mary Ann Evans, presents a captivating exploration of love and society in her groundbreaking first novel, Adam Bede. Set in a charming rural village in northern England during the late 18th century, the story revolves around a complex love triangle involving the earnest carpenter Adam Bede, the charismatic squire Captain Arthur Donnithorne, and the enchanting Hetty Sorrel. Amidst this romantic tension, the beautiful lay preacher Dinah Morris adds another layer of intrigue. Eliot masterfully crafts a vivid portrayal of everyday life, intricately developing each ...

A sparkling celebration of our much-loved Queen Elizabeth II including special writings and illuminating insights around key moments in her 70-year reign, introduced and edited by Joanna Lumley. In 2022 Queen Elizabeth II celebrated seventy years as Queen and Head of the Commonwealth. She was Britain's longest reigning monarch and the very first to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee. A Queen For All Seasons, edited and introduced by Joanna Lumley, is a perceptive, touching and engaging tribute to this unique woman.

More than a decade ago, number one New York Times best-selling author Diana Gabaldon delighted her legions of fans with The Outlandish Companion, an indispensable guide to all the Outlander books at the time. But that edition was just a taste of things to come. Since that publication, there have been four more Outlander novels, a side series, assorted novellas, and one smash-hit Starz original television series. Now Gabaldon serves up The Outlandish Companion, Volume Two, an all-new guide to the latest books in the series.

In her 1795 masterpiece, Lady Susan, Jane Austen showcases her exceptional talent for the epistolary novel. This intriguing short work centers on the cunning Lady Susan, who navigates the complexities of romance and marriage not only for herself but also for her young daughter. The narrative unfolds through a series of letters, revealing the intricate dynamics of human relationships and the art of persuasion. As Lady Susan tailors her correspondence to suit each recipient, Austen cleverly explores themes of identity and the fluidity of character, suggesting that who we are is often shaped by ...

She nurtured you from a helpless infant to a successful adult. She calmed your fears and dried your tears. She praised you when you needed encouragement and pushed you when you needed motivation. She was your nurse, your maid, your coach, your chauffeur, your teacher, and your friend. She was there for you and loved you no matter what. She has the most rewarding, yet most difficult job in the world. She is your mother.

Together, these three volumes form an essential collection for anyone fascinated by mythology, folklore, and the cultural heritage of Japan. Each story in this anthology is not just a tale. It's a window into the ancient soul of Japan, its people, and its enduring legacy.

A podcast about Stephen King and his books

Dive into the captivating world of Englands royal history with Volume 2 of The Lives of the Queens of England. Attributed to Agnes Strickland but primarily crafted by her sister Elizabeth, this multi-volumed work offers rich biographies of the queens who shaped the nation from the Norman Conquest in 1066. While it may not adhere to modern scholarly standards, the Stricklands unearthed many previously untapped sources. This volume features the intriguing stories of Berengaria of Navarre, Isabella of Angouleme, Eleanor of Provence, Eleanora of Castille, Margarite of France, Isabella of France, ...

متزامنة مع الذكرى الستين لاحتلال فلسطين، تصدر رواية زمن الخيول البيضاء، والتى هى رواية ملحمية استثنائية يتوج بها الشاعر والروائي إبراهيم نصرالله مشروعه الروائي...

Dive into the intriguing life of the cheerfully notorious monarch, Charles II, through this captivating book. Despite his self-proclaimed ugliness, Charless imaginative prowess, innate ability to perceive character, and statecraft mastery, as described by Airy, allowed him to skillfully navigate both political opponents and faithful followers. However, his moral indifference eventually led to the overpowering influence of French gold in English politics, sparking parliamentary divisions and courtly conspiracies that culminated in the tragic judicial killings of the Popish Plot. Unearth the ...