In London, before the First World War, where in society love and money predominate, Bertha and Nigel had been inseparable. But then Nigel felt he had to focus on the economics of life, and after all Bertha's family were quite modestly off. Whereas the heiress Mary, also interested in him but not anywhere near so charming, was very well set up. His decision was made. Though initially heartbroken, Bertha realises quickly that she has escaped from a delusion. Equanimity returns, and she finds in Percy Kellynch a devoted lover, though one a little more sober and less racy. They marry, as do Nigel and Mary, and over time the two become friends again, though now with wise awareness on Bertha's side. Nigel begins to see his error, as Mary's jealousy and her wish to supervise his life take their toll. He finds comfort in simply seeing Bertha initially, but inevitably begins to wish for more. Bertha is not interested, having moved on, but, if noticed, Nigel's attentions could be misconstrued... In the meantime, Bertha is also looking out for the future of a young friend, Madeline Irwin, who is smitten with Rupert Denison, a young man with rather too much of a penchant for patronising and "educating" young women. Madeline is impulsive, a little inexperienced and quite needy. Her headlong qualities precipitate problems very readily. As Bertha negotiates several crises arising from Nigel's reviving attachment, she also tries to assist Madeline in avoiding her own self-created disasters. Much depends on Bertha's talent for good management and wise counsel in the perils of both their lives. She is determined to win over adversity, but it will be a strong test of her skills.... Bird of Paradise, Leverson's fifth novel, as radiant with wit and wisdom as those which preceded it, was first published in 1914.

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1865 Excerpt: ...coldness of the Rabbi was changed into a loving attachment and paternal tenderness towards the youth. One day a stranger came to Jochanan. "What doest thou want of me?" asked the Rabbi of him, "tell me quickly, in what I can render thee a service; for thou seemest to stand in need of it." "Yes, Rabbi," replied the stranger earnestly, "that Ido; and still I find it difficult to express myself freely of my affairs." "Be it what it may, that lies heavily on thy heart, God will give me strength that I may afford thee help and consolation." "Listen then, Rabbi," said the unknown. "I am a countryman of Judaea; God has amply blessed me with worldly goods; he gave me fields and vineyards, oxen and sheep in abundance; he also granted me a wife and two children." "Andthou hast cause to complain?" eagerly interrupted him the Rabbi. "And two children," repeated the man after a somewhat long and distressing pause; "but of one of them, my son, has become rebellious to me, he is a disobedient son, he it is who has changed for me all the sweet gifts which Heaven has bestowed on me, into naught but wormwood." "What is the guilt of thy son?" inquired Jochanan. "Has he proved himself ungrateful towards thee? has he raised his hand against thee?" "He has dug my grave," answered the stranger, gloomily. "I loved him in a manner God demands it from parents. I bestowed on him every care from his first infancy. I already derived joy from the thought to behold in him a man who, with skilful and industrious hands, and with a pious and virtuous heart, could administer and increase the estates, which his father had acquired, while thinking of him, hones...

Call it zimzum : how we manage the scandal of our progress from desire to the void, through contraction and distractedness. In this perilously original work, composed of six rigorously crafted parts—and informed by a desperately libidinous, grotesquely comic rage—one of the most controversial figures in contemporary American letters brilliantly captures our humanity and Zeitgeist . Central to the novel is the ravishing shriek of a man who seeks to preserve what little there is left to him. It is as if his head were in an ever-tightening vise as he frantically seeks connection with others, knowing all the while the futility of the enterprise. He yearns for some carnal knowledge. He is obsessed with the successful operation of a sexual device. His lover is insensitive, self-absorbed. What is he—a former insane asylum inmate, whose motto used to be "share and share alike," but is now "fair is fair"—supposed to do? Exuberant in the music of its ordinary utterances, anguished and poignant in its declaration of the facts of life, Zimzum is Lish's most compelling novel.

Wealthy Canadian scholar Harvey Gotham lives in splendid isolation in France and is working on a book about Job. He loves his wife, Effie,dearly but she has taken to planting bombs in supermarkets and has joined an anarchist group. Here, Spark returns to the Book of Job, whichhad always fascinated her, and 'the only problem' - the problem of suffering. Why does God allow it? A despairing and exhilarating read, TheOnly Problem is a masterwork.This is one of the 22 novels written by Muriel Spark in her lifetime. All are being published by Polygon in hardback Centenary Editions betweenNovember 2017 and September 2018.

The Shelf2Life Literature and Fiction Collection is a unique set of short stories, poems and novels from the late 19th to early 20th centuries. From tales of love, life and heartbreaking loss to humorous stories of ghost encounters, these volumes captivate the imaginations of readers young and old. Included in this collection are a variety of dramatic and spirited poems that contemplate the mysteries of life and celebrate the wild beauty of nature. The Shelf2Life Literature and Fiction Collection provides readers with an opportunity to enjoy and study these iconic literary works, many of which were written during a period of remarkable creativity.

The Clairvoyant is a novel written by Ernst Lothar. This book tells the story of a young woman named Lucie who has the ability to see into the future. Lucie's clairvoyant abilities are both a blessing and a curse, as they allow her to predict events that will happen in the future, but also cause her great emotional distress.As Lucie struggles to come to terms with her gift, she meets a man named Richard who is skeptical of her abilities. Despite his doubts, Richard becomes intrigued by Lucie and begins to help her explore her clairvoyant powers.As Lucie's visions become more intense and frequent, she must navigate the challenges of her new abilities while also trying to maintain her relationships with those around her. Along the way, she discovers secrets about her family's past and uncovers a sinister plot that threatens her very existence.The Clairvoyant is a captivating novel that explores the themes of fate, love, and the power of the mind. With its vivid descriptions and gripping plot, this book is sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

In 'Peter Kindred', the author presents a compelling tale of love, loss, and redemption. Through vivid descriptions and engaging characters, Nathan weaves a story that explores the joys and sorrows of the human experience. This book is an essential read for anyone interested in literature and the power of storytelling, and is sure to leave a lasting impression on readers. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Orpheus The Fisher is a novel written by Robert Eisler. The book is a modern retelling of the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. The story follows the journey of Orpheus, a young fisherman who lives in a small, isolated village in Greece. He falls in love with Eurydice, a beautiful and mysterious woman who appears in his village one day. They quickly fall in love and plan to marry.However, tragedy strikes when Eurydice is bitten by a poisonous snake and dies. Devastated by her death, Orpheus sets out on a journey to the underworld to try and bring her back to life. Along the way, he encounters various obstacles and challenges, including the wrath of the gods and the dangers of the underworld.As he descends deeper into the underworld, Orpheus must confront his own fears and doubts, and ultimately make a choice between his love for Eurydice and his own life. The book explores themes of love, loss, grief, and the human condition.Overall, Orpheus The Fisher is a captivating and thought-provoking novel that offers a fresh take on a classic myth. Eisler's writing is lyrical and poetic, and he creates a vivid and immersive world that transports readers to another time and place.Christianity is permeated with powerful symbolism! This book reveals hundreds of symbols, their origins, and meanings. Essential reading for mystics and Christians who seek a path to the roots of Christianity.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

A beautifully written prose work, Tsing is a multi-layered narrative that combines a wholly fictional novel-within-a-novel with an episodic chronicle of the narrator's present as a traveler to and visiting writer in the United States. Much more than an "ordinary" postmodern text, Tsing is a quiet and moving paean to the narrator's deceased father. Beginning with a series of imagined vignettes involving a father and a daughter, Albahari weaves both real and imagined narrative fragments together with considerable skill. As Albahari's fragments - simple stories about persons approaching each other, spending some time together, and eventually going their separate ways - accumulate, his deft combination of paradox and poetry provides a kaleidoscopic view of memory, love, and loneliness.

KARIMI HOTEL & OTHER AFRICAN EQUATIONS [1972]: four short stories and a riff of African impressions shape a life-size puzzle. Propelled by the fervor of their black & white love story, buoyed up by the black-is-beautiful enthusiasm that was the rage in those days, they crash land in Addis Ababa, lose their way in Dar es Salam, do their thing at Bahari Beach, navigate the banabanas on avenue William Ponty in Dakar. Black in the land of his birth, he turns up American in Dakar. Dazzled, she wants with all her heart to connect the exhilarating African beat of their intimacy to the landscapes and street scenes that enchant her from Ethiopia to Tanzania to Senegal. Wary, he navigates by a compass pieced together in his urban ghetto. She cajoles him into a search for authenticity that collides with big disappointments, small hustles, rare moments of grace, and stunning truths-for him, in the house of the slaves on île de Gorée, for her, an unexpected reminder of her understated identity in the market square of a Tanzanian village. SICAP LIBERTÉ 5 [1982]: novella in five facets of interlocking triangles, written in French and translated to English by the author. Change of voice, language, angle, and style in transit from the baffled travelers of Karimi Hotel to full immersion in Sicap Liberté 5, a Dakar housing project. Constance of love as illumination /blindness. Following the old triangular trade route that links the African continent to the islands via the métropole, love crosses paths and intersects cultures, begetting joy and distress. Emancipation and alienation bounce between the city of harsh lights and a third world that entices and stings. The thirst for authenticity reaches its source; the beloved is a native son, lithe, velvet-dark, endowed with intoxicating grace. She follows his contours, dances his beat, adopts the accent and the gait, swallows the irrational, revels in a sensuality no sooner satisfied than disappointed. Her open-hearted acceptance of the Other is rebuffed by age-old rivalries, troubling religious undercurrents, burgeoning ethnic conflicts, unsettled scores between the motherland and its scattered brood. Was it an idyll? Or an illusion?

The Five Scrolls is a comprehensive commentary on five books of the Old Testament, namely Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, and Esther. The author, Israel Bettan, provides a detailed analysis of each book, highlighting its historical and cultural context, literary style, and theological significance. The Song of Songs is a collection of love poems that celebrate the beauty of human love and the intimacy between a man and a woman. Bettan explores the metaphorical language used in the book and its significance in Jewish tradition. The book of Ruth tells the story of a Moabite woman who becomes part of the Israelite community and ultimately becomes the great-grandmother of King David. Bettan examines the themes of loyalty, faithfulness, and redemption in the book and their relevance to contemporary readers. Lamentations is a collection of poems that mourn the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of the Jewish people. Bettan discusses the book's structure, language, and theological message, emphasizing the importance of lament and mourning in Jewish tradition. Ecclesiastes is a philosophical book that explores the meaning of life and the human condition. Bettan analyzes the book's themes of wisdom, pleasure, and the inevitability of death, and their relevance to contemporary readers. Finally, Esther tells the story of a Jewish woman who becomes queen of Persia and saves her people from genocide. Bettan examines the book's historical context, literary style, and theological significance, emphasizing the themes of courage, faith, and divine providence. Overall, The Five Scrolls is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of these five books of the Old Testament and their relevance to contemporary life.A Commentary On The Song Of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes And Esther. The Jewish Commentary For Bible Readers.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

Amy Levy's "Miss Meredith" offers a glimpse into the lives and relationships of women in Pisa, Italy. These evocative short stories explore the complexities of human connection against the backdrop of a vibrant expatriate community. Set in the historic city of Pisa, the collection delves into the inner worlds of its characters, portraying their experiences with sensitivity and insight. Levy's keen observations of city life and her nuanced portrayal of women make this work a compelling read. The themes of identity, belonging, and the search for meaning resonate throughout the stories, showcasing the author's talent for capturing the subtleties of human interaction. Experience these timeless tales of love, friendship, and self-discovery in this meticulously prepared edition. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

A lively and entertaining comic opera that tells the story of a young woman's quest for love and happiness. Featuring catchy melodies, witty lyrics, and engaging characters, The Dove of Peace remains a popular and enduring classic of the American musical theater. This edition includes the full libretto, as well as historical background and commentary. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.