33 results for "Literature"

Ice Fire Water

Leslie Epstein
Leib Goldkorn, aged musician, first appeared almost a quarter-century ago in The Steinway Quintet. Now Leib has replaced his magic flute with his phallus: it is love, longing, and the quest for sexual fulfillment that must stave off both his own death and the imminent destruction of the Jews. In Ice he rescues the celebrated skater Sonja Henie from Hitler's clutches. In Fire his paramour is Carmen Miranda. And in Water he engages in a South Sea Island intrigue with a famous swimming star of the 1940s. Meanwhile, in the present, Leib seeks consummation with three other inamoratas: Clara, his wife; Hustler model Miss Crystal Knight; and the critic Michiko Kakutani (causing a real-life literary scandal). In this "wickedly funny" (Elle) and no less heartbreaking novel, Leib Goldkorn emerges as one of American literature's most enduring, and endearing, creations. A New York Times Notable Book; a Los Angeles Times Best Book of the Year.
W. W. Norton & Company 2000-11 272 pages

Cutie A Warm Mamma

Ben Hecht,Maxwell Bodenheim
A rediscovered gem from the Roaring Twenties, "Cutie: A Warm Mamma" offers a biting satire of social reformers and urban life in Chicago. Co-authored by Ben Hecht and Maxwell Bodenheim, this collection of short stories delivers sharp social commentary through humorous and literary fiction. Exploring themes of city life and societal change, the book provides a unique snapshot of the era. Readers will find insightful, and often droll, observations on human nature and the complexities of social interaction. "Cutie: A Warm Mamma" remains a relevant and engaging exploration of the tensions between idealism and reality, rendered with a distinctive voice from a pivotal moment in American history. Its enduring appeal lies in its ability to provoke thought and laughter, making it a timeless reflection on society and its discontents. 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.
Creative Media Partners, LLC 2025-03-29 40 pages

Eternal Voyager

Conor Kostick
These are the tales of Eternal Voyager. Tales from a distant future in which all life is virtual. Everyone in the Metaverse takes for granted the ability to teleport; to change shape; to create entire planets for their playgrounds and to make backup copies of themselves, so they cannot permanently die. And what do these people who live beyond the conventional universe do with their powers? Mostly they play RPGs. ***** "I loved Conor Kostick's Epic and these six short novels (more like long, self-contained chapters) are sort of related. They are set in a universe (called the Metaverse) where virtual characters have come alive and have fun and adventures." Reader Review ***** "From a plague of vampyrism to silver orb aliens, to talking to dragons and battling orcs, Eternal Voyager [party animal] tackles them all with sharp humour and several quick avatar changes. Have you ever solved your own murder? Join a romp through metaversal adventures which just about cover every possible realm and involves a broad spectrum of characters. Parallels between the avatar world and our own are unmistakable - sometimes amusing, sometime deadly serious. Highly recommended." Reader Review
Conor Kostick 2025-12-16 304 pages

The Fantastical Adventures of Leutenlieb of the House of Munchausen A Continuation to the Adventures of Baron Munchausen

Shlomo Kalo
That rarest of things, a children's book for "children" of all ages.... In this picaresque and highly entertaining novel, Leutenlieb, a.k.a. Baron Munchausen (great-great-great grandson of his celebrated ancestor), takes us on a roller-coaster ride through the history of the Twentieth Century, introducing us along the way to a galaxy of iconic figures - from Hitler to Hemingway, from Al Capone to Greta Garbo - while describing how, with breath-taking imagination, brilliant ingenuity and technological expertise of staggering proportions (not to mention legendary modesty!) he succeeds in solving all the problems with which he is faced. The darker side is there too - two world wars, Nazi extermination camps and Soviet labour camps - but through it all our protagonist maintains his optimism, his integrity, his belief in the power of the indomitable human spirit, and his sense of humour. The full tragi-comedy of life is there. Shlomo Kalo, a nominee for the Nobel Prize in Literature and a story teller of international renown brings us a book of refreshing insights and ingenious humor that younger readers can enjoy too. Scroll up and grab your copy today!
Independently Published 2017-02-06 334 pages

Ixion In Heaven

Benjamin Earl of Beaconsfi Disraeli
Venture into the realm of mythological fiction with Benjamin Disraeli's satirical fantasy, "Ixion In Heaven." This witty tale draws upon Greek mythology to explore timeless themes with humor and sharp social commentary. The story centers on Ixion, a figure from Greek myth, and his unexpected journey. Disraeli's work is a delightful example of satirical writing. Through clever prose and fantastical scenarios, the author delivers a story that transcends time. Readers who enjoy humorous fiction and imaginative reimaginings of classic tales will find this book a rewarding experience. "Ixion In Heaven" offers a unique blend of fantasy and satire, showcasing Disraeli's skill in crafting engaging and thought-provoking narratives. 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.
Creative Media Partners, LLC 2025-03-28 26 pages

The Yemenite Girl

Curt Leviant
This award-winning novel is "a delightful, inventive tale" about the pursuit of love and literary fame from "a compassionate and witty satirist" ( Kirkus Reviews ). It's the opportunity of a lifetime for middle-aged Ezra Shultish--a chance to the meet his literary hero, Nobel Laureate Bar Nun, a writer Ezra has worshipped for most of his career as a teacher and translator. Hoping to get a recording of the author reading his story, The Yemenite Girl , Shultish travels to Israel, where he finds himself pursuing his own Yemenite girl, as well as the elusive author. But will Ezra get the girl--or his own glimpse of literary fame? Winner of the Edward Lewis Wallant Book Award, The Yemenite Girl is Curt Leviant's comic novel on the nature of celebrity and the relationship between life and art. "Shultish is a man with a life of his own. . . . And the celebrity, too, is remarkably drawn. . . . [The book] is done with great tact, feeling, and skill." --Saul Bellow, Pulitzer Prize- and Nobel Prize for Literature-winning author "A passionate story . . . The charm of the text and the intensity of the subtext is what keeps the pages turning." -- The New York Times Book Review "Good comic writing and satire on the Hebrew literary scene with its jealous politicking for literary prizes." -- The Washington Post
Open Road Integrated Media, Incorporated 2023-02-07 220 pages

Banned in Boston A Slightly Naughty-But-nice Fable of The 1980s

Daniel Kimmel,Deborah Hand-Cutler
Ben Porter is an MBA student unsure what his future holds. Franklin Abbott is a Boston Brahman, wanting to use his "old money" to do some good for the city he loves. Margaret O'Leary is a widowed Irish matron from South Boston who is indignant about most everything except her numerous friends and relations. This unlikely trio heads up Decency and Morality Now! (which has the unfortunate acronym of D.A.M.N!) This antipornography organization has seen its funding dwindle with the advent of the VCR, as well as the city's indifference to the issue. They come up with a way to "fight fire with fire" in order to increase their revenue stream. It's foolproof - unless they get caught, that is. Revisit Boston in the 1980s, a time of relative innocence, in this "slightly naughty-but-nice" fable, in which "things are not always what they seem." You never know what might get "Banned in Boston."
Black Horse Press 2021-08-21 167 pages

Bird of Paradise

Ada Leverson
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.
Michael Walmer 2022-12-15 318 pages

Dawn Ginsbergh's Revenge

Perelman, S.J.
Before he became one of America’s most celebrated humorists, S.J. Perelman unleashed his razor-sharp wit in Dawn Ginsbergh’s Revenge, a dazzling debut filled with linguistic acrobatics, absurdist storytelling, and sheer comic genius. Overflowing with rapid-fire puns, genre-bending satire, and wordplay that bends the English language to his will, Perelman’s first collection of sketches captures the youthful energy and anarchic spirit that would later influence the Marx Brothers. Whether lampooning pulp fiction, skewering popular culture, or crafting surreal scenarios where no paragraph ends where you expect, this book is a wild ride through the mind of a master humorist in the making. For fans of clever comedy, literary playfulness, and vintage satire, Dawn Ginsbergh’s Revenge is a rare and delightful glimpse into the early brilliance of a writer who redefined American humor.
Independently published 2025-05-26 159 pages

Elkan Lubliner, American

Montague Glass
Experience the vibrant world of early 20th-century New York City through the humorous and insightful short stories of Montague Glass's "Elkan Lubliner, American." These tales offer a glimpse into the lives of Jewish immigrants working in the bustling clothing industry, navigating the challenges and absurdities of Americanization. With keen observation and a sharp wit, Glass captures the nuances of their experiences, creating a delightful and enduring portrait of a community forging a new identity. Dive into a bygone era filled with relatable characters and situations, where laughter and resilience intertwine. "Elkan Lubliner, American" explores themes of cultural adaptation, economic opportunity, and the enduring power of the human spirit, all presented with a generous dose of humor. This meticulously prepared print edition offers a timeless journey into the heart of a vital chapter in American history. 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.
Creative Media Partners, LLC 2025-03-28 164 pages