To six-year-old Dori, everything seems possible. To her family and their Peers-secular, left-leaning North American Jews-the young state of Israel seems to offer the same promise, as the starry-eyed kibbutz movement prepares the ground for their ideals of justice and cooperation to take root and flourish. They settle on Eldar in northern Galilee, determined to create a new utopia, but life on this remote hill, three kilometres from the Lebanese border, is far more complex than any of its inhabitants could have imagined. "The Last Rain" tells the story of Eldar's emergence as a kibbutz through the eyes of Dori, as well as through documentary fragments that take the reader on a labyrinthine journey through the characters' collective past. With humour, sensitivity, and a deep love for the land, "The Last Rain" follows the coming of age not only of a young girl, but also of a country in the first fraught years of its existence.

This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. 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 the original work.

In Undue Influence , acclaimed novelist Anita Brookner proves once again that even in the most closely circumscribed of lives, hearts can venture into unknown-and potentially explosive-territory. Claire Pitt is nothing if not a practical young woman, living a life in contemporary London that is to all appearances placid, orderly and consciously lacking in surprise. And yet Claire's tangled interior life gives the lie to that illusion. She is prone to vivid speculation about the lives of others, and to fantasies about her own fate that lead her into a courtship so strange that even she wonders at its power to compel her. Martin Gibson and his chronically ill wife Cynthia come to depend on Claire to an extent that is nothing short of baffling, and yet Claire becomes ever bolder in her pursuit of their acquaintance-and, ultimately, of Martin's elusive affections. The result, a potent tale of urban loneliness and the chance intersections that assuage it, constitutes one of Brookner's finest and most psychologically acute achievements.

“SOPHISTICATED AND SUSPENSEFUL . . . TAUTLY WRITTEN . . . Wilentz knows the world she writes about very well, and her descriptions have a solid specificity that lends authority to her fiction.” –The New York Times Book Review “At a closed Israeli checkpoint, Marina, a Palestinian mother, clutches her ailing boy, desperate for access to Jerusalem and its doctors. When a young Israeli soldier waits too long before deciding to disobey orders, a martyr is born. Thus begins a graceful, painful, illuminating novel of the Middle East. . . . [Wilentz’s] prose tugs at the reader. . . . The characters are magnetic. . . . [This] is a very human tale of regrets, revenge, and the elusive nature of absolution.” –Entertainment Weekly “SO PRECISE, SO STARTLING, SO UNFORGETTABLE. . . . These characters are all pawns of history and politics, but Wilentz makes them live.” –Los Angeles Times “MAGNIFICENT . . . Wilentz writes with a prose style reminiscent of The New Yorker ’s highest ambitions: crystalline, pure, faultlessly communicative. . . . Like the best documentaries, Martyrs’ Crossing allows us unprecedented access to a little-understood and often misrepresented part of the world.” –Chicago Tribune “A BRILLIANTLY RESEARCHED MEDIDATION ON THE CRISIS IN THE MIDDLE EAST . . . Martyr’s Crossing matches Damascus Gate in the quality of research and the mass of intriguing characters–and yet it remains a lean thriller.” –The New York Observer

As Library Journal notes: This massive anthology celebrates the 3000-year anniversary of the founding of the city of Jerusalem. It describes, from a Jewish perspective, the history and sociology of the city. Lavishly illustrated, the volume contains biblical quotations, rabbinic literature, travel writings, poems, songs, and fiction excerpts, the majority dating from the last 100 years. The living city amid a world of war is a theme present throughout. In the excerpts by S.Y. Agnon and Amos Oz, we are brought close to the modern dilemma and the eternal. This anthology shows and tells us how Jerusalem has lived in the hearts of the Jewish people.

Tournament is Shelby Foote's first novel, published originally by Dial Press in 1949. Summa's reprint includes an exclusive preface by the author concerning his literary development and the genesis of Tournament and an introduction by Louis D. Rubin, Jr., the dean of American literature criticism. Tournament is a brilliant novel of the post-Civil War South, replete with Proustian and Faulknerian overtones. Many of the characters that appear in subsequent novels by Shelby Foote come onto the scene for the first time in this work. It is a must acquisition for every fan of Shelby Foote--From item description.

"Shoreline, a creative-nonfiction memoir, melds tales of intergenerational wandering, the joys and challenges of raising children in multiple countries, historical and literary figures from within their cultural contexts, and an exploration of deep friendships and family relations. In bringing together all these strains, the book brings to life ways in which our own personal identity is inextricably intertwined with the people who matter to us as well as with our familial and cultural histories"--

"A searing family drama from one of Latin America's most original voices One trip. Two love stories. Three voices. Lito is ten years old and is almost sure he can change the weather when he concentrates very hard. His father, Mario, anxious to create a memory that will last for his son's lifetime, takes him on a road trip in a truck called Pedro. But Lito doesn't know that this might be their last trip: Mario is seriously ill. Together, father and son embark on travels that take them through strange georgraphies, ones that seem to unite the borders of Spanish-speaking world. In the meantime, Lito's mother Elena looks for support in books, undertaking an adventure of her own that will challenge her moral limits. The narratives of father, mother, and son each embody one of the different ways that we talk to ourselves: through thought, speech, and writing. While neither of them dares to tell the complete truth to the other two, their solitary voices nonetheless form a poignant conversation. Sooner or later, we all face loss. Andre;s Neuman movingly narrates the ways the lives of those who survive loss are transformed; how that experience changes our ideas about time, memory, and our own bodies; and how the acts of reading, and of sex, can serve as powerful modes of resistance. Talking to Ourselves presents a tender yet unsentimental portrait of the workings of love and family; a reflection on death, sex, grief, and the consolation of words. Neuman, the author of the award-winning Traveler of the Century, displays his characteristic warmth, humanism, and wide-ranging intellect, giving us the rich, textured, and strikingly different voices and experiences of three singular characters while presenting, above all, a profound tribute to those who have cared for a loved one. "--

This moving novel from Peretz Markish is a beautiful exploration of love and loss. Focusing on the character of Stam, readers will follow his journey as he navigates the tumultuous world of early twentieth-century Russia. A must-read for lovers of literary fiction and those interested in Eastern European 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.

Step back in time and immerse yourself in the vibrant social tapestry of Paris with Leonard Merrick's "To Tell You the Truth." This collection of short stories offers a glimpse into the romanticism and cultural nuances of Parisian life. Explore tales woven with the delicate threads of human connection, exploring themes of love, friendship, and the everyday dramas that unfold against the backdrop of the iconic city. Merrick's prose paints a vivid picture of Parisian customs and social interactions, capturing the essence of a bygone era. This meticulously prepared edition brings these timeless narratives to life, allowing you to experience the charm and allure of classic French culture. "To Tell You the Truth" is a literary journey into the heart of Paris, a celebration of its enduring romantic spirit and the complexities of its social life. Perfect for readers who appreciate literary fiction and stories steeped in atmosphere. 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.

Explore the intricate dance of love and deception in Leonard Merrick's "The Man Who Was Good," a compelling psychological drama set in the early 20th century. This meticulously prepared edition, featuring an insightful introduction by J.K. Prothero, delves into the complexities of man-woman relationships, laying bare the subtle nuances of marriage and the devastating consequences of betrayal. Merrick masterfully crafts a story that resonates with timeless themes of trust, identity, and the fragile nature of domestic life. Navigate the psychological landscape of a relationship tested to its limits, as "The Man Who Was Good" explores the hidden depths of human connection and the enduring power of the past. A classic of literary fiction, this novel offers a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of love, loss, and the enduring search for meaning within the bonds of matrimony. 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.

Journey into a world of poignant beauty with "Pilgrim Sorrow: A Cycle of Tales" by Carmen Sylva. This collection of short stories, crafted by the talented woman author, offers a glimpse into timeless themes of love, loss, and the human condition. Sylva's literary fiction resonates with emotional depth, weaving tales that explore the bittersweet nature of existence. "Pilgrim Sorrow" presents a series of interconnected narratives, each a gem of storytelling. These literary tales, rich in atmosphere and introspection, showcase the author's mastery of the short story form. Perfect for readers who appreciate thoughtful and evocative prose, this collection demonstrates the enduring power of well-crafted fiction. Experience the captivating world of Carmen Sylva and discover the lasting impact of her literary vision. 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.

"The Frontier Garrison" is the first English translation of "Az elõretolt helyõrség" by the Hungarian novelist Jenõ Rejtõ (1905-1943), originally published in 1939 under the pen name of "P. Howard." The translator, Balint Kacsoh (a university professor) also annotated the edition. The preface provides biographical data of Jenõ Rejtõ in historical and literary context. The genre is fiction; elements of action, adventure, mystery, and comedy are mixed in the story. It is suitable for young readers and adults. Synopsis: Action and adventure are mixed with a healthy dose of offbeat humor in this P. Howard classic, set in the second half of the 1930s. Harrincourt is dishonorably discharged from the French Naval Academy for a prank. He realizes that his carefree behavior put the livelihood of his widowed mother and teenage sister in jeopardy. To secure their financial future, he pays the premium on his life insurance policy and joins the French Foreign Legion destined to Africa, where his death "in the course of professional duty" would be all but guaranteed. While in basic training in Oran, he unwittingly becomes mixed up in murder and espionage and encounters the ghost of a murdered woman who has a penchant for singing. In short order, his unit is dispatched to a frontier garrison established to support French colonial expansion into equatorial Africa. Rival foreign powers, however, attempt to thwart the French plans and Harrincourt finds himself in the crossfire of international intrigue and falls in love with the beautiful woman whose haunting ghost follows the legionnaires as they march through the deadly Sahara. It is up to Harrincourt to save the day and uncover the secret of a mysterious watch, even if it might mean foregoing the death benefit his insurance policy would pay to his family.

Sybil, a novel by Benjamin Disraeli, is a powerful representation of the social and political issues of 19th-century England. Through a narrative of love, class struggle, and national identity, Disraeli provides a compelling account of the challenges of the day. The story follows Sybil, a passionate young woman, as she navigates the complexities of English society and the struggles of the working class. Disraeli's writing is richly detailed and poignantly captures the social and political issues of the era, providing a unique insight into the past. With its vivid characters and thought-provoking themes, Sybil is an essential read for those interested in 19th-century England and its people. Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881) was an English politician, statesman, and author who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom twice over his long and distinguished career. Disraeli is also remembered for his prolific literary career and renowned works of fiction, which often featured themes of ambition, power, and social climbing. Disraeli was born in London on December 21, 1804, to Isaac D'Israeli and Maria Basevi. He was educated at a variety of schools and universities, including Higham Hall and Trinity College, Oxford. In 1826, he left Oxford without a degree and embarked on a career in law. Despite his legal career, Disraeli was an avid reader and writer of fiction, and his first novel, Vivian Gray, was published in 1826. The book was well-received, and Disraeli continued to write political and social satire throughout his life. In 1837, Disraeli was elected to the House of Commons, where he aligned himself with the Conservative Party. In 1841, Disraeli's second novel, Coningsby, was published and was an instant success. This was followed by Sybil in 1845, and Tancred in 1847. His novels focused on social and political issues, such as the power of the aristocracy, the role of the Church, and the struggle between tradition and modernity. Throughout his political career, Disraeli continued to write and publish fiction, including Lothair in 1870, Endymion in 1880, and a collection of his works, The Works of Benjamin Disraeli, in 1883. His literary works have been praised for their insight into British society and class structure, and his novels remain popular to this day. Disraeli's legacy as both a politician and an author lives on in the United Kingdom, and his works continue to inspire readers and writers alike. His novels will remain a testament to his incredible talents and singular vision.

In the tradition of the old "Ace Doubles" two-in-one books (flip one over to read the second title)--here is the twelfth Wildside Double: LISA KANE: A NOVEL OF WEREWOLVES, by Richard A. Lupoff. Lisa is a 12-year-old girl with all the worries of any normal girl beginning the transition to womanhood. She's frightened by the changes happening to her body--the budding breasts, the stiff black hairs that appear on the back of her hands, and the way her nails twist to look like claws during the full moon. Is this normal? Why is she so different from everyone else? Scott A. Culp says: "A good book...that does not deserve to be forgotten." THE PRINCES OF EARTH: A SCIENCE FICTION NOVEL, by Michael Kurland. Adam Warrington is a young man from a repressive plant in the grasp of fundamental Puritanism. Then he's accepted by the University of Sol on Mars, and his great adventure begins. On the way there his spaceship is hijacked by a disgruntled noble who wants to overthrow the emperor, and Adam is forced to choose sides. A grand tale in the tradition of Robert A. Heinlein. A Young Adult Literary Guild Selection.

Spanish American fiction became a world phenomenon in the twentieth century through multilanguage translations of such novels as Gabriel Garcia Marquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude, Manuel Puig's Kiss of the Spider Woman, Octavio Paz's Labyrinth of Solitude, and Isabel Allende's House of the Spirits. Yet these "blockbusters" are only a tiny fraction of the total, rich outpouring of Spanish-language literature from Latin America. In this book, Naomi Lindstrom offers English-language readers a comprehensive survey of the century's literary production in Latin America (excluding Brazil). Discussing movements and trends, she places the famous masterworks in historical perspective and highlights authors and works that deserve a wider readership. Her study begins with Rodó's famous essay Ariel and ends with Rigoberta Menchú's 1992 achievement of the Nobel Prize. Her selection of works is designed to draw attention, whenever possible, to works that are available in good English translations. A special feature of the book is its treatment of the "postboom" period. In this important concluding section, Lindstrom discusses documentary narratives, the new interrelations between popular culture and literary writing, and underrepresented groups such as youth cultures, slum dwellers, gays and lesbians, and ethnic enclaves. Written in accessible, nonspecialized language, Twentieth-Century Spanish American Fiction will be equally useful for general readers as a broad overview of this vibrant literature and for scholars as a reliable reference work.

While 'A Traveler Disguised: A Study in the Rise of Modern Yiddish Fiction in the Nineteenth Century' focused on the rhetoric of the speaking voice or the persona in these classics, the nine essays gathered here concentrate on the artistic reconstruction of the "world" conveyed by that persona. As much as the earlier volume put to rest the conventional understanding of "Mendele the Book-Peddler" as a mere representative of the author, Sh. Y. Abramovitsh, this book invalidates the common views of the literary shtetl as a mere mimetic reflection of the historical Jewish shtetl of Eastern Europe and examines its structure as an autonomous aesthetic construct. These essays dwell particularly on the fictional modalities displayed in some of Sholem Aleichem's major works. They also offer innovative insights into the works of both earlier and later masters such as A. M. Dik, Y. Aksenfeld, Y .Y. Linetski and Sh. Y. Abramovitsh, Y. L. Peretz, I. M. Vaysenberg, Sh. Asch, D. Bergelson, and I. B. Singer.

Product description In this book, Dvir Abramovich brings together a batch of timeless classical Hebrew novels, short stories, and poems, and furnishes readers with commentaries and critical readings of each landmark work. The selection of seminal texts include masterpieces from Yehuda Amichai, Haim Gouri, Amos Oz, Dvorah Baron, Shaul Tchernichovsky, Chaim Nachman Bialik, Hanoch Bartov, Shulamit Hareven, and Aharon Megged. Each interpretative essay includes a bio-graphical overview of the author whose opus is explored. This collection will prove exceptionally useful for teachers who wish to introduce their students to the treasures of contemporary Israeli fiction and are searching for reflective analyses and searching insights. Guaranteed to ignite discussion and debate, this informative and entertaining volume, written in an accessible and lively style, will appeal to a general and academic audience and will tempt readers to read or re-read these great works. Review In Hebrew Classics: A Journey Through Israel's Timeless Fiction and Poetry Dvir Abramovich offers us an intimate and delightful tour through the pastures of Hebrew literature. A refreshing meeting awaits us with writers of various generations who had grown up in separate landscapes and some in the midst of diverse languages...One of the unique characteristics of the book is the choice of literary works that it deals with, free of the bonds of genre definitions. We are offered 'delectable meals' that include interpretive studies of poems and stories of various kinds. The common denominator for this selection is the presentation of texts as junctions of flavour and passion within the rich and fascinating history of modern Hebrew literature. This provides the reader with the ability to experience a bird's eye view of these creative works. This book is a tribute to Hebrew literature, written with love and with the wish to share this love. This is obvious both from the detailed and sensitive studies, and from the commendable descriptive, festive and elegant language. (Yigal Schwartz, Professor of Hebrew Literature and Head of Heksherim: The Research Center for Jewish and Israel Culture, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev) Abramovich has done a scrupulous job in scrutinizing these key texts of contemporary Hebrew fiction. The care with which he sets them in their historical and cultural contexts should be instructive for all readers interested in Israel and its predicaments. (Robert Alter, Class of 1937 Professor of Hebrew and Comparative Literature) The next best thing to reading modern Hebrew literature in the original is getting to know it through the eyes of a lover who is willing to share his passion. In Hebrew Classics: A Journey Through Israel's Timeless Fiction and Poetry Dvir Abramovich invites us to get to know its major figures and his introductions to their work make us eager to know them better. A true scholar can do no better. (Ruth Wisse, Martin Peretz Professor of Yiddish Literature and Professor of Comparative Literature) About the Author Dvir Abramovich (PhD University of Melbourne) is director of the University of Melbourne's Centre for Jewish History and Culture and a senior lecturer in Hebrew and Jewish Studies. He was editor of the Australian Journal of Jewish Studies for eight years and president of the Australian Association of Jewish Studies from 2006 to 2010. He has published widely in the area of Israeli and Jewish literature and is co-editor of the book Testifying to the Holocaust (2008) and author of Back to the Future: Israeli Literature of the 1980s and 1990 (2010).

What does it mean to meet the spirit in our mundane world? How do we communicate with the other side? Can we really forge a proof that the dead live on among us? A young American writer, having long admired the work of Argentine writer Julio Cortázar, travels to France in 1974 to meet him, hoping to commune with a literary soul mate and to create a political alliance in the face of the brutal coup that has overtaken Chile. But circumstances compromise their brief encounter, and for years afterwards, though she and Cortázar correspond through books and letters, she feels unfulfilled by what she knows could have been a far more meaningful collaboration between them. The writer feels this loss all the more keenly when Julio Cortázar dies . . . until inexplicable signs and portents lead her to understand that their relationship has not ended; the deceased writer may have more to say to her. She becomes obsessed with reaching Cortázar. She tries to summon him into her life with all the force of her mind, heart, and will. She imagines writing a book with a dead man, but without resorting to trickery or fantasy, and her attempts to conjure forth Cortázar s spirit create a bizarre triangle between Julio, the writer and her bemused husband. Ultimately the writer s search for the door that will open between two worlds leads her to question the very nature of reality . . . and to the strange, joyous climax of her seemingly impossible quest. In Doors: A Fiction For Jazz Horn, Deena Metzger has achieved something wholly unique a book about writing a book that has all the suspense of a great thriller, and the depth of a profound metaphysical mystery.