Best Literary Beat Generation Criticism
Hit man "Jimmy The Hat" finds unexpected fame in the most unlikely of places, as Big Red, “Crazy Joey Gallo,” and his brothers break away from the Profaci family and go rogue. AWARDED THE SILVER FOR THE 2012 ELIT BOOK CONTEST IN THE TRUE CRIME CATEGORY. THE STARLIGHT CLUB ALSO RECEIVED A SILVER 5 STAR RATING FROM READER'S FAVORITE. The characters are so believable that I can't wait for Starlight ll....keep up the good work. The way that Joe Corso starts the book by telling a story to hisdaughter captured my attention. joe corso six******.keep them coming I started this book by reliving memories of when I was a young man. I knew of a man called Trenchie who had just been released from prison after having served 10 years. He was a big strong silent guy who hardly ever spoke and he was married to a real fine lady - and I always wondered about that. He was a small time bookmaker who operated out of a little restaurant near the piers in lower Manhattan.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Books, newspaper stories and archives, court transcripts (and anything else I could get my hands on) about the Cosa Nostra in Sicilia, Italia and Stati Uniti d'America (the United States of America) have always intrigued me if they are written well — and this one was. I am thrilled to have discovered this series while searching through the Kindle Unlimited Member programme for a new series to read — I downloaded the remaining seven books after reading about twenty five percent of "The Starlight Club: The Mob"... For example: "Room service had delivered coffee and assorted doughnuts and rolls earlier in the morning, along with a large pot of coffee." I am looking forward to this entire series!"
"While at times, it’s obvious the story is being told in flashback, Corso does an excellent job of crafting a story that has the reader feeling like we are sitting in the Starlight Club watching all this take place."
"Bobby Valentine used to deliver meat to The Starlight Club a place where deals are made and hits are ordered. He has just been released from prison serving ten years for a murder he didn’t commit to protect his boss Yip."
"This was a good read about the Mafia...some good guys and some not so good. I actually stayed up all night reading the book on my Kindle and most unlikely for me to read a 'mob' story."
Drawing on memoirs, poems, novels, comedy routines, letters, essays, and song lyrics, O’Brien creates an unparalleled literary mix tape bringing together Henry Miller, Miles Davis, Jack Kerouac, Diane di Prima, Lenny Bruce, William S. Burroughs, Bob Dylan, Annie Ross, Norman Mailer, Terry Southern, Andy Warhol, Lester Bangs, and dozens of others, including such legendary figures as Beat avatar Neal Cassady, jazz memoirist Babs Gonzales, inspired comic improviser Lord Buckley, no-holds-barred essayist Seymour Krim, and underground filmmaker Jack Smith. O’Brien has been on the cutting edge since his days at Andy Warhol’s Interview and through stints at Rolling Stone, Spin, High Times, and GQ, where he’s the “Style Guy.” In his rev-it-up introduction to this brilliantly conceived, must-have Library of America anthology, he orients us to what the original hipster—outlaw, misfit, rebel, heretic—was all about and how hipster language embodies radical points of view and ways of being.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Amazing that The Library of America has decided to publish this anthology of 1960s writing, excellently selected by Glenn O 'Brien."
"very entertaining stories."
"A terrific collection spanning the 20th century."
"Book came in perfect condition."
"ordered this for a college class my daughter was taking in college, she really liked it."
"The Cool School. Editor Glen O'Brien has collected fifty-seven individually penned pieces that could give any reader, depending on maturity, an appreciation of what it meant to belong to The Cool School: Writing from America's Hip Underground; the beat generation; the hipsters. At times he gives an intro a slight biographical slant, yet always explaining why that person's work was chosen for The Cool School. From the eclectic collection of writings in The Cool School, it struck me that this generation opened its eyes to find itself in a world it never asked to join. From The Cool School, it became clear why many from that era chose to enhance their lives with drugs. It is important that the readers of this review know that my descriptions above of The Cool School surely cannot apply to all persons of the hip generation. One need not read all of the articles chosen by Editor Glenn O'Brien to get the essence of just who and what comprised The Cool School. In so many ways, while the apex of that generation has passed, it is fascinating to see how much of the The Cool School still affects our thinking today."
"And not just the Beat poets, but jazz men and comedians and more, including people outside the movement who criticized it. Names reoccur between pieces, giving a real sense of how the scene fit together and how people from different groups knew and thought of each other. There are several black writers, and author there is no editorializing aside from short introductions to each piece, it is easy to see some of the tension around white men copying black slang, music, and attitudes. (I triple checked the table of contents just to be sure I hadn't missed a piece from him.)."
The Spiritual Imagination of the Beats is the first comprehensive study to explore the role of esoteric, occult, magical, theosophical, Gnostic, Hindu and Buddhist traditions in the work of eleven major Beat authors. Calonne has lectured at the European University in Florence; Columbia University, New York; University of California, Berkeley; Harvard University, Massachusetts; and the University of Oxford, and has taught at the University of Texas, the University of Michigan and the University of Chicago.
Find Best Price at AmazonBest Literary Victorian Criticism
The must-have Pevear and Volokhonsky translation of one of the greatest Russian novels ever written Described by William Faulkner as the best novel ever written and by Fyodor Dostoevsky as “flawless,” Anna Karenina tells of the doomed love affair between the sensuous and rebellious Anna and the dashing officer, Count Vronsky. Set against a vast and richly textured canvas of nineteenth-century Russia, the novel's seven major characters create a dynamic imbalance, playing out the contrasts of city and country life and all the variations on love and family happiness. Some people say Anna Karenina is the single greatest novel ever written, which makes about as much sense to me as trying to determine the world's greatest color.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"It wasn't like a regular story where there's a pretty clear end goal, like get the bad guy, or solve the mystery. I thought maybe it's just going to stop abruptly, as if Tolstoy would just suddenly be done writing about all these characters, but it really did have a solid ending to conclude everything. You've got plenty of time to look at all the flowers and clouds and barns and animals along the way, it takes forever, but it never stops moving. If however after a few hundred pages you feel like it's a chore to read, then don't bother, it's not going to suddenly become more interesting after any point in the book. It's very consistent, you can trust this author and the translation, the ending won't let you down, there will be no long lulls. What you get in the beginning is what you get through the entire book, it's very steady and very high quality writing."
"But now I have learned from those who know that this is a great choice because the translators knew Tolstoy and lived with him for awhile."
"All societies chew up and spit out certain people - and this shows that happening to beautiful Anna Karenina."
"The characters were too full of themselves and problems seemed to be so high class and inconsequential."
"Tolstoy takes the reader on a journey through converging storylines that all bring the reader to feel deeply connected with the characters."
"My grandmothers family came from Russia, my 3x great- grandmother was a Lady- in- waiting to Catherine the Great and my 2x great grand mother was named after her so to read about what the society from peasants to royalty were struggling with as times changed is very informative to me."
"Your request to describe the plot of Anna Karenina as Predictable, Some twists, or Full of Surprises is simply silly and entirely inappropriate."
Best Literary Arthurian Criticism
The definitive English version of the stories of King Arthur, Le Morte Darthur was completed in 1469-70 by Sir Thomas Malory, `knight-prisoner'. Text: English (translation) Helen Cooper is Professor of English Language and Literature, University of Oxford and Tutorial Fellow, University College, Oxford.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This copy is an excellent modernization of Malory's text with helpful footnotes and endnotes."
"Exactly as described in the item description, this was what I was looking for."
"The classic work with a good editor."
"Must have for those who love medieval literature."
"Worth every penny."
"Helen Cooper offers a new translation of the MS Winchester -- this is NOT Vinaver's text."
"It was everything I wanted."
Best Literary Medieval Criticism
"The poems of the Poetic Edda have waited a long time for a Modern English translation that would do them justice. "An excellent and entertaining work that succeeds in achieving its intended purpose: to create an accessible and readable English translation of the Poetic Edda .
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"There's a difference... actually, there's an abyss between a translation and a true, high quality social localization."
"One of the best translations I've seen."
"This is a beautiful translation and interpretation of the Poetic Edda."
"Great translation, I'd recommend to anyone interested in the subject matter."
"Clear, easily readable texts; good background and notes; works well as an introductory text for Norse mythology to undergraduates."
"Excellent work by an excellent Professor."
"Great book."
"Can't wait to dig in."
Best Literary Modernism Criticism
All three books in the trilogy are now available: Book 1: The White Feather -- amazon.com/dp/B00K1MNNQK. Book 2: The White Butterfly -- amazon.com/dp/B00KLM7OJ2. Book 3: White Cliffs of Dover -- amazon.com/dp/B00M8HL4TO.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"After the death of her father, Lilly must find work so that she and her mother can continue to live in their modest home. It's a story of forbidden love, vanity, the sacrifices of war, misunderstandings and murder."
"She was miserable which was no excuse for her behavior, but was more understandable than her new family's total lack of sympathy and insistence she submit to their right and proper ways."
"The trials of true love are evident in this sweet story."
"Just finished reading this book."
"A wonderful story with lovely characters."
"It was one of those books that are informative and intriguing."
"But then again, that makes this book an easy to read story."
"The basic story line is okay, good description of the conditions faced by soldiers in the trenches of the First World War but the writer's depiction of English society (upstairs or downstairs) in the 1940s rather strange and nothing like the real thing."
Best Literary Renaissance Criticism
Four complete novels in the #1 New York Times bestselling vampire series featuring "the hottest collection of studs in romance"*...Includes Lover Unbound ; Lover Enshrined ; Lover Avenged ; and Lover Mine !
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I never thought anyone could recreate the vampire myth so I'd want to read the world as much as, or as well as Maggie Shayne's Wings in the Night...Angela Knight's Mageverse,and J R Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood, come as close to being as good as Ms Shayne's writing as any wjo are fans of this genre could hope to find."
"I can say that I like how in the later books in the series, the author stops focusing on individual stories, and you start seeing more of the characters, instead of having them just having small cameos in others focused stories."
"This series deals with The Black Dagger Brotherhood who are vampires and their battles against their enemies, the Lessening Society, who are humans turned into the undead so they can slay vampires."
"Most of my friends are turned off when "vampire" is mentioned but trust me- this series happens to have vampires as the main characters but these characters are so compelling and the books so rich- you only need to read dark lover and be totally addicted."
"This my second time reading these books."
"Even when I thought I didn't really care about that particular character, I read all the books anyway."
"Amazing and captivating - highly recommend the series - Its love and sex and vampires - who could ask for more."
"I Love this series!"
Best Literary Surrealism Criticism
AVAILABLE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN eBOOK! Their pilgrimages seldom achieve their goals: the deposed politician in " Bon Voyage , Mister President" sells all his personal belongings to have an operation in Geneva that doesn't alleviate his pain; the devoted father who brings the miraculously intact remains of his seven-year-old daughter to Rome in "The Saint" can't get an audience with the Pope; a particularly chilling tale, "I Only Came to Use the Phone," shows a woman accidentally taken to an insane asylum who can't get out even after she contacts her husband in Barcelona. A note of hard-won hope enters in stories like "Maria dos Prazeres," which portrays an elderly prostitute selecting her burial site, but the mood darkens again as the collection closes with "Tramontania," "Miss Forbes's Summer of Happiness," "Light Is Like Water" and "The Trail of Your Blood in the Snow," tales of suicide, murder, accidental death and tragically missed communications. The Nobel prize-winning author Garcia Marquez has collected a dozen of his stories about Latin Americans in Europe, most of which, although magical, end on an unsettling note.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Garcia Marquez will go down in history as one of the greatest writers of Magic Realism in the 20th century. Thank God, we have your books to remind us of this writer who understood the outcasts of Latin America."
"This is my favorite collection of short stories and one of my favourite books of magical realism."
"I'm a long-time fan but never cease to be touched by the humor and humanity in these beautifully executed works."
"Short story books serve two purposes for me: One, when I can't sleep and need a boost toward dreamland, and Two, the paperback is easy to cart around while I'm in waiting rooms for appointments."
"The last time I read these was years ago and I still remember pieces vividly."
"I have read and re-read these stories, back to back."
"It was superb, I enjoyed it from cover to cover."
"Great book for great author."
Best Literary Postmodernism Criticism
My character has been shaped by two opposing forces; the pressure to conform to social norms, and the pressure to be true to myself. At times, they’ve left me questioning my whole entire existence. "The most thought-provoking novel of 2016" - The Huffington Post "Radical... A masterclass... Top notch..." - The Canary "Magnificent" - Global Education Network "A pretty remarkable feat" - BuzzFeed. But Sheldon's style is warm , almost whimsical at times, and this means that even the most politically uninitiated reader will understand what he's trying to say... If the book was marked by the education system Sheldon is rebelling against, it would be an 'A*. --- The Canary ---. "It inspires hope and fear,optimism and depression. --- Global Education Network ---. "Sheldon has a talent for observing aspects of society and mirroring them back to readers in a thought-provoking way." --- Literary Flits ---. "I spent about four hours this evening reading (and re-reading) passages in this book because they really spoke to me . --- In Our Spare Time --- "Can you remember who you were, before the world told you who you should be."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Over time, Yew becomes a “good boy” and follows the rules whether he agrees with them or not, not because he wants to but to avoid negative reinforcement. Since I want you to read this – because it’s the only way you’ll really understand – I’m not going to tell you what that lesson was, but I will leave you with this quote from Lao Tzu: At the centre of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want."
"Then one day in adulthood, after a chance meeting with someone from his past, he finally “snaps.”. At times this book can seem a bit over-saturated with case studies in psychology but it does help to move the story along. It can actually help a person who may not be familiar with the concepts used throughout the book so it works if you have no background knowledge but paradoxically, you need some background knowledge to fully appreciate what you are reading. It's a good book."
"Most interesting book."
"In many ways I believe this writing will touch many people's lives."
Best Literary Gothic & Romantic Criticism
In this beautifully illustrated compendium of all things Outlandish, Gabaldon covers the first four novels of the main series, including: • full synopses of Outlander, Dragonfly in Amber, Voyager, and Drums of Autumn • a complete listing of the characters (fictional and historical) in the first four novels in the series, as well as family trees and genealogical notes. • a comprehensive glossary and pronunciation guide to Gaelic terms and usage. • The Gabaldon Theory of Time Travel, explained. • frequently asked questions to the author and her (sometimes surprising) answers. • an annotated bibliography. • essays about medicine and magic in the eighteenth century, researching historical fiction, creating characters, and more. • professionally cast horoscopes for Jamie and Claire. • the making of the TV series: how we got there from here, and what happened next (including “My Brief Career as a TV Actor”). • behind-the-scenes photos from the Outlander TV series set. For anyone who wants to spend more time with the Outlander characters and the world they inhabit, Diana Gabaldon here opens a door through the standing stones and offers a guided tour of what lies within. Part crib notes and part trivia guide, this essential handbook includes synopses of the first four novels, a character guide, notes on plot development and research, answers to frequently asked questions, and teasers for the upcoming novels--there're even horoscope charts of the central characters, a list of fan Web sites, and choice recipes for the truly devoted. Readers looking for a fix of Gabaldon's humorous voice or insight into her writing processes and characters will certainly be more than satisfied, but those looking for the next installment of Jamie and Claire's adventures will have to wait for The Fiery Cross , the fifth book in this bestselling series, expected sometime in late 1999 to early 2000. As with the guides to the Hobbit tetralogy and the fiction of Stephen King, Gabaldon offers a companion volume to her Outlander Seriess four time-travel historical romances, Drums of Autumn (1997), etc., in which she tells us much is revealed regarding Claire and Jamie Fraser, their lives and times, antecedents, adventures, companions and progeny, with learned commentary (and many footnotes) by their humble creator.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Bought this as a gift, so I really did not read it, but have read most of the Outlander books by Diana Gabaldon, which I love."
"Love her books, every one, read them over and over again and still can't get enough of them."
"Diana explains how she became a writer and makes things I normally would skip over in any other book fun to read and a fascinating journey to help inspire others to embrace their hidden Author, consider writing and never give up."
"If you're an Outlander fan, you want to gobble up all the juicy tidbits you can get from the author."
"This book helps put all of the marvelous characters together in an easy to use edition."
"If you LOVE Diana Gabaldon's OUTLANDER books and TV series this is a MUST HAVE!!!"
"Gave me all the background information I expected."
"A must have for the Outlander series of books by the same author."