"The distinctive storytelling genius of Neil Gaiman has been acclaimed by writers as diverse as Norman Mailer and Stephen King. Now in this new collection of stories--several of which have never before appeared in print and more than half that have never been collected--that will dazzle the senses and haunt the imagination. Miraculous inventions and unforgettable characters inhabit these pages: an elderly widow who finds the Holy Grail in a second-hand store...a frightened little boy who bargains for his life with a troll living under a bridge by the railroad tracks...a stray cat who battles nightly against a recurring evil that threatens his unsuspecting adoptive family. In these stories, Gaiman displays the power, wit, insight and outrageous originality that has made him one of the most unique literary artists of our day."

Just one line from the short story says it all: "Presently I heard a slight groan, and I knew it was a groan of mortal terror .. the low stifled sound that arises from the bottom of the soul." A man confronts himself and an unknown listener with his desire to murder an old man. Is it his father? Is the man mad? Is he in jail or an institution? A psychological thriller with many more questions than answers.Librarian's note: this entry is for the story, "The Tell-Tale Heart." Collections of short stories and other writings by the author can be found elsewhere on Goodreads.

The Story of Kullervo is a great read for those who love dark, tragic fantasy stories. The book has a unique protagonist in Kullervo, who is a powerful yet tragic character seeking revenge against the magician who killed his father. Tolkien's detailed writing style and world-building make this book a must-read for fans of his other works, especially The Silmarillion.

"What Gives Us Our Names" is a poignant read for those who appreciate the interconnectedness of individual experiences. This book invites readers to introspect on the significance of names and the personal histories that come with them. With the help of mesmerizing illustrations from Marie Toh, Alvin Pang renders the ordinary extraordinary. It would be an excellent choice for those who enjoy introspective reads that delve into the subtleties of human experience.

Mary Oliver was awarded the National Book Award for New and Selected Poems, Volume One.  Since its initial appearance it has become one of the best-selling volumes of poetry in the country. This collection features thirty poems published only in this volume as well as selections from the poet's first eight books.Mary Oliver's perceptive, brilliantly crafted poems about the natural landscape and the fundamental questions of life and death have won high praise from critics and readers alike. "Do you love this world?" she interrupts a poem about peonies to ask the reader. "Do you cherish your humble and silky life?" She makes us see the extraordinary in our everyday lives, how something as common as light can be "an invitation/to happiness,/and that happiness,/when it's done right,/is a kind of holiness,/palpable and redemptive." She illuminates how a near miss with an alligator can be the catalyst for seeing the world "as if for the second time/the way it really is." Oliver's passionate demonstrations of delight are powerful reminders of the bond between every individual, all living things, and the natural world.

Firmly grounded by the hallmark strengths of all Norton Anthologies thorough and helpful introductory matter, judicious annotation, complete texts wherever possible The Norton Anthology of English Literature has been revitalized in this Eighth Edition through the collaboration between six new editors and six seasoned ones. Under the direction of Stephen Greenblatt, General Editor, the editors have reconsidered all aspects of the anthology to make it an even better teaching tool.

This book is a must-read for anyone who appreciates the beauty of love and the power of words. Shakespeare's love sonnets are a true testament to the depths and complexities of human emotion, capturing the essence of love in its purest form. Through these sonnets, Shakespeare invites readers into a world where love knows no bounds, where every line is carefully crafted to stir the hearts of those who read them. Whether you're a hopeless romantic or someone seeking to explore the intricacies of love, this collection of love sonnets will surely leave you spellbound and inspired.

A rich, exquisite and original anthology that illuminates Japanese travel writing over a thousand years'Oh journey upon journey, my life is a brief moment, and I cannot hope that we will meet again'Roaming over mountains and along perilous shores, this anthology illuminates over a thousand years of Japanese travel writing. It takes in songs, diaries, tales and poetry, and ranges from famous works including The Pillow Book and the works of Basho to pieces such as the diary of a young girl who longs to return to the capital and her beloved books, or the writings of travelling monks who sleep on pillows of grass. Together they illuminate a long literary tradition, with intense poetic experience at its heart.

The Canterbury Tales is an iconic work of literature that showcases the timeless themes of human nature, love, and morality through a series of entertaining stories. It is a must-read for readers who enjoy medieval tales and wish to delve into one of the major works of English literature. The book's charm lies in its diverse range of stories, which are told by a group of colorful characters, making it an enjoyable and insightful read.

Although Tennyson (1809-1892) has often seemed to personify the Victorian Age, he was a poet before it began and his poems endure to speak clearly to this modern one. His mastery of a great variety of poetic forms and moods enables him to communicate such extremes of feeling as ‘calm despair and wild unrest’; rapturous love: ‘the soul of the rose went into my blood’; and noble resolve:…One equal temper of heroic hearts / Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will.

From the private papers of Anne Boleyn and Emily Dickinson to those of Empress Josephine and Queen Victoria, Love Letters of Great Women is an anthology of some of the most romantic letters in history. As a companion to Love Letters of Great Men , this collection gives the other side of the the secret hopes and lives of some of the greatest women in history, from writers and artists to politicians and queens. Includes letters Anne Boleyn * Edith Wharton * Mary Wordsworth * Nell Gwyn (mistress of Charles II) * Queen Victoria * the Empress Josephine * Mary Wollstonecraft * Katherine Mansfield * George Sand Praise for Love Letters of Great Men : `The most romantic book ever` Daily Mail `Inspired by the Sex and the City movie... Famous men caught with pen in hand and heart in mouth` The Times

"Ah, life- the thing that happens to us while we're off somewhere else blowing on dandelions & wishing ourselves into the pages of our favorite fairy tales."A poetry collection divided into four different parts: the princess, the damsel, the queen, & you. the princess, the damsel, & the queen piece together the life of the author in three stages, while you serves as a note to the reader & all of humankind. Explores life & all of its love, loss, grief, healing, empowerment, & inspirations.

This book is perfect for anyone interested in reading about the life of one of America's greatest voices. Through her six autobiographies, Maya Angelou explores complex themes such as identity, race, and womanhood, with poetic prose that is both raw and powerful. Her story is one of triumph over adversity, and her inspiring journey will resonate with readers of all backgrounds and ages.

Dream Work, by Mary Oliver, is a great read for those who are looking for poetry that delves into the difficult tasks of understanding oneself and others. The collection offers a valuable journey of self-discovery through beautiful language and imagery. Readers will appreciate the honesty with which Oliver writes, as she explores both personal triumphs and the struggles that come with relationships.

Love, sex and death are the components of Shakespeare's classic story of the love of two young people which reaches across the barriers of family and convention. It encompasses great love, high drama, low comedy and a tragic ending.Romeo and Juliet is a pure tragedy of youth told in verse that is both youthful and intense. The loveliness and the music of the poetry make believable the otherwise commonplace afflications of blighted love. The beautiful personification of some of the main characters has caused Romeo, Juliet, Mercutio and the Nurse to become part of the world's literary mythology.The text of this edition is taken from the Cambridge University Press New Shakespeare, edited by Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch and John Dover Wilson.(back cover)

This book, Solar Bones, is perfect for those who enjoy introspective and contemplative narratives. Through beautiful and continuous prose, Mike McCormack takes readers on a journey through the mind of Marcus Conway as he reflects on the construction and unraveling of various aspects of life - from bridges to marriages. The gentle stream of consciousness style unveils the depths of Marcus's thoughts and emotions, making this book a captivating and thought-provoking read.

Henry Chinaski is a lowlife loser with a hand-to-mouth existence. His menial post office day job supports a life of beer, one-night stands and racetracks. Lurid, uncompromising and hilarious, Post Office is a landmark in American literature, and over 1 million copies have been sold worldwide. The new edition is augmented with an anecdotal introduction by the modern Welsh cult-literary author, Niall Griffiths - a writer who was working in a British post office when he first read Bukowski's Post Office.

Recommended for Shakespeare enthusiasts and those who appreciate themes of power dynamics and redemption. The Tempest's unique feature is its blend of fantastical elements with human emotions and relationships, making it a timeless classic in literature.

Kate Tempest, winner of the Ted Hughes Prize for Brand New Ancients and widely regarded as the UK's leading spoken word poet, has produced a new poem-sequence of electrifying power. Based on the myth of the blind prophet Tiresias, Hold Your Own is a riveting tale of youth and experience, sex and love, wealth and poverty, community and alienation. Walking in the forest one morning, a young man disturbs two copulating snakes - and is punished by the goddess Hera, who turns him into a woman. This is only the beginning of his journey . . . Weaving elements of classical myth, autobiography and social commentary, Tempest uses the story of the gender-switching, clairvoyant Tiresias to create four sequences of poems: 'childhood', 'manhood', 'womanhood' and 'blind profit'. The result is a rhythmically hypnotic tour de force - and a hugely ambitious leap forward for one of the UK's most talented and compelling young writers.

These Everyman's Library Pocket Poets hardcover editions are popular for their compact size and reasonable price which do not compromise content. Poems: Keats contains a full selection of Keats's work, including his lyric poems, narrative poems, letters, and an index of first lines.

The Portable Dorothy Parker could be a good read for those who appreciate sharp wit and humor mixed with political commentary. This collection showcases Parker's versatility, featuring her poetry, stories, essays, journalism, and even personal correspondence. The addition of new material gives a fuller and more authentic view of Parker's life's work, making it a must-read for her admirers and those seeking to be introduced to her sublime and silly style.

The Ramayana is an epic tale of love, duty, and heroism that has been passed down for generations in Hindu mythology. It provides insight into the rich culture and spiritual beliefs of India and offers timeless wisdom that can still be applied to modern life. Readers who enjoy adventure, romance, and moral teachings would appreciate this classic work.

Varieties of Disturbance would be a great read for anyone looking for a unique and thought-provoking collection of short stories. Davis' ability to rearrange our view of the world and challenge our preconceptions is truly remarkable. From sociological studies to concise poems, this collection has it all and is sure to keep readers delighted and surprised. As a National Book Award Finalist for Fiction, it's not hard to see why so many admire Davis' work.

'And much of Madness and more of Sin And Horror the Soul of the Plot'This selection of Poe's critical writings, short fiction and poetry demonstrates his intense interest in aesthetic issues, and the astonishing power and imagination with which he probed the darkest corners of the human mind. 'The Fall of the House of Usher' describes the final hours of a family tormented by tragedy and the legacy of the past. In 'Tell-Tale Heart', a murderer's insane delusions threaten to betray him, while stories such as 'The Pit and the Pendulum' and 'The Cask of Amontillado' explore extreme states of decadence, fear and hate. These works display Poe's startling ability to build suspense with almost nightmarish intensity.David Galloway's introduction re-examines the myths surrounding Poe's life and reputation. This edition includes a new chronology and suggestions for further reading.PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED AS SELECTED WRITINGSChronologyIntroductionFurther ReadingA Note on the TextPOEMSStanzasSonnet — To ScienceA/ AaraafRomanceTO HelenIsrafelThe City in the SeaThe SleeperLenoreThe Valley of UnrestThe RavenUlalumeFor AnnieA ValentineAnnabel LeeThe BellsEldoradoTALESMS. Found in a BottleLigeiaThe Man that was Used UpThe Fall of the House of UsherWilliam WilsonThe Man of the CrowdThe Murders in the Rue MorgueA Descent into the MaelströmEleonoraThe Oval PortraitThe Masque of the Red DeathThe Pit and the PendulumThe Tell-Tale HeartThe Gold-BugThe Black CatThe Purloined LetterThe Facts in the Case of M. ValdemarThe Cask of AmontilladoHop-FrogESSÄYS AND REVIEWSLetter to B—Georgia ScenesThe Drake—Halleck Review (excerpts)Watkins TottleThe Philosophy of FurnitureWyandottéMusicTime and SpaceTwice-Told TalesThe American Drama (excerpts)HazlittThe Philosophy of CompositionSong-WritingOn ImaginationThe Veil of the SoulThe Poetic Principle (excerpts)Notes

Sadder than salad.From apples to artichokes, these glittering, fragmented, painterly portraits of food by the avant-garde pioneer Gertrude Stein are redolent of sex, laughter and the joy of everyday life.

Love can be hopelessFrom the fall of Troy to the deadly Harpies, Aeneas’ epic voyage is filled with tragedy, destruction and omens of danger. As he recounts his adventures to Dido, who gives him sanctuary, they fall in love. But the Gods intervene and Aeneas realizes their relationship cannot last.

Cliges could be a good read for those interested in medieval literature, romance stories, and character development. Chretien's narrative style provides emotional depth to his characters and the world they live in. Raffel's translation reflects the original work's narrative tone and speed, making it accessible to modern readers. The book is filled with barbs, humor, and bawdiness.

"These authoritative translations consign all other complete collections to the wastebasket."—Robert Brustein, The New Republic"This is it. No qualifications. Go out and buy it everybody."—Kenneth Rexroth, The Nation"The translations deliberately avoid the highly wrought and affectedly poetic; their idiom is contemporary....They have life and speed and suppleness of phrase."— Times Education Supplement"These translations belong to our time. A keen poetic sensibility repeatedly quickens them; and without this inner fire the most academically flawless rendering is dead."—Warren D. Anderson, American Oxonian"The critical commentaries and the versions themselves...are fresh, unpretentious, above all, functional."— Commonweal"Grene is one of the great translators."—Conor Cruise O'Brien, London Sunday Times"Richmond Lattimore is that rara avis in our age, the classical scholar who is at the same time an accomplished poet."—Dudley Fitts, New York Times Book Review

1929. Sassoon, the English novelist and poet who, after serving as an officer in World War I, expressed his conviction of the brutality and waste of war in his grim, forceful, realistic verse. He is also known for his three-volume fictional autobiography, at first published anonymously under the title The Memoirs of George Sherston. Memoirs of a Fox Hunting Man is the first volume in the trilogy and gives a particularly vivid evocation of the life of the English country gentry before World War I. Contents: Early Days; The Flower Show Match; A Fresh Start; A Day with the Potford; At the Rectory; The Colonel's Cup; Denis Milden as Master; Migration to the Midlands; In the Army; and At the Front.

This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book.