War

Thirteen-year-old Briony Tallis sees her sister Cecilia strip off her clothes and plunge into the fountain in the garden of their country house. Watching her is Robbie Turner, her childhood friend who, like Cecilia, has recently come down from Cambridge. By the end of that day, the lives of all three will have been changed for ever.

This book is a compelling read for those interested in the human condition during conflict. Coetzee's descriptions of Michael K's journey provide poignant commentary on the strains of war and the importance of maintaining personal dignity. The unique feature of the book lies in its message: the human need to connect, even in times of strife.

This collection brings together Conrad's most representative stories from South-East Asia, set in Java, Borneo, Singapore and Sumatra. They portray life during a period of rapid colonial expansion when society was changing dramatically. The characters are captured in moments of confrontation, often tragic, between differing ways of life, as European culture comes into conflict with indigenous Malay traditions. Included " A Narrative", " A Memory", "The End of the Tether", "The Lagoon", "Because of the Dollars" and "The Secret Sharer".

The Vietnam War continues to play itself out in fiction, autobiography, and history books, but no American author has captured the experiences of the Vietnamese themselves--and caught their voices--more tellingly than Robert Olen Butler, who won the Pulitzer Prize in 1993 for A Good Scent From a Strange Mountain. The 15 stories collected here, all written in the first person, blend Vietnamese folklore, the terrible, lingering memories of war, American pop culture and family drama. Butler's literary ventriloquism, as he mines the experiences of a people with a great literary tradition of their own, is uncanny; but his talents as a writer of universal truths is what makes this a collection for the ages.

Voices of the Lost tells a heart-wrenching story of six strangers who are brought together by their desire to escape their destructive current reality. The book is an immersive portrayalof the characters' darkest secrets, providing a glimpse into what people are capable of when survival is the only option. This book is an ideal fit for readers who enjoy literary fiction, exploring themes of displacement, war, and reconciliation. The characters' voices will not leave you anytime soon.

An Australian woman, burdened by the original sin of her Caucasian ancestors, and a Taiwanese woman, haunted by the memories of 100 years of conflict in her homeland, meet as backpackers while travelling in South Korea. As they live and travel together, two women in flight, one from the East and the other from the West, struggle to find a way out of their personal dilemmas. * * * Shortly after the dawn of the new millennium, Judy and Jiaying are thrown together in a youth hostel in Seoul, both having escaped long-term relationships. Their arrival in Seoul in the first year of the 21st century coincides with passionate anti-American demonstrations on the streets of the city, as South Koreans protest against US troops being stationed in their country, western hegemony and the manipulations of arms dealers. Anti-American sentiment spreads like wildfire. Judy’s parents hail from Britain and France, meet in Paris during a volatile period in French history – the student movement of 1968 – and later migrate to Australia to begin a new life. After her parents part, Judy abandons racial and cultural prejudice and, while studying in Tokyo, falls in love with Zhou, a Chinese student from Beijing. But this stormy relationship eventually culminates in violence and Judy, fleeing its demise, escapes to Seoul. Jiaying’s family are from war-torn China, which, in the 19th century had suffered invasion and colonisation by the British and French; in the 20th century had been occupied by the Japanese, under the pretext of liberating Asia from Western imperialists; and was then convulsed by a Communist revolution propped up by the Russians. Having both fought in and sought to escape the wars, Jiaying’s grandparents and parents eventually settle in Taiwan, carrying with them the scars of a century of conflict. Attempting to begin a new life on this island of exiles, they struggle to come to terms with the humiliation that generations of Chinese people had suffered. Jiaying, twelve years older than Judy, becomes her only confidante, as the younger woman pours out her frustrations. Judy still loves her Chinese boyfriend, but could never really understand him. In Judy’s painful struggle to come to terms with the past, Jiaying is reminded of her own history, from which she still seeks an escape. Nationalism that has wounded and distorted history time and again over the last hundred years; violence as a consequence of sexuality repressed by Confucianism … as Jiaying began her relationship with a European man, these things had begun to seep into her life. Judy’s story gives Jiaying a channel to sort out her own thoughts and gradually begin the healing process. And yet, even as the women forge new paths through the emotional jungle of their lives, violence once again shatters the potential for peace of mind. * * * " Masked Dolls is an unusual look at how the metaphorical shrinking of the world affects people at an individual level. It considers a number of consequences, particularly for the novel never fails to remind us that we live in a patriarchal society which will not tolerate interracial relationships. Masked Dolls is one of those rare books which after reading reveals itself to be greater than the sum of its parts. Brutal, intense, fascinating."--- The Writes of Woman .

If you're drawn to the sheer beauty of words and depth of human connection, "The English Patient" delivers exquisitely. The novel weaves the intimate stories of four disparate lives against the backdrop of war-ravaged Italy. Its lyrical prose and profound exploration of love, loss, and identity linger long after the last page.

If you're drawn to grand historical tapestries woven with intricate political maneuvers and philosophies, "The Three Kingdoms" is your match. It’s a deep dive into a turbulent era, where strategic alliances and battlefield heroics define the landscape. The condensed tales of camaraderie and cunning will transport you, making you feel like both an observer and a companion to legendary figures wrestling with destiny.

It is the early months of the Arab Spring, 2011. But for three young men, two American and one Iraqi, their minds return again and again to 2006, to the bloodiest stretch of the Iraq War. Members of the same platoon, they were tasked with the often deadly job of repairing potholes in the roads of the Al Anbar Province: potholes that almost always concealed a home-made bomb. They have survived the war but now they must learn to live with themselves. As they struggle to find their place in a world that no longer knows them, they realise that the war has left nothing in their lives untouched and that salvation may come from an unexpected quarter.

We could tell you the year is 1944, that the main character is called Tyrone Slothrop and that he has a problem because bombs are falling across Europe and crashing to earth at the exact locations of his sexual conquests. But that doesn't really begin to cover it.Reading this book is like falling down a rabbit hole into an outlandish, sinister, mysterious, absurd, compulsive netherworld. As the Financial Times said, 'you must forget earlier notions about life and letters and even the Novel.' Forty years since publication, Gravity's Rainbow has lost none of its power to enthral.

This book could be a good read for you if you are fascinated by ancient Greek mythology, epic battles, and the interplay between gods and humans. Through the masterful translation of Alexander Pope, "The Iliad" brings to life the epic tale of the Trojan War and the heroic deeds of Achilles, Hector, and other legendary figures. With Pope's insightful notes accompanying his poetic rendition, you can fully immerse yourself in the rich world of Homer's masterpiece and experience the power of this timeless classic firsthand. So grab a copy, and prepare to be swept away by the grandeur and tragedy of "The Iliad". Happy reading!

Recommended for those interested in lesser-known histories.

The acclaimed author of The Calcutta Chromosome and The Shadow Lines has burst out on to the big stage with a major saga on that hidden country, Burma.Rajkumar is only another boy, helping on a market stall in the dusty square outside the royal palace, when the British force the Burmese King, Queen and all the Court into exile. He is rescued by the far-seeing Chinese merchant, and with him builds up a logging business in upper Burma. But haunted by his vision of the Royal Family, he journeys to the obscure town in India where they have been exiled.The picture of the tension between the Burmese, the Indian and the British, is excellent. Among the great range of characters are one of the court ladies, Miss Dolly, whom he marries: and the redoubtable Jonakin, part of the British-educated Indian colony, who with her husband has been put in charge of the Burmese exiled court.The story follows the fortunes – rubber estates in Malaya, businesses in Singapore, estates in Burma – which Rajkumar, with his Chinese, British and Burmese relations, friends and associates, builds up – from 1870 through the Second World War to the scattering of the extended family to New York and Thailand, London and Hong Kong in the post-war years.Librarian's note: See alternate cover edition of ISBN 0007427468 here.

From one of the most daring voices in European fiction, this is a story of the twentieth century traced through the various possible lives of one woman. She is a baby who suffocates in the cradle. Or she lives to become a woman and dies beloved. Or she dies betrayed. Or her memory is honored. Or she is forgotten by everyone. Moving from a small Galician town at the turn of the century through pre-war Vienna and Stalin's Moscow to present-day Berlin, Jenny Erpenbeck homes in on the moments when life follows a particular branch and 'fate' suddenly emerges from the sly interplay between history, character and pure chance.

Fives and Twenty Fives

Set against the backdrop of the collapsing Ottoman Empire, the Gallipoli campaign and the subsequent bitter struggle between Greeks and Turks, Birds Without Wings traces the fortunes of one small community in south-west Anatolia - a town in which Christians and Muslims have co-existed peacefully for centuries. When war is declared and the outside world intrudes, the twin scourges of religion and nationalism lead to forced marches and massacres, and the peaceful fabric of life is destroyed. Birds Without Wings is a novel about the personal and political costs of war, and about between men and women; between friends; between those who are driven to be enemies; and between Philothei, a Christian girl of legendary beauty, and Ibrahim the Goatherd who has courted her since infancy. Epic in sweep, intoxicating in its sensual detail, it is an enchanting masterpiece.

The English Patient could be a good read for those who enjoy historical fiction with a focus on character development. The book's unique appeal lies in the way it weaves the love story of the titular character with the backdrop of the Second World War, exploring themes of memory, identity, and the impact of trauma. The poetic prose and vivid imagery make for a powerful and immersive reading experience that stays with the reader long after the last page.

Wilfred Owen was twenty-two when he enlisted in the Artists' Rifle Corps during World War I. By the time Owen was killed at the age of 25 at the Battle of Sambre, he had written what are considered to be the most important British poems of WWI. This definitive edition is based on manuscripts of Owen's papers in the British Museum and other archives.

Story of a Brief Marriage

Recommended for those who enjoy poetic, intricate writing and a slow-building plot. The English Patient is a story that can be savored, with beautifully crafted characters and a haunting atmosphere. The novel explores the different ways people are affected by war, and the complexities of love and loyalty in difficult circumstances. Readers looking for a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant historical novel will find this an excellent choice.

This book could be a good read for someone who appreciates the transformative power of fiction. "Mister Pip" takes you to a small village on a tropical island, engulfed in war. Matilda and the other children's lives are forever changed when their only white neighbor, Mr. Watts, introduces them to the world of Charles Dickens. As you follow their journey of survival through the power of storytelling, you'll be captivated by the way imagination and beliefs are challenged by the harsh realities of war. "Mister Pip" is a beautifully written masterpiece that reminds us of the lasting impact literature can have on our lives.

If you relish in complex characters and multifaceted political plots, "A Storm of Swords: Part 1 Steel and Snow" won't disappoint. It's an epic continuation of the battle for the Iron Throne, filled with unexpected twists and alliances. The richly woven narrative captures the icy breath of impending winter and the heat of a land torn by war. You'll be immersed in the vividly realized world George R.R. Martin is famous for, where every character's move can turn the tides of fate.

Francis Bacon described revenge as a 'kind of wild justice'. Then as now, early modern playwrights and their theatre-going public were fascinated by the anarchic energies that a desire for retribution unleashes. Rather than rehearsing familiar conventions, each of these plays presents a unique social and cultural milieu where dark fantasies of revenge are variously played out.In Kyd's The Spanish Tragedy a grieving father seeks public justice for the murder of his son by envious princelings. When his attempts are thwarted he turns a court spectacle of murder into the 'real' thing. Blackly comic in its tone and style, The Revenger's Tragedy (anon.) presents vengeance as mimetic art, witty and cruel. Ford's ' Tis Pity She's a Whore represents an innovative re-working of the genre as a brother's love for his sister leads to his spectacular revenge on his rival, her husband, in a society in which brutal retaliation for perceived wrong is the norm. In Webster's The White Devil crimes of passion ignite revenge in the courts of the Italian city states.This student edition contains fully annotated, modernized texts of each play together with an introduction discussing the dramatic and poetic style of each play, focusing on its action and play of ideas.

Chronicles the joys and sorrows of the four March sisters as they grow into young ladies in nineteenth-century New England.