Today's (3/10/2010) New Book Releases on Literature & Fiction

Conceived by a shy British don on a golden afternoon to entertain ten-year-old Alice Liddell and her sisters, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass have delighted generations of readers in more than eighty languages. “The clue to the enduring fascination and greatness of the Alice books,” writes A. S. Byatt in her Introduction, “lies in language. . . . It is play, and word-play, and its endless intriguing puzzles continue to reveal themselves long after we have ceased to be children.”

A woman married to an invalid seeks refuge from her sexless and dreary existence in the arms of the passionate game-keeper, but can she break out against the restrictions of society and succumb to her desire for him? From the author of SONS AND LOVERS, THE RAINBOW and WOMEN IN LOVE.

In his breathlessly paced new novel Jay McInerney revisits the nocturnal New York of Bright Lights, Big City. Alison Poole, twenty going on 40,000, is a budding actress already fatally well versed in hopping the clubs, shopping Chanel falling in and out of, lust, and abusing other people's credit cards. As Alison races toward emotional breakdown, McInerney gives us a hilarious yet oddly touching portrait of a postmodern Holly Golightly coming to terms with a world in which everything is permitted and nothing really matters.


From the Trade Paperback edition.

Acclaimed as one of the pioneering texts to introduce narratology (the theory that deals with the general principles underlying narrative texts) to classical scholarship, Irene de Jong’s Narrators and Focalizers explains key concepts such as ‘narrator’, ‘focalization’ and ‘prolepsis’, highlighting their relevance by using them for the analysis and interpretation of Homer’s Iliad. What is the role of the narrator, and how do the parts of the story told by the narrator relate to the many speeches for which Homer is famous.

This, the most important work on Homer’s technique as narrator, was first published in 1987. It is here reissued with a substantial new Introduction by the author, offering an overview of the trends in Homeric narratological scholarship over the last decade.

Part of the Bristol Classical Press series of Spanish texts, this is Horacio Quiroga's story "Cuentos Escogidos". The series is designed to meet the needs of the fast-growinghigh school and undergraduate market for texts in the Spanish language. Each text comes with English notes and vocabulary, and with an introduction by an editor with an expert knowledge both of the work and of its literary and cultural context. Horacio Quiroga (1878-1937), a celebrated writer of the short story, played a leading role in the Modernist movement that emerged in Buenos Aires at the turn of the century. His stories combine something of Guy de Maupasant and Edgar Allan Poe, sharing Poe's interest in the strange and the abnormal but seldom straying from a realistic setting or psychological verisimilitude. This edition situates Quiroga in his literary and historical context and explores the central theme of his work - the conflict between man and environment.

This book remains the standard edition of the "Dialogus", providing a comprehensive treatment of the problems of authorship, date, form and style. This volume is intended to meet the needs of students and scholars increasingly working on ancient rhetoric, as the "Dialogus" constitutes an important link between the rhetorical works of Cicero on the one hand and Quintilian's "Institutio Oratoriae" on the other.

A Diamond For A Diva Is a tale of four high maintenance DIVAS who have everything an average woman could want in life except for true love. These women are all one year away from turning the big 30 without a man in sight for miles so they rekindle an old college bet to see who will get married first. Shema Outspoken, unemployed hustler who has no shame in using what she got to get what she wants. Some people say her ghettoness is flat out embarrassing at times. Madison Intelligent, computer analyst who believes a man won't stick around unless you are giving up the nuckie. Freaky, and willing to try anything once. Michelle Somewhat shy, reserved computer analyst, good girl by heart and a sucker for love Sydney A successful psychologist, with brains, beauty and body. Quiet, laid back, but doesn't take junk from anyone including her well known father Pastor Pane. These ladies invite you to come into their world as they do whatever it takes to find that missing piece of the puzzle even if it includes dating some of the most trifling men the great state of Texas has to offer.

Geoffery Armitage Ffolkes is a brazenly opinionated braggart who is foppish to the extreme, yet urbane and erudite---if not truly brilliant. He is also a duelist, diplomat, spy, pirate and physician. And he has another gift few humans have. Two hundred years before the creation of the brilliant mind of Sherlock Holmes, Ffolkes is gifted with insight and 'prognostication.' His sharp observations and the following inductive reasoning make Ffolkes a master at solving crimes.

Ffolkes' Medicine is his story, or rather the beginning of his story. A glorious adventure for anyone who loves mysteries, dashing rogues, pirates, and high-sprited adventure.

When Melody Grace McCartney was six years old, she and her parents witnessed an act of violence so brutal that it changed their lives forever. The federal government lured them into the Witness Protection Program with the promise of safety, and they went gratefully. But the program took Melody's name, her home, her innocence, and, ultimately, her family. She's been May Adams, Karen Smith, Anne Johnson, and countless others--everyone but the one person she longs to be: herself. So when the feds spirit her off to begin yet another new life in another town, she's stunned when a man confronts her and calls her by her real name. Jonathan Bovaro, the mafioso sent to hunt her down, knows her, the real her, and it's a dangerous thrill that Melody can't resist. He's insistent that she's just a pawn in the government's war against the Bovaro family. But can she trust her life and her identity to this vicious stranger whose acts of violence are legendary?

Handel ranks with Monteverdi, Mozart and Verdi among the supreme masters of opera, yet between 1754 (when Handel was still living) and 1920 not one of his operas was performed anywhere. Their revival in the modern theatre has been among the most remarkable phenomena in the history of the art. But they are still too little understood, or studied, and until recently no reliable modern editions existed. This long-awaited book is the sequel to l>Handel's Operas 1704-1726/l>, published in 1987. It is the first study in depth of Handel's last twenty-two operas, including major masterpieces such as l>Orlando/l>, l>Ariodante/l> and l>Alcina/l> and the brilliant lighter works l>Partenope/l>, l>Serse/l> and l>Imeneo/l>. Each chapter contains a full synopsis and study of the libretto, a detailed assessment of the opera's musical and (often misunderstood) dramatic qualities, a performance history, and comparison of the different versions. Much new material has been incorporated. In addition four general chapters throw a vivid light on the historical background. Two Epilogues touch on Handel's dramatic vision, the revival of his operas in the twentieth century, and their performance today. There are a number of valuable Appendices. Together with its predecessor, the book provides the first complete overview of these works. WINTON DEAN is the most distinguished British authority on the life and work of Handel; he has also written extensively on opera in general.

As the Clone Wars continue to rock the Star Wars universe, the Republic's forces, led by the Jedi, find themselves drawn ever-deeper into Darth Sidious' evil web. With stories covering all aspects of the Clone Wars - from the trials of the revered Jedi Master Yoda, to the tribulations of the lowliest Clone Troopers fighting on the front lines, to the wicked machinations of the dreaded Count Dooku and General Grievous - these fast-paced tales feature a unique look into the world of Star Wars and at the events that shook the galaxy far, far away...

Extensively researched, photocopiable material that can be used as the basis of delivering lessons, for student research and preparation, for follow-up homework, or as cover work in the case of teacher absence. Includes a free CD with the text of the pack and additional resources.

Neil Gaiman's vision of the Marvel Universe in the year 1602! The year is 1602, and strange things are stirring in England. In the service of Queen Elizabeth, court magician Dr. Stephen Strange senses that the bizarre weather plaguing the skies above is not of natural origin. Her majesty's premier spy, Sir Nicholas Fury, fends off an assassination attempt on the Queen by winged warriors rumored to be in service to a mad despot named Doom. News is spreading of "witchbreed" sightings - young men bearing fantastic superhuman powers and abilities. And in the center of the rising chaos is Virginia Dare, a young girl newly arrived from the New World, guarded by a towering Indian warrior. Can Fury and his allies find a connection to these unusual happenings before the whole world ends? Collects Marvel 1602 #1-8.

The long-awaited sequel to the award-winning publishing sensation that made Kurt Busiek and Alex Ross into stars! News photographer Phil Sheldon's back, with the man-on-the-street's perspective on the big events of the Marvel Universe, from the Avengers, the all-new X-Men, and the Secret Wars to Dracula and Werewolf By Night. But this time, Phil's world is going to be rocked not just by superheroes and super-villains, but by something far more personal, as well. Featuring the Marvel debut of artist Jay Anacleto, whose gorgeous, photorealistic pencil renderings give a new look at the Marvel Universe, and what it would be like to actually be there. Collects Marvels: Eye of the Camera #1-6.

When the Mesmo Delivery truck rolls into town a heap of trouble is sure to follow. Eisner Award-winning artist Rafael Grampa (5, Hellblazer) makes his full-length comics debut with the critically acclaimed graphic novel Mesmo Delivery - a kinetic, bloody romp starring Rufo, an ex-boxer, Sangrecco, an Elvis impersonator, and a rag-tag crew of overly confident drunks who pick the wrong delivery men to mess with. Mesmo Delivery features an extended sketchbook section from creator Rafael Grampa and pin-ups from top comics creators Eduardo Risso, Mike Allred, Craig Thompson, Gabriel Ba, and Fabio Moon. also includes an introduction from Brian Azzarello.

Explosive action, white-hot lightsaber battles, evil schemes and heroic sacrifices - it's all here in this fast-paced volume jam-packed with four wickedly awesome all-ages adventures set in the most exciting era of Star Wars! The fate of the galaxy hangs in the balance, the Republic and Confederacy taking their fight from the cold reaches of space to exotic alien worlds. Don't miss the Jedi making history in their selfless fight for justice in this full-throttle collection of stories all told in the same stripped down stylization as Cartoon Network's micro-series.

This edition of the poetry of Cesar Vallejo (1892-1938) includes an introduction which takes into account the most recent criticism written on the Peruvian poet, an annotated bibiography, and a glossary which explains some of the more difficult and technical terms used by Vallejo. Each of the thirty-eight poems selected is followed by a short commentary in plain English.

Buffy Season Eight Volume 6 showcases the first failure of the Slayer legion. Vampires have solid footing at the top of the totem and Slayers have been crushed to the bottom - in short, no one likes Buffy anymore... least of all this season's mysterious Big Bad, Twilight, who is hot on her magical trail! Now that it's the world against Slayers, Buffy must find a way to return the status quo to... status quo - and keep her girls alive long enough to do it! Enter Oz, the only person/werewolf Buffy knows who is down with the suppression of magic, and can take the Slayer army off of Twilight's magic-specific radar. With Oz's assistance the Slayers and Wiccans try to become "normal" through meditation and hard labor - although, not everyone sees the advantage of being magicless, namely, Willow, Giles, and Andrew. And they could be right; after all, is a peaceful life for a Slayer even possible?

When The Writer's Tale was published in autumn 2008, it was immediately embraced as a classic. For this extensively revised and updated paperback edition, Russell T Davies and Benjamin Cook continue their candid and in-depth correspondence to take in work on the last of Russell's 2009 specials - and the end of David Tennant's era as The Doctor - while also looking back to the achievements of the first three seasons. With over 300 pages of all-new material, including new photos and original artwork, The Writer's Tale is a fitting tribute to Russell T Davies' phenomenal achievement in bringing Doctor Who back for a new generation of fans.

Welcome back, foolish mortals, for more tales of spooky fun, based on Disney's immortal Haunted Mansion theme park attaction! A Ghost Will Follow You Home contains the conclusion of the "Misery of the Manse" story by Dan Vado and Drew Rausch and includes several stories left out of the Disney Press softcover book, as well as the entire contents of the unpublished issue #8 of the Haunted Mansion comic book series, including the story of the origin of the Haunted Mansion's organist by Cory Doctorow and Christopher, and a tale of the undead by Jennifer de Guzman and Brian Belew.

D has crossed over the southern border, into the domain of the cruelest and most evil of the royalty, General Gaskell. On the way, he picks up a "victim" - one of the few survivors in the villages - and makes way with her and the Deliverers. Along the way, he is attacked by the Drowned, and fights many more unspeakably horrible enemies. All of this suggests that Gaskell - who was supposed to have been put to death under the light of the sun - is still very much alive. But why?

This is an anthology of radical new women's poetry from the UK, featuring work by: Sascha Akhtar, Isobel Armstrong, Caroline Bergvall, Elisabeth Bletsoe, Anne Blonstein, Andrea Brady, Emily Critchley, Claire Crowther, Carrie Etter, Catherine Hales, Frances Kruk, Rachel Lehrman, Sophie Mayer, Marianne Morris, Wendy Mulford, Redell Olsen, Frances Presley, Anna Reckin, Carlyle Reedy, Sophie Robinson, Lucy Sheerman, Zoe Skoulding, Harriet Tarlo, and Carol Watts.

Touching Earth, Touching Sky is a story of self-discovery, a journey into the many layers of a strong, thirty-eight-year-old Montana woman s life, revealing her secret thoughts and intimate struggles, her loves and her regrets, all set among the trappings of her everyday life. Meg Halverson s character and ideals were shaped by her down-to-earth life on her parents Central Montana wheat-farm. But now, after eighteen years as the wife of a banker & land-developer, in a Western Montana university town, she is bitterly unhappy. She was brought up to believe that marriage would give her companionship and love. But her husband exploits her natural talents for his success and neglects her otherwise, making her feel lonely and superfluous. Only her children bring her happiness. On the very day that Meg decides to throw off the yoke of her husband s expectations a devastating tragedy occurs. As she strives to understand the new situation she faces, she finds solace on a beautiful, pristine mountainside. Later, when she hears that that mountainside is in the sights of a land developer, she realizes that she is emotionally linked to it. The mountainside s plight of being ravaged and having its very essence destroyed in the name of progress sounds all too familiar to her... Later, as the lonely owner of a valuable piece of land, she finds that each person entering her life presents her with a unique choice. Meg s love for the land is a quiet message, but it is always there. The comfort and healing she and her family gain from their wilderness Touching Earth and Touching Sky delivers the message that unsullied land is essential for the human spirit; and that by fighting for Mother Nature s gifts there is hope for the future.