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More Issues at Hand
by William Atheling Jr.James Blish, in his incarnation as "William Atheling, Jr.," has written more than his share of the most incisive criticism of contemporary science fiction. In 1964 Advent brought out The Issue at Hand, a collection of Atheling's critical essays on stories in the science-fiction magazines. Now we present a new volume which concentrates on science-fiction books. As before, Atheling's rapier skewers literary malefactors of many kinds, including some well-known authors whose great popularity is all the more puzzling because there seems to be so little reason for it. To be sure, Atheling does not stint praise where it is due--see especially the chapters on Budrys and Sturgeon--but it is in the nature of criticism that the sins and errors be dealt with in greatest detail. As Atheling puts it: "There is no such thing as destructive criticism. That is just a cliché people use to signal that their toes have been stepped on. After all, the whole point of telling a man he is doing something the wrong way is the hope that next time he will do it right. "Simply saying that a given book is bad may serve the secondary function of warning the public away from it, if the public trusts the critic. But if you do not go on to say in what way it is bad, your verdict is not destructive criticism, or any other kind of criticism; it is just abuse. "A good critic is positively obliged to be harsh toward bad work. By a good critic, I mean a man with a good ear, a love for his field at its best, and a broad and detailed knowledge of the techniques of that field. The technical critic (not, please, the scientific or technological one), should be able to say with some precision not only that something went wrong--if it did--but just how it went wrong. "In writing, as in any other art, there is a medium to be worked in, and there are both adroit and clumsy ways to work with it. The writer should know the difference between what is adroit and what is clumsy. If he does not, it is the function of the technical critic to show it to him. Technical critics are, or should be, invaluable to the writer who is serious about the lifelong task of learning his craft. "Such a critic is also useful to the reader. Here his work usually takes the form of explication du texte: he uses special knowledge to unearth and expose some element in the work of art which the ordinary reader probably did not know was there." [Adapted from the Introduction]
The Constant Novelist: A Study of Margaret Kennedy, 1896-1967
by Violet PowellA contemporary of such novelists as Rose Macaulay and Elizabeth Bowen, Margaret Kennedy is most widely known as the author of the runaway bestseller The Constant Nymph, published in 1924. However, her work spans more than four decades and is notable for its keen sensitivity to the nuances of human relationships. In this biography, Violet Powell presents Kennedy's life and times and provides critical comments on each of her sixteen novels.
Essential Emily Dickinson
by J. Srihari RaoThis small volume is a modest attempt at understanding the most essential characteristics of Emily Dickinson’s poetry. It does not purport to be any significant contribution to the Emily Dickinson—criticism, nor do I claim any originality in interpreting the poems.
A Portrait of Jane Austen
by David CecilThis book is intended neither as a straightforward biographical narrative not as a critical study of Jane Austen's works, but rather as an attempt to reconstruct her life and character, drawing on her letters, her novels, and the recollections of her contemporaries. Often regarded as an obscure figure living in a small, dull world, Jane Austen is here revealed as a strong, unusually delightful personality, reflecting a lively and important cross-section of 18th century and Regency society.
The Kiss
by Kathryn HarrisonHere comes a true story about A Woman Who Slept with Her Father--prime fodder for the TV talk show feeding frenzy. Certainly it would be easy to lump Kathryn Harrison's new memoir, The Kiss into this same category of titillating topics, but that would be a mistake. There is nothing remotely titillating about Harrison's book; instead, it reads like a slow descent into hell--one that compels and repels in almost equal measure at times. Harrison, who did not really meet her father until she was 20, takes the reader on a difficult journey into her loveless childhood, her bouts with anorexia and bulimia, and, eventually, the incestuous 4-year affair with her father. Her prose is deceptively simple; her choice of present tense to describe events that occurred many years ago forces an immediacy--almost a complicity--upon the reader that heightens both revulsion and compassion. The Kiss is not for everybody. Some readers will be outraged by its subject matter; others will find it just too painful to read. But for those who make it through, this harrowing tale promises the reward of a life reclaimed and a tragedy transcended.
Spelling Vocabulary and Poetry 5
by Phyllis RandPromote academic excellence as you help your child broaden his vocabulary and appreciation of poetry with Spelling, Vocabulary, Poetry 5. With 34 word lists, teach your child to spell words correctly and use vocabulary words in the proper context. Exercises in each lesson boost proofreading skills and correct word usage. Six poems by famous authors are also included to show your child how beautiful language can be.
Writing with Purpose 3
by Abeka BooksSharpen your 3rd graders’ penmanship skill and teach them to write with purpose. This book begins with various “Practical Penmanship” exercises to give students plenty of practice in the writing of words, letters, numbers –all in ¾” spacing lines! In 2nd semester, the focus will shift from using beautiful penmanship to learning to write compositions creatively. From beautiful penmanship to figurative language and poetry, your child will perfect his craft of writing in appearance and content. Teach him to observe the world around him, and then write about it. Different poem forms, alliteration, metaphors, and more are several English tools that your child will be able to recognize and use. Weekly penmanship test and supplementary writing exercises are also included in the back of the book.
Reading Milestones
by Stephen P. Quigley Patricia L. McAnally Susan Rose Cynthia M. KingReading Milestones is a reading series with controlled syntax and vocabulary. Each level has 10 Readers, Workbook activities, Spelling activities, and a Teacher's Guide.