Download or read book People Could Fly American Black Folktales written by Virginia Hamilton and published by . This book was released on 1985 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Retold Afro-American folktales of animals, fantasy, the supernatural, and desire for freedom, born of the sorrow of the slaves, but passed on in hope.

Download or read book Changing Sex and Bending Gender written by Alison Shaw and published by Berghahn Books. This book was released on 2005 with total page 184 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Anthropologists and historians have shown us that 'male' and 'female' are variously defined historically and cross-culturally. The contributions to this volume focus on the voluntary and involuntary, temporary or permanent transformation of gender identity. Overall, this volume provides powerful and compelling illustrations of how, across a wide range of cultures, processes of gender transformation are shaped within, and ultimately constrained by, social and political context. From medical responses to biological ambiguity, legal responses to cases brought by transsexuals, the historical role of the eunuch in Byzantium, the social transformation of gender in Northern Albania and in the Southern Philippines, to North American 'drag' shows, English pantomime and Japanese kabuki theatre, this volume offers revealing insights into the ambiguities and limitations of gender transformation.

Download or read book Mapping Smallville written by Cory Barker and published by McFarland. This book was released on 2014-07-09 with total page 223 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: One of the first full-length academic projects on the television series Smallville, this collection of new essays explains why the WB/CW series is important to understanding contemporary popular culture. The essays are presented in four sections covering broad categories: Clark Kent's metamorphosis to Superman and the influence of his parents and the home; the role of the series' noteworthy female characters; the series' representations of the Other, explorations of identity, and the ways in which characters speak to Clark's own struggles; and audience reception of the series and its position within the Superman narrative universe.

Download or read book The Song of Achilles written by Madeline Miller and published by A&C Black. This book was released on 2012-04-12 with total page 370 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: WINNER OF THE ORANGE PRIZE FOR FICTION 2012 Greece in the age of heroes. Patroclus, an awkward young prince, has been exiled to the court of King Peleus and his perfect son Achilles. Despite their differences, Achilles befriends the shamed prince, and as they grow into young men skilled in the arts of war and medicine, their bond blossoms into something deeper - despite the displeasure of Achilles's mother Thetis, a cruel sea goddess. But when word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, Achilles must go to war in distant Troy and fulfill his destiny. Torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus goes with him, little knowing that the years that follow will test everything they hold dear.

Download or read book Class Definitions written by Michelle M. Tokarczyk and published by Associated University Presse. This book was released on 2008 with total page 274 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "This book examines how working-class status intersects with other identities such as gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and region in the lives and works of the three authors named. Its introduction discusses widely recognized definitions of the working class and common traits of working-class literature. These include representations of working-class lives, providing a voice for the voiceless, representation of suffering caused by class inequities, and the use of working-class dialect. Working-class women's literature, in particular, reclaims women's bodies from overwork, sexual abuse, or degradation brought on by poverty." "The text then devotes a chapter to each author's life and writing, examining the distinct critical features of each writer's work, as well as the specific ethnic, regional, and personal dynamics that inflect her working-class experiences. Class Definitions includes unpublished interviews with each of the authors." "During the past decade, working-class literature has been recognized in national conferences as well as in anthologies. Yet there are stubborn tendencies to identify the working class with white male laborers and to see ethnic and working-class writing as distinct camps. This book argues for recognition of the varieties of working-class experience through its examination of three diverse authors and their texts. It highlights the specific working-class experience of each author, and thus avoids essentializing working-class women's lives and writings. Maxine Hong Kingston's writing was informed by her years in the anti-Vietnam War movement, as well as by her working-class background. Her recent work has reflected writing workshops with veterans. Sandra Cisneros's work represents women struggling with the Chicano code of machismo and the legend of La Malinche. Dorothy Allison has talked about her need to write against the stereotypes of poor Southerners as well as to be out about her lesbianism. Working-class women's literature is not propaganda or a blueprint, but rather might be compared to a tapestry as rich and multifaceted as the American multicultural landscape itself." "Class Definitions is informed by feminist, working-class, and literary theory, but written in a highly accessible and engaging prose. It will appeal to both scholars and the wide reading public that Kingston, Cisneros, and Allison each enjoy. Ultimately, the book provides a deeper understanding of each author's work and argues for a more nuanced appreciation of working-class women's literature. In lives characterized by material deprivation and social marginality, literature provides a glimmer of hope. For each of these writers, imaginative writing is not only a vivid representation of inequalities, but also an inspiring glimpse into possibilities."--BOOK JACKET.

Download or read book Texas Bad Girls written by J. Lee Butts and published by Rowman & Littlefield. This book was released on 2016-09-01 with total page 225 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Sometimes humorous, sometimes tongue-in-cheek, sometimes deeply sad and moving — such are the biographies of fifteen Texas bad girls. Husband killers, run-of-the-mill murderers, whorehouse madams, prostitutes, gamblers, bank robbers, floozies — each contributes immeasurably to a rowdy, ribald history that dates from the state's earliest settlers to yesterday's biggest news story.

Download or read book Daughters of Copper Woman written by Anne Cameron and published by HARBOUR Publishing Company Limited. This book was released on 2002 with total page 212 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Collected stories of the Nootka tribe of Vancouver Island which portray the traditional way of life as remembered by the women of the tribe.

Download or read book The Legend of Dragonmoon written by Alison Zeitler and published by AuthorHouse. This book was released on 2010 with total page 223 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Seventeen year old Erica Campbell is sent to Norway to spend two weeks at Lake Skasen with her great-aunt. She is joined by two cousins she never knew she had. They discover that their great-aunt can no longer afford the upkeep of Villa Skasen which may have to be sold. It is left to the cousins to find the fabled buried treasure on Skasen Island and save the Villa . Their task is complicated by local superstition and myths of witches and lake dragons. A series of mysterious events place the three girls in danger. Their failure to find the treasure leaves only one option - they must rely on the old legend of Dragonmoon to save them...

Download or read book Heroism and Wellbeing in the 21st Century written by Olivia Efthimiou and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2018-02-13 with total page 249 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Offering a holistic take on an emerging field, this edited collection examines how heroism manifests, is appropriated, and is constructed in a broad range of settings and from a variety of disciplines and perspectives. Psychologists, educators, lawyers, researchers and cultural analysts consider how heroism intersects with wellbeing, and how we still use—and even abuse—heroism as a vehicle to thrive and prosper in the everyday and in the face of the most unbearable situations. Highlighting some of the most pressing issues in today’s world—including genocide, racism, deceitful business practices, bystanderism, mental health, unethical governance and the global refugee crisis—this book applies a critical psychological perspective in synthesizing the social construction of heroism and wellbeing, contributing to the development of global wellbeing indicators and measures.

Download or read book The 10 Women You ll Be Before You re 35 written by Alison James and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2005-02-25 with total page 224 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Everyone - from your mother to your boyfriend - is always telling you who you are and who you should be. But who are you, really, and who do you really want to be? New Graduate; Dollarless Diva; Worker Bee; Party Girl; Body-Conscious Babe; Chameleon; Crisis Chick; Ms. Independence; Wirl (half woman/half girl); True You. In The 10 Women You'll Be Before You're 35, author Alison James takes you on a journey of self-discovery - from wide-eyed ingenue to the real woman you were born to become. You'll learn how to finesse each phase with poise - experimenting with abandon but ultimately keeping only what perfectly fits the True You. With The 10 Women You'll Be Before You're 35, you'll dare to become the woman you never dreamed you could be!

Download or read book The Girl from the Well written by Rin Chupeco and published by Sourcebooks, Inc.. This book was released on 2014-08-05 with total page 272 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "[A] Stephen Kinglike horror story...A chilling, bloody ghost story that resonates."— Kirkus From the highly acclaimed author of the Bone Witch trilogy comes a chilling story of a Japanese ghost looking for vengeance and the boy who has no choice but to trust her, lauded as a "a fantastically creepy story sure to keep readers up at night" (RT Book Reviews) I am where dead children go. Okiku is a lonely soul. She has wandered the world for centuries, freeing the spirits of the murdered-dead. Once a victim herself, she now takes the lives of killers with the vengeance they're due. But releasing innocent ghosts from their ethereal tethers does not bring Okiku peace. Still she drifts on. Such is her existence, until she meets Tark. Evil writhes beneath the moody teen's skin, trapped by a series of intricate tattoos. While his neighbors fear him, Okiku knows the boy is not a monster. Tark needs to be freed from the malevolence that clings to him. There's just one problem: if the demon dies, so does its host. Suspenseful and creepy, The Girl from the Well is perfect for readers looking for Spooky books for young adults Japanese horror novels Ghost stories for teens East Asian folklore Praise for The Girl from the Well "There's a superior creep factor that is pervasive in every lyrical word of Chupeco's debut, and it's perfect for teens who enjoy traditional horror movies...the story is solidly scary and well worth the read." — Booklist "Chupeco makes a powerful debut with this unsettling ghost story...told in a marvelously disjointed fashion from Okiku's numbers-obsessed point of view, this story unfolds with creepy imagery and an intimate appreciation for Japanese horror, myth, and legend." — Publishers Weekly STARRED review "It hit all the right horror notes with me, and I absolutely recommend it to fans looking for a good scare. " — The Book Smugglers

Download or read book These Our Monsters written by Paul Kingsnorth and published by September Publishing. This book was released on 2019-10-24 with total page 184 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 'Marvellous and menacing.' Daily Mail 'The shadow from which I thought I had unshackled myself has returned. Whether this Horror is real or merely the handiwork of my imagination I cannot say. Nor can I say which of these possibilities disturbs me more.' from 'The Dark Thread' by Graeme Macrae Burne From the legends of King Arthur embedded in the rocky splendour of Tintagel to the folklore and mysticism of Stonehenge, English Heritage sites are often closely linked to native English myths. Following on from the bestselling ghost story anthology Eight Ghosts, this is a new collection of stories inspired by the legends and tales that swirl through the history of eight ancient historical sites. Including an essay by James Kidd on the importance of myth to our landscape and our fiction, and an English Heritage survey of sites and associated legends, These Our Monsters is an evocative collection that brings new voices and fresh creative alchemy to our storytelling heritage. 'Nobody believes you when you talk about the whispering. Oh, Monny, you are funny, they say, you've such an imagination. There's a lot they don't believe.' from 'The Hand Under the Stone' by Sarah Hall 'This varied collection scratches the soil of the country to dig up some of the fairy tales and fantasies that have helped form the English identity.' Financial Times The atmospheric locations: Edward Carey - Bury St Edmunds Abbey Sarah Hall - Castlerigg and other stone circles Paul Kingsnorth - Stonehenge Alison MacLeod - Down House Graeme Macrae Burnet - Whitby Abbey Sarah Moss - Berwick Castle Fiona Mozley - Carlisle Castle Adam Thorpe - Tintagel Castle With original black-and-white illustrations by Clive Hicks-Jenkins.

Download or read book Dramatic Revisions of Myths Fairy Tales and Legends written by Verna A. Foster and published by McFarland. This book was released on 2012-10-06 with total page 259 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: These new essays explore the ways in which contemporary dramatists have retold or otherwise made use of myths, fairy tales and legends from a variety of cultures, including Greek, West African, North American, Japanese, and various parts of Europe. The dramatists discussed range from well-established playwrights such as Tony Kushner, Caryl Churchill, and Timberlake Wertenbaker to new theatrical stars such as Sarah Ruhl and Tarell Alvin McCraney. The book contributes to the current discussion of adaptation theory by examining the different ways, and for what purposes, plays revise mythic stories and characters. The essays contribute to studies of literary uses of myth by focusing on how recent dramatists have used myths, fairy tales and legends to address contemporary concerns, especially changing representations of women and the politics of gender relations but also topics such as damage to the environment and political violence.

Download or read book The Tiger s Wife written by Téa Obreht and published by Random House. This book was released on 2011-03-08 with total page 354 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST • The instant classic debut novel from the author of Inland and The Morningside, hailed as “a thrilling beginning to what will certainly be a great literary career” (Elle) “Spectacular . . . [Téa Obreht] spins a tale of such marvel and magic in a literary voice so enchanting that the mesmerized reader wants her never to stop.”—Entertainment Weekly “Not since Zadie Smith has a young writer arrived with such power and grace.”—Time ONE OF THE TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times; Entertainment Weekly; The Christian Science Monitor; The Kansas City Star; Library Journal In a Balkan country mending from war, Natalia, a young doctor, is compelled to unravel the mysterious circumstances surrounding her beloved grandfather’s recent death. Searching for clues, she turns to his worn copy of The Jungle Book and the stories he told her of his encounters over the years with “the deathless man.” But most extraordinary of all is the story her grandfather never told her—the legend of the tiger’s wife. Weaving a brilliant latticework of family legend, loss, and love, Téa Obreht, hailed by Colum McCann as “the most thrilling literary discovery in years,” has spun a timeless novel that will establish her as one of the most vibrant, original authors of her generation. ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The Wall Street Journal, O: The Oprah Magazine, The Economist, Vogue, Slate, Chicago Tribune, The Seattle Times, Dayton Daily News, Publishers Weekly, Alan Cheuse, NPR’s All Things Considered

Download or read book The Barbaric Triumph written by Don Herron and published by Wildside Press LLC. This book was released on 2004-06-01 with total page 226 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Barbaric Triumph examines all aspects of the life and work of Robert E. Howard -- the originator of the sword-&-sorcery antasy genre and the creator of Conan the Barbarian. Featured are essays by Leo Grin, Edwrad A. Waterman, Charles Hoffman, Paul Spencer, Mark Finn, Steven R. Trout, Lauric Guillaud, Scott Connors, George Knight, Don Herron, and more. From the phantoms of Hate simmering beneath Howard's blood-drenched prose to Howard's lifelong interest in philosophy, from Howard's visionary use of the American Frontier Myth to his tales of boxing, The Barbaric Triumph builds on the pioneering research of Heron's previous book on Howard, The Dark Barbarian and takes it to new levels.

Download or read book Girls Transforming written by Sanna Lehtonen and published by McFarland. This book was released on 2013-04-26 with total page 233 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book explores representations of girlhood and young womanhood in recent English language children's fantasy by focusing on two fantastic body transformation types: invisibility and age-shifting. Drawing on recent feminist and queer theory, the study discusses the tropes of invisibility and age-shifting as narrative devices representing gendered experiences. The transformations offer various perspectives on a girl's changing body and identity and provide links between real-life and fantastic discourses of gender, power, invisibility and aging. The main focus is on English-language fantasy published since the 1970s but the motifs of invisibility and age-shifting in earlier tales and children's books is reviewed; this is the first study of children's fantasy literature that considers these tropes at length. Novels discussed are from both critically acclaimed authors and the less well known. Most of the novels depicting invisible or age-shifting girls are neither thoroughly conventional nor radically subversive but present a range of styles. In terms of gender, children's fantasy novels can be more complex than they are often interpreted to be.

Download or read book Came from Afar Woman written by Susan Schaffner and published by AuthorHouse. This book was released on 2014-05-20 with total page 438 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Eventually, between the dreamer and the dreamed, reality fades, as Alison MacGiverson discovers on a field trip to Sonora, Mexico to study the Seri Indians. Attached to the Smithsonian Museum, Alison becomes immersed in the Seri myth, Came from Afar Man. Employing the mystical powers of a tribal elder, she travels back in time and embarks on a journey with Viking explorers in the uncharted lands of the Americas. Drawn to Viking, Eirik Sigmusson, Alisons dreams reveal glimpses of a former life, but her love for Eirik lures her toward a dangerous crossroads of life and death.