![]() On a hunting expedition, most likely to the great monastery at Fulda, Poggio liberated a text that, Greenblatt holds, decisively shaped the evolution of the modern mind: the “De rerum natura” (On the Nature of Things), composed by the first century B.C. The unlikely hero of Greenblatt’s story is one Poggio Bracciolini, a humanist of the early 15th century who labored as a scribe at the papal court and who, in his spare time, searched for ancient texts, neglected and moldering in monastic libraries across Europe. Thus it was with great anticipation that I opened my copy of Greenblatt’s latest “The Swerve: How the World Became Modern.” Like its forebear, this new book is indeed lively, intelligent and fun to read, but as I moved through it I grew increasingly irritated and finally exasperated by its steady insistence upon one of the most tired myths of the contemporary academy, namely, that the modern world, in all of its wonder and promise, emerged out of a long and desperate struggle with (wait for it) Roman Catholicism. ![]() ![]() ![]() In 2005, Harvard scholar Stephen Greenblatt published a wonderful book on Shakespeare called “Will in the World.” Witty, insightful and surprising, it caused thousands of people, including your humble scribe, to look at the Bard with new eyes. ![]()
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![]() ![]() This thriller from the author of We Were Liars (2014) will challenge preconceptions about identity and keep readers guessing ![]() She wished it could be undone.” Her unsettling storytelling, filled with energy and a fair amount of violence, comes from deep inside her own mysterious background. Jule’s intense narrative frequently includes clipped snatches of dialogue with herself: “No, she had. ![]() The fast-paced plot moves among New York, London, California, and Mexico as Jule stays one step ahead of those who’ve underestimated her skills. Starting the book with Chapter 18 and the instruction “Begin here,” Jule traces a year backward, revealing startling secrets along the way. Outside of her fantasy life, she feels inferior to practically everyone-Immie and her boyfriend, Forrest, as well as Immie’s parents and friends from college. She imagines herself a heroine in contrast to the “great white hetero hero on his fucking epic journey.” She’s proud of her strength and fighting ability, her talents for disguises and imitating accents. Jule West Williams is 18, white, and an orphan, all of which she has in common with her best friend, heiress Imogen Sokoloff-or does she? Jule, an impulsive, complicated protagonist like no other, tells her story as though she were living in an adventure movie. Can Jule recognize her own true self within the tangled story of the past year? ![]() ![]() ![]() Lucy's three siblings are with her on her third visit to Narnia. The youngest, Lucy, visits Narnia three times via the magic of a wardrobe in a spare room. In the frame story, four English children are relocated to a large, old country house following a wartime evacuation. Most of the novel is set in Narnia, a land of talking animals and mythical creatures that is ruled by the evil White Witch. Like the other Chronicles, it was illustrated by Pauline Baynes, and her work has been retained in many later editions. ![]() Although it was originally the first of The Chronicles of Narnia, it is volume two in recent editions that are sequenced by the stories' chronology. Among all the author's books, it is also the most widely held in libraries. It is the first published and best known of seven novels in The Chronicles of Narnia (1950–1956). Lewis, published by Geoffrey Bles in 1950. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a fantasy novel for children by C. ![]() ![]() ![]() In this epic finale to the Empirium Trilogy from New York Times bestselling author Claire Legrand, two queens, separated by a thousand years must face their ultimate destinies. The incredible conclusion to the trilogy that started with the instant New York Times bestsellers Furyborn and Kingsbane! Betrayed and abandoned, she fights to keep her power at bay-and away from Corien, who will stop at nothing to travel back in time to Rielle, even if that means destroying her daughter.īut when the mysterious Prophet reveals themselves at last, everything changes, giving Rielle and Eliana a second chance for salvation-or the destruction their world has been dreading. The incredible conclusion to the Empirium Trilogy that started with the instant New York. ![]() In the future, Eliana arrives in the Empire’s capital as a broken shell of herself. Read Lightbringer by Claire Legrand available from Rakuten Kobo. ![]() Rielle and Eliana are mother and daughter, separated by thousands of years and living in a world. Separated from Audric and Ludivine, she embraces the role of Blood Queen and her place by Corien’s side, determined to become the monster the world believes her to be. LIGHTBRINGER is a truly epic finale to the Empirium trilogy. Meanwhile, whispers from the empirium slowly drive her mad, urging her to open the Gate. Queen Rielle, pushed away from everything she loves, turns to Corien and his promises of glory. ![]() ![]() ![]() He drew most of his inspiration from drummers such as Keith Moon and John Bonham, players who were at the forefront of the British hard rock scene. After a discouraging stint in England to concentrate on his music, Peart returned home, where he joined local Toronto band Rush in the summer of 1974.Įarly in his career, Peart's performance style was deeply rooted in hard rock. During adolescence, he floated from regional band to regional band and dropped out of high school to pursue a career as a full-time drummer. However, his true ambition was to become a professional musician. Catharines) working the occasional odd job. Peart grew up in Port Dalhousie, Ontario, Canada (now part of St. He is best-known as the drummer and lyricist for the rock band Rush. Neil Peart (pronounced /ˈpɪərt/) OC, (born Neil Ellwood Peart) was a Canadian musician and author. ![]() ![]() ![]() Browne sets up the tension by starting off with Charles's stylishly dressed mother, who lets her "pedigree Labrador," Victoria, off the leash and then scoffs at "some scruffy mongrel"(Smudge's dog). Yet Browne reinvents and overlays the scene as each parent and child in turn describes their version of the events, altering light, colors and words. What transpires factually is simple: the two children play together, their dogs do the same, the adults keep to themselves. The author of King Kong and the Willy stories again features anthropomorphic chimps, who provide four unique perspectives: an uppity, overbearing mother and her glum son, Charles and an unemployed fellow and his cheerful daughter, Smudge. ![]() ![]() Browne again proves himself an artist of inventive voice and vision as he creates perhaps his most psychologically complex work to date via a commonplace experienceAa brief sojourn to a city park. ![]() ![]() ![]() When Grace Lawson picks up a newly developed set of family photographs, there is a picture that doesn't belong-a photo from at least twenty years ago with a man in it who looks strikingly like her husband, Jack. ![]() With no one to trust, and mired in a deepening quicksand of deception and deadly secrets, Marc clings to one unwavering vow: bring home his daughter, at any cost. If you contact the authorities, you will never see your daughter again. ![]() But just when his world seems forever shattered, the ransom note arrives: We are watching. Racing to find her before she’s gone forever, Myron must outrun his own troubled past and decide once and for all who he is and what he will stand up for. The next day, a girl is missing and Myron is the last person who saw her. Several nights later, the call comes at two a.m. So he makes two neighborhood girls promise him that if they are ever in a bind but are afraid to call their parents, they must call him. Three novels from the bestselling author and creator of the hit Netflix drama The Stranger-together in one exciting collection.Īs the school year winds down, Myron Bolitar is determined to help keep his friends’ children safe from the dangers of drinking and driving. ![]() ![]() ![]() Interactions should not primarily be for personal benefit. Interact with the community in good faith. Respect for members and creators shall extend to every interaction. ![]() Visionīuild a reputation for inclusive, welcoming dialogue where creators and fans of all types of speculative fiction mingle. We reserve the right to remove discussion that does not fulfill the mission of /r/Fantasy. ![]() We welcome respectful dialogue related to speculative fiction in literature, games, film, and the wider world. r/Fantasy is the internet’s largest discussion forum for the greater Speculative Fiction genre. For updated information regarding ongoing community features, please visit 'new' Reddit. Resource links will direct you to Wiki pages, which we are maintaining. Please be aware that the sidebar in 'old' Reddit is no longer being updated with information about Book Clubs and AMAs as of October 2018. ![]() ![]() ![]() But in 1598, it's glass that is the ultimate status symbol. In 1558, a chimney is the way to keep up with the Jones's. So a chimney means your stay will be a lot more comfortable,Įspecially if you want to have a bedchamber of your own, rather than sleep in the hall with everyone else. Essential if you want to show you're on the up.' Bear in mind that Elizabethan England is, on average, two degrees colder than you're used to, with very cold snaps in the 1570s and the 1590s. 'not an unfashionable single storey Mediaeval home. ![]() Thanks to the humble chimney, you can now live in a state-of-the-art two storey townhouse,' Chimneys were previously found in castles and grand houses, but never in the homes of ordinary people. 'Mass production means they are now affordable for the many, not just the few. ![]() Driving this innovation is the availability of cheap bricks.' The arrival of the chimney is just the beginning of what becomes a social revolution. 'Chimneys mean that buildings can expand upwards, and you can now heat every room in your home. It's not a scientific discovery, it's not a political development, it is, in fact, the humble chimney. It transforms the lives of ordinary people and changes the face of every street in the land. Your journey begins at the very heart of the country.' In towns like Stratford, a revolution is taking place. 'Elizabeth the First's reign is a time of great change in England, especially for the middle classes. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() I always get way more fried than doing dead stop reps. "I actually like doing touch and go, time under tension wise. The biggest thing I want you all to realise is. ![]() Speaking to students at Frontier Regional School in Massachusetts on November 22, Kearney discussed the challenges associated with coming out in sport but said it was all worth it. "I don't think I would have gone any faster had I not deadlifted yesterday," says Kearney, acknowledging that this was a far higher volume workout than he is used to in terms of reps, even if the weight was lighter. Gay strongman Rob Kearney has opened up about his experience of coming out in an emotional and powerful speech. O'Brien, who was named the sport's Rookie of the Year in 2021, completes the workout first, and Marconi comes in second. Kearney, Marconi and O'Brien must each perform the following deadlift ladder in as quick a time as possible: "Rob clearly has an astronomically high deadlift number," says Fraser, referring to Kearney's personal record of 970 pounds, and the fact that he pulled 805 pounds for 4 reps the day before. In a recent video on former CrossFit Games champion Mat Fraser's HWPO channel, the five-time World's Strongest Man contender participated in a deadlifts-for-time competition against CrossFit athletes Mal O'Brien and Jake Marconi. Following his recent attempt to break the record for fastest time performing the "Randy" WOD, strongman Rob Kearney-otherwise known as the "World's Strongest Gay"-just took on another physically demanding CrossFit challenge. ![]() |