Böcker i Literature-serien

The Odyssey is rightly celebrated as a story that goes far beyond the scope of epic poetry. It is an open window to an entire era and its social systems as well as its theological, cultural, economic and political structures, while running simultaneously in the register of the earthly and of the divine. Within The Odyssey, the episode of the Sirens stands out as an exceptionally evocative example of this kind of achievement. This volume is dedicated to exploring the myriad levels of analysis that are allowed by this famous episode, following in the footsteps of celebrated readers of The Odyssey such as Adorno, Horkheimer, Luk¿, Auerbach, Ker¿, Bloch, Auden, Pound, Tolstoj, Elster and Steiner. By looking at the brief encounter between Ulysses and the Sirens, the reader of this volume will discover the roots of our modern concept of middle class rationality and its profound ramifications stretching between economy, politics, and the divine.

Writing a biography about Pessoa is a seemingly impossible task. The great Portuguese poet did not have just one life, but his existence virtually exploded in over a hundred different personalities. Only by placing oneself close to Pessoa, only by becoming almost one with him, is it possible to trace the life of this poet who was himself a multitude. Jos¿aulo Cavalcanti has done such a thing, sewing together a path that runs through Pessoa's multiple voices and personalities, seamlessly moving in and out of the poet's work, daily habits and interactions. Following the great success of the Brazilian edition, "Pessoa. A quasi Memoir" is the first English translation of the book, and it provides new insights on the complex nature of the Portuguese poet.

In recent decades crime fiction has enjoyed a creative boom. Although, as Alison Young argues in her book Imagining Crime (1996), crime stories remain strongly identified with specific locations, the genre has acquired a global reach, illuminating different corners of the world for the delectation of international audiences. The recent fashion for Nordic noir has highlighted the process by which the crime story may be franchised, as it is transposed from one culture to another. Crime fiction has thus become a vehicle for cultural exchange in the broadest of senses; not only does it move with apparent ease from one country to the next, and in and out of different languages, but it is also reproduced through various cultural media. What is involved in these processes of transference? Do stories lose or gain value? Or are they transformed into something else altogether? How does the crime story that originates in a specific society or culture come to articulate aspects of very different societies and cultures? And what are the repercussions of this cultural permeability?

Patrick Galvin, one of Ireland most distinctive and original poets, was born in Cork in 1927. Author of seven collections of poetry his work has appeared in numerous journals and anthologies and has been broadcast by the BBC and RTE. Galvin is master of the understatement combining black humour with intense compassion to create a poetry that is directly political and humane, expressed with conviction in an effortless style of great emotional depth. His first collection of poetry Heart of Grace was published in 1957 followed by the mould-breaking Christ in London. Other collections include The Wood-Burners, Man on the Porch and Folk Tales For the General, a Poetry Ireland Book Choice. His most recent works The Mad Women of Cork and The Death of Art O'Leary were published in 1994. Robin Skelton in a review for The Guardian states that Galvin is 'one of the few really original poets of our generation'. Galvin is also a well known playwright and was Resident Dramatist at the Lyric Theatre, Belfast from 1973 to 1979. His awards include a Leverhulme Fellowship in Drama and the prestigious Irish American Cultural Award for Poetry in 1995. This single volume supports the sentiments of many critics who believe his work is a significant contribution to poetry in Ireland.

An exciting novel that pushes temporal, spatial and literary boundaries.

Barry Hill is a multi-award winning writer of poetry, essays, biography, history, criticism, novels, short stories, libretti and reportage. His major works include Sitting In (1992), a landmark memoir in Labour History; Broken Song: TGH Strehlow and Aboriginal Possession (2002), a literary biography and essay in Aboriginal and frontier poetics; and Peacemongers (2014), a pilgrimage book set in India and Japan, and a meditation on 'peace thinking' by the likes of Rabindranath Tagore and Mahatma Gandhi in the years leading up to the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Each book has been groundbreaking in different ways: deeply, originally researched, crossing genres, multi-disciplinary, combining the personal with the generically philosophical. As a writer Hills voice is informed by his Australian working-class and militant union background, which has been distilled by his higher education in history and philosophy at the Universities of Melbourne and London. After a decade working as a teacher, educational psychologist and a journalist in Melbourne and London, he has been writing full-time since 1976mainly based in Queenscliff, Victoria, but with stints at the Australia Council flat in Rome, where he finished poetic/dramatic works on Lucian Freud and Antonio Gramsci, and returns to Central Australia. In recent decades he has deepened his studies In Chinese and Japanese, which is in keeping with his long-term interest in Buddhism. Hills voice is unique, and his insight both profoundly important and capable of taking the reader to places not glimpsed before or imagined visible. This collection of essays, reviews and reportage amply demonstrates the quality and enduring importance of Hills contribution, in these genres, to Australian literary and intellectual life.

After researching the life of a British Special Operation Executive agent, Oliver Churchill, who operated over the summer of 1944, Andrea Cominini found that his brother, Peter, had also been an SOE agent operating in France during WWII. Peter carried out four missions, spending 225 days in enemy territory.

Jane Austen offers a captivating glimpse into the life and literary genius of one of the most celebrated English novelists of all time. Born on December 16, 1775, Jane Austen's works have left an indelible mark on the world of literature, known for their keen observations of British landed gentry in the late 18th century. Austen's novels, including "Sense and Sensibility," "Pride and Prejudice," "Mansfield Park," and "Emma," subtly delve into the social intricacies of her time, exploring the societal dependence of women on marriage for social status and financial security. Her novels are not only a reflection of her era but also a critique of the novels of sensibility that dominated the literary scene in the latter half of the 18th century. In this illuminating biography, we delve into the life and works of Jane Austen, from her relatively modest success during her lifetime to her enduring fame as one of the most influential writers in the English language. Her mastery of social commentary, biting irony, and literary realism has earned her acclaim among critics and scholars. Austen's legacy extends far beyond her six novels, as her posthumously published works "Northanger Abbey" and "Persuasion" continue to enchant readers to this day. Her nephew's publication of "A Memoir of Jane Austen" in 1869 shed light on her writing career and seemingly uneventful life, leading to a resurgence of interest in her works. This book is a must-read for fans of classic literature and anyone interested in the life and enduring influence of a remarkable literary talent whose novels have stood the test of time.

Friedrich Hegel's readers are invited to embark on an intellectual odyssey into the life and groundbreaking ideas of one of the most influential figures in the history of philosophy. Born in 1770 in Stuttgart, Germany, during a time of profound intellectual and political upheaval, Hegel emerged as a towering figure of German idealism and 19th-century philosophy, leaving an indelible mark on a wide spectrum of philosophical domains. This meticulously researched biography traces Hegel's life, revealing the profound impact of historical events such as the French Revolution and the Napoleonic wars on his philosophical development. His works, including "The Phenomenology of Spirit" and "The Science of Logic," are explored in depth, showcasing his profound insights into metaphysics, epistemology, ontology, and the interplay between reason and freedom. Hegel's dialectical-speculative approach, rooted in the principle of immanence, is carefully dissected, highlighting his commitment to addressing the dualisms that plagued modern philosophy. He emphasizes that reason and freedom are historical achievements, not innate qualities, and that even a priori categories must undergo empirical verification. At the core of Hegel's philosophy is the notion of free self-determination, which he argues is the essence of humanity. This profound insight is intricately woven into his exploration of the relationship between logic, nature, and spirit, culminating in the concept of the "identity of identity and non-identity." This book offers readers a deep understanding of Hegel's philosophy and its enduring relevance in contemporary philosophical discourse. It is a captivating journey through the mind of a philosopher who sought to unravel the complexities of existence and human nature, leaving an indomitable legacy that continues to shape the world of philosophy today.

Step into the world of Adeline Virginia Woolf, the celebrated English writer whose pioneering contributions to modernist literature and mastery of the stream of consciousness narrative technique have left an indelible mark on the 20th-century literary landscape. Virginia Woolf;s book is an intimate journey through the complex and brilliant mind of a literary icon. Born into privilege in South Kensington, London, Virginia Woolf grew up immersed in English classics and Victorian literature. Her early education laid the foundation for a career that would revolutionize the world of literature. From her formative years at King's College London, where she studied classics and history, to her introduction to the Bloomsbury Group-a circle of intellectuals and artists that included her sister Vanessa Bell-Woolf's life was marked by intellectual curiosity and creativity. Supported by her father's encouragement, Woolf began her professional writing career in 1900, ultimately becoming a prominent member of the Bloomsbury Group and marrying Leonard Woolf in 1912. Together, they founded the Hogarth Press, which published much of her groundbreaking work. Woolf's personal life was as unconventional as her writing. She explored romantic relationships with women, most notably Vita Sackville-West, whose literary collaboration with Woolf produced notable works. Amid London's inter-war literary and artistic society, Woolf penned iconic novels such as "Mrs Dalloway," "To the Lighthouse," and "Orlando," along with seminal essays like "A Room of One's Own." However, Woolf's life was marked by inner turmoil, mental illness, and struggles with bipolar disorder. In 1941, at the age of 59, she tragically ended her life by drowning in the River Ouse at Lewes. This book offers a profound exploration of the brilliant mind behind the literary masterpieces, shedding light on the complex intersections of art, gender, and mental health in Woolf's life and work. Discover the woman who continues to captivate readers and scholars alike, inspiring generations with her literary genius and the enduring power of her words.