Ever since Ian Watt's The Rise of the novel (1957), many critics have argued that a constitutive element of the early 'novel' is its embrace of realism. Anne F. Widmayer contends, however, that Restoration and early eighteenth-century prose narratives employ techniques that distance the reading audience from an illusion of reality; irony, hypocrisy, and characters who are knowingly acting for an audience are privileged, highlighting the artificial and false in fictional works. Focusing on the works of four celebrated playwright-novelists, Widmayer explores how the increased interiority of their prose characters is ridiculed by the use of techniques drawn from the theatre to throw into doubt the novel's ability to portray an unmediated 'reality'. Aphra Behn's dramatic techniques question the reliability of female narrators, while Delarivier Manley undermines the impact of women's passionate anger by suggesting the self-consciousness of their performances. In his later drama, William Congreve subverts the character of the apparently objective critic that is recurrent in his prose work, whilst Henry Fielding uses the figure of the satirical writer in his rehearsal plays to mock the novelist's aspiration to control the way a reader reads the text. Through analysing how these writers satirize the reading public's desire for clear distinctions between truth and illusion, Anne F. Widmayer also highlights the equally fluid boundaries between prose fiction and drama.

Discover all there is to know about strong women in fiction: Hermione Granger, Wonder Woman, Princess Leia, and more! A strong woman is not just a badass lady who solves her problems with a high kick and a sassy comeback, all the while looking fabulous in a cape (although the cape is a plus!). A strong woman is a pioneer for bravery, intelligence, determination, and social justice for all. Compelling, humorous, and brilliantly illustrated in equal measures, The Science of Strong Women showcases a collection of fifty fantastic fictional feminists we all know and love. Through media analysis and awe-inspiring discoveries, this inspirational guide delves deeper into female-forward fiction and features a truly diverse collection of strong women including: June Osborne Star Carter Katniss Everdeen Elizabeth Bennet Eowyn Jo March Buffy Summers And many more Here's to strong women. May we know them, may we be them, and may we learn from them with The Science of Strong Women.

First published in 1976, this astonishing anthology from two U.S. Poet Laureates, Charles Simic and Mark Strand, compiles a selection of the finest translated literature of the time, showcasing the then-little-known writers who had a profound influence on the current generation of poets.

SOMETIMES THE ONLY PERSON WHO CAN SOLVE YOUR MURDER IS YOU. 'Completely absorbing. A smart, speculative twist on domestic suspense.' - Ashley Audrain, bestselling author of The Push 'A cool, confident, clever thriller. But best and most of all, this book is F-U-N.' - A. J. Finn, bestselling author of The Woman in the Window Lou has been murdered. She was the fifth victim of the serial killer Edward Early. A young wife and new mother, Lou's death outraged a public breathlessly following the story of the serial murders. Lou has been cloned. Along with Early's other four victims, Lou has been brought back to life by the government-funded replication commission. The women gather at a weekly support group, helping each other to navigate a society obsessed with their very existence. Lou has been lied to. But when Lou agrees to help fellow murder victim Fern secure a visit with Edward Early, a shocking revelation causes Lou to investigate the events around her death and question everything she thought she knew about her murder. Can she finally uncover the truth? Praise for Katie Williams: "Like an extended episode of 'Black Mirror' ... Williams offers a master class in not losing sight of the human element... the kind of story that - in the subtlest of ways - can instruct us, and nourish us, and make us want to live and love a little better."-Matt Haig, New York Times Book Review "[A] vivid, clever debut." -O, the Oprah Magazine "Allow me to introduce you to your new favorite writer." -James Hannaham, award-winning author of DELICIOUS FOODS: A Novel "Delightfully weird and humorous...a fascinating exploration of our increasing reliance on technology and our obsession with finding a quick fix for everything." -Shondaland "A sharp and moving novel." -Publishers Weekly "With its clever, compelling vision of the future, deeply human characters, and delightfully unpredictable story, this novel is itself a receipe for contentment." -Kirkus Reviews, starred review "My prescription for happiness is: 'Sit still, read a book that can't be classified by genre, and tell everyone.' I'm telling you, Katie Williams delivers." -Helen Ellis, New York Times-bestselling author of AMERICAN HOUSEWIFE

George's memory is inseparable from Orkney, where he was born the youngest child of a poor family and which he rarely left. His mother was a beautiful woman who spoke only Gaelic and his father was a wit, mimic and singer, who also doubled as postman and tailor. Tuberculosis framed George's early life and kept him in a kind of limbo. He discovered alcohol which gave him insights into the workings of the mind. While attending the University of Edinburgh he came into contact with Goodsir Smith, MacDiarmid and Norman MacCaig - and Stella Cartwright with whom perhaps all of them were in love. By the time of his death in 1996 he was recognised as one of the great writers of his time and country.

Honest and unflinching, this book illuminates the literary world of the latter half of the 20th century, as well as giving a personal insight into the life of Elizabeth Jane Howard.

The early eighteenth century was a vibrant period for European journalism. Already the author of several journals including the first spectator in French (Le Misanthrope), Justus van Effen attempted to capture the Regency spirit in France with La Bagatelle, also modelled on the English Spectator. Characterised by their overtly ironic tone, the Bagatelliste's comments range from witty observations on contemporary society or literary controversies to bolder and more subversive reflections on the principles of inheritance or religious orthodoxy. Produced as a twice-weekly quarter sheet, La Bagatelle included short works of poetry and prose; brevity and stealth were its tools and its defences. In this first critical edition of La Bagatelle, James L. Schorr uncovers the sources of each periodical essay, and situates Van Effen's ironic commentaries in their social and cultural context. Tracing the influence of classical as well as contemporary English writers, Schorr also explores an evolution in the character of the Bagatelliste himself, from the seventeenth-century 'man of science' to the philosophe of the Enlightenment. Containing substantive textual commentary and variants from the 1718-19 and 1722-24 issues, Schorr's critical edition represents a major addition to our knowledge of early eighteenth-century French journalism and the intellectual climate in which it flourished. Published with kind support from the Dr. C. Louise Thijssen-Schoute Foundation.

A Backward Glance is Edith Wharton's vivid account of both her public and her private life. With richness and delicacy, it describes the sophisticated New York society in which Wharton spent her youth, and chronicles her travels throughout Europe and her literary success as an adult. Beautifully depicted are her friendships with many of the most celebrated artists and writers of her day, including her close friend Henry James.

In his introduction to this edition, Louis Auchincloss calls the writing in A Backward Glance "as firm and crisp and lucid as in the best of her novels." It is a memoir that will charm and fascinate all readers of Wharton's fiction.

Let it be said, Philip Roth was never uncontroversial. From his first book, Roth scandalized literary society as he questioned Jewish identity and sexual politics in postwar America. Scrutiny and fierce rebukes of the renowned author, for everything from chauvinism to anti-Semitism, followed him his entire career. But the public discussions of race and gender and the role of personal history in fiction have deepened in the new millennium. In his latest book, Jacques Berlinerblau offers a critical new perspective on Roth's work by exploring it in the era of autofiction, highly charged racial reckonings, and the #MeToo movement. The Philip Roth We Don't Know poses provocative new questions about the author of Portnoy's Complaint, The Human Stain, and the Zuckerman trilogy first by revisiting the long-running argument about Roth's misogyny within the context of #MeToo, considering the most current perceptions of artists accused of sexual impropriety and the works they create, and so resituating the Roth debates. Berlinerblau also examines Roth's work in the context of race, revealing how it often trafficked in stereotypes, and explores Roth's six-decade preoccupation with unstable selves, questioning how this fictional emphasis on fractured personalities may speak to the author's own mental state. Throughout, Berlinerblau confronts the critics of Roth -as well as his defenders, many of whom were uncritical friends of the famous author-arguing that the man taught us all to doubt "pastorals," whether in life or in our intellectual discourse.

The Destiny Grimoire Anthology is a must-have collectible lore compendium assembled for Destiny's devoted and enlightened scholars and lore lovers, as well as fans of fantasy and science fiction storytelling. The Destiny Grimoire Anthology weaves tales from multiple sources together for the first time, casting new light on Destiny's most legendary heroes, infamous villains, and their greatest moments of triumph and tragedy.

A peerless A-Z guide to the names, places and events in the world of J.R.R. Tolkien, fully illustrated in colour throughout by acclaimed Tolkien artist, Ted Nasmith. J.R.R. Tolkien's works of epic adventure and fantasy, The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion have delighted many millions of fans since they were first published, and are now more popular than ever before. The Complete Guide to Middle-earth has been compiled to enhance the reader's enjoyment of Tolkien's books by bringing together in an A-Z sequence all the key facts and information about names, places, languages and events from The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion. Accompanied with numerous genealogical tables and a unique Chronology of the First Age, it will provide an indispensable aid to every reader's discovery of Tolkien's world. The first, and definitive, encyclopedia, The Complete Guide to Middle-earth is now reissued to complement the illustrated hardbacks of The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales, and is lavishly illustrated with more than 50 full-colour paintings by acclaimed Tolkien artist, Ted Nasmith, with many appearing exclusively in this edition.

WINNER OF THE ANTHONY, BARRY, THRILLER, LEFTY AND MACAVITY AWARDS FOR BEST FIRST NOVEL 'Harrowing and heartfelt, assured and highly accomplished. One of the standout thrillers of the year' CHRIS WHITAKER If you have a problem, if no one else can help, there's one person you can turn to. Virgil Wounded Horse is the local enforcer on the Rosebud Native American Reservation in South Dakota. When justice is denied by the American legal system or the tribal council, Virgil is hired to deliver his own punishment, the kind that's hard to forget. But when heroin makes its way onto the reservation and finds Virgil's nephew, his vigilantism becomes personal. Enlisting the help of his ex-girlfriend, he sets out to learn where the drugs are coming from, and how to make them stop. Following a lead to Denver, they find that drug cartels are rapidly expanding and forming new and terrifying alliances. And back on the reservation, a new tribal council initiative raises uncomfortable questions about money and power. As Virgil starts to link the pieces together, he must face his own demons and reclaim his Native identity - but being a Native American in the twenty-first century comes at an incredible cost. Winter Counts is a tour-de-force of crime fiction, a bracingly honest look at a long-ignored part of American life, and a twisting, turning story that's as deeply rendered as it is thrilling. 'An incredible novel . . . where hope and heartbreak are found in equal measure' S. A. COSBY 'A terrific debut - tight and tense, hard-eyed and big-hearted' LOU BERNEY 'Eye-opening, enlightening and entertaining, it's one hell of a good read!' AMER ANWAR 'Enthralling from the first page to the last, this is a heartfelt and harrowing tour de force' JON COATES, S MAGAZINE 'Virtuoso fare' FINANCIAL TIMES, BEST CRIME BOOKS OF THE YEAR 'A fascinating insight into an often overlooked world, and draws the reader into a satisfying mystery' GUARDIAN, CRIME AND THRILLER PICKS OF THE YEAR

Few novels have caused more of a stir than Tess of the d'Urbervilles. In England, the Duchess of Abercorn stated that she divided her dinner-guests according to their view of Tess. If they deemed her "a little harlot", she put them in one group; if they said "Poor wronged innocent!", she put them in another. It is a telling illustration of the novel's word-of-mouth success. The Daily News wittily claimed that "pessimism (we had almost said Tessimism) is popular and fashionable". Fan-mail arrived: Hardy said that his mail from readers even included confessional letters from various wives who, like Tess, had gained premarital sexual experience but, unlike her, had not told their husbands of it. Hardy's fame was now so great that he was a frequent guest at fashionable dinner parties. In 1892 he recorded that Tess's fame had spread round the world and that translations were multiplying, "its publication in Russia exciting great interest". Controversy generated publicity. Publicity generated prosperity. Sales of Tess far surpassed those of any of Hardy's previous works, and between 1900 and 1930 was reprinted "some forty times in England alone". In addition to making Hardy famous and rich, the scandalous Tess attracted, and has continued to attract, an extraordinary range of critical opinion. Victorian reviewers, humanists, neo-Marxists, deconstructionists, cultural materialists, new historicists: everyone has had something to say about the novel. This book, drawing on the best of these critics, shows why, for all its faults, it has such power, and explains the angry and uncompromising vision of the world contained within its pages.

'Joe Goldberg is my guilty pleasure, my strange addiction. If loving him is wrong, I don't want to be right' Erin Kelly From New York Times bestselling author Caroline Kepnes, comes the next novel in her hit You series, which follows Joe Goldberg to the hallowed halls of Harvard University where he earns a coveted place in a writing fellowship . . . and leaves crimson in his wake. Joe Goldberg is ready for a change. Instead of selling books, he's writing them. And he's off to a good start. Glenn Shoddy, an acclaimed literary author, recognizes Joe's genius and invites him to join a tight-knit writing fellowship at Harvard. Finally, Joe will be in a place where talent matters more than pedigree . . . where intellect is the great equalizer and anything is possible. Even happy endings. Or so he thinks, until he meets his already-published, already-distinguished peers, who all seem to be cut from the same privileged cloth. Thankfully, Wonder enters the picture. They have so much in common. No college degrees, no pretensions, no stories from prep school or grad school. Just a love for literature. If only Wonder could commit herself to the writing life they could be those rare literary soulmates who never fall prey to their demons. There is so much they're up against, but Joe has faith in Wonder. He will sacrifice his art for hers. And if he has to, he will kill her darlings for her. With her trademark satirical, biting wit, Caroline Kepnes explores why vulnerable people bring out the worst in others as Joe sets out to make this small, elite world a fairer place. And if a little crimson runs in the streets of Cambridge . . . who can blame him? Love doesn't conquer all. Often, it needs a little push. Praise for Caroline Kepnes and the You series: 'Crazy, sexy, cool: Caroline Kepnes gets better - and Joe Goldberg gets worse - with every book' ERIN KELLY 'Caroline Kepnes writes with such malevolent energy, such dark grace and such ink-black humour. An utterly unique character and an utterly unique writer, in a marriage made somewhere between heaven and hell' RICHARD OSMAN 'Fiendish, fast-paced, and very funny' PAULA HAWKINS 'Another dark, thrilling, and blackly hilarious adventure from everyone's favourite murderer' CLAIRE MCGOWAN 'I absolutely loved it. It's completely addictive, razor-sharp writing from Kepnes. Internet creeping at its most darkly humorous. Joe's back, and this time it's definitely real love' CATHERINE STEADMAN 'Caroline Kepnes must be some kind of storytelling sorcerer. How else can Joe Goldberg - stalker, creep, multiple-murderer, blamer of everyone else but himself, a "long overdue book, the one you never thought was coming" - be such an entertaining narrator? Even Tom Ripley, Patricia Highsmith's famously amoral character (a clear inspiration for Kepnes), could be enjoyed at a third-person remove, unlike the in-your-face immediacy of Joe's blinkered perspective . . . brilliant' NEW YORK TIMES

This set gathers together a collection of previously out-of-print titles that examine China's great heritage in literature, poetry, theatre and performance, painting and crafts. This reference resource spans Chinese traditions and artforms to provide in-depth analysis of some of China's great cultural treasures from many different periods in the country's long history.

This classic novel of colonial Ceylon (Sri Lanka), was first published in 1913 and is written by a prominent member of the Bloomsbury group, husband of Virginia Woolf. It reads as if Thomas Hardy had been born among the heat, scent, sensuality and pungent mystery of the tropics. Translated into both Tamil and Sinhalese, it is one of the best-loved and best-known stories in Sri Lanka. It includes a new biographical afterword by Sir Christopher Ondaatje, author of "Woolf in Ceylon", and a short story, "Pearls before Swine", which vividly draws on Woolf's experience as a young District Commissioner. This book reeks of first-hand knowledge of the colonial experience, and of its profound, malign disregard for the psychology and culture of its subject peoples.

'There are certainly not so many men of large fortune in the world, as there are pretty women to deserve them'. 'How little of permanent happiness could belong to a couple who were only brought together because their passions were stronger than their virtue'. If you want to make like Elizabeth Bennet and live happily ever after with a man who owns half of Derbyshire, then arm yourself with this Austentatious guide to flirting and courtship.

With an introduction by Harriet McDougal, Origins of The Wheel of Time by Michael Livingston explores the inspirations behind the acclaimed series The Wheel of Time, including a biography of Robert Jordan for the first time. 'Jordan has come to dominate the world Tolkien began to reveal' - New York Times on The Wheel of Time series Explore never-before-seen insights into The Wheel of Time, including: - A brand-new, redrawn world map by Ellisa Mitchell using change requests discovered in Robert Jordan's unpublished notes - An alternate scene from an early draft of The Eye of the World This companion to the internationally bestselling series will delve into the creation of Robert Jordan's masterpiece, drawing from interviews and an unprecedented examination of his unpublished notes. Michael Livingston tells the behind-the-scenes story of who Jordan was (including a chapter that is the very first published biography of the author), how he worked, and why he holds such an important place in modern literature. The second part of the book is a glossary to the 'real world' in The Wheel of Time. King Arthur is in The Wheel of Time. Merlin, too. But so is Alexander the Great and the Apollo Space Program, the Norse gods and Napoleon's greatest defeat - and so much more. Origins of The Wheel of Time will provide exciting knowledge and insights to both new and longtime fans looking either to expand their understanding of the series or unearth the real-life influences that Jordan utilized in his world-building - all in one accessible text.

Jane Austen enjoyed a brief life of just 41 years and it was far from easy. The family faced financial hardship after her father's sudden death. She never married and the four novels that appeared during her lifetime were published anonymously, as was then the custom. Yet those books have seen her become one of the most widely read and respected English writers of all time. Jane Austen died all too soon, but her published work has achieved an impact for beyond its extent. Jane Austen's titles: Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814), Emma (1815), Northanger Abbey (1818, posthumous), Persuasion (1818, posthumous) This publication has many heartwarming and fascinating aspects, all covered in words, pictures and analysis.

'Stand-out' Caz Frear 'Captivating' Samantha Downing 'Razor-sharp' Laura Lippman 'Riveting' Liv Constantine 'Sharp and sassy' Heat She found out her sister was back in New York from Instagram. She found out about her death from the New York Daily News. But she's the only one convinced it wasn't an accident . . . Desiree Pierce, a Black reality TV star, is found dead on a playground in the Bronx. Her death is quickly declared an overdose by the police and the media - tragic, but not a crime. Lena Scott, Desiree's sister, knows that can't be true. Torn apart by Desiree's partying and by their father, a wealthy and influential hip-hop mogul, the sisters haven't spoken in years. But some things about Desiree couldn't have changed, even with time. Nobody is listening to her, but Lena is determined not to let anyone brush off her sister's death. She will find justice, even if it means uncovering the family's darkest secrets - or putting her own life at risk. Because there are two sides to every story - the one being told, and the one nobody wants you to know . . . Praise for Like A Sister: 'A wild ride of a thriller! I inhaled this book' Liz Nugent 'Sometimes a novel perfectly captures a particular voice, a time, and a place. That's very much the case with Kellye Garrett's Like a Sister, a crime novel that not so much hits the zeitgeist as bludgeons it with a hammer. A twisty tale of murder, greed, family secrets, and the perils of fame, Garrett's prose crackles along at breakneck pace, dissecting issues of race, class, and modern culture with aplomb!' Vaseem Khan 'I tore through Like a Sister - a stand-out, propulsive thriller from such a fresh, original voice. Lena is an unforgettable heroine - vulnerable, witty, and relentless in her quest for justice. Suspenseful storytelling at its best. Loved it!' Caz Frear 'Like a Sister is a gripping, twisty thriller that will keep you hooked from first page to last' Olivia Kiernan 'A wholly captivating novel, one that grows more complicated - and tense - as the story unfolds. Loaded with twists and turns, this book will keep you guessing until the last shocking page' Samantha Downing 'Kellye Garrett, a break-out star in crime fiction . . . A traditional mystery set in the world of reality television and Instagram influencers, it is equal parts charm and heartbreak, with razor-sharp insights on class, race, and family. I'm happy to know that Kellye Garrett is just getting started. I can't wait to see what she does next' Laura Lippman 'A riveting, read-through-the-night thriller by a masterful storyteller. From the very first page to the jaw-dropping finish, this is one you need to put at the top of your reading list' Liv Constantine 'Like a Sister is a marvel and a must-read story for the current moment. Garrett, with deft humor and a perfect eye for the blurred lines of social media and reality TV, has crafted a gripping narrative of domestic suspense which delivers hard, essential truths about race, class, and makes us question why some women's stories are too often disbelieved' Ivy Pochoda 'In death, reality star Desiree Pierce should be absolved of her sins, but instead has accumulated strikes against her character - unless her sister Lena can prove she was murdered . . . Domestic suspense for the Instagram gen. #lovedit' Lori Rader-Day 'Like A Sister is fresh, original, funny and with such a strong voice, like a great noir novel of the 1920s and 30s sling-shotted into modern-day New York. Think Dashiell Hammett with hip hop and social media. In Lena Scott, Kellye Garrett has created a cynical, loyal and utterly real character - the kind of modern, clued-up woman you'd definitely want on your side. Garrett is a clear front runner in the genre, writing a compulsive crime tale with family at its heart' Emma Bamford, debut author of Deep Water 'This murder mystery with attitude is sharp and sassy' Heat 'A classy thriller featuring a fascinating, if reluctant heroine' Maxim Jakubowski, Crime Time

Discover everything you ever wanted to know about the world's greatest novels. From medieval romances and tales of chivalry found in the realist novels of the 19th century, to experimental modernist works and today's explorations of the self, Great Novels explores the finest novels from around the world and through time. Tilt at windmills with Don Quixote, experience heartbreak with Tolstoy, discover the society in which Jane Austen lived, and delve into the complex rites of passage experienced by characters in modern novels. Find out what inspired writers to create their masterpieces, what their aims were, and how they set about writing them. Dive deep into the pages of this inspiring book to discover: - Paintings, photographs, and artefacts that tell the story of each novel and what inspired their authors - Superb images of first editions and manuscripts - The flavour of each novel through quotations and extended extracts - "Character maps" showing how characters relate to each other Covering the whole range of literary styles, Great Novels takes you into the pages of the world's seminal novels, ranging from the entertaining adventures of Cervantes' errant knight through to classics such as Great Expectations and Madame Bovary, to modern novels such as To the Lighthouse, The Outsider, Beloved, and Wolf Hall. Stunning images of the original manuscripts, first editions, and authors are complemented by extracts and quotations, while illustrated features set the novels in their literary and historical context. Essential for people of all ages who love books, Great Novels provides a fascinating overview of how the novel has developed through the ages and celebrates the perennial pleasures of reading.

'Deliciously dark and utterly addictive - my favourite Ruth Ware yet' Lucy Foley Everyone wanted her life Someone wanted her dead It was Hannah who found April's body ten years ago. It was Hannah who didn't question what she saw that day. Did her testimony put an innocent man in prison? She needs to know the truth. Even if it means questioning her own friends. Even if it means putting her own life at risk. Because if the killer wasn't a stranger, it's someone she knows... Praise for The It Girl: 'An absolute belter. Could not put it down! I thought I knew who the killer was. Then I was CERTAIN it was another person! Then DEFINITELY another! Great characterisation, glamorous setting, all round FABALISS!' Marian Keyes 'A cracking read - and that ending!' Shari Lapena 'Every Ruth Ware novel is a unique and unexpected gem and this one is no exception. A heady, tense, slowburn dream of a book, multi-layered and steeped in atmosphere and peril. I loved every page' Lisa Jewell 'Absolutely brilliant murder mystery - seamless, flawless, perfectly clued and utterly gripping' Sophie Hannah 'Impeccably crafted and totally compulsive - you'll be sad to reach the final page and realise you have to say goodbye' JP Delaney 'Ruth Ware's richly-textured The It Girl is at once an engrossing murder mystery while also a perfectly crafted and haunting examination of lost youth and the compromises of adulthood, as a woman unpicks the past secrets of her university friends to finally lay to rest her murdered best friend, the dazzling April. Reminiscent of The Secret History, Ware has surpassed herself with this gripping, absorbing whodunnit. I loved it! All hail the Queen' Sarah Pinborough 'If you ever idly wish that Agatha Christie would write a new book, Ruth Ware has got you covered. The It Girl has all the clues, twists and red herrings you could wish for, in a thoroughly modern setting. An impeccably constructed mystery from start to finish' Jane Casey 'It's brilliant. Ruth is the master of the fiendishly twisty, yet completely believable, plot' Elly Griffiths 'Just finished The It Girl by Ruth Ware and now my life is divided in two: before and after. Before: cool, calm, chilled. After: What? No! OMG! A wild ride that's deliciously twisting, with countless gasp-out-loud moments' Janice Hallett 'A new Ruth Ware is always a treat and The It Girl is one of her best. You can almost see her smiling as she feeds you the little morsels that should help you work everything out - if only you were as clever as Ruth! As sleek and chilling as a knife between the ribs' Sarah J. Naughton 'Clever. Compelling and with a terrific sense of place. Ruth Ware's The It Girl grips to the end' Jane Shemilt

A fascinating look at the remarkable life of Barbara Taylor Bradford, bestselling author of the unforgettable A Woman of Substance From the cobbled streets of Yorkshire to the sweeping avenues of Manhattan, Barbara's own story is as dramatic a tale as any one of her bestsellers. Barbara Taylor Bradford's rise to fame and fortune was a difficult one. But from an early age her mother marked her out for glory - at any cost. The drive and ambition instilled in Barbara were to reap huge rewards. From humble beginnings in Yorkshire she took London's Fleet Street by storm. And then, with the creation of Emma Harte, the unforgettable heroine of her first novel A Woman of Substance, she inspired women the world over - and became one of the world's bestselling authors. This is the first time that Barbara Taylor Bradford has been involved in a memoir of any kind and this unique collaboration has produced an extraordinary story. For Emma Harte's rise from Edwardian kitchen maid, single and pregnant, to one of the richest women in the world uncannily mirrors Barbara's own family history - something which was as much of a shock to Barbara as it will be to her millions of fans... Don't miss this incredible story of suffering, loss and triumph over adversity, a must-read for any A Woman of Substance fan.

Within two years of coming out in 1960, To Kill a Mockingbird had been translated into ten languages, won the Pulitzer Prize, and been made into an Oscar-winning film. It spent an astonishing 88 weeks on the American bestseller lists. But while acclaimed by critics it also attracted attention of a different kind. Like The Catcher in the Rye (1951), that other bestseller about childhood, Mockingbird was widely banned from local libraries and school curricula from the 1960s through to the 1980s. One early reviewer called To Kill a Mockingbird "a wholesome book on an unwholesome theme". Those charged with the care of the youth were hypersensitive about what the fictional young should be made to see and hear in novels: words like "damn", "piss", "whore lady" - and (as with Huckleberry Finn) "nigger" - even though in the context of a critique of racial prejudice. But the objections went beyond words alone. The story of children being confronted by a rape case seemed inappropriate in a book to be read by real-life children. So did the book's portrayal of "institutionalized racism", as one group of protestors in Indiana put it, "under the guise of 'good literature'". In this compelling guide, Stephen Fender looks at why a novel which has been called a "period piece" remains so popular - and examines what it tells us about racism and indeed about the nature of humanity.