English Classics Books

Sutherland's books are great fun for fans of 19th century novels and literary nitpickers. He examines mysteries, plot holes, and unresolved questions in many classic novels. Sometimes Sutherland discovers an answer in the text or in history, other times the puzzles simply cannot be solved. Yet even in these cases, Sutherland can use the mystery to shed light on the writing and editing process. "Is Heathcliff a Murderer?", like the other books in this series, is a thoroughly enjoyable companion to the classic works of English literature.

Of course not, but don't let the fact that I find that one essay of Sutherland's unconvincing deter you from buying this book. There are *so many* marvelous puzzles in this book besides that one inside. Is Helen Graham illegitimate? Was he Popenjoy? What is Jo sweeping? Read to find out.

Blame it on New Jersey public schools, if you like. I find they're always a handy scapegoat. Because - though I blush to confess it - I first came across Emily Bronte's classic tale of undying love and people with confusingly similar names, Wuthering Heights, when I saw the glamorous, romantic 1939 film of that story, and not when I read the actual grim and gritty 1847 novel. This may explain why, for a long time, when I thought of that novel's hero, Heathcliff, I thought of a heroic-looking, sad-eyed Laurence Oliver, and consequently held this famous brooder in rather high esteem. I do so no longer, and the reason why can be summed up in two words - John Sutherland. This professor and scholar has, in Is Heathcliff a Murderer?, put some of the greatest novels of Western literature under a microscope, and found out all of their inconsistencies and flaws. He looks at classic literature from a new perspective, asking intriguing questions about its novels, and offering solutions to the problems they raise - putting new spins onto books which most people probably feel that they already know inside out. I, for example, thought I knew something about the character of Heathcliff, until I read Sutherland's essay about him, and his various deeds and doings. After reading this book (which discusses works by Bronte, Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, and George Eliot, amongst many others) I can guarantee that you will look at some of your favorite books in an entirely new way - see depths, puzzles, and inconsistencies in them that you never saw before. I, for one, now greet Laurence Olivier's entrance on the screen in Wuthering Heights with a boo and a rather rude hand gesture, rather than a pinkening of cheek and a fluttering of lash. Such is the power of Is Heathcliff a Murderer?

Jane Austin was a Tory. She was born in 1775, the year of the American Revolution, lived through the French Revolution, the Jacobin 'Terror' and the Age of Napoleon, and died just after Waterloo. The quiet English countryside she knew and loved became imperiled by many factors during her lifetime.

Tanner, a reader at Cambridge, has written an insightful literary criticism about the seven novels Austen wrote (Sandition was incomplete at the time of her death). His book is written for the 'close' reader of Austen's work. I was introduced to his text in one of my courses on Austen.

For example, in his chapter on 'Mansfield Park' Tanner lays out the underpinnings of the story as one of conflict between the order of the rural countryside (Mansfield Park) versus the disorder of Portsmouth and the corrupting influence of London. Various characters stand for these places as well as the moral failings of society. The three sisters Mrs. Price (lust) represents Portsmouth, Mrs Norris (envy) and Mrs. Bertram (sloth) represent Mansfield Park on the verge of breakdown. The Crawfords (avarice) interlopers from London, reprent the alluring but treacherous ways of urban life. Fanny, Edmund, and Mr. Bertram represent the ordered rural life.

When asked what "Mansfield Park' was about, Ms. Austen replied it was about "ordination." The word ordination comes from the Latin word--ordo. Tanner says Ms. Austen, concerned "with the problem of how a true social order could be maintained, particularly in a troubled period, clearly considered the role of the clergyman as being of special importance."

Tanner says Mansfield Park is loaded with symbolism. For example, on a group walk Fanny stays on the straight and narrow path by remaining stationary on a bench, while Edmund and Mary Crawford walk the Serpintine path. Maria and Julia stray from the cultivated garden into the "wilderness" behind the iron gate with Henry Crawford.

Fanny Price wears an amber cross, a gift from her beloved brother William. She hangs it on a gold chain given her by Edmund. Wearing these two gifts over her heart gives her "inner peace."

Fanny is the center of the story. Although many readers may perceive her as a prig, she is a very complex character. She is Austen's source of Good Orderly Direction. At the end, Mr. Bertram the "lord" of Mansfield Park recognizes her as his "true" daughter.

This book is an interesting and insightful analysis on Jane Austen, her novels and her social and ideological milieu. After an introductory chapter on Jane Austen in relation with the Novel, Society, Education and Language, Tony Tanner dedicates the next chapters to a detailed study on Jane Austen's novels, including the incomplete Sandition. Tanner is highly effective in relating the historical, social and artistic circumnstances in Austen's time and how they influence the main themes and values present in her novels. As a result, the reader is able to have a clearer picture of Jane Austen and the evolution of both her writing style and her perspectives of society and the human person. Tanner has a clear style of writing, never losing the interest of the reader. A great work for the literary scholar and the general reader.

I recently read a Penguin edition of Sense and Sensibility with an introduction by Tony Tanner. It was my enjoyment of that piece that made me seek this book out. Each chapter analyzes one of Austen's books, the unfinished Sanditon included. The introduction, with the assertion that in writing about civility Austen was really writing about civilization, and situating her work in its social and political climate, was particularly challenging. This broader picture was most welcome. I also liked how Dr. Tanner quoted and refuted Austen's detractors, and how he compared her stylistically to other authors of the era.

A lovely book containing Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion, Mansfield Park, Northanger Abbey, Emma, and Sense and Sensibility. It is filled with a number of very nice illustrations reminiscent of older copies. In excellent condition and arrived in plenty of time. The book is rather large and is quite heavy owing from the rather large print on the pages. Perfect for any fan.

I am an ardent fan of Jane Austen and have numerous editions of her novels. When I came across this edition, i simply had to have it. I ordered it through a third party seller here on Amazon [HamiltonBooks] and the service was excellent. I received the book in about a week and it was in almost mint condition. The book itself is so beautiful - it is bound in a gorgeous rich red color, with a foil blocked cover and front board. The pages [1167] are gilt-edged. The size of the book is abt 305 by 240 mm [based on info on the enclosed paper]. The paper is thick, and in an antique cream color. The font size is nice and big enough to make for comfortable reading. There are over 60 color plates throughout the book as well as black and white illustrations. This is a wonderful collector's edition that will not only complement the library of any Jane Austen fan, but also any book collector. I highly recommend this edition [though it is pretty hefty].

What a Gem of a Book! Every Jane Austen fan should have this complete and elegant volume on the bookshelf. The illustrations (both margin sketches and color prints) bring a roundness and vitality into the story without detracting from the text. I first found this hefty volume (about 10 pounds)at a remainder outlet a year or two ago and purchased one for a dedicated-reader sister, and one for a librarian daughter. I think the original publisher's price was in the neighborhood of $100. Anyway, then my OTHER sister saw them and yearned for one. Too late for the remainder store, which is only open every now and then. So, when I found this on line, I snatched it up for this retired-teacher sister for Christmas. It's a treasure, a treat, and a gorgeous volume, with easy to read print. But be prepared to purchase a book rest; it's too heavy to hold in bed or on your lap without support. It's an incredible value. I can hardly wait to present this as a Christmas gift. Fabulous bargain. Even a ribbon bookmark, to keep you in the proper frame of mind.

If you buy this book...God is calling you home. You will certainly become holier than in the present n0w. Remarkably informative with insights of the Master from the student of Meister Eckhart & Thomas Aquinas. These sermons are the ones you hope to hear and n0w God has placed in your sight. Go for it! The best money can buy with a whole lot more!

The Classics of Western Spirituality is another series of resources from the writings of those who focused on the spiritual life. Each volume has a general introduction to the writer, and often each writing is also introduced.
In the volume, Johannes Tauler: Sermons, the very helpful general introduction by Josef Schmidt of McGill, gives us information not only about Tauler, but also the context in which he lived. You will be introduced to the three central features of medieval Christian mysticism and Tauler role in them. Schmidt also shares some objective observations about the "heresies" in Tauler's and others writings at the time. In addition, Schmidt gives a brief summary of Tauler's life and theology, and how he differs from Meister Eckhart and others.
A very helpful book for understanding medieval spiritual in the Christian Church.

Johannes Tauler was one of the famous trio of 'Rhineland mystics' who flourished in the 13th century in Germany, the other two being Meister Eckhart and Henry Suso.

Tauler was, like Eckhart and Suso, a Dominican preacher whose calling involved both contemplation, prayer, study, but most importantly of all, going from place to place and preaching the word of God to all people in need of spiritual nourishment.

After Eckhart Tauler is certainly the most noble and great of the Rhineland mystics. While deeply influenced by many of Eckhart's ideas and notions, especially the 'ground' where the soul unites mysteriously to God, Tauler distanced himself somewhat from Eckhart after his condemnation for heresy and cautiously re-phrased or re-stated many of his ideas so they were more in line with the Church orthodoxy of the time. Tauler combined Eckhart's mysticism with excellent spiritual discernment and an extraordinary talent for pastoral care, and his warmth and impartiality in his preaching to both the lowest and highest in society attests to his great humulity, decent sense, and groundedness which is often lost by many mystics.

Tauler also had powerful mystical experiences of his own, revolving around experiencing God in the ground of his being, and while Tauler often uses extraordinary language to describe his experience, he is always careful to emphasize it cannot be achieved without the moral life of virtue and being grounded in the sacramental life of the Church, something Eckhart tended to de-emphasize more in favour of a profound sense of total oneness with God via a vigorous process of emptying the mind of ego, self, images and will.

Tauler's approach however is far more realistic and practical, and he counsels no-one under the age of 50 years will achieve these sorts of unitive experiences, and even only then if they are purified morally and in very good standing in terms of inward holiness.

This in my view, makes Tauler one of the fouyr greatest mystics of medieval times, along with Eckhart himself, the writer of the Cloud of Unknowing, and the Flemish mystic Ruysbroeck.

This guy's read "Finnegans Wake" a thousand times, so it seems, and his knowledge of Joyce and environs is wide. I'd recommend "Joyce's Book of the Dark" for you Wakeans out there who need to dig deeper into the book of the delpth.

Unlike any other book in English literature, James Joyce's Finnegans Wake (Penguin Twentieth-Century Classics) is written entirely on the level of dream consciousness. Joycean scholar John Bishop has tightly focused his attention on the *sleep* aspects of Finnegans Wake. While this makes for a rather monochromatic presentation sometimes bordering the banal, the scholarship, clarity, and thrust of Bishop's presentation are indisputable. At bottom, one really doesn't like to admit there's so much in Finnegans Wake that such restrained scholarship is required to understand just one aspect of it. But then again, this work was the mature James Joyce's magnum opus.

From the text, pages 4-7: "Suppose we charged ourselves with the task of providing in chronological order a detailed account of everything that occurred to us NOT last night ... but in the first half-hour of last night's sleep. The 'hole affair' [535.20], (and a 'hole', unlike a 'whole', has no content), will likely summon up a sustained 'blank memory' [515.33]: 'You wouldn't should as youd remesner, I hypnot' [360.23-24]. What would become equally obscure, even questionable, is the stability of identity... No one remembers the experience of sleep at all as a sequence of events linked chronologically in time by cause and effect."

Joyce remarked to his friend William Bird: "About my new work - do you know, Bird, I confess I can't understand some of my critics, like Pound or Miss Weaver, for instance. They say it's *obscure*. They compare it, of course, with Ulysses. But the action of Ulysses was chiefly in the daytime, and the action of my new work takes place chiefly at night. It's natural things should not be so clear at night, isn't it now?"

Superb scholarship and a major key to understanding the deep strata of Finnegans Wake.

The ultimate treatment of Joyce's confusing classic, Bishop's comprehensive analysis goes beyond typical literary interpretations. Focusing of such diverse influences as Vico's "New Science" and The Egyptian Book of the Dead, Bishop shows the compexity of Joyce, as well as his almost total command of the English language, and language in general. If you've ever wondered about Vico's historical thesis, and want to understand how Vico permeates Joyce, this is the book to read. In the end, you'll come away with a better appreciation of Joyce's text, and a feeling of amazement at Vico's poorly understood, but far-sighted view of mankind.

My friend showed me this book. I, being a Kentucky author, had to read it. The wonderful skill and warmth shined through as I turned each page. This is a book that you would want to hang on to until next holiday season. I'm sure the same warmth and spirit will spread when you open it up next year.

I am a collector of Christmas books and with joy I have added this one to my library. I found that the memories evoked within the pages of Kentucky Christmas are touching and poignant without being overly sentimental. George Ella Lyon has captured the essence of Christmas through her collection of works by Kentucky authors. This is a book that I will pass on to my child and one that I will return to again and again.

Do you read your books and pass them on to friends and family, seriously depleting your library? Most of us who love reading and books do the same thing. "A Kentucky Christmas" is one of those rare books that will soon become a standard on your library shelf. You will be reluctant to let it leave your library.

Christmas is a season of many moods all competing for attention at a time when we are unusually pressured. The selections made by George Ella Lyon find ways to match our myriad of Christmas emotions.

Good friends will want to give the book early while they can steal a few minutes, a cup of tea and the delight of the very best of Christmas literature.

I enjoyed reading this book of Marvin D. Hinten very much, in that he presented layers of meanings and allegories in "The Chronicles of Narnia" in a clear and simple yet accurate and scholarly way. With strong background and in-depth research on C.S. Lewis and The Chronicles, he showed a thoroughful works of study that was very convincing. I'm glad that I have this book to accompany "The Chronicles of Narnia", to help me enjoy more the beauty of this famous book.

I was amazed as I read this work in the way author Marvin Hinton explains in simple terms the many hidden meanings in the writings of C.S. Lewis.
In this work he explains how there is more than meets the eye in Mr.Lewis's writing and shares with the reader what is below the surface of many characters and events; such as the resurrection of Aslan the lion, but that is just the beginning of the many tid-bits that await you between these pages. Outstanding!
How did Mr. Lewis come up with the names of his characters and what really is their significance and meaning? Is the Garden of Eden and the journey of mankind akin to what you are reading? Are there mystical and magical names and events, places and people intertwined with Biblical? You'll find out in this book.
This is a very in-depth look into the symbols that Mr. Lewis used in his writing and certainly a must have for those who have asked these questions and more. You will find yourself turning pages to find out the answers to your questions. Very well done, easy to read and understand and very informative. Recommended for all serious C.S. Lewis fans.
Shirley Johnson
Senior Reviewer
MidWest Book Review

This is another one of the four great books being published by Broadman & Holman this autumn about C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia.

Are you a fan of C.S. Lewis' fantasy stories? Have you ever wondered about the hidden meanings in The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe? What does "Aslan" mean and represent? In what way are the Narnia chronicles complex and religious in nature? This little book, written in a reader-friendly manner anybody can understand and enjoy, "unlocks" the riddles within the world of Narnia.

The Chronicles of Narnia are children fantasy stories, yet they're so filled with allegories, symbolism and allusions that many scholarly books have been written on the subject. According to Hinten, these stories, as many other great children's stories like Alice and Wonderland and Huckleberry Finn, operate on two levels--one deceivingly simple for children, the other complex and sophisticated for adults, permeated with references to literature, Christianity, linguistics, mythology, and history.

The book includes interesting quotes from Lewis about the creation of the Chronicles, especially about The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. At the end of the book there's a brief background about Lewis's life.

This book is particularly helpful because, as Hinten, states, Lewis was one of the most allusive writers of the 20th century, but he was also very subtle, so his allusions are seldom overt and can go unnoticed by the average reader.

Perfect for Lewis's fans and a must-buy for students, teachers and book clubs, The Keys to the Chronicles is a useful reference work that won't disappoint readers.

harry potter has enchanted millions of readers from around the world and pulled the the children away from their television and showed them that reading is fun. read this if you want to see how far a child's imagination can carry him.

The stories of enjoyment and excitment people have written about really struck my fancy. When the Harry Potter series first came out i thought 'Its just another kids book' but when my class was forced to read the first book Harry Potter and the philosephers stone i just had to get the rest of the series. I rate this book 100 out of 100.

It's great that people are finally listening to the kids point of views. Its the kids who made this series popular in the first place and then it spread to the parents and to other adults. Without these loyal fans, this series would not have been so popular and its about time that they get some credit for it.

I was lucky enough to find a 'new' copy of this book. It is wonderfully and appropriately illustrated, though not necessarily for children. I recommend this to fans of Coleridge, and to fans of eclectic books in general.

All right, you may not be terribly fond of Coleridge. Or you may think he was a poet-god. In either case, I recommend this pop-up version of the "drugged-out classic" (as a prof. of mine once called it) to everyone over the age of, say, 17. Bantock's imaginative use of the familiar pop-up genre, as well as his distinctive art style, accentuate the poetry perfectly. I'm still kicking myself for not buying that beaten-up copy I found in New York. This is definitely worth the search.

This little piece of art is beautifully illustrated with incredible paper engineering for the pop-ups. I was lucky enough to find it years ago in a used book store, still in almost-new condition, and I'm still enjoying it today. I have other pop-ups by Nick Bantock - the jabberwocky and the old lady who swallowed a fly - and they are all amazingly done, but this one is my favorite.

Great job papi, and a great read!
love, your daughter,
Julia

John Nichols is always a joy to read. He is the John Stenbeck of our time. No one combines art and social views so beautifully as he does.

My grandmother gave this beautiful book to me for Christmas the year it was published. (I believe it was 1980 or 1981). I feel madly in love and am still madly in love today. I re-read this book every year in October, it has become a most beloved ritual. I took a chance in early 1992 and wrote to John Nichols and was I ever surprised! He wrote me back. I have two copies and now that they have a new edition, I plan on buying it too! I have a hard back signed copy that I treasure and I know it is authentic because the signature is exactly the way he signed his letter to me. Read this book and plan to be thoroughly enchanted. I was and still am after almost 20 years.