Edited by Diana Thater. Text by Kent Nagano, Bernhart Schwenk.

Laurence Talairach-Vielmas explores Victorian representations of femininity in narratives that depart from mainstream realism, from fairy tales by George MacDonald, Lewis Carroll, Christina Rossetti, Juliana Horatia Ewing, and Jean Ingelow, to sensation novels by Wilkie Collins, Mary Elizabeth Braddon, Rhoda Broughton, and Charles Dickens. Feminine representation, Talairach-Vielmas argues, is actually presented in a hyper-realistic way in such anti-realistic genres as children's literature and sensation fiction. In fact, it is precisely the clash between fantasy and reality that enables the narratives to interrogate the real and re-create a new type of realism that exposes the normative constraints imposed to contain the female body. In her exploration of the female body and its representations, Talairach-Vielmas examines how Victorian fantasies and sensation novels deconstruct and reconstruct femininity; she focuses in particular on the links between the female characters and consumerism, and shows how these serve to illuminate the tensions underlying the representation of the Victorian ideal.

In the most renowned novel by English author Lewis Carroll, restless young Alice literally stumbles into adventure when she follows the hurried, time-obsessed White Rabbit down a hole and into a fantastical realm where animals are quite verbose, logic is in short supply, and royalty tends to be exceedingly unpleasant. Each playfully engaging chapter presents absurd scenarios involving an unforgettable cast of characters, including the grinning Cheshire Cat and the short-tempered Queen of Hearts, and every stop on Alice's peculiar journey is marked by sharp social satire and wondrously witty wordplay.

The Greatest Classics of All Time presents an unparalleled assembly of the literary worlds most monumental works, spanning centuries, continents, and genres. This anthology celebrates the myriad facets of human experience, belief, and expression, captured through the diverse lenses of its illustrious authors. From the dramatic introspections of Shakespeare to the philosophical dialogues of Plato, and the pioneering adventures of Jules Verne, the collection showcases the evolution of literary styles and thematic concerns across time. The inclusion of seminal works by authors such as Dante and Cervantes alongside those by Emily Brontë and Mark Twain underlines the anthologys rich diversity, offering readers a comprehensive exploration of the literary canons breadth and depth. The contributing authors, each a titan in their respective field, bring a distinctive voice and cultural backdrop to the anthology, thus painting a mosaic of the human condition's intricacies. The collective genius of Goethe, Dickens, Austen, and their contemporaries, reflecting various historical epochs and movements, from the Enlightenment to Romanticism, and the Transcendental to the Realist, imbues the collection with unparalleled intellectual and artistic value. Their narratives, grounded in the societies from which they emerged, provide a panoramic view of human culture and thought, facilitating a unique dialog between the past and present. The Greatest Classics of All Time stands as an eminent invitation to readers and scholars alike to immerse themselves in the virtuosity of its pages. It is not just a compendium of the worlds most acclaimed literary works; it is a vibrant conversation through the ages, encouraging an engagement with the ideas, emotions, and visions that have shaped our world. For anyone seeking to comprehend the expanse of human creativity and the literary feats that have contributed to our collective intellectual heritage, this anthology is an indispensable resource and a wellspring of inspiration.

A practical introductory textbook for literary studies, which can be used either for independent study or as part of a taught class. It lays the ground for further literary study by teaching analytic and interpretative skills.

Four timeless tales of adventure that have delighted generations of readers, young and old. Peter Pan is the enchanting story of a boy who wouldn’t grow up and the girl he promised to always remember. One magical night, two mischievous denizens of an island of the imagination visit Wendy Darling and her younger brothers in their London home. Peter Pan and Tinker Bell whisk the children away to Neverland to join the Lost Boys in their epic struggle against the evil Captain Hook. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is the story that taught the world “there’s no place like home.” In a fairy tale so powerful that it seems every child is born knowing it, a tornado transports Dorothy Gale and her dog, Toto, from the flat prairies of Kansas to the marvelous Land of Oz. A fantastic journey soon follows as Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and the Cowardly Lion travel the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City, where they hope all their dreams will come true. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is an irresistible ode to the joys of childhood. An immediate sensation when it was first published one hundred fifty years ago, Lewis Carroll’s groundbreaking fantasy novel takes readers on a incredible journey from a drowsy riverbank in England to an extraordinary world populated with unforgettable characters including the anxious White Rabbit, the Mad Hatter, the grinning Cheshire Cat, and the notorious Queen of Hearts. The Swiss Family Robinson is the beloved story of a family marooned on a desert island. Left behind by the crew and other passengers of their wrecked ship, four brothers and their steadfast parents build a home in the jungle wilderness, complete with livestock, a small farm, and a sturdy tree house for shelter. In no time, the Robinson family learns how much can be accomplished through hard work, cooperation, curiosity, and perseverance. This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.