Travel narratives were the principal source of knowledge about the lands of the Near East and the Indian Ocean Basin in 17th-century France. Claiming the authority of first-hand observation, they paradoxically rely for their legitimization on the tropes of an established literary tradition. The status of these texts remained ambiguous, not least because of their anecdotal depictions of great riches, brutality or sexual promise. Drawing on the insights of post-colonial scholarship, this study tackles a question given scant attention in previous work and suggests that beyond the hazy representation of the Orient, an opposition emerges between the threatening Near East and the indolent East Indies. Distinguishing recognizable representations from those generated by new encounters, this book questions the feasibility of cultural representation through travel, exploring a large corpus of original sources written by French ecclesiastics, gentlemen-travellers, ambassadors and adventurers. Linguistic, religious, cultural or geographical barriers meant most travellers remained distanced from the peoples about whom they would simultaneously become authoritative. The encounter was further transformed in narratives that were intended to entertain and to satisfy the criterion of curiosité. The 'Oriental' that emerges is a supremely variable entity, alternately naked or veiled, barbaric or civilized, menacing or attractive.

Prepare yourself for a mind-bending journey into the enigmatic realm of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and government surveillance. "Veiled Encounters" unravels the tantalizing mystery surrounding UFO sightings and exposes the intricate web of government operations that have concealed the truth. Delve into a world where shadowy organizations monitor the skies, analyzing enigmatic craft and perplexing phenomena. Through gripping eyewitness accounts and insider testimonies, this book paints a vivid picture of clandestine encounters, covert investigations, and the relentless pursuit of the unknown. Each page crackles with tension and intrigue as you navigate the labyrinthine corridors of government secrecy and the elusive nature of UFOs. But beyond the thrilling tales of encounters, "Veiled Encounters" tackles the profound implications of UFO surveillance. It delves into the profound questions of national security, extraterrestrial life, and the potential manipulation of public perception. By examining declassified documents and tapping into the insights of experts, this book invites you to ponder the delicate balance between transparency and secrecy in the face of the unknown. Whether you're a seasoned UFO enthusiast or a curious seeker of truth, "Veiled Encounters" offers an immersive and thought-provoking exploration of the hidden world of UFO surveillance. Its captivating narratives and incisive analysis will challenge your preconceptions and leave you pondering the profound questions that lie at the intersection of science, secrecy, and the enigmatic nature of the universe.

Travel narratives were the principal source of knowledge about the lands of the Near East and the Indian Ocean Basin in 17th-century France. Claiming the authority of first-hand observation, they paradoxically rely for their legitimization on the tropes of an established literary tradition. The status of these texts remained ambiguous, not least because of their anecdotal depictions of great riches, brutality or sexual promise. Drawing on the insights of post-colonial scholarship, this study tackles a question given scant attention in previous work and suggests that beyond the hazy representation of the Orient, an opposition emerges between the threatening Near East and the indolent East Indies. Distinguishing recognizable representations from those generated by new encounters, this book questions the feasibility of cultural representation through travel, exploring a large corpus of original sources written by French ecclesiastics, gentlemen-travellers, ambassadors and adventurers. Linguistic, religious, cultural or geographical barriers meant most travellers remained distanced from the peoples about whom they would simultaneously become authoritative. The encounter was further transformed in narratives that were intended to entertain and to satisfy the criterion of curiosité. The ‘Oriental’ that emerges is a supremely variable entity, alternately naked or veiled, barbaric or civilized, menacing or attractive.

The Persian Mirror explores France's preoccupation with Persia in the seventeenth century. Long before Montesquieu's Persian Letters, French intellectuals, diplomats and even ordinary Parisians were fascinated by Persia and eagerly consumed travel accounts, fairy tales, and the spectacle of the Persian ambassador's visit to Paris and Versailles in 1715. Using diplomatic sources, fiction and printed and painted images, The Persian Mirror describes how the French came to see themselves in Safavid Persia. In doing so, it revises our notions of orientalism and the exotic and suggests that early modern Europeans had more nuanced responses to Asia than previously imagined.

When he was a student at Oxford University, C. S. Lewis wrote to a friend expressing his great admiration of and enthusiasm for the novels of Nathaniel Hawthorne, particularly The House of the Seven Gables and Transformation (British title of The Marble Faun). This study examines the parallels between these two kindred spirits and their works, focusing on their similar worldviews, their personal backgrounds and lifestyles, and the "Ultimates" they both pondered. It discusses common themes in their works, such as myth, scientism, and "the great power of blackness." Their respective attitudes toward these issues and others, such as faith, repentance, heaven and hell, confession, church attendance, the clergy, and Puritanism are strikingly similar. Considerable attention is given to "companion pieces" of the two writers, with discussion of the so-called "Fortunate Fall" in The Marble Faun and Perelandra, veil imagery in "The Minister's Black Veil," The Blithedale Romance, and Till We Have Faces, influence of Bunyan's allegory on The Pilgrim's Regress and "The Celestial Railroad," and multiform love in The Four Loves and The House of the Seven Gables. Examination of such affinities between these two writers and their works provides mutual illumination and enhanced appreciation of each.

In 1884, Karl Rahner predicted that ‘the Christian of the future will be a mystic or he will not exist at all.’ These many years later, Rahner’s words are no less prophetic. As organized religion continues to atrophy at an unstoppable rate, the need for a contemplative spirituality continues to grow. Tearing the Veil of this Sweet Encounter is a modest attempt to meet this need. Fr. Philip Krill’s personal mission is to ‘promote a trinitarian vision of deification and contemplative prayer.’ The author prays that all who read this book will be inspired to seek God, not in the moral platitudes of religion, but in the silent depths of contemplative prayer.

Using feminist and postcolonial theory, this book examines the impact of multiculturalism and globalisation on embodiment and community, whilst considering the ethical and political implication of its critique for post-colonial feminism.