From the Booker-Prize-winning author of Holiday. Rejacketed and reissued by Windmill to mark the 40th anniversary of Stanley Middleton's Booker Prize win. A brother and sister – Bernard is at college, Mary is still at school - are struggling with their own young lives and loves, near the end of one beautiful summer. At the same time, their mother Ivy is dying from cancer whilst their father, a simple and dignified man, is barely coping. A family faces fundamental changes, together and apart. 'This humane book digs patiently beneath the surface of ordinary lives to the rock of universal truths.' Sunday Times 'Stanley Middleton, once dubbed 'The Chekhov of suburbia', is to the Midlands suburb what Anne Tyler is to the Midwest picket fence. His careful writing creates an always precise and often unnerving picture of reality.' The Times

A weird and wonderful word and its meaning for every day of the year. Who knew that to dringle is to 'waste time in a lazy lingering manner'? Or that a sudden happy ending could be termed a eucotastrophe? Looking for an alternative word to 'bullshit'? Then try taradiddle. A Word for Every Day of the Year is a fascinating collection of 366 words and their definitions, perfect for anyone who loves the richness of the English language, its diversity and wants to expand their vocabulary. Each day offers a rare and remarkable word with its history and definition and occasionally a challenge to include it in our lives.

An alphabetical discussion of words from early English authors, including the most interesting, informative—and revivable—English words that have lapsed from general use. Includes: 1) Words likely to be met in literary reading. Chaucer, Spenser, Shakespeare, the Tudor pamphlets and translations, are richly represented in words and illustrative quotations. The late 18th and early 19th century revival has been culled: Chatterton, Ossian; Percy’s Reliques and Child’s Ballads; Scott, in his effort to bring picturesque words back into use. In addition, anthologies, for the general reader or the student, have been examined, and works they include combed for forgotten words. 2) Words that belong to the history of early England, describing or illuminating social conditions, political (e.g. feudal) divisions or distinctions, and all the ways of living, of thinking and feeling, in earlier times. Anxiety, for example, is indicated, not in the 99 phobias listed in a psychiatric glossary of the 1950s but in the 120 methods (see areomancy) of determining the future. 3) Words that in various ways have special interest, as in meaning, background, or associated folklore. Included in this group are various imaginary beings, and a number of magic or medicinal plants. 4) Words that are not in the general vocabulary today, but might be usefully and pleasantly revived.

Improve your vocabulary one day at a time with this fun and easy interactive workbook for learning new words! Every day is a chance to learn something new, expand your mind, and enhance your ability to communicate at work and in your relationships. In The Word-a-Day Vocabulary Workbook, you’ll discover new words with definitions, etymology, trivia, and writing prompts to help you remember the words and learn how to use them correctly. Whether you’re looking to exercise your brain, improve your vocabulary in everyday speech, or simply win your next crossword or Scrabble game, this book will improve your odds—and you’ll have fun doing it!

This dictionary contains around 130,000 English terms with their French translations, making it one of the most comprehensive books of its kind. It offers a wide vocabulary from all areas as well as numerous idioms. The terms are translated from English to French. If you need translations from French to English, then the companion volume The Great Dictionary French - English is recommended.