Elaborate analogies between Irish and Jewish history, between Irish and Jewish subjectivities, occur with surprising frequency throughout American literature. They recall James Joyce's Leopold Bloom and episodes of Ulysses, Douglas Hyde's analogies during the Celtic Revival between learning Hebrew and learning Irish, and a myriad of claims of an unusual relationship between these peoples that goes beyond comparisons of their respective diasporic histories. But how does one describe this uncanny relationship, one often marked by hostility, affinity, and ambivalence, without essentializing people whose origins, class affiliation, educations, life experiences, and so on are enormously different? "Something Dreadful and Grand": American Literature and the Irish-Jewish Unconscious describes a complex allosemitism and allohibernianism through a variety of cultural texts with which immigrant Irish and Jewish Americans were most engaged: popular music of the Tin Pan Alley era, tenement literature from Anzia Yezierska and James T. Farrell through the posthumous publication of Henry Roth's An American Type, and proletarian and socialist-inflected drama by Elmer Rice, Clifford Odets, Eugene O'Neill, and Arthur Miller as they engaged the Irish drama of such writers as Bernard Shaw and Sean O'Casey. In an effort to trace both the genealogy and more recent trajectory of immigrant drama and fiction, chapters explore both the post-Famine melodramatic stage of the nineteenth century and a host of more contemporary texts from newer generations of immigrants. Throughout, the book argues for a "circum-North Atlantic" culture in which texts from Ireland, Britain, Irish America, and Jewish America contribute substantially to both a modern American literature and to understandings of the terms "Irish" and "Jewish." How can we really know what these terms mean as they delimit or erase totally the differences inherent to them? Borrowing a term from psychoanalytic and political theory, "Something Dreadful and Grand" explores the larger dimensions of this Irish-Jewish unconscious underlying cultural production in America, arguing for the centrality of these two diasporic groups to the development of American popular music, fiction, and especially drama.

Interest in the ancient, the occult, and the "wyrd" is on the rise. The furrows of Robin Hardy (The Wicker Man), Piers Haggard (Blood on Satan's Claw), and Michael Reeves (Witchfinder General) have arisen again, most notably in the films of Ben Wheatley (Kill List), as has the Spirit of Dark of Lonely Water, Juganets, cursed Saxon crowns, spaceships hidden under ancient barrows, owls and flowers, time-warping stone circles, wicker men, the goat of Mendes, and malicious stone tapes. Folk Horror: Hours Dreadful And Things Strange charts the summoning of these esoteric arts within the latter half of the twentieth century and beyond, using theories of psychogeography, hauntology, and topography to delve into the genre's output in film, television, and multimedia as its "sacred demon of ungovernableness" rises yet again in the twenty-first century.

The Santa's Big Book of Christmas Tales: 500+ Novels, Stories, Poems, Carols & Legends encapsulates a magnificent tapestry of yuletide narratives, bringing together an array of literary styles ranging from poetry to prose, and short stories to novels. This compilation distinguishes itself by its diversity, traversing through the Victorian sentimentality of Dickens to the rugged American realism of Mark Twain, all the while encapsulating the essence of Christmas. It encompasses myriad themes such as hope, generosity, and the human condition, making this collection not just a celebration of Christmas but a reflection of humanity itself. The anthology serves as a pivotal literary context for understanding the evolution of Christmas narratives across different periods and cultures, showcasing notable works that have shaped the tradition of holiday storytelling. The selected authors in The Santa's Big Book of Christmas Tales are luminaries from various epochs, each bringing their unique cultural, historical, and literary backgrounds to the collection. Contributors like Charles Dickens and Leo Tolstoy offer insights into the social fabric of their respective times, while poets like William Wordsworth and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow capture the ethereal beauty of the winter season and its festivities. This anthology stands at the crossroads of various literary movements, from Romanticism with its emphasis on emotion and individualism to the detailed character studies of Realism. The sheer variety of authors enriches the collection, offering a panoramic view of Christmas through the ages, wrapped in the personal experiences and artistic visions of each writer. For readers seeking to immerse themselves in the Christmas spirit through a literary lens, The Santa's Big Book of Christmas Tales offers an unparalleled journey. This anthology is not just a collection of stories and poems; it is an invitation to explore the rich tapestry of Christmas traditions, emotions, and narratives. Through its pages, readers are offered a unique opportunity to engage with multiple perspectives on Christmas, understanding its universal appeal and the various ways it has been celebrated and interpreted. This book is a treasure trove for anyone interested in the cultural history of Christmas, the evolution of holiday literature, and the enduring power of storytelling in shaping our seasonal rituals and memories.

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way... Christmas is here, and so are we with our biggest ever Christmas basket. There's something for everyone - novels, short stories, poems, and carols - for a cozy and wonderful holiday enjoyment. So grab a cup of coffee and soak into the spirit of festive cheer with our "The Big Christmas Basket": Novels: Life and Adventures of Santa Claus (L. Frank Baum) Little Women (Louisa May Alcott) The Wonderful Wizard of OZ (L. Frank Baum) Little Lord Fauntleroy (Frances Hodgson Burnett) Anne of Green Gables (Lucy Maud Montgomery) Black Beauty (Anna Sewell) Christmas-Tree Land (M.L. Molesworth) Wind in the Willows (Kenneth Grahame) Peter Pan and Wendy (J. M. Barrie) Oliver Twist Pollyanna (Eleanor H. Porter) At the Back of the North Wind (George MacDonald) A Versailles Christmas-Tide (A. S. Boyd) The Man Who Forgot Christmas (Max Brand)... Short Stories: A Merry Christmas & Other Christmas Stories (Louisa May Alcott) The Gift of the Magi (O. Henry) Papa Panov's Special Christmas (Leo Tolstoy) Doctor Marigold's Prescriptions (Charles Dickens) The Tailor of Gloucester (Beatrix Potter) The Tale of Peter Rabbit (Beatrix Potter) The Christmas Guest (Selma Lagerlöf) At Christmas Time (Anton Chekhov) Little Gretchen and the Wooden Shoe Toinette and the Elves (Susan Coolidge) The Heavenly Christmas Tree (Dostoevsky) The Princess and the Goblin The Nutcracker and the Mouse King The Little Match Girl Little Jean (Francois Coppe) How the Fir Tree Became the Christmas Tree The Magi in the West and Their Search for the Christ The Little Shepherd... Poems & Carols: Silent Night The Three Kings (H. W. Longfellow) Christmas Bells (Longfellow) Christmas at Sea (Stevenson) Christmas in the Olden Time (Walter Scott) Old Santa Claus (Clement Clarke Moore) The Twelve Days of Christmas Minstrels (Wordsworth) Ring Out, Wild Bells (Tennyson) Hymn on the Morning of Christ's Nativity (John Milton) A Christmas Carol (Coleridge)...

Tom lends a hand to a Peruvian construction project, and develops a new blasting powder.

The Big Book of Christmas Tales is an unparalleled collection that brings together the works of several of the most prominent authors in literary history to explore the multifaceted themes of Christmas. By weaving together a tapestry of diverse literary styles from the whimsical to the solemn, the anthology encapsulates the spirit of the holiday season through a broad spectrum of perspectives. The collection stands out for its inclusion of timeless classics alongside lesser-known gems, providing a rich literary context that illuminates the universal appeal of Christmas. The varied narratives, woven with themes of hope, generosity, and reflection, highlight the cultural and emotional significance of the holiday across different times and places, underscoring the anthologys importance as a literary compendium. The backgrounds of the contributing authors are as diverse as their stories, with figures such as Charles Dickens and Leo Tolstoy standing alongside Emily Dickinson and Beatrix Potter. This assembly of authors, each influential in their own right, comes from a broad spectrum of historical, cultural, and literary movements, offering readers a panoramic view of Christmas through the ages. The contributions of these authors, who have each left an indelible mark on the literary landscape, collectively enrich the anthology's overarching theme by showcasing the holiday's universal resonance across various cultural and societal backgrounds. This collection is a treasure trove for readers eager to explore the depths of Christmas through an expansive lens. It beckons to those who are not just looking for holiday tales but are in pursuit of a deeper understanding of the myriad ways in which this time of year reflects and influences the human condition. The Big Book of Christmas Tales is more than a seasonal anthology; it is an educational journey and a celebration of literary diversity that promises to spark reflection, joy, and a renewed appreciation for the enduring power and complexity of the Christmas spirit. Readers are encouraged to delve into this collection, not only for its aesthetic and sentimental value but also for the unique opportunity it presents to engage with the rich tapestry of Christmas narratives from some of the most revered authors in literature.

This book contains70 short storiesfrom 10 classic, prize-winning and noteworthy authors. The stories were carefully selected by the criticAugust Nemo, in a collection that will please theliterature lovers. For more exciting titles, be sure to check out our 7 Best Short Stories and Essential Novelists collections. This book contains: Sheridan Le Fanu: - Carmilla - Green Tea - Mr. Justice Harbottle - The Familiar - The Room in the Dragon Volant - Jim Sulivan's Adventures in the Great Snow - HauntedH. Heron and E. Heron: - The Story of Saddler's Croft - The Story of Baelbrow - The Story of Yand Manor House - The Story of Konnor Old House - The Story of the Spaniards, Hammersmith - The Story of Sevens Hall - The Tale of the Moor RoadCharlotte Riddell: - A Strange Christmas Story - Walnut-Tree House - The Open Door - Nut Bush Farm - The Old House in Vauxhall Walk - Sandy the Tinker - Old Mrs. JonesFlora Annie Steel: - Sir Buzz - The Rat's Wedding - The Faitful Prince - The Bear's Bad Bargain - Prince Lionheart and HisThree Friends - Princess Aubergine - Valiant Vicky, The Brave WeaverAmelia B. Edwards: - A Night on the Borders of the Black Forest - The Story of Salome - In the Confessional - Was it an illusion? - How the Third Floor Knew the Potteries - The Tragedy in the Palazzo BardelloMargaret Oliphant: - A window's tale. - Queen Eleanor and fair Rosamond - Mademoiselle - The Lily and the thorn - The strange adventures of John Percival - A story of a wedding-tour - JohnMaria Edgeworth: - The Grateful Negro - The Prussian Vase - The Good Aunt - The Good French Governess - The Orphans - The False Key - TarltonS. Baring-Gould: - Jean Bouchon - Pomps and Vanities - McAlister - The Leaden Ring - The Mother of Pansies - The Red-haired Girl - A Professional Secret Edward Bellamy: - The Blindman's World - An Echo Of Antietam - The Old Folks' Party - The Cold Snap - Two Days' Solitary Imprisonment - Potts's Painless Cure - A Summer Evening's DreamArnold Bennett: - The Lion's Share - The Burglary - News of the Engagement - Beginning the New Year - From One Generation to Another - The Death of Simon Fuge - In a New Bottle