Book Description
In Joanna Scott's breakthrough novel the Austrian artist Egon Schiele comes to prismatic life in a narrative that defies convention, history, and identity. A self-professed genius and student of August Klimt, Scott's Schiele repeatedly challenges the boundaries of early twentieth-century Europe. Thrown in jail on charges of immorality, Schiele's Mephistophelean reputation only grows in stature until at the age of twenty-eight, the artist dies in the Great Flu Pandemic. Told from a crosscurrent of voices, viewpoints and times, this stunning novel won Scott a nomination for the 1991 PEN/Faulkner Award.
Customer Reviews:
Poetic and profound.......2002-05-09
"Arrogance" is a worthwhile novel, beautifully written, full of astute observations on art in general and Schiele in particular. The unusual kaleidoscopic narrative structure of the book led me to take my time with it. Because one is constantly shifting in time and point of view, it can feel that, as a "story," the book never gets off the ground. On the other hand, this stylistic choice encouraged me to savor each page as I might in a book of poems. (Also, the language is extremely well-crafted, as in poetry.) Here is a quote that, for me, encapsulated not only Scott's subject but her own way of putting the novel together: "Symmetry and perspective, chiaroscuro, balance--all these, Egon Schiele believes, offer false comfort, and man is truly aware only when he learns to accept, even to delight in the incongruous, terrifying nature of the visual world."
Vivid Parallax Narrative of Egon Schiele's Life and Art.......2002-04-16
Egon Schiele lived a brief and turbulent artistic life, dying of influenza in 1918 at the age of twenty-eight. Schiele was a draftsman and printmaker, but was best known as a painter. He entered the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts at the tender age of sixteen and soon became a student of August Klimt, the most well known Austrian painter of that time. As one of the preeminent artists associated with Austrian expressionism, Schiele's paintings are transgressive depictions of contorted, erotically charged nude figures, often in provocative sexual poses and often including young girls. Not surprisingly, Schiele's art was controversial. Moreover, his use of adolescent girls as models for his drawings and paintings led to numerous charges of immorality. Often, this simply meant he had to move from one small Austrian town to another, hounded by the wrath of common people who viewed him as morally repugnant. However, in one case, Schiele was prosecuted and spent time in prison for his averred transgressions.
"Arrogance" is Joanna Scott's fictional account of Schiele's life, a parallax narrative that tells its tale from a series of changing and different perspectives. Nominated for the 1991 PEN/Faulkner Award (which, regrettably, it did not win), it subsequently earned Scott a MacArthur Fellowship for her presumed literary genius. While not a novel for readers who prefer straightforward, linear narratives, "Arrogance" is nonetheless a penetrating fictional exploration of Schiele's artistic genius as related not only from the facts of his life, but also from the imaginary inner world of the artist and those around him, including his long-time female companion, Vallie Neuzil, and a fictional female narrator who tells of her fascination and involvement with Schiele and Vallie during their residence in the small Austrian village of Neulengbach, where Schiele was arrested for corruption of minors.
"Arrogance" is a vivid and convincing portrait of the life and mind of the artist, a complex narrative that challenge the reader to understand and interpret that life from multiple perspectives, both biographical and imaginative. It is, in short, a brilliant example of how fiction and imagination can inform biography, how literature can be written to illuminate and inform the real.
Vivid Parallax Narrative of Egon Schiele's Life and Art.......2001-12-29
Egon Schiele lived a brief and turbulent artistic life, dying of influenza in 1918 at the age of twenty-eight. Schiele was a draftsman and printmaker, but was best known as a painter. He entered the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts at the tender age of sixteen and soon became a student of August Klimt, the most well known Austrian painter of that time. As one of the preeminent artists associated with Austrian expressionism, Schiele's paintings are transgressive depictions of contorted, erotically charged nude figures, often in provocative sexual poses and often including young girls. Not surprisingly, Schiele's art was controversial. Moreover, his use of adolescent girls as models for his drawings and paintings led to numerous charges of immorality. Often, this simply meant he had to move from one small Austrian town to another, hounded by the wrath of common people who viewed him as morally repugnant. However, in one case, Schiele was prosecuted and spent time in prison for his averred transgressions.
"Arrogance" is Joanna Scott's fictional account of Schiele's life, a parallax narrative that tells its tale from a series of changing and different perspectives. Nominated for the 1991 PEN/Faulkner Award (which, regrettably, it did not win), it subsequently earned Scott a MacArthur Fellowship for her presumed literary genius. While not a novel for readers who prefer straightforward, linear narratives, "Arrogance" is nonetheless a penetrating fictional exploration of Schiele's artistic genius as related not only from the facts of his life, but also from the imaginary inner world of the artist and those around him, including his long-time female companion, Vallie Neuzil, and a fictional female narrator who tells of her fascination and involvement with Schiele and Vallie during their residence in the small Austrian village of Neulengbach, where Schiele was arrested for corruption of minors.
"Arrogance" is a vivid and convincing portrait of the life and mind of the artist, a complex narrative that challenge the reader to understand and interpret that life from multiple perspectives, both biographical and imaginative. It is, in short, a brilliant example of how fiction and imagination can inform biography, how literature can be written to illuminate and inform the real.
A well done story but is it Egon Schiele?.......2000-07-19
I bought this book more because my artistic interest in Egon Schiele than as an interesting fictional work. The book is well done as fiction but seems to get a significant part of the art wrong. Biographies of Schiele usually give his wife Edith a very different character. In the book, she is very proper. In most collections of his work, many of the most explicit and erotic drawings are listed as of Edith and her sister. Also,the relationship to his sister seems very much more restrained than than his work seems to indicate. Discussion of paintings and drawings without examples made me happy to have the Schroder biograpby of Schiele handy for comparison.
An extremely well-wrought piece of art about art........1997-06-11
With one of the better, and more original, voices in contemporary fiction Joanna Scott has created a startlingly beautiful view into the artistic process. Through the lenses of several people (including his own)we get a full picture of the painter Egon Schiele and of those around him. You can taste the food, feel the paint on the canvas, and smell early twentieth-century Vienna! There are few writers today who can write with the grace and power that flows through Joanna Scott's prose. She is a writer who commands attention, and deserves to be widely read. If you enjoy art, traveling, food, or amazing writing you should read this novel. In fact, you should ingest everything that she has written, and then pass it on to others! ARROGANCE is a great place to start- it is phenomenal, it is beautiful, in short: it is a must
Book Description
The daughter of an infamous courtesan, Katerina has lost everyone she loves in a tempest off the coast of Italy. Now, claiming to be a governess, she finds herself falling for a handsome widower. But just as they give in to the desire that knows no words, a stealthy enemy plots his revenge-and their newborn passion is tested.
Customer Reviews:
A good romantic read.......2006-02-05
First of all, I was blown away by this author wonderful romantic proses. Her pasaages just flows off the tongue. The author does draw you into Katerina's plight from the first page and I'm deeply interested in what happens to her, but then somewhere around page 250, I grow tired of Kate's repeative ill-thought out behavior. The constant wandering in the house and bumping into Michael. I mean that must have happened six times. Then running out into a burgeoning storm and there conveniently being a hut nearby so the first love scene will take place. Other contrived situations. The elder Lady Darcy- who supposedly live for parties and the Town-conveniently gets a headache whenever they are scheduled to attend a lavish party--so then the Lindley's new governess has to attend. Around page 300, the author seem to realize that she doesn't have enough pages for her word count because she just starts repeating herself and the situation and a weird development blooms out of nowhere. Christina is falling for our dillusional psychopath...and what's worse, he's falling for her. I'll admit, I perked up to that. Wow, a villian will redeem himself with true love. (He never really did anything wrong--other than stare--oh yeah, and kidnap Lady Lindley. C'mon romance heroes are always forgiven of petty crimes like kidnap and borderline rape) Hey, there will be love all around. But alas, no. However, McCabe tosses us a few crumbs to hint for a new book for Christina Lindley--and because of this author's fluent writing style (and not original plots) I will buy it.
3 1/2 stars.......2005-05-26
Katerina Bruni was the daughter of the infamous Lucrezia Bruni, a courtesan who wows the men in Venice Italy. After a boating accident, Katerina finds herself alone in the world. The only evidence that something had happened was a scar on the side of her face. Penniless, she decides that she isn't going to follow in her mother's footsteps and become a courtesan, she is moving to England to start a new respectable life.
Michael Lindley is a respectable model citizen. After his wife died in a carriage accident that was his fault, he quit his rake hell ways. Needing a governess for his younger sister and adorable six year old daughter, he hires Mrs. Kate Brown,(Katerina) a widow from Italy. There is something about her that makes him want to defy convention and take her in his arms. The scars that they both bare from their pasts are both physical and emotional, and they find kindred souls within each other.
This book only got 3 1/2 stars from me, because the beginning is execellent, drawing you in with the tragedies they both had to endure. However, the story just gets boring after that. There isn't much passion between the two characters. The secondary characters, (his sister and daughter) take up too much of the book and distract us from the h/h. Still, based on the beginning of the book, I'm going to try other by this author. If you like strong secondary characters and an emotional relationship borne of tragedy on both sides, then go pick up this book.
BEAUTIFUL STORY.......2005-05-18
I just loved this book. The romance between the two tragic characters is lovely. I also totally fell in love with the two children;the independent Christina who longs to study botany, and the darling angel child Amelia. Even the villain tugs at your heartstrings a little by the end. I hope he is a future book with Christina when she is older. The best sign of a good bokk is when you finish it, as soon as you close the book you are already waiting for the next one. The story was an original, without the same plots that you see over and over again.
another winning romance novel from Amanda McCabe.......2005-05-14
Another winning historical romance novel from Amanda McCabe! It really looks as if one can count on Ms McCabe for a reliable, satisfying and engaging read. And although "Lady Midnight" does make use of a much used plot device, by focusing more on the developing relationships that Kate, the heroine, has with her charges and the hero, Michael Lindley, the author makes "Lady Midnight" a very novel and enjoyable reading experience.
On the very day that Katerina Bruni, the only daughter of the beautiful Venetian courtesan Lucrezia Bruni, was to follow in her mother's footsteps, tragedy strikes. Now, all alone and practically penniless, Katerina gets the chance to strike out on her own and to put the confining and unappealing world of courtesans behind her. And so she reinvents herself: Katerina Bruni died with everyone in the boating tragedy, and in her place lives Katherine Brown, an Italian widow of an English soldier, who has come to England in order to find work as a governess. Her first assignment is with the Lindley family who reside in the wilds of Yorkshire. Michael Lindley, the younger brother of the Earl of Darcy, is a widower, and needs to find a governess for his young daughter, Amelia, and for his fifteen year old sister, Christina. Bookish and budding botanist Christina especially needs help, for the young lady, who will make her debut soon, has no social graces whatsoever -- something that is driving Michael's mother wild with frustration. It is everyone's hope that Kate will help Christina acquire some polish. This is something that Kate is more than willing to do, especially since she's lost her heart to both Christina and Amelia. Unexpectedly, though, Kate also finds that she's dangerously attracted to her handsome and kind employer. And even though she senses that he is equally attracted to her, she knows that nothing can come of this mutual attraction, for her employer is an honourable man. And anyway, didn't she leave Venice in order to escape ending up as some man's plaything? As Kate tries to come to grips with her strong feelings, she also begins to find peace and purpose with her new life in Yorkshire as an instructress to both Christina and Amelia, that is until someone from her past suddenly reappears with the power to destroy her...
Although Amanda McCabe uses a much used plot device (the "young lady with a past masquerading as a servant" plot motif), by focusing more on the blossoming romance between Kate and Michael, as well as the easy and affectionate relationship Kate has with both her charges, the author makes "Lady Midnight" a much more complex and interesting read. So that even though the novel unfolds a tad slowly, the overall effect is one in which a more complete picture of how things progress for Kate and Michael from longing to a fully realised loving relationship is given. Also well done was the manner in which she developed her primary characters -- Kate, Michael, Christina and Amelia -- and the manner in which she would give us glimpses into what certain minor characters were feeling (like Michael's unhappy sister-in-law, Mary for example). Also much appreciated (by me anyway) was how the author avoided the entire BIG MISUNDERSTANDING cliche by actually having Kate confide her past to Michael before it is so spectacularly revealed. However, unlike one of the previous reviewers, I do hope that there is no future novel that will feature the deranged villain of this piece as hero. I thought that Amanda McCabe had done a fantastic job of portraying this character's dark delusions, his volatile emotions as well as his obsessive and possessive tendencies brilliantly, thus making him and excellent foil for the hero. So that on the whole then, I'd say that "Lady Midnight" was an extremely well written and moving romance novel that made for a very satisfying read and that was well worth the cover price.
Wonderful weekend read.......2005-05-09
What fun to discover a new author with a new book for the weekend! I enjoyed this historical fiction with the interplay between Michael and Kate. The whole story was enticing with the references to Shakespeare's romances. All lovers of Regency will have to read this story.
Average customer rating:
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Cat Lady (Midnight Library)
Damien Graves
Manufacturer: Scholastic Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Spine-Chilling Horror | Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0439893917 |
Book Description
Chloe never quite believed her friends' stories about the Cat Lady. But when a dare goes horribly wrong, she finds out that the truth is more terrifying than anyone had ever imagined. . . . Plus, two more terrible tales. Think happy thoughts. You've entered a scary place. Welcome to The Midnight Library.
Average customer rating:
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The man who loved the midnight lady: A collection
Barry N Malzberg
Manufacturer: DoubleDay
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
United States | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books | 18th Century | 19th Century | 20th Century | African American | Asian American | Classics | Collections & Readers | Drama | General | Hispanic | History & Criticism | Humor | Jewish American | Letters & Correspondence | Native American | Poetry | Short Stories | Women Writers
ASIN: 0385150202 |
Average customer rating:
- Boring
- A great read for Elizabethan lovers......
- A Fine Historical Romance Set in an Unusual Time Period
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Lady in White: Lords of Midnight
Denise Domning
Manufacturer: Onyx
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Domning, Denise | ( D ) | Authors, A-Z | Romance | Subjects | Books
General | Romance | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0451407725 |
Customer Reviews:
Boring.......2003-05-22
The lady in white is not our Lady Arabella, but a ghost haunting the home Nick, James' employer. Queen Elizabeth I has ordered Lady Arabella to marry Nick as proof of her subjects' loyalty. A problem with this plan is that Nick is in love with another woman and they just got married - in defience of the royal order. Neither Bella nor the steward (James) know that Nick is married. Each character tries to find a way out of the situation because James and Bella are now in love.
It sounds interesting doesn't it? Well, it wasn't. Ms. Domning tried to reflect the political and religious tensions of the time, but doesn't manage much authenticity.
The book turns out to be a lot of talk about nothing, very little suspense and only a couple of sightings of the ghost. Not very exciting. Very slow moving, I can't recommend this book!
A great read for Elizabethan lovers.............2001-08-05
Although I liked the book that preceeded this one (Lady in Waiting) this was still an excellent book and follow-up to LIWg. This book did involve way less of the Queen but it was great to read about Nicholas. I was also surprised that this story also contained Ned from the first book who was Kit's friend in court. I think if you read the first book you owe it to yourself to read this book.
A Fine Historical Romance Set in an Unusual Time Period.......2000-05-06
LADY IN WHITE is a quick read set in Elizabethan England (picture SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE, minus the depressing ending and spews of poetry). Lady Arabella Purfoy has been maneuvered into a marriage with a reclusive squire she's never met by the Virgin Queen Herself, only to find herself completely heels over head in love with the man's steward.
The book doesn't overplay either the relationship between Belle and the steward, nor the political intrigue that surrounded the Elizabethan court before the death of Mary, Queen of Scots.
While the book was enjoyable for a light read, and one is glad to see the hero and heroine together in the end, the novel doesn't pack any emotional punches, even at key moments in the story, and there are very few surprizes. Not a work of genius, but a good and satisfying work nonetheless.
Customer Reviews:
Awesome!.......2002-12-27
This is a very cool book.The author of this book however is from England and spells words differently from americans.Like 'organize'we spell is w/ a z and she spells it w/ an s.Other than that it is very cool.
Average customer rating:
- He's a brute and a bully
- Nothing good about this guy
- Hysterical Romance
- Great Book
- Still Queen of Romance, But Disappointing
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Midnight Lady
Rosemary Rogers
Manufacturer: Avon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General | Romance | Subjects | Books
General | Historical | Romance | Subjects | Books
Accessories:
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philosophy hope in a jar daily moisturizer
ASIN: 0380786052 |
Book Description
Kyla Van Vleet has journeyed from India with proof of her right to share in the late Duke of Wolverton's estate and repay the many kindnesses of the stepfather who raised her. But this ravishing young woman hasn't counted on the cold cunning of the Duke's acknowledged heirs--or the disarming gaze of the brash American who is next in line for the title. The charming but arrogant new Duke is Brett Banning, and to him Kyla is a gypsyish hoyden bent on besmirching the family name. But there is something about his commanding boldness that draws Kyla ever closer to a maelstrom of unbridled desire, even if her pounding heart leads her into the bedchamber of His Grace's country estate. Now this willful lady must gather her courage and dignity to command her own destiny. For the gossips of London keep no secrets, and a passion that blazes at midnight can either warm two hearts for a lifetime. . . or consume everything it touches.
Customer Reviews:
He's a brute and a bully.......2006-04-14
I'm giving it 5 stars because I think the other reviewers have been unfair. This is not a happy story about a charming people being charming. It's a story about passion, revenge, lust and greed. It's the kind of story that makes you feel things. Not necessarily good things. I mostly felt angry and sad. So that's why I think it was good book. A book is like art, if you feel something, then the artist has accomplished his goal. In this case the story lingered with me after I turned the last page, because of the feelings it invoked. So that's why I think it is a good book.
The hero is no hero. The heroine is tragic. She has very few choices, and most of what happens to her is beyond her control. It's hard to believe any woman could love her abuser, but it happens all the time in real life. Maybe that's why some people can relate to the story better than others.
Nothing good about this guy.......2005-04-19
Shouldn't the lead be somewhat appealing? Have some redeaming qualitites? There is nothing to like about this so-called "charming but arrogant" hero. He's brutal, abusive and obviously doesn't care in the least about the heroinne. The only thing more disgusting than this type of "hero" is that the author makes the woman "melt" for him. Now neither the hero nor I have any respect for her.
This is the first book I've read by this author. I was so repulsed by it that I went online to see what other readers wrote. After reading many reviews of her works I know I wont bother with any more of her books.
Hysterical Romance.......2002-11-02
If you are in to "Bodice Rippers" this is a good example, and you will probably love in even though it does not take place in the Highlands or on a pritate ship. Hero says I love you in the last 10 pages after brutal treatment which begins with his actually ripping her dress. We'd call this ABUSE. Why should a time period change the facts. Why would he suddenly do a turn around with no real character build up to make you believe it. As for the heroine, the 'oh dear, I'm just a sex slave and I can't do anything about it', is extremely trite even for bodice rippers.
Great Book.......2002-03-09
I loved the book. I read it 3 times. I would suggest it to someone who loved romance. Rosemary Rogers gets into a lot of detail in this story. You easily understand the storyline, and you can almost imagine what is going on n detail in your head.
Still Queen of Romance, But Disappointing.......2000-10-21
Unlike the other 'modern romance reviewers' here, my disappointment in this book is the fact that Rogers seems to have joined the mass of the "popular" romance genre writers as seen today in the market. Most romance authors today write fluff for the eighteenth century time period. The herione is always a virgin and the hero will always stay true to the herione while he is pursing a relationship with herione. Right.
Really, do you honestly believe that a woman without any means of funds or title could actually be the strong-willed woman of today's society in that time period? I'm sick and tired of reading the disappointing reviewers of Rogers previous books of how rude and sadistic the hero was or how the herione slept around. Let me ask you, were you a virgin when you got married? How many women and men can answer that with a yes today? Men were commonly known to behave that way then, mistresses for that matter were quite common and the women, if they were smart and strong-willed, did whatever they could to survive, by either offering themselves to a protector and or offering their lives to a marriage to someone they did not love.
Please, wake up and smell the coffee! Rogers' previous books were reality smothered with intense romantic conflict! It's got to take a woman of persistant nature and rigor to change a man whose used to doing things his way for eons, and honestly, it ain't going to happen over night to accomplish such a feat. I only wished that Rogers didn't listen to her editors by 'toning down' her books to fit the current fashion of romance books on the shelves today.
Michelle Harris
Average customer rating:
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My Lady Midnight (Harlequin Historical, No 340)
Laurie Grant
Manufacturer: Harlequin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General | Romance | Subjects | Books
Harlequin Historicals | Series | Romance | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0373289405 |
Customer Reviews:
Wonderful!.......2000-07-05
Lady Claire de Coverly simply wants the freedom to chose her life's course -- and one of her choices would be not marrying again. And her Uncle comes up with a deal -- one that sends her into a Norman estate to kidnap Baron Hawkswell's children. But as Claire grows to know Alain, she comes to realize that she can't destroy his life, not when she loves him more than her own life and freedom. Betraying her Uncle and her King, Claire follows her heart, but to what end?
There was something about his children's English nursemaid, a mere serf, that touches Alain and leads him to claim her as his own. But can his passion for her grow to something greater, and can thier newfound feelings survive the lies that stand between them?
Laurie Grant writes a touching story of a love that can withstand treachory and lies, that can withstand the battle between a King and an uncrowned Empress -- a love that nothing can destroy.
Product Description
Multiple books shipped as one item for your convenience. Save on Shipping/Handling charges.
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multiple books ship as one item - save on shipping/handling charges
Customer Reviews:
Underhive action.......2007-09-24
You can't get much lower than the Underhive, a place filled with scum and villiany and where some go to hide out. It's littered with gangs, bounty hunters, spies, and many more derelicts. Above all this rises the Spires where the wealthy live and manipulate each other in the political arena. Kal Jericho is from the Spire but has spent most his life in the Hive or Underhive because boredom and politics don't agree with him. He's the 'most dangerous bounty hunter out there'. He's just good at what he does (think Mad Max mixed with Beck from 'Rundown') and while his tracking skills tend to get him lost, he certainly knows how to strike a masterful heroic pose, even the wind seems to always help him in that regard. Since his tracking skills aren't reliable, he has partner Scabbs to help him out and they are joined by Amazonian Yolanda, more of a shoot first-then ask questions if the target is still alive. Rounding out the group is Kal's cybermastiff Wotan, a large cybernetic dog that provides some good comedic images. The book has lots of action and a good dose of comedy and is one of the top Necromunda novels.
Kal and company are hired to retrieve an object that was stolen from the Spire "king". Kal is sought out because he's actually the king's son. He's joined by his cousin Valtin and they return to Underhive to find the object stolen by Armand (Kal's half-brother). Meanwhile, it seems there's some kind of vampire having it's way in the Underhive with a large bounty for who kills it. Kal decides to perform both jobs. Kal's group must avoid gang wars, Spyrers sent to also collect the object, and Nemo - self proclaimed master spy. Throw in some hectic action, spies, jealousy, and hesitant truces and you come up with a pretty decent action comedy novel.
While the Necromunda novels aren't fantastic books, for the most part they are good action stories for the weekend escape. 'Blood Royal' may be my favorite Necromunda novel and I'd like to see Kal Jerico and co-horts meet up with Mad Donna sometime. That's part of the fault in this series with a multitude of authors is lack of cross-referencing of their characters. Anyway, you'll like the characters in this ragtag bunch and want more from Kal, Scabbs, and Yolanda. Thankfully, there's another book (Cardinal Crimson) with them. Fun book, worth reading.
Fast paced and lots of action........2007-07-27
Kal Jerico may be of noble birth, but he hates the fancy life in the Spire, the top levels of the Hive. Kal has spent nearly his whole life in the Underhive, where seeing someone mugged or killed every few hours is normal. In the Underhive, you live by your wits and weapons. He has two partners; Scabbs is a cunning halfbreed with body odor that makes rotting corpses smell good, and Yolanda Catallus, a noble turned Wildcat ganger. The trio carve out a living as bounty hunters.
Life becomes interesting when Kal is knocked out, kidnapped and taken to see his father. Seems his father, Lord Helmawr, high ruler of Necromunda, is having trouble with one of his heir apparent, Armand. Armand has clad himself in Spyer gear, stolen a priceless artifact that could ruin House Helmawr, and then struck out for the Underhive. It is Kal's royal duty to hunt Armand down and retrieve the artifact. Valtin Schemko, Kal's nephew, is to accompany Kal. But Valtin has never been below the Spire, so Kal has to do some tutoring as they trek down the Hive.
Unknown to Kal and Valtin, a Spyrer until has been sent out to hunt down Armand as well. The race is on to locate the rogue noble first and apprehend him. However, Armand is more than a little insane. Clad in Spyer armor, Armand has been slaughtering just about everyone he has come across and drained all the blood out of each one. Everyone is talking about the Underhive Vampire.
Yolanda and Scabbs cannot locate Kal, so they are after the vampire's bounty too. Yolanda was leader of the Wildcat gang, but left to partner up with Kal and Scabbs. Problem is that a Wildcat leader does not just leave. They either die defending the tribe or at the hands of the new leader in challenge battle. So the current Wildcat leader, Vicksen Colteen, takes her Cats out hunting.
***** There are several other key players in this book. Seems that everywhere you look more spies and hunters are showing up. This story starts out in a sprint and does not slow down at all. Be sure to have plenty of time before settling down to read this adventure. Fast paced, full of action, and a bit of comedy to lighten the darker times, this book will keep you glued. *****
Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.
A Fun Tale, Though Slightly Shallow.......2005-12-21
This tale follows the trail of the infamous bounty hunter Kal Jerico, his comrades Yolanda Cattalus and Scabbs, as well as many members of House Helmawr, ruling house of Necromunda. The setting is Games Workshop's Necromunda, an offshoot game in their popular Warhammer 40K universe.
The book is an action-comedy, similar in feel to the Ciaphas Cain novels by Sandy Mitchell. The plot, while not terribly engrossing, is enough to keep the reader's interest from cover to cover. The characters are somewhat two-dimensional, even Jerico, and serve the purpose to fill in the standard roles of "rakish, unprincipled hero" (Jerico), "passion-ruled pugilist" (Yolanda), and "jester" (Scabbs), far more than they are designed to have deeper motivations or grossly intriguing traits. The supporting antagonists supply even less depth of character, more often than not possessing singular motivations, such as "kill mine enemy" or "weasel out of everything."
Now, all this said, the book still has worth. The plot and characters, while not given to complexity, do roll along smoothly and have fun bits of levity thrown in for a chuckle or two. The background info on Necromunda's Hive Primus, its underhive sections, and its powerful houses is worth the price of admission for "fluff-ologists" of Games Workshop's 40K setting.
Overall, the book is fun and worth reading for 40K or Necromunda fans, but those unfamiliar with the setting may want find greener pastures in their sci-fi selections.
If you're a fan of 40k ..........2005-09-28
You will enjoy this tale. I enjoyed the whole story from beginning to end. There was good mix of intrigue and humour and unlike with some 40k novels, I came away from this feeling moderately satisfied. This is a pleasant installment in the Necromunda series and if you're interested in reading more about what it's like to exist in the hive city, you won't be disappointed.
Not just for Warhammer 40k fans..........2005-08-11
I'm not a Warhammer 40k player. I do however like dark gritty, bloody action-filled cyberpunk and sci-fi. Blood Royal follows the infamous bounty hunter Kal Jerico through the Underhive. The Underhive is an undeground, lawless world inhabited by criminals and those who nowhere else to go in the "normal society" of Hive city which is controlled by the ever scheming noble houses of the Spire which looks down on the rest of society.
With over 5 billion souls crammed tight in a hive city where no one can be trusted unless their in your line of fire, is it any wonder Jerico's mission to retireve a missing artifiact that belongs to the ruling house would be fraught with problems?
Jerico is darkly humorous, the story is a pretty decent ride. Ignore the cheesy cover art and enjoy this page turner.. made me pick up the other Necromunda novels. And NO I do not work work any publishers or book companies!
Just try it out. If your looking for hard sf or gone with the wind, keep looking. If you want a vicious slam, fast forward adventure, read this one.
Book Description
What do nuns really think about life, death, love, sex, faith, friendship, guilt, regret, loss, motherhood, feminism, and the modern world and all its conveniences and luxuries?
To answer these questions, award-winning journalist Cheryl L. Reed interviewed more than 300 nuns from a wide variety of orders-and with divergent beliefs. She lived with them, observed their daily lives, and participated in silent worship. She witnessed their vow ceremonies, mourned with them, celebrated and drank beer with them. They welcomed questions no one had ever dared ask before. In the end the nuns that Reed approached with suspicion and curiosity ended up teaching her more about motherhood, relationships, and feminism than she ever gleaned from the outside world.
In Unveiled, Reed has succeeded in opening up the doors to a once closed world-one often misrepresented and almost always misunderstood-to present nuns not as stoic icons of secrecy and ritual but simply as women who have chosen an independent path, and who now offer themselves as guides to their fascinating, surprising, and enlightening interior lives.
Customer Reviews:
Did you ever want to be a nun?.......2007-06-29
This book was quick reading. It was very interesting , and the author really went deep into the culture. I'm so glad she wrote this book because I so enjoyed reading it. It's neat to know you can still become a nun until you turn 45 and you don't have to be a virgin...in case anyone is interested!
Rose colored Catholicism?.......2007-02-15
If you are looking for true journalistic detachment, look elsewhere. The author was honest about her captivation with the celebate lifestyle and the appearance of deeper intimacy with God through separateness. It seemed that certain disclosures from interviews were editted from the final draft.
The author has converted from the Baptist faith to Catholic faith as an adult because her appreciation of the ritual and reverence that exists in Catholic Mass.
I found aspects of the book fascinating. The author is effective in summarizing her experiences as she traveled the country. The diversity found among the different orders which was quite educational.
Many aspects of religious life were addressed. These included: why women chose to take vows; how they view their apparel (some referred to the wearing a habit as their wedding clothes, while others found it appalling because of it created a tangible barrier between those they chose to befriend and minister); why they choose a particular order; the screening they must endure prior to being accepted (physically unhealthy and older candidates may be rejected due to the expense the woman may incur); why certain orders take a vow of poverty, while others eat steak for dinner; their views on feminism and what that entails (a significant segment believe in pro-choice); their commitment to the authority including the Vatican and the Pope or lack thereof; their commitment to Christianity (though some also practice paganism, Buddhism and Wicca).
Several things stood out to me, while some chose to withdraw from the world to the point of certain orders following hermitism and having bars with spikes on them to keep the public from touching nuns while communicating, other orders chose to be active in their communities. As a student of the Bible, I saw many things that contradict Bible teachings. For example, followers of Christ were admonished to go and make disciples of men (and women), how one does this in seclusion is beyond my understanding. I believe strongly in the power of prayer as do some orders but praying the rosary many times day and night (waking from 2am to 5am), in my opinion just seems like abuse of the physical body and vain repetitions that Paul warned of.
I greatly admired the nuns, who rented apartments in a drug invested area of Chicago and "patrolling" the halls which fulfilled their objective of intimidating the drug dealers causing them to relocate!
I was moved to tears by the nuns who live in 3rd world type conditions along the Texas/Mexico border to provide midwife services to mainly Mexican clientele. Their commitment to ministering to women, who in many cases are single Moms with very little was gut wrenching.
I applaud the Nuns in Minnesota, who regularly protest and picket military contractors. They have been arrested and their lives even threatened for their outspokenness.
I would definitely read other works by this author. I do not view this as an authoritative representation of Nuns in America but perhaps it is all we will have access to at this point. I am curious why certain topics weren't addressed more thoroughly. I wanted to understand why some nuns see abortion as an option. I also pondered why women, who think that the Pope is sexist would choose to put their lives into an organizational structure that reinforces the submission of women - in fairness some stated they wanted to change the church from the inside. Most significantly, I wanted enlightenment on why women would refer to the creator as the Goddess Sophia when there is no mention of God ever referring to himself in that manner, if one studies the Bible. God's character is revealed by his name Yahweh (I Am that I AM), Rophe (healer), Jireh (Provider), Nissi, etc. for more on this I suggest Andrew Jukes book, "The Names of God".
Informative and exciting!.......2007-02-12
This book was a sensational book to read. I am now well versed on the habits ( no pun intended ) of nuns in this country - unbelievable stories and sagas of some of their past and present lives.
The most remarkable part is that this author actually stayed right with them and interviewed them in their own territority. She traveled all over the country. It must have taken a large amount of courage and dedication to write this book.
I am not sure why it did not reach the best sellers list. Cheryl L. Reed is a wonderful writer and I can see why she is now the editor of the Chicago Suntimes. She certainly has earned her way.
Mary Jane Cole
If you see Cheryl coming... run !.......2006-06-04
Unveiled: The Hidden Life of Nuns was, for the most part, interesting and enjoyable. I learned a lot about what drove women to make the vows of celibacy, obedience and poverty. It was fascinating to `hear' the sisters' perspectives such as "...the kinds of lessons the poor teach" or "You can almost get a sort of addition to religion just as people get addicted to anything else," and the belief that sharing one's spiritual quest is like kissing and telling.
But I was hoping for solid, objective journalism. Statements like, "Now the habit is her shroud of honor, a dig at fellow sisters with advanced degrees," or, "For them, religious life is more about following a list of do's and don'ts and less about achieving a personal relationship with a divine entity," were not supported and detracted from the real research in her work.
By the end of the book I felt like I was buried in detail I didn't want to know. And I grew tired of insensitive descriptions of people that included "pockmarked face," "elfish figure," and "oversized thick glasses." If I saw Cheryl Reed, I'd run for fear of what she'd put into print about me.
Interesting but a little skewed.......2006-05-14
I thought this was a very interesting book, but I felt at times that I was getting more of the author's perspective on religious life than that of the nuns she interviewed. She seemed intent upon zeroing in on "scandalous" information, such as nuns' disdain for the male Catholic hierarchy, or the acceptance of lesbians into their orders. Also, her portrayal and understanding of feminism was very unscholarly and naive. At one point she writes, "In my mind, these women [nuns] are living the ultimate feminist lives--almost totally devoid of men" (xvi). She clearly has very old-fashioned ideas of what feminism is.
Book Description
This digital document is an article from Catholic New Times, published by Thomson Gale on May 21, 2006. The length of the article is 793 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: Exploring. diverse lives of religious women.(SUMMER SUPPLEMENT 2)(Unveiled: the Hidden Life of Nuns)(Book review)
Author: Renee Bondy
Publication:
Catholic New Times (Magazine/Journal)
Date: May 21, 2006
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 30
Issue: 9
Page: S7(1)
Article Type: Book review
Distributed by Thomson Gale
Book Description
This digital document is an article from Conscience, published by Catholics for a Free Choice on December 22, 2004. The length of the article is 843 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: A very profound kind of life.(Book Review)
Author: Mary Ann Cunningham
Publication:
Conscience (Magazine/Journal)
Date: December 22, 2004
Publisher: Catholics for a Free Choice
Volume: 25
Issue: 3
Page: 47(2)
Article Type: Book Review
Distributed by Thomson Gale
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