Amazon.com
In his first novel, What's Eating Gilbert Grape, author Peter Hedges constructed a coming-of-age-in-Iowa tale around his 24-year-old title character. In An Ocean in Iowa, Hedges's second novel, he returns once again to both Iowa and the theme of growing up, but this time his hero's age is in the single digits and the issues he faces have less to do with figuring out the rest of his life than making it to his next birthday. Seven-year-old Scotty Ocean lives a middle-class life in Des Moines with his strict father, a judge, his alcoholic mother, a failed artist, and his two older sisters. "Seven is going to be my year," he announces at the beginning of the novel, but when his mother abandons the family shortly after his birthday, Scotty's life begins to fall apart. He blames himself for her leaving and determines to be better. When that doesn't bring her back, he starts acting out at school, and finally embarks on a drastic course of action in order to remain seven forever. Even as he traces Scotty's disintegration, Hedges also follows his absent mother's alcoholic despair and his rigid father's increasingly desperate attempts to maintain control. Dark as the novel's themes are, the writing is leavened by considerable humor and a remarkable eye for detail.
By setting his novel in 1969, Hedges is able to draw on the considerable turmoil of the times as the Vietnam war, the women's movement, and fundamental changes in the family changed the fabric of American life--even in the Midwest. Peter Hedges has undertaken a real challenge in writing a convincing and interesting story about a year in the life of a young child; with An Ocean in Iowa he has largely succeeded.
Book Description
In a small town in Iowa, Scotty Ocean has announced that seven is going to be his year. It does turn out to be his year, but not quite the one he had imagined. It is the year his mother abandons the family. At first, Scotty does astonishing things to get her to return. When he realizes she won't be coming back, he decides he must replace her. And when that proves impossible, he takes the dramatic step of trying to remain seven forever.
Funny, sad, and constantly surprising, An Ocean in Iowa explores the fragile contracts between parents and children and what it really means to grow up.
Customer Reviews:
Where's The Story?.......2007-07-05
I was thoroughly disappointed by this novel.
I really liked the characters that Peter Hedges created and he touches on some serious issues; alcoholism, divorce, sexual abuse but where is the story? I kept waiting for something to happen and it never did.
Loan this one from the library if you need to read it.
Surfing the "Ocean".......2006-05-19
Peter Hedges shows off many exciting and fine writing styles in the book An Ocean in Iowa. His detailed oriented writing style makes it a great read for all contemporary literature readers. Hedges captures the feelings and mood of the time period ever so gracefully. The setting and historical events all tie in whether he is referring to the war or going to the moon, it all helps to create a realistic scene to help the reader visualize what is taking place. The story is of a seven year old boy named Scotty. Scotty and his mother have a very close relationship, and one day his mother leaves the family due to marital problems. I enjoyed reading the book and watching Scotty age reluctantly from six to seven to eight. Hedges also does an outstanding job of telling the story from a seven year olds perspective, each emotion and inner thought is captured, a young boys feelings towards girls, school, playtime, and much more. An identifiable message that Hedges communicates would be, knowing that things can work out for the good or the bad, and that sometimes we get an outcome that is less than what we expected. Hedges does a superb job of conveying the mood and feel of each theme, event and scene. I enjoyed reading a book which talks about real life in the Midwest, how people view different issues such as divorce and relationships. I think it is an excellent book worth purchasing, I found it hard to put the book down in wonderment of finding out what will happen next.
Recomendation of An Ocean in Iowa.......2006-01-11
The story started off well, capturing my interest by developing the characters and giving background about the family. My favorite thing about the book is that has many fun flashbacks that give us a better understanding of the characters and their past. It doesn't take long for the author to present us with the main conflict in the story. We learn that Scotty's mom leaves the family and we see throughout the book how he struggles to get her back. There comes a time in the story though that it seems like nothing happens. The plot sort of just stops right were it is and it become rather boring to read. Overall it was a decent read I would recommend it to those looking for a leisure book rather than a mandatory reading.
Less Sap, More Substance.......2005-06-22
I felt cheated after I read this book. It wasn't fair to draw Scotty so precisely, yet leave the other characters (his family) so undeveloped. Did anyone ever explain to Scotty that it wasn't his fault that his mother left? Did anyone ever consider getting Scotty some therapy with a trained counselor? Did anyone attempt to help Joan before she left? Too many unanswered questions and poorly drawn characters left me thinking: "This book could have been so much better."
What's the point of breaking our hearts if there was never any real substance to begin with?
Charming. .......2004-09-15
From the author of What's Eating Gilbert Grape, one of my favorite books, this is a story of a year in the life of a 7-year-old. Although it's 3rd person, it's told from his POV, and we understand more of what's going on than he does. A light read, it has its poignant moments. It's also a good one to read out loud to somebody, if you're so inclined. Charming overall. Most admirable is Hedges ability to tell a compelling story from a child's POV without lapsing into child-isms.
Average customer rating:
- Just one more book in the all-encompassing, enthralling, and utterly absorbing Left Behind Series
- Indeed, the Beast is taking Possession... of Your Money
- This one has what was missing
- The Indwelling: The Beast Takes Possession (Left Behind #7)
- The Indwelling: The Beast Takes Possession Left Behind #7
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The Indwelling: The Beast Takes Possession (Left Behind No. 7)
Tim F. LaHaye ,
Jerry B. Jenkins , and
Tim LaHaye
Manufacturer: Tyndale House Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Science Fiction & Fantasy | Literature & Fiction | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
General | Jenkins, Jerry | ( J ) | Authors, A-Z | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Paperback | Jenkins, Jerry | ( J ) | Authors, A-Z | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
General | Lahaye, Tim | ( L ) | Authors, A-Z | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Paperback | Lahaye, Tim | ( L ) | Authors, A-Z | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
General | Fiction | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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The Mark: The Beast Rules the World (Left Behind No. 8)
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The Remnant: On the brink of Armageddon (Left Behind)
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Apollyon: The Destroyer Is Unleashed (Left Behind No. 5)
ASIN: 0842329293 |
Amazon.com
The Antichrist is dead... or is he? The city of Chicago lies in ruins, the safe house is blown, and the Global Community police are hot on the heels of the Tribulation Force. And who assassinated Nicolae Carpathia?
It's a formidable challenge to keep the attention of an audience midway through a projected 12-volume series, but with their trademark blend of humor and gripping suspense, authors Jerry Jenkins and Tim LaHaye continue to captivate readers with The Indwelling, the seventh installment of the Left Behind series.
Carpathia's funeral takes a hair-raising turn for the 4 million people who attend. Over the crowd looms the centerpiece of a new world religion, a 24-foot bronze statue of Carpathia, belching black smoke and demanding obedience. Woven through the fast-paced drama are the ongoing stories of people struggling amid the end-times mayhem: Chloe Williams wrestles with the moral implications of killing her toddler Kenny to avoid having him fall into enemy hands; her father Rayford Steele is brought face-to-face with the consequences of his pride. Dr. Chaim Rosenzweig, a prominent Jewish Israeli statesman, ponders a conversion to Christianity.
The strength of the series comes from Jenkins's ability to keep the action moving and readers caring about the characters. And there's a hook: The end of The Indwelling promises, "If the last three and a half years are your idea of tribulation, wait until you endure the Great Tribulation." The bad news is just beginning. But, the Tribulation Force believes, good news is also on the way. --Cindy Crosby
Book Description
Nicolae Carpathia is dead. But who killed the Antichrist? The answer may surprise you. Book seven in the best-selling Left Behind series marks the beginning of the second half of the seven-year Tribulation period. In dramatic fashion, readers are exposed to the horrors of God's judgment and the hope of salvation. Rayford, Buck, Chloe, and the rest of the Tribulation Force find themselves at the center of heart-stopping action. Number one on the New York Times Best Sellers List for four weeks.
Customer Reviews:
Just one more book in the all-encompassing, enthralling, and utterly absorbing Left Behind Series.......2007-09-14
From the very first letter of the alphabet that my eyes looked upon inside this series of books, until the very last period of the very last sentence, I was hooked. Each one of these books absorbed my attention like no other book has ever done in my life. Biblically sound, theatrically entertaining, and brilliantly written, the Left Behind books will inspire you to dig into God's word and take the pieces of news from your T.V. screen and match them right smack-dab up with the prophecies of the Bible. Your hair will stand up, your heart will race, and you will find yourself helplessly caught in the suspense. Once you finish one of these books, you will desperately race to your computer screen or your local library to pick up the next one!
Carrie Lynn Jones
Author of It All Began... When Jesus Gave Me Sneakers
Indeed, the Beast is taking Possession... of Your Money.......2007-09-11
Toward the top of this very page, the authors declare: "For some reason, I'm finding that a large percentage of people who greet us at signings, etc., and tell us they have read "all the books" actually haven't. They are largely unaware that between books 12 (Glorious Appearing) and 13 (Kingdom Come) we produced three prequels (The Rising, The Regime, and The Rapture). These need not be read before Kingdom Come (the final sequel), but if you're a Left Behind fan, you won't want to miss them.
Dr. LaHaye and I also have a new series -- fiction based on the gospels -- that began last November with John's Story: The Last Eyewitness. Late this year the second of the four titles, Mark's Story: The Gospel According to Peter will release. And, of course, we'll finish with Luke's Story and Matthew's Story. As always, I'd love to hear from you."
Indeed, they'd love to hear from you, to hear the sound of your money clinking in the cashbox of sanctimony. In addition to the Left Behind Series of 13 books, there are now audio-books (abridged and unabridged), parallel children's books (Children Left Behind!?! Have these sadists no shame?), movie versions, computer games (teaching bigotry and violence), and countless books pretentiously analyzing the novels as theology! And some people worry about Microsoft or Google accumulating too much influence! Just where is all the money going? What charity is Tim LaHaye supporting with his wealth? Bill Gates has a foundation to promote world health care. Can the false prophets account for their true profits?
This one has what was missing.......2007-02-28
I've enjoyed all the books in this series so far. As many critics have pointed out they are not great literature. But, they have certainly been fun reads. They are all action packed and easy to read. However, one thing that has always bothered me about them was that they were often very light on the tension and dread which I would imagine during the tribulation. This book was the first one in which I really began to feel that dread. For me, that was a huge step. It still isn't great literature, so maybe 5 stars is too genereous. But, after six books where I felt the horor of the time was glossed over I was happy to finally get that feel.
The Indwelling: The Beast Takes Possession (Left Behind #7).......2007-01-12
This book was given as a gift and was well received. The Indwelling is an excellent book. I would highly recommend this book to anyone.
The Indwelling: The Beast Takes Possession Left Behind #7.......2007-01-04
Another great book written by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins, this is another one to add to your book collection or to buy-read-and pass along.
Average customer rating:
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The Indwelling: The Beast Takes Possession
Tim & Jerry B. Jenkins LaHaye
Manufacturer: Tyndale House Pub.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General | Jenkins, Jerry | ( J ) | Authors, A-Z | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Paperback | Jenkins, Jerry | ( J ) | Authors, A-Z | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000QIJG0G |
Book Description
New York Times Bestseller in English
The members of the Tribulation Force face their most dangerous challenges. Some are murder suspects; others test the line between subversion and being revealed. It's the midpoint of the seven-year Tribulation. A renowned man is dead, and the world mourns.
Customer Reviews:
BUEN LIBRO.......2002-12-27
ESTE, AL IGUAL QUE TODA LA SERIE, SON LIBROS PARA HACERTE REFLEXIONAR SOBRE EL FUTURO Y LA PROFESIA BIBLICA. LA FORMA DE NARRACION ES EXCELENTE. PERO POR SUPUESTO AL SER UN LIBRO PARTE DE UNA SERIE, NO SE PUEDE ENTENDER COMPLETAMENTE SI NO SE HA LEIDO LOS LIBROS ANTERIORES. RECOMIENDO FUERTEMENTE LEER LA SERIE COMPLETA,QUE A ESTA FECHA VA POR 10 LIBROS. ES DIFICIL "DEJARLOS ATRAS " SIN TERMINARLOS.
COMIENZE A LEER EL PRIMER LIBRO DE LA SERIE QUE ES: DEJADOS ATRAS Y VERA LO BUENOS Y INSTRUCCTIVOS QUE SON ESTOS LIBROS. SON EXCELENTES Y NADA ABURRIDOS.
Buen libro, mas no el mejor de la series.......2000-08-16
Por fin llego el tan esperado libro en el cual el mudo entero se daria cuenta que Nicolas Carpatia era el hombre en el cual las profecias del anticristo se cumplian en su totalidad. Otro de los misterios que esperabamos resolver era quien de los 3 o 4 probables sospechosos seria culpable de "asesinar" a Carpatia. No les estropeare la lectura al decir quien fue, pero era bastante obvio quien seria (aunque mi esposa diria lo contrario). Lo que si puedo decir sin temor a echarle a perder la lectura a nadie seria que la manera en la cual Nicolas vuelve a la vida dejo mucho que desear. Quiza los autores quisieron contrastarla con el poder de Dios demostrado al resucitar a los testigos en el libro anterior -esa si que fue espectacular y bastante detallada. En esta ocasion pareciera como si fue algo que añadieron al final, como si recordaran que el personaje tenia que hacerlo. Y que decir con los accidentes aereos en los cuales siempre se ve envuelto Camilo. Cual seria la probabilidad de tener tantos eventos en tan poco tiempo. Aun para un libro de ficcion! Por ultimo, lo que mas me gusto fue la gran estatua creada a imagen y semejanza de Nicolas. Tan solo de imaginarme la escena no puedo mas que agradecerle a Dios que por Su gracia me ha salvado. Con todo, puedo decir que fue un buen libro, lo lei en 5-6 horas y espero con ansia el proximo libro, que segun la casa editorial, saldra a la venta en el otoño.
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Les Diaboliques (French Film Guides)
Susan Hayward
Manufacturer: University of Illinois Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Movies
| Entertainment
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Guides & Reviews
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Diabolique - Criterion Collection
ASIN: 0252073304 |
Customer Reviews:
Beware of sensual women.......2001-02-09
Six masterpieces of storytelling. The stories are narrated by their own male protagonists, destroyed by six devilish women. These are stories about infamous sex and crime, charged with eroticism. They are also a portrait of Paris and Normandy societies during the years of the Restoration and the kingship of Louis Philippe. Barbey was an extravagant Catholic and a monarchist. Two other good novels by him, "L'Ensorcelée" and "Le Chevalier Des Touches", deal with the reactionary fight of the "chouanes" to depose the Revolutionary regime and bring back Monarchy. In "The She-Devils", Barbey shows the dark side of female sexuality, depicting women as dangerous sensual animals who don't stop at anything in their search for satisfaction and egocentric fulfillment. The prose is raw and refined at the same time, and you feel you would have liked to meet these sensual women -from a distance.
Uneven.......2001-01-10
While one or two stories are on target, I wasn't thrilled with the overall collection. To be sure, D'Aurevilly is quite successful in creating suspense and engendering interest. The bulk of the stories, however, don't so much end as stop. They are disconcertingly anti-climactic; indeed, impotent.
While there's a lot worse to read out there, I can't wholeheartedly recommend "Les Diaboliques." If you're interested in decadent literature of the first water, I strongly suggest Huysmans' "La-Bas."
Mænads of decadence.......2000-12-24
The most obvious feature of Jules Barbey d'Aurevilly's collection of novellas is his peculiar horror of female sexuality. In each of these tales, women, by their erotic wiles and passionate natures, rule and brand the male narrators of the stories. These women's sexual needs are in each case the mainspring that drives tales of death, murder, or violence.
Another intriguing thing about these stories is their Russian-doll structure. Each of these stories begins in a setting removed from its chief events, and introduces the male narrator as a character in his own right, as he narrates the tale of his harrowing encounter with the she-devils who give the book its title. Even as these stories are stories of crime or horror, they are also stories about story-telling.
The author's curious prejudices also are manifest through the tales: Barbey d'Aurevilly was a bigoted partisan of the Roman church, authoritarian and monarchist in politics, and filled with apparent nostalgia for the military life. These opinions are constantly touched on by the stories. While they may make his view that female sexuality is a ravenous force somewhat more comprehensible, they make his writing such a disturbingly sensual book somewhat ironic. In fact, the French authorities sought to suppress -Les Diaboliques-, even as they did with -Madame Bovary- and -Les Fleurs de Mal-.
The bottom line is that each of these tales is a good read. D'Aurevilly shows himself to be a master of narrative technique, in that the horrors he -suggests- are far more vivid than the horrors he -discloses-. The stories, then, will make the reader his -accomplice- in visioning a world of sexual violence. This is the most diabolical stroke of all.
"Happiness has no story." - Jules Barbey........2000-09-09
Any fan of Baudelaire, Huysmans, or decadent fiction in general needs to read this book. When published, 'Les Diaboliques' was considered so vile and disturbing that police actually seized it for offense to public morality. Even today, with it's obsessive excursions into crime, sexual devience, and it's dark, satanic undertones (Barbey was an eccentric catholic), it still retains a shocking, raw depravity. The 'devils' in the novel are all female ; useing their dominating, almost ravenous sexuality they manipulate and overpower men, even abuse them. They take life and love on their own terms, sometimes with savage, brutal violence. The dark under-world of eroticism and sex are explored and revealed in a slightly deranged light. Often times the stories seem to have some kind of mysterious, perverse moral, but it is so twisted the reader is never sure. In fact, even the character's motivations are never fully revealed ; their is horror, but not always directly, it pervades all around like some putrid, foul-smelling perfume. Terror is everywhere, hidden in the shadows of life. The narative itself adds to the overall creepy atmosphere, full of twists, detours, digressions. A classic of evil literature, this book demands to be ghoulishly savoured.
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Les Amants diaboliques
Pierre Bellemare
Manufacturer: Le Livre de Poche
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
All French Books
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ASIN: 2253151130 |
Book Description
The important role of the Prophet Muhammad in the everyday lives of Muslims is usually overlooked by Western scholars and has consequently never been understood by the Western world. Using original sources in the various Islamic languages, Annemarie Schimmel explains the central place of Muhammad in Muslim life, mystical thought, and poetry. She sees the veneration of Muhammad as having many parallels in other major religions.
In order to understand Muslim piety it is necessary to take into account the long history of the veneration of Muhammad. Schimmel discusses aspects of his life, birth, marriage, miracles, and heavenly journey, all of which became subjects for religious devotions. By using poetic texts and artistic expressions and by examining daily Muslim religious practices, Schimmel shows us the gentler side of Islamic religious culture, providing a much-needed understanding of religion as it is experienced and practiced in the Islamic world.
This is the first book in English to deal with all aspects of the veneration of the Prophet Muhammad. It is an expanded version of Schimmel's Und Muhammad Ist Sein Prophet, originally published in German in 1981.
Customer Reviews:
A traditional view of Muhammad.......2007-03-27
Professor Schimmel, a German scholar of Islam here presents what could be called a 'traditional view of Muhammad' by that I mean how Muhammad is understood by the vast majority of his followers (i.e. Muslims) how they base their lives on him and how they take inspiration from him.
The professor goes through various traditional religious prayer manuals popular amongst Muslims such as the Mevlid of Sulayman Celebi, the Burda, the Dala'il al-Khayrat and others explaining how they are read by Muslims, the times of year that they are read (such as special occasions like the Prophets birthday etc) and the reasons why they inspire such devotion amongst Muslims to their prophet.
One negative point is that this book (as most of the professors) is largely based upon writings from the Indian subcontinent and Turkey. Practically nothing is included about for example, West Africa or the Sub Sahara which ignores the strong Sufi traditions of the Tijani, Qadiri and Darqarwi orders and their vast body of devotional literature.
The most important aspect of this book I feel is that it gives us in the west a greater understanding of the reasons behind the great attatchement that Muslims have to the founder of their religion and also how they actually interpret and practice their religion something I feel that we would not be able to take from for example the various Saudi/Gulf publications that have flooded the market in recent years which tell us an awful lot about what Muslims believe but not how that belief is actually put into practice in the context of the world around them.
Highly recomended book. I would also strongly recomend Mystical dimentions in Islam from the same author.
excellent.......2007-01-25
item was delivered promptly and in good condition..I was very satisfied with my purchase and would recommend this user to anyone!
Another great book by a Great Author.......2003-07-12
Annemarie Schimmel's work is well known to the world of religion,and this book is no exception. This book gets into the details of the Life of the Prophet Muhammed and the love and respect the followers of ISLAM have for their Prophet. Obvisouly this book was not a biography of the Prophet Muhammad but it gives enough information, so one can understand the Importance of Prophet Muhammad in th eislamic world
Excellent Celebration of the Life of the Last Prophet.......2003-05-23
Annemarie Schimmel has studied Islam for years, writing many important books particularly on the subject of Islamic spirituality. The aim of this book is to explore the love for the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in Islamic society. With samples of poetry and prose in praise of the Prophet, it captures some of the affection Muslims have for the man they revere as the "Mercy to Mankind." Although some biographical details appear, the book is not a biography per se. Instead the book represents a historical analysis of Prophet Muhammad's unique place in the life of his followers.
fgf.......1999-06-06
HI MY NAME IS MICHAEL i WANT TO BY THIS BOOK BUT PLEASE GIVE ME A REPORT ABOUT THIS BOOK michaelwsaad@yahoo.com
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- Antigua and My Life Before: A Novel
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- Checkpoint: A Novel
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What's Eating Gilbert Grape
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What's Eating Gilbert Grape (Special Collector's Edition)
