Crome Yellow

Average customer rating:

More of the same...

I like this novel

A delightful read, no other way to describe it

not huxley's best

Essential e-book for your e-library

Crome Yellow
Aldous Huxley
Manufacturer: Dalkey Archive Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1564783049

Book Description

On vacation from school, Denis goes to stay at Crome, an English country house inhabitated by several of Huxley's most outlandish characters--from Mr. Barbecue-Smith, who writes 1,500 publishable words an hour by "getting in touch" with his "subconscious," to Henry Wimbush, who is obsessed with writing the definitive HISTORY OF CROME. Denis's stay proves to be a disaster amid his weak attempts to attract the girl of his dreams and the ridicule he endures regarding his plan to write a novel about love and art. Lambasting the post-Victorian standards of morality, CROME YELLOW is a witty masterpiece that, in F. Scott Fitzgerald's words, "is too irnonic to be called satire and too scornful to be called irony."

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Ivor was gone. Lounging behind the wind-screen in his yellow sedan he was whirling across rural England. Social and amorous engagements of the most urgent character called him from hall to baronial hall, from castle to castle, from Elizabethan manor- house to Georgian mansion, over the whole expanse of the kingdom. To-day in Somerset, to-morrow in Warwickshire, on Saturday in the West riding.

Customer Reviews:

More of the same..........2007-07-31

Here Huxley exults in a kind of antiquated english pomposity that is much more masterfully executed in POINT COUNTER POINT. I suggest you read that first.

I like this novel.......2004-11-08

Crome Yellow was Adolous Huxley's first novel. It describes the life of leisure of the Wimbushes, an aging aristocratic couple and the relatives and young intellectuals who are staying with them over the Summer in their estate at the village of Crome.

It has often been remarked that this novel is unserious.There was not really much hilarity contrary to my expectation; the bulk of such stuff as there is was in the first part of the novel. The one passage which made me roar with laughter is Mr. Wimbush solemnly reading to his family and guests a particular excerpt from the history he has just finished of their estate which was built back in the 16th century. The founder of the estate was his wife's ancestor, Ferdinando Lapith whom Mr. Wimbush explains devoted his time to figuring out and publishing his ideas on sanitation. He built privies (indoor outhouses) at the top of each tower for he thought that the act of depositing human waste was such a degrading act for noble creatures like humans that they should be far away from the sanitation disposal system in the ground and as close to heaven as possible. He advised that the privy have a big window on which to look out at nature; a bible, Greek and Roman philosophy and other reading material on hand to console oneself in the act. Sir Ferdinando called his book "Certaine Privy Counsels by One of Her Maiesties's Most Honourable Privy Counsels, F.L. Knight." Mr. Wimbush says Sir Ferdinando wrote on the subject "with great learning and elegance" and Mr. Scogan, one of the Wimbush's guests expresses enchantment of such great achievements of English aristocrats.

Other amusing incidents include the conversation between Denis Smith, the hero of the novel and Mr. Barbecue Smith, the spiritualist New Age author whom Mrs. Wimbush's patronizes. Barbecue-Smith claims to be able to produce an amazing amount of his wisdom on paper in a very short time, merely by finding his "inspiration." He claims he is able to find his inspiration to produce profound writing by hypnotizing himself by staring into a electric desk light. While he is thus entranced, his mind produces really profound stuff and he writes it down. Another amusing episode is the phamphlet produced by Mr. Bodiham, the village pastor, during WWI which tried to prove using biblical text that that war presaged Armegeddon. It was a war of righteousness between Protestant nations and Germany which was under the sinister influence of Catholicism according to Mr. Bodiham. Long after the war's end, Mr. Bodiham still is seeing portents that the second coming is at hand.

The novel suprisingly has a pretty serious side which comes to the fore in the second part of the novel. The author shows great skill in portraying the humanity and emotions of Denis and Mary as they confront their own emotional immaturities.The author uses some big words but his narration is very simple, intelligent and charming.. The rest of the characters have less depth to them but they are likeable and the story gets to be fairly interesting and even a little profound at the end.

Sure the lenghty conversations of the characters, particularly Mr. Scogan's discourses and the poetry, sometimes seem to divert the story from its path. However I was never really bored at any point in the book. Too bad Huxley succumbed rather early in life to spiritualism, quackish medical cures and the other world and devoted his writings to them; he could have built on the excellence of this book had he not been so diverted.

A delightful read, no other way to describe it.......2004-09-02

Huxley's talent, especially in his first novel, is to pour out ideas (the subjects and issues covered here are staggeringly diverse for such a short book) without losing the human spark or light touch that keeps you reading. Crome Yellow, the story (I use the word loosely) of fairly lazy aristocrats whiling the weeks away at a luxurious country estate, manages to be at once a dozen (or more) intelligent essays--on all different subjects and from many points of view, a romantic comedy, a character(s) study, a social satire, and a charming short story collection. Aldous Huxley was a young man and when he wrote Crome Yellow in the early twenties (not long out of college) he was more agnostic skeptic and social critic than the psychedelic mystic and dystopian prophet he would become. Yet the themes, and sometimes more, of his later work are all present here. There's a suggestion of mysticism and the "other world," albeit in a more comic manner than The Doors of Perception. Denis, with his anxieties around women and self-loathing, hand-wringing intelligence, is an early version of Bernard in Brave New World. And early in the book (at a pig pen of all places) a character hypothesizes about the future--and describes almost exactly the world Huxley would portray in Brave New World! It's fascinating to see, in this modernist society tale, the seeds of Huxley's future work. But better yet are all the ideas and separate stories Huxley crams into Crome Yellow: the historical tale of a dwarfish aristocrat and his gigantic son, a romantic escapade on the roof between a dashing visitor and the well-read yet thick Mary, the frequent and inept attempts of Denis to woo Anne, and cynical but comparatively content Mr. Scogan, who imagines stories to fill the mock books in the library, and cross-dresses as a fortune teller to scare the villagers at the annual fair. All in all, a great, quick read and a touchstone for all of Huxley's themes in a most unlikely vehicle.

not huxley's best.......2003-07-28

this novel was, in my opinion, not very good. it smacks of aristocratic pretension. i did not like nor could i find my self sympathetic with any of his hollow, flat characters. which really bothers me very, because i'm a huge huxley fan.

Essential e-book for your e-library.......2002-09-25

The fact that this book is a superb read has already been established. Most notably the author and critic, Cyril CONNOLLY, rated this book as one of the 100 key books of the MODERN MOVEMENT.

Crome Yellow is perfectly suited to the e-book format. Great for reading on short trips, lunch breaks; in fact anytime you can grab a few minutes while on the go. The chapters are short and each stands alone as a complete and well-constructed scene.

Within the first few screens, you'll be captured by the story and wanting more - especially the bizarre instalments on the "History of Crome." Enough said - you'll have to find out for yourself.

This is an essential e-book for any well-stocked PDA e-library.

Average customer rating:
CROME YELLOW
ALDOUS HUXLEY
Manufacturer: Chatto & Windus
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000JWS1CI

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CROME YELLOW

Manufacturer: Bantam Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000HESY5W

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CROME YELLOW
ALDOUS HUXLEY
Manufacturer: PENGUIN
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000S5QWLI

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Crome Yellow

Manufacturer: Bantam Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000GWT2CO

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Crome Yellow
Aldous Huxley
Manufacturer: Bantam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000TYT9Y0

Average customer rating:
Crome Yellow

Manufacturer: Bantam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000I1LH62

Average customer rating:
CROME YELLOW
ALDOUS HUXLEY
Manufacturer: CHATTO AND WINDUS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000S61LN6

Average customer rating:
Crome Yellow
Aldous Huxley
Manufacturer: Bantam Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000VA0YLO

Average customer rating:
Crome Yellow
Aldous Huxley
Manufacturer: Bantam Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000M9SR8Q

Book Description

The fourth volume in Kate Elliott's Crown of Stars series, Child of Flame takes us far beyond the borders of Wendar and Varre...as Alain is drawn into the heart of an ancient conflict between humankind and their dread enemy, the Cursed Ones; Liath faces her most difficult trial in a land of exile; and Sanglant struggles to warn Henry about a dark conspiracy of sorcerers.

"High fantasy...entirely captivating."(Publishers Weekly, starred review)

Customer Reviews:

I tried to like it.......2007-05-05

There is nothing worse than starting a series only to find halfway through it that you do not like it. It is even worse when you loved the first few books. I always find myself hoping that either the author had a temporary setback or that I am wrong in thinking the series is not living up to its promise. So, one can do one of two things: 1) give it up as a loss and try to purge the existence of the series from your mind (nothing worse than not knowing the conclusion!) or 2) grit your teeth and buy the next book. Sometimes my optimism rewards me with a satisfying conclusion to a series while other times, I kick myself for not listening to my misgivings. From my rating, you can conclude I am kicking myself.
Why didn't I like it? The author started giving more of a dissertation on the whole religion system (which I only tolerated in the first place) and class system rather than moving the plot along. Oh, people are doing things... but mostly the doing involves thinking inanities or speaking banalities. Also, the author focuses a lot on what appeared to be secondary characters in the first few books, but who are given more importance at this juncture (inducing a lot of head-scratching by this reader). Of course, there may be some future reason for their development but I was so bored reading those sections because the characters were barely interesting. I think it's time for me to give this series up as a loss.

Great Fantasy Reading!.......2006-11-02

Elliott is a great storyteller. She shows the heart-wrenching tale as seen through the eyes of many types of characters, from peasants to kings to elves.

Fourth Book, a bit weaker than the previous.......2006-08-01

Lost and alone in an unknown country, Alain struggles to survive as he is unwittingly drawn into an ancient conflict between humankind and their old enemy, the Cursed Ones. Separated from her husband and child, Liath must undergo her greatest test in a land of exile. Only here can she hope to discover the truth of her parentage and learn the extent of her remarkable powers. Mourning the loss of his wife, the [...] prince Sanglant seeks his father, King Henry, to warm him about the conspiracy of powerful sorcerers who wish to destroy the Aoi, the Lost Ones, once and for all - no matter how much destruction their magic will unleash. But King Henry's gaze is fixed on the throne of Aosta and the imperial crown left vacant for two generations. As a Quman army, sweeping in from the eastern steppes, ravages the Wendish countryside, Henry marches south, ignoring the pleas of his beleaguered subjects. The great cataclysm, foretold in the stars, is approaching.

It has been quite a while since I read a series and thought "damn, it's over!" at the end. The author has built a vast number of interesting characters but, despite the number, one is able to know and relate to each. Each of the characters has their own remarkable flaws and imperfections, and you actaully have opportunities to sympathize with each throughout the series (even the remarkably "evil" ones you think you would never agree with). Unlike the Robert Jordan WoT series which seems to go on and on and on without resolution, Elliot has squeezed a sweeping epic into a (mere) 7 books, and I found myself disappointed when I finished the last of the third book. Fortunately, there are enough open issues, unanswered questions and unresolved conflicts in the end that Elliot could forseeably write another series to "fill in the blanks". I, for one, sincerely hope to see more from this author in the very near future.

A solid take on fantasy with a twist.......2004-06-18

Kate Elliot's ability to intertwine several story lines makes this a good read. As with the other books in this series, she follows several interweaving story lines in different times to present a believable world. The only problems I have with this book are
1) One of the main characters in the book keeps doing stupid things. Certainly heroes (or heroines in this case) can be humanized, but I still prefer that they be intelligent, especially in classic fantasy. The choice between power and family is a great theme, however.
2) She stresses the lack of sophistication of medieval society. This is a somewhat biased vie. There where certainly uneducated folks, but at the same time it was not hard for many kings to field armies in the thousands.

Certainly a good read, I liked it a lot more then the Jaran series.

From Fire to Embers.......2003-09-30

I ordered this book when it first came out, then sat it on the shelf for three years while I delved into other books in my to-be-read pile. So when I did finally haul this down and began reading, I found I had great difficulty remembering all that had gone before in the prior three volumes. Elliott does not help very much in this regard, as the opening section of the book begins with a totally new situation in a much earlier time-frame (about 13,000 years earlier), and takes one of the major characters of the first three books and transports him into this era. When she does return to the time and place of King Henry and Wendar, she still does not provide any summary of earlier actions but picks up the action from where she left off in The Burning Stone. So for a quite some time, I found myself very confused and lost.

But as I read a little further, I found my memory of her characters, Sanglant, Liath, Hanna, Anne, Hugh, Stronghand, Alain and several others, coming back to me, which says quite a bit about these character's vividness and uniqueness. It is in fact just such strong characterization that is Elliot's strong suit in this saga, which she continues to display with the new character of Adica, vibrant and personable, in this volume, along with continued development of all her former people.

What is not so good is the seemingly interminable plot line of the war for succession of the Wendar realm, with King Henry out to solidify his claim to the title of Emperor, Sanglant off fighting the latest invaders of the realm, and Hugh and Anne busily scheming to prevent any possible reconciliation with the Aoi. Liath is off on her own personal journey of self-discovery, with very little interaction with the other plot threads, though there are some revelations about her history near the end that promise some fireworks in later books of this set. It seems to take forever for Elliott to present the origins of the war between the Aoi and humans and how the current situation developed, although these points once presented finally start to give her world a logical, consistent framework. At the same time, some of the mystery and magic of these works is lost with this explanation. The story arc with Adica and Alain is the best thread in this work, fresh, original, and with its details of daily living and technological level well thought out, but once again I felt this story was stretched out too long, with too many incidents that have little relevance to main story.

Also missing is the cross-cultural viewpoints on religion and the reasons for living that added so much depth to the earlier works, these items seeming to now be taken for granted and with nothing new added by this volume.

At over 900 pages, and with so little real action, this book was in obvious need of some severe pruning. As it is, it is an overlong bridge book in which the fire and excitement of the first three has died down to embers, which hopefully can be re-ignited in the next book.

Customer Reviews:

Daddy's book.......2002-03-03

I found this captivating narration of firesetting evaluation a roller coaster ride for the mind. It was a phantasmal display of writing prowess on behalf of the author. It kept me on the edge of my seat and i was compelled to read on and on...

Solid Book with excellent information on firesetters.......2000-11-21

Dr. Stadolnik has done us a favor by summarizing previous research and treatment options. He suggests a solid framework for treatment, but points out that the dearth of research in this area has left us with few treatment plans that will work in every case, which is of course what we would all hope for. This is a solid well written book for clinicians, firemen, insurance agents, foster parents and parents who want clear, well written and easily understood information in this often difficult to understand area. Kyle Lassiter, MA, Licensed Professional Counselor

In a Place of Flame: Prayers for Survivors of Sexual Abuse.

Average customer rating:

Deeply Moving
Survivor -- not victim. Light -- not darkness.

In a Place of Flame: Prayers for Survivors of Sexual Abuse.
Amelia O'Dea
Manufacturer: CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY PRESS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Child Abuse | Family Relationships | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books

Dysfunctional Relationships | Family Relationships | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Prayerbooks | Spirituality | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Devotionals | Spirituality | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Customer Reviews:

Deeply Moving.......2000-07-30

Even though I'm Buddhist, not Christian, I found this collection of prayers deeply moving. Amelia O'Dea has looked deeply into her own heart and found the ground that we all share, the soul-space beyond differences of creed and confession. Any survivor who reads these prayers will find sustenance.

Survivor -- not victim. Light -- not darkness........1998-07-14

I've had the priviledge of reviewing an advance copy of this book. The prayers reflect a survivor's journey as she looks to the healing only God's love can provide. In A Place Of Flame is a testimony to the truth that light shines in the darkness and overcomes it. Darkness cannot overcome the light. These are not prayers of self-pity, of "why me" or "strike the evil ones down". They are prayers that search for truth and understanding. They are prayers of growth and courage. They are prayers that will make you think, and cry, and give thanks.

Tongue of Flame: The Life of Lydia Maria Child

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Tongue of Flame: The Life of Lydia Maria Child
Milton Meltzer
Manufacturer: HarperCollins Children's Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding

General | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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Child of flame
Ruth O. Stull
Manufacturer: Van Kampen Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B0007G0FSO

Child of Flame (Volume 4 of Crown of Stars)

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Child of Flame (Volume 4 of Crown of Stars)
Kate Elliott
Manufacturer: Daw Books Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NXZ33I

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Flame Child
Linda Sole
Manufacturer: Ulverscroft Large Print
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

Suspense | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

General | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

Literature & Fiction | Large Print | Formats | Books

Mystery & Thrillers | Large Print | Formats | Books
ASIN: 0708941397

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Tongue Of Flame - The Life Of Lydia Maria Child
Milton Meltzer -
Manufacturer: Thomas Y. Crowell Publishing -
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000O6AGF4

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Tongue Of Flame: The Life Of Lydia Maria Child
Meltzer
Manufacturer: THOMAS Y CROWELL COMPANY
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000HVR6SG

Product Description

American writer who in the end used her pen to help overthrow slavery and then to fight for civil rights.

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Child of Flame :Crown of Stars 4
Kate Elliott
Manufacturer: PENGUIN PUTNAM * TRADE
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000VUOL3G

Book Description

The best science fiction short stories of 2002 and 2003, selected by David G. Hartwell, one of the most respected editors in the field.

The short story is one of the most vibrant and exciting areas in science fiction today. It is where the hot new authors emerge and where the beloved giants of the field continue to publish.

Now, building on the success of the first seven volumes, Eos will once again present a collection of the best stories of the year in mass market format. Here, gathered by David G. Hartwell, one of the most respected editors in the field, are stories with visions of tomorrow and yesterday, of the strange and the familiar, of the unknown and the unknowable.

With stories from some of the best and brightest names in science fiction, the Year's Best SF 8 and SF9 is an indispensable guide for every science fiction fan.

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Brave New Worlds To Explore and Conquer

The astonishingly possible is once again showcased in a breathtaking volume of the best short form SF the past year had to offer. Contributed by some of the most revered and exciting voices in the genre -- and compiled by acclaimed editor and anthologist David G. Hartwell -- these stories of wonder and terror, astounding technologies and miraculous discovery, stretch the imagination into realms and universes never dreamed of before. Each tale is a dazzling gem, rocketing readers across light years and into unknown dimensions -- exploring the intricate cultures of alien races and the strange, secret workings of the human mind. And together they form an unparalleled whole -- a collection of luminous visions that shines more brightly than a newborn sun.

New tales from:

Nancy Kress
Ursula K. Le Guin
Greg Egan
Bruce Sterling
Michael Swanwick
Gene Wolfe
and many more

Customer Reviews:

Best SF collection of the year.......2004-03-03

I used to regularly have a problem with being so captured by a book that I'd neglect relatively unimportant things like eating and sleeping. I hadn't had that experience in quite a while, but this collection brought it back. Nearly every story is excellent. This book doesn't have the range of the massive _Year's Best Science Fiction: Twentieth Annual Collection_, but it benefits from its comparative selectivity. If you're only planning to get one of the two, I'd go for this one.

Book Description

How does the spirit come into clinical work? Through the analyst? In the analysand's work in the analysis? What happens to human destructiveness if we embrace a vision of non-violence? Do dreams open us to spiritual life? What is the difference between repetition compulsion and ritual? How does religion feed terrorism? What happens if analysts must wrestle with hate in themselves? Do psychotherapy and spirituality compete, or contradict, or converse with each other? What does religion uniquely offer, beyond what psychoanalysis can do, to our surviving and thriving? This book abounds with such important questions and discussions of their answers.

Customer Reviews:

Spirit belongs in the consulting room.......2007-05-12

For those of us who believe that spirit does indeed help heal our mental illnesses, this is a good book which provides support and suggestions of how and where spirit enters our work.

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