The Duchess and the Commoner

Book Description

An eighteenth-century prince devotes his entire wealth and the energy of his subjects to the creation of Rreinnstadt, a fantastic city that exists only on paper and in the minds of its creators. Among Rreinnstadt's fictional inhabitants is Pfitz, a count's loyal servant who mysteriously disappears one night from a tavern. Andrew Crumey's exploration of the rich territory between reality and fantasy reveals a genuine affection for character and the terrain of the human heart.

Customer Reviews:

Potentially clever, poorly executed........2000-11-07

'Pfitz' amounts to no more than Italo Calvino fan fiction. While Crumey sets up a potentially fresh work of postmodernist fantasy, he handles it with the clumsiness of a precocious 14-year-old.

Read Diderot's 'Jacques The Fatalist' and Calvino's 'Invisible Cities,' and ignore this useless combination of the two.

Thought provoking, yes, but then not........2000-07-06

I don't know, I really liked this book for a while. It presented some fantastically challenging ideas and concepts. The thought of an entire group of people living for an imaginary world, the disintegration of the town as a result, the characters merging real and definitely not real...all of it was very intriguing.

But this book lost me at the end, which I really felt was a let-down. It was as if Crumey's ideas were even too much for him...the ending simply dissolves away, solving little and not truly melding the two realities together. As an author, what can you really do with characters who decide that composing non-existent places is more important than their actual lives? How much can a reader really sympathize with a man who falls in love with a woman, when neither of them have any emotions at all concerning the absurd nature of their lives? And, the absurdity is never really treated as "absurdity" because of consistency problems. Certain characters even point out that the other world isn't real but it's never followed up.

Near the end of _Pfitz_, I found myself wondering why the characters were struggling at all if they really only cared about the imaginary world. Why try to find love? Why kill? Why steal? Why worry about rent? Why do anything except work on the other world? If the true fascination of the book sits within this kingdom's fascination with things that are completely invented, why should we be interested in the -real- things that happen to them. Once I reached this thought, the book was no longer compelling. I just didn't see the point, and reading to the end gave me no reason to change my mind. Crumey never really answers these questions.

Sure, the book is an easy read. It's very short and sweet. But it's a little jerky at times, abrupt in presenting ideas and concepts. Good premise, good idea in theory, even witty storytelling at times, but the work as a whole has some serious flaws. And the ending just doesn't deliver.

Wonderful and witty - variations in a European style.......2000-05-30

Andrew Crumey is a young Scottish novelist more interested in inheriting the mantel of Barthelme, Borges and Calvino than the arid workaday mentality of most British and American novelists.

This novel bristles with ideas, the inhabitants of a kingdom set to work populating a fictitious city. The work on the city is based on a model from Diderot and Dalambert's Encyclopaedia and is divided into Memory, Reason, and Imagination.

There are interlinking storylines and the novel is part love story, part thriller, part comedy, part philosophical investigation.

As you can see from the other reviews this novel will polarise opinion. This is a novel that requires you to think. The reader has to play a role in the story. You can not let this novel wash over you, although its length and the beauty of the writing style give you a novel that can be eaten quickly, but you should digest at leisure. To say that this novel encourages you to think may give a misleading impression. It is not an arid dry purely philosophical work.

This novel, indeed all of Crumey's fiction, bears comparison with writers such as Borges, Calvino, Tadeusz Konwicki, and Galli. It is as playful as the works of each of these writers, as stimulating, and as enjoyable.

It is a work in the modern European style, and harks back to the European novel writing of the eighteenth century.

Enjoy...

Poe?.......2000-04-12

How can you compare this book to the works of Poe? Not even close. I agree with the Jackie Collins review, and was laughing uncontrollably when I read it. What a perfect review.

Lost in Imagination.......2000-03-25

I had to pick a nonamerican author of a novel, and this book sounded great. I like Europe. I thought it had a great start in the first chapter about the Prince who buils 5 cities that fit the imagination, but after that it gets crazy. I mean he doesn't tell you the red head girls name Estrella till chapter 11. He makes it seem that the Prince is the main character and turns out not to be. Mr. Crumey likes to take part in conversations with the reader and interject the story with parenthises stating previous events or his own opinion. I think it was good but a little complicated so if your not into really thinking don't read it. Oh and don't use it for a 4 page book review for English class.

Customer Reviews:

A favorite for us!.......2005-03-27

We already own Bennet's Book of Virtues and read from it frequently, but this book is so sweet & fun for the very young! It is definitely on my list of books to buy next.

From the back cover: "Growing Up Wise Celebrate the virtues of generosity, courtesy, honesty, cheerfulness and a host of other positive character qualities with your children! Delightful rhymes and old-fashioned storytelling make this a perfect bedtime book or homeschool companion."
And: "Includes more than 100 short, easy-to-read stories and poems for the whole family."

The book is divided into sections according to virtue, which is first defined, such as:
The Virtue of Compassion, "To be COMPASSIONATE is to take pity on those in need, to offer sympathy to those in trouble, to be tenderhearted toward those who are hurting... and above all to look for ways to show kindness and to be helpful." Following this page are all stories, poems, prayers related to compassion.

The illustrations are all in black and white and very sweet. Here is a rhyme from "Generosity":

"Selfish Sue, selfish Sue!
With toys of every kind,
You never share! You never share!
You say, "They all are mine!"

Selfish Sue with face so blue,
The Bible says, "Be kind!"
Share your toys with girls and boys,
And then your face will shine!"

From The Golden Rule, is a very cute story about Benjamin, "The Bear Who didnt Care! (No, he really didnt!)" Its filled with little songs that the bear likes to sing: "Oh, ho, ho! Im a very happy bear! Ive got five dollars and Im going to the fair!" and "Oh, ho, ho! Im going to the fair! I'll have a happy time when I get there!" As he encounters people in need along the way, his reply is: "I won't help you, I dont care! Ive got five dollars and Im going to the fair!" Then, at the fair he's robbed and so he leaves to return home. On his way back, he seeks help from those whom he earlier refused and here are some of the replies he gets: "To quench my fire, you helped me not! To quench your thirst, not one drop!" and "You helped me not in my time of need. You'll get no apple, no indeed!" until he comes to one last man (who was reading the Bible) and he gets this reply: "Do come and share my porch with me! We'll have a sandwich and some tea!" Benjamin is so impressed by this man's act of kindness (in spite of how he had treated him earlier) that he is moved to sorrow and then decides to sing a new song:
"Oh, ho, ho! Im a happy helping bear! Why do I help you? Because I really care!"

Emily Hunter is also the author of the classic Christian Charm Course, Bible-Time Nursery Rhyme Book, The Keepsake Bible Story Coloring Book and with her husband, Wayne, of Man In Demand.

Terese Cooper (My children are 5.5, 4 and 2 and they all seem to love this book as much as I do!)

Really a "child's first" book of virtues?.......2000-06-26

I have both this and Bennet's Book of Virtues and I always choose to read Bennet's over Hunter's book. I seem to be able to find stories that my younger children enjoy in Bennet's book. The pictures are a nice addition to this book and the stories correlate well with the lesson being taught. I felt the only thing about this book being a child's first book of virtues is that there is only 100 stories and poems so it is a small volume.

I'm Telling the Truth: A First Look at Honesty (A First Look AtSeries)

Average customer rating:

Excellent Book

I'm Telling the Truth: A First Look at Honesty (A First Look AtSeries)
Pat Thomas
Manufacturer: Barron's Educational Series
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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Accessories:

ASIN: 0764132148

Book Description

Children are shown that although being honest can be hard sometimes, it is worth it. Everyone likes people who speak the truth and keep their word. Kids learn that when we all practice being honest, the world becomes a fairer and happier place to live in. Titles in the popular “A First Look At” series for pre-school and early-grades kids explore emotional issues, encouraging children to discuss things that bother them with trusted adults. The series also helps them begin to develop basic social skills. Written by a psychotherapist and child counselor, these books promote positive interaction among children, parents, and teachers. They are written in easy-to-comprehend language, and have child-friendly illustrations on every page.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Book.......2006-08-29

This is an excellent book about how important it is to be honest.

Bunny Loves Others (First Virtues for Toddlers)

Average customer rating:

Adorable! Great way to illustrate/teach virtues to little ones

Bunny Loves Others (First Virtues for Toddlers)
Mary Manz Simon
Manufacturer: Standard Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0784714096

Customer Reviews:

Adorable! Great way to illustrate/teach virtues to little ones.......2006-08-10

I love all the books in this series. These are great books to teach your little ones good Christian values. They all end in one Bible verse. What a great way to talk to your children about God. These book help you show children how God is part of your everyday life in everything you do.

Average customer rating:

Adorable! Great way to illustrate positive virtues to children.

Bear Obeys (First Virtues for Toddlers)
Mary Manz Simon
Manufacturer: Standard Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0784714169

Customer Reviews:

Adorable! Great way to illustrate positive virtues to children........2006-08-10

Panda Is Polite (First Virtues for Toddlers)

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Panda Is Polite (First Virtues for Toddlers)
Mary Manz Simon
Manufacturer: Standard Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Board book

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ASIN: 0784715777

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To be Accepted by Other Cops, Learn to Lie Really Well. You Might Need to Cover for a Murder.
Liar Liar pants on fire!
A great springboard for family discussions.

The First Honest Book About Lies
Jonni Kincher
Manufacturer: Free Spirit Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

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Accessories:

philosophy hope in a jar daily moisturizer

ASIN: 0915793431

Customer Reviews:

To be Accepted by Other Cops, Learn to Lie Really Well. You Might Need to Cover for a Murder........2006-07-09

Hey boys and girls, if you become really good liars, you'll make excellent law enforcement officers when you grow up. So make sure to practice regularly.

Liar Liar pants on fire!.......2001-01-15

This book tells you about every kind of lie there is! You can really relate to this book, you learn a lot about yourself in reading it and it helps to think honestly about what you have read, that is how you learn! I am a freshman in high school, and as many of you know, its not easy. Sometimes you don't kow who your friends are... This book helped with that because you know more about how and why they lie, more than they do! I have enjoyed this book very much. It has helped me to notice when my family and friends are lying to me. Its made me aware of how media and advertisers lie too. The world is full of lies! I think that anyone, any age, can relate to this book. Everyone is different, and every lie is different. I highly suggest this book!

A great springboard for family discussions........1998-12-04

This book was written primarily to help teenagers cope with the distortions, deceptions, fluff, and outright lies that confront us all, every day. Kincher doesn't preach truth, she illuminates it. Her book is thought provoking ... and fun ... no matter how old you are.

Average customer rating:

Being Fair (First Step Nonfiction)
Robin Nelson
Manufacturer: Lerner Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0822512858

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Great first devotional for little ones

First Virtues for Toddlers
Mary Manz, Dr. Simon
Manufacturer: Standard Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0784718482

Customer Reviews:

Great first devotional for little ones.......2007-04-12

The Easter bunny brought this to our 2-1/2 year old this Easter. It has 12 short rhyming stories about various virtues specific to toddlers- sharing, patience, love, kindness, etc. Each ends with a short Bible verse relating to the story, simple enough for a small child to repeat after you and even memorize. I had intended to read each story every day for a week each so that my son could memorize the verses. However, he loves the book so much, he wants to read the WHOLE thing every night! Needless to say, it's been a hit at our house. What a great way to begin "hiding the word" in their little hearts!

Piglet Tells the Truth (First Virtues for Toddlers)

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Piglet Tells the Truth (First Virtues for Toddlers)
Mary Manz Simon
Manufacturer: Standard Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 078471407X

Kitty Shows Kindness (First Virtues for Toddlers)

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Kitty Shows Kindness (First Virtues for Toddlers)
Mary Manz Simon
Manufacturer: Standard Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0784714088

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Party Appetizers: Small Bites, Big Flavors
Tori Ritchie
Manufacturer: Chronicle Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
Appetizers | Meals | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
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Hors d'Oeuvres

Small Bites

Nibbled: 200 Fabulous Finger Food Ideas

Cocktail Food: 50 Finger Foods with Attitude

Finger Food: Bite-Size Food for Cocktail Parties

ASIN: 0811842924

Book Description

With today's magazines singing the praises of graze-style eating as both healthy and fun, Party Appetizers offers the perfect way to treat guests. Entertaining aficionado Tori Ritchie serves up sensational recipes for fabulous finger foods to kick off any informal dinner or stylish celebration -- or even be the main attraction at a holiday soiree. Variety truly is the spice of life when you're talking olives jazzed up with herbs and spices or savory party favorites like Merguez Meatballs with Yogurt Sauce or rich Fig and Gorgonzola Toasts with Caramelized Onions. And for guests who have to start with dessert, there are even a few bonbons such as Mocha Shortbread Buttons and Sugar and Spice Walnuts. Tips on smart shopping, artful presentation, and indispensable ingredients as well as a "make-ahead planner" get hosts prepared before the party for maximum socializing with guests. So let the festivities begin!

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