Poetry

You might appreciate "Oroonoko, the Rover and Other Works" if you're interested in historical narratives that delve deep into the complexities of human rights and injustice, all while wrapped up in a poignant love story. Aphra Behn, a woman ahead of her time, critiques and explores the cruelty of slavery while also unfolding a tragic romance that showcases the resilience of the human spirit. It’s a classic that speaks to the enlightenment and horrors of its era, through a narrative that's both compelling and enlightening.

If you're intrigued by how theatrical interpretation can breathe new life into Shakespeare's work, "Richard III" from the Arden Shakespeare series is a compelling choice. These editions delve into the various ways the plays have been brought to the stage, especially at the revered Stratford-upon-Avon. The inclusion of unique photographs and scholarly analysis makes this an enriching read for students, academics, and general readers passionate about theatre.

If you're drawn to stories that dive deep into the emotional and psychological effects of war, "Journey's End" is a compelling read. It offers an intimate look at the lives of soldiers in the trenches of World War I, blending raw realism with stirring emotion. Its succinct length makes it a potent, focused exploration of camaraderie and the human spirit under pressure.

If you're intrigued by historical fiction that merges a gripping murder mystery with the power of the written word, "The Investigation" is a journey you'll want to embark on. As you follow Watanabe through the grim corridors of Fukuoka Prison, you'll experience a captivating intertwining of brutality and beauty that defines the human spirit even amid the chaos of war. This book challenges perceptions, revealing the depths of humanity in places we least expect.

The Iliad is a classic that tells the story of Achilles, a brave warrior at the heart of the Trojan War. This book is ideal for those who enjoy historical fiction, action, and adventure. The powerful description of the battles and the philosophical discussions on fate and mortality are some of the unique features that make this book a must-read. Overall, The Iliad is a timeless masterpiece that will leave readers enthralled and intellectually stimulated.

Wilfred Owen was the greatest poet of the First World War, and his death in battle, a few days before Armistice, was a disastrous loss to English letters.This volume gathers together the poems for which he is best known, and which represent his most important contribution to poetry in the twentieth century. Taken from the definitive edition of Owen’s work, and containing material unavailable to other editions, this selection has been edited by Professor Jon Stallworthy, who has written an illuminating and authoritative introduction.

Widely regarded as being the earliest example of ancient Greek literature, The Iliad tells the epic story of the climax of the ten-year Trojan War. The legendary Greek warrior Achilles quarrels with Agamemnon - his Commander-in-Chief - over possession of the lovely maid Briseis and leaves the field of the battle to sulk in his tent. As a result the fortunes of the Greek army suffer a reverse and Achilles is only drawn out again onto the field of battle to face the mighty Trojan hero Hector after his friend Patroclus has been slain by Hector while wearing Achilles' armour. This is a story of war in which heroism and compassion rise above the tragedy of the conflict to the glory of the great warriors who are its inspirational and yet believable dramatis personae. It is a glorious reminder of the Mycenaean age.

1929. Sassoon, the English novelist and poet who, after serving as an officer in World War I, expressed his conviction of the brutality and waste of war in his grim, forceful, realistic verse. He is also known for his three-volume fictional autobiography, at first published anonymously under the title The Memoirs of George Sherston. Memoirs of a Fox Hunting Man is the first volume in the trilogy and gives a particularly vivid evocation of the life of the English country gentry before World War I. Contents: Early Days; The Flower Show Match; A Fresh Start; A Day with the Potford; At the Rectory; The Colonel's Cup; Denis Milden as Master; Migration to the Midlands; In the Army; and At the Front.

A deeply moving, gorgeously illustrated short story for people of all ages from the international bestselling author of The Kite Runner, brought to life by Dan Williams's beautiful illustrations.On a moonlit beach a father cradles his sleeping son as they wait for dawn to break and a boat to arrive. He speaks to his boy of the long summers of his childhood, recalling his grandfather's house in Syria, the stirring of olive trees in the breeze, the bleating of his grandmother's goat, the clanking of her cooking pots. And he remembers, too, the bustling city of Homs with its crowded lanes, its mosque and grand souk, in the days before the sky spat bombs and they had to flee. When the sun rises they and those around them will gather their possessions and embark on a perilous sea journey in search of a new home. Khaled Hosseini is one of the most widely read and beloved authors. His novels The Kite Runner, A Thousand Splendid Suns and And the Mountains Echoed have sold over 55 million copies all over the world. Hosseini is a Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and the founder of The Khaled Hosseini Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation which provides humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan. He was born in Kabul, Afghanistan, and lives in northern California. Dan Williams is a London-based artist whose illustrations accompanied an extract of A Thousand Splendid Suns in the Guardian when it was first published 15 years ago. His work has also appeared in National Geographic, Rolling Stone and the Wall Street Journal, amongst many other publications. dan-williams.