- Table View
- List View
The Girl in Green
by Derek B. Miller&“A compelling combination of literate storytelling and action-packed thriller laced with humor.&” — Library Journal (starred review) Finalist for the CWA Gold Dagger Award for Best Crime Novel of the Year 1991: One hundred miles from the Kuwaiti border, Thomas Benton meets Arwood Hobbes. Benton is a British journalist who reports from war zones in part to avoid his lackluster marriage and a daughter he loves but cannot connect with; Arwood is an American private who might be an insufferable ignoramus or might be a genuine lunatic with a death wish—it's hard to tell. Desert Storm is over, peace has been declared, but as they argue about whether it makes sense to cross the nearest border in search of an ice cream, they become embroiled in a horrific attack in which a young local girl in a green dress is killed as they are trying to protect her. The two men walk away into their respective lives. But something has cracked for them both. Twenty-two years later, in another place, in another war, they meet again and are offered an unlikely opportunity to redeem themselves when that same girl in green is found alive and in need of salvation. Or is she? &“Swift, gripping, and mined with surprises…Arwood Hobbes is as intriguing an operative as Graham Greene's quiet American, but without the quiet.&”—David Shafer, author of Whiskey Tango Foxtrot &“[A] stellar, electrifying story with a knockout ending.&”—Publishers Weekly (starred review) &“A penetrating, poetic, and unexpectedly disarming book about the ageless conflict in the Middle East.&”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review) &“A Catch-22 for the twenty-first century.&”—Madison Smartt Bell, National Book Award finalist and author of All Souls' Rising
The Girl in the Painting
by Kirsty FerryA mysterious Victorian diary connects a young romantic in contemporary London to a woman who died a century ago. While visiting the Tate Britain museum, Cori Keeling can’t take her eyes off her favorite Pre-Raphaelite painting: John Everett Millais’s Ophelia. But it’s Cori herself who catches the eye of gallery worker and aspiring artist Simon Daniels. He’s immediately struck by Cori’s resemblance to the red-haired beauty in the nineteenth-century masterwork. While the haunting painting holds the power to bring Cori and Simon together, for Cori it has become an obsession—one that has led her to a mysterious diary from a century ago. Within its pages, a woman named Daisy hid a shocking secret. The further Cori reads, the clearer it becomes that Daisy will stop at nothing to be heard—and she’s crying out for Daisy to help her. As the ghosts of the past envelop Cori and Simon, they’ll discover the truth about the girl in the painting, the woman in the diary—and Cori’s own chilling connection to both of them.
The Girl in the Photograph (The Rossetti Mysteries #3)
by Kirsty FerryA woman’s love of impressionist art draws her into a ghostly mystery along the North Yorkshire coastline. Staying alone in a sprawling, long-abandoned estate in Yorkshire would be madness to some. On the other hand, art enthusiast Lissy de Luca is looking forward to the isolation—and to beginning her research into the Staithes Group. It was here, more than a century ago, that the roiling seas and towering cliffs inspired the artistic passions of the famed commune. For Lissy, one of the most inspiring sights is the imposing Sea Scarr Hall itself—but the longer she stays, the stranger things get. There is the lonely figure who strolls the cove at night, and a hidden painting that is both seductive and unnerving. And then there’s the photograph Lissy finds of a young girl—one so unnaturally beautiful and so eerily familiar. Each discovery is leading Lissy to a chilling conclusion. She’s not alone at all. Those who once occupied the shadows of the manor house have a message for her. And they’re going to make sure she gets it. It’s a matter of life and death.
The Girl in the Show: Three Generations of Comedy, Culture, and Feminism
by Anna FieldsFor fans of Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Amy Schumer—and every other funny woman—comes a candid feminist comedy manifesto exploring the sisterhood between women's comedy and women's liberation. "I’m not funny at all. What I am is brave.” —Lucille Ball From female pop culture powerhouses dominating the entertainment landscape to memoirs from today’s most vocal feminist comediennes shooting up the bestseller lists, women in comedy have never been more influential.Marking this cultural shift, The Girl in the Show explores how comedy and feminism have grown hand in hand to give women a stronger voice in the ongoing fight for equality. From I Love Lucy to SNL to today’s rising cable and web series stars, Anna Fields's entertaining, thoughtful, and candid retrospective combines personal narratives with the historical, political, and cultural contexts of the feminist movement.With interview subjects such as Abbi Jacobson, Molly Shannon, Mo Collins, and Lizz Winstead as well as actresses, stand-up comics, writers, producers, and female comedy troupes Fields shares true stories of wit and heroism from some of our most treasured (and underrepresented) artists. Creating a blueprint for the feminist comedians of tomorrow using lessons of the past, The Girl in the Show encourages readers to revel in?and rebel against?our collective ideas of women's comedy.
The Girl in the Tree (Squirlish #1)
by Ellen PotterA girl raised by squirrels in Central Park tries to make human friends in this laugh-out-loud, highly illustrated first book in a new chapter book series perfect for fans of Sophie Mouse and Critter Club!Cordelia is a girl who lives in a tree in Central Park. Found as a baby and raised by an adoring squirrel named Shakespeare, Cordelia acts just like any other young squirrel, leaping across treetops, chasing her squirrel friends, and sleeping in her treehouse. Still, she wonders what it would be like to have a human friend, and when she stumbles into a gymnastics class, it seems like she might have her chance. Living in a tree might have made Cordelia an exceptional gymnast, but people skills are a whole other matter. Even if Cordelia can&’t fully fit in with the other kids, can she at least make one friend? Cordelia starts her journey to be—not exactly a girl, but more than a squirrel—squirlish!
The Girl on the Boat
by P. G. WodehouseThe girl of the title is red-haired, dog-loving Wilhelmina "Billie" Bennet, and the three men are Bream Mortimer, a long-time friend and admirer of Billie, Eustace Hignett, a lily-livered poet who is engaged to Billie at the opening of the tale, and Sam Marlowe, Eustace's dashing cousin, who falls for Billie at first sight.
The Girl with Kaleidoscope Eyes: A Stewart Hoag Mystery (Stewart Hoag Mysteries #9)
by David HandlerHARLAN COBEN calls it "One of my all-time favorite series! ...David Handler is so good at writing one smart, funny page-turner after another that he makes it look easy." Fans of JANET EVANOVICH and CARL HIAASEN, get ready. If you haven't yet discovered wisecracking sleuth Stewart "Hoagy" Hoag and his faithful basset hound Lulu, you're in for a sharp, hilarious treat.Once upon a time, Hoagy had it all: a hugely successful debut novel, a gorgeous celebrity wife, the glamorous world of New York City at his feet. These days, he scrapes by as a celebrity ghostwriter. A celebrity ghostwriter who finds himself investigating murders more often than he'd like.And once upon a time, Richard Aintree was the most famous writer in America -- high school students across the country read his one and only novel, a modern classic on par with The Catcher in the Rye. But after his wife's death, Richard went into mourning... and then into hiding. No one has heard from him in twenty years.Until now. Richard Aintree — or someone pretending to be Richard Aintree — has at last reached out to his two estranged daughters. Monette is a lifestyle queen à la Martha Stewart whose empire is crumbling; and once upon a time, Reggie was the love of Hoagy's life. Both sisters have received mysterious typewritten letters from their father. Hoagy is already on the case, having been hired to ghostwrite a tell-all book about the troubled Aintree family. But no sooner does he set up shop in the pool house of Monette's Los Angeles mansion than murder strikes. With Lulu at his side — or more often cowering in his shadow — it's up to Hoagy to unravel the mystery, catch the killer, and pour himself that perfect single-malt Scotch... before it's too late.
The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes: A story of love, loss, and rock-and-roll (The Lillys #1)
by Xio AxelrodHer name's Antonia "Toni" Bennette (yeah, she's heard all the jokes before) and she's not a rock star. Neither are the Lillys—not yet. But the difference between being famous and being almost famous can be a single wrong note...or the start of something that'll change your life forever.Growing up in dive bars up and down the East Coast, Toni Bennette's guitar was her only companion...until she met Sebastian Quick. Seb was a little older, a lot wiser, and before long he was Toni's way out, promising they'd escape their stifling small town together. Then Seb turned eighteen and split without looking back.Now, Toni's all grown up and making a name for herself in Philadelphia's indie scene. When a friend suggests she try out for a hot new up-and-coming band, Toni decides to take a chance. Strong, feminist, and fierce as fire, Toni B. and the Lillys are the perfect match...except Seb's now moonlighting as their manager. Whatever. Toni can handle it. No problem. Or it wouldn't be if Seb didn't still hold a piece of her heart...not to mention the key to her future.
The Girl with the Lost Smile
by Miranda HartThis is a story guaranteed to make you laugh and cry: the first children's book from award-winning, bestselling author and comedian Miranda Hart. Chloe Long has lost her smile. She's looked everywhere for it. (Under her pillow. Under her bed. Under her nose. Obviously.)She's tried everything to bring it back. (Her favourite cake. Her favourite gran. Her favourite joke. Obviously.) But nothing seems to be working! Until one night, something utterly magical happens - and Chloe finds herself on an adventure that is out of this world ... With fabulous illustrations by Sainsbury's Book of the Year winner, Kate Hindley, THE GIRL WITH THE LOST SMILE takes you on an action-packed, magical journey that celebrates the power of the imagination, the wonder of true friendship and is guaranteed to make you smile. 'Is Miranda Hart a National Treasure yet? If not, it can only be a year or two before she joins Stephen Fry and Alan Bennett in the trophy cabinet of the country's affections ... That personality and voice belong to a uniquely cherished comedian ... there's nobody like Miranda.' Daily Mail
The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo
by Amy Schumer“Amy’s got your back. She’s in your corner. She’s an honesty bomb. And she’s coming for you.” —Actress Tilda Swinton and Trainwreck co-star<P><P> The Emmy Award-winning comedian, actress, writer, and star of Inside Amy Schumer and the acclaimed film Trainwreck has taken the entertainment world by storm with her winning blend of smart, satirical humor. Now, Amy Schumer has written a refreshingly candid and uproariously funny collection of (extremely) personal and observational essays.<P> In The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo, Amy mines her past for stories about her teenage years, her family, relationships, and sex and shares the experiences that have shaped who she is—a woman with the courage to bare her soul to stand up for what she believes in, all while making us laugh.<P> Ranging from the raucous to the romantic, the heartfelt to the harrowing, this highly entertaining and universally appealing collection is the literary equivalent of a night out with your best friend—an unforgettable and fun adventure that you wish could last forever. Whether she’s experiencing lust-at-first-sight while in the airport security line, sharing her own views on love and marriage, admitting to being an introvert, or discovering her cross-fit instructor’s secret bad habit, Amy Schumer proves to be a bighearted, brave, and thoughtful storyteller that will leave you nodding your head in recognition, laughing out loud, and sobbing uncontrollably—but only because it’s over. <P><b>A New York Times Bestseller</b>
The Girl's Guide to Depravity: How to Get Laid Without Getting Screwed
by Heather RutmanIn the world of dating and hook-ups, women know that there are no guarantees and there's not always a "happily ever after"--but there is a hell of a lot of fun to be had! Based on the blog of the same name, The Girl's Guide to Depravity is a sassy handbook comprised of fifty-five rules, several how-to's, charts, graphs, quizzes, and more for all modern women trying to navigate the world's topsy-turvy dating scene. This no-holds-barred guide is perfect for young women who aren't ashamed of their sexuality, are fed up with all the boring, conventional relationship rules, and desire to avoid all the touchy-feely bullshit in the hopes of becoming happily depraved. A thirteen-episode tie-in TV show premiered on Cinemax in February 2012, and both the show and book promise to be shocking, fearless, fun, therapeutic--and wildly entertaining!
The Girlfriend Curse
by Valerie FrankelAfter breaking up with Peg, all her ex boyfriends soon meet and marry the women of their dreams. Wanting to find her own love, Peg moves to a farm house in Vermont where she encounters 2 men who may change her life.
The Girls
by Helen YglesiasThese days the news is full of reports about the graying of America, yet it's rare that old people appear in contemporary fiction except as stock characters: the indulgent grandmother, the wicked witch. In her first novel in a dozen years, the acclaimed author of How She Died and Sweetsir gives us four grand old ladies, sisters, each unique and indelibly real, in a poignant and very funny story about the last American taboos, old age and dying. As the novel opens, Jenny, the youngest at eighty, has flown down to Miami--that gaudy, pastel-hued haven of the elderly--to look after her two failing oldest sisters: Eva, ninety-five, always the family mainstay, and Naomi, ninety, who is riddled with cancer but still has her tart tongue and her jet-black head of hair. The fourth sister, Flora, still has her black hair too, straight out of the bottle, but no head for the hard decisions facing Eva and Naomi. An energetic eighty-five, Flora spends her time dating ("He's mad about me, I only hope he can get it up!") and making the rounds of the retirement homes with her standup routine, the Sandra Bernhard of the senior set. The Girls gives us these four full-if-wrinkled-fleshed women with all their complaints and foibles, their self-absorption and downright orneriness, their unquenchable humor and immense courage. Aches and pains, wrinkles and hearing aids, wheelchairs and walkers--out of these, and out of the human spirit, Helen Yglesias fashions a novel that moves us, opens our eyes, and makes us laugh out loud.
The Girls
by John BowenA wry, macabre tale of simple living, brutal murder, and a reasonably happy couple. In their lovely old Cotswolds village, Janet and Susan are known to all the other villagers as &“the girls&”—a fixture. Partners in love and work, co-proprietors of a picturesque shop specializing in the work of local artisans and farmers, they lead an enviable, enviably settled life. So it&’s no catastrophe when Sue, the younger of the two, feels the need to take a month to travel on her own, leaving Jan alone to run their stall at the Inland Waterways Rally Craft Fair. Nor is it any real threat when a kindly gay man named Alan lends Jan a hand in Sue&’s absence, or when the two wind up sharing some wine and even a bunk for the night. If Jan turns out to be pregnant some weeks after Sue&’s return to the nest, what&’s that but cause for joy? And when Alan happens to come visiting, by and by, finding the delighted girls raising a beautiful baby boy, who can blame him for wanting to share in a small part of their bliss? Yes, theirs is an enviable, enviably settled life. And the girls will defend it with every tool at their disposal.
The Girls' Guide to Love and Supper Clubs
by Dana BateHannah Sugarman seems to have it all. She works for an influential think tank in Washington, D.C., lives in a swanky apartment with her high-achieving boyfriend, and is poised for an academic career just like her parents. The only problem is that Hannah doesn't want any of it. What she wants is much simpler; to cook.When her relationship collapses, Hannah seizes the chance to do what she's always loved and launches an underground supper club out of her new landlord's town house. Though her delicious dishes become the talk of the town, her secret venture is highly problematic, given that it is not, technically speaking, legal. She also conveniently forgets to tell her landlord she has been using his place while he is out of town.On top of that, Hannah faces various romantic prospects that leave her guessing and confused, parents who don't support cooking as a career, and her own fears of taking a risk and charting her own path. A charming romantic comedy, The Girls' Guide to Love and Supper Clubs is a story about finding yourself, fulfilling your dreams, and falling in love along the way.
The Glass Scientists: Volume Two (The Glass Scientists #2)
by S. H. Cotugno"A wickedly sharp adventure!" —ND Stevenson, New York Times bestselling creator of NimonaThe second book in the YA graphic novel series about star-crossed lovers and misunderstood monsters, which is already a webcomic phenomenon!All Dr. Henry Jekyll wanted to do was make London a safe place for rogue scientists. That&’s why he and his best friend Robert created the Society for Arcane Sciences in the first place, and why their upcoming exhibition to show the public all the incredible things they can do for the world is so important. But ever since Frankenstein arrived, nothing has gone according to plan….And now Jekyll&’s dirty little secret is about to become a huge problem. Hyde, his devilishly devious alter-ego, is fed up with being jerked around and Jekyll not letting him out to play. And he&’s just discovered a new trick that will allow him to take the driver&’s seat of their shared body. With Hyde behind the wheel, it&’s not just the impeding exhibition and the future of the society in jeopardy. The ruffian threatens to destroy something that&’s even more dear to Jekyll: his relationship with Robert. Will Jekyll be able to regain control of his mind, body, and life, or will he lose everything he has been fighting for?Volume Two collects Chapters 8-12 of this beloved webcomic, which is available in print for the first time ever. It also features loads of exclusive bonus content including a brand-new prequel story (Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Meet Dracula!!!), a behind-the-scenes look at the comic&’s origins, and more!
The Glass-Sided Ants' Nest: The Glass-sided Ants' Nest, The Old English Peep Show, And The Sinful Stones (The James Pibble Mysteries #1)
by Peter DickinsonWinner of the CWA Gold Dagger: Scotland Yard&’s James Pibble puzzles over the murder of a pygmy tribesman in the middle of London in this &“first class&” mystery (The Times Literary Supplement). Oddball cases are James Pibble&’s specialty. But the brutal bludgeoning of the revered elder of a New Guinea tribesman may be his strangest yet. The corpse, in striped pajamas, lies in the middle of a room completely absent of furniture. Seven women squat on the floorboards. One knits. Another sits cross-legged at his feet. They all chant incantations in a strange language. The murder weapon, a wooden balustrade ornament in the shape of an owl, could have been wielded by any of the myriad suspects Pibble meets at Flagg Terrace, the London residence where the Ku family currently lives. And the only clue seems to be an Edwardian penny. So who killed bearded, four-foot-tall Aaron Ku? Everyone seems to have an alibi, including a local real estate agent, a professional escort, and an anthropologist whose marriage into the tribe was forbidden. In a house where men and women live in separate quarters, Pibble must follow a hierarchy of primitive rituals and gender-role reversals to unmask a surprising killer. The Glass-Sided Ants&’ Nest is the 1st book in the James Pibble Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
The Glauerdoom Moor (Super Dungeon #3)
by David WestFrom the epic fantasy world of Super Dungeon comes the third novel in a riveting new series. Sai doesn&’t want to be a hero. She wants to steal the greatest jewel in Crystalia. But when a Royal Warden sets the perfect trap, Sai is forced to take a job from King Jasper himself—to rescue his daughter Princess Citrine from the evil Von Drakk. Escape should be easy for an accomplished thief, but the Royal Warden refuses to let her out of his sight until they find the stolen princess.Sai thrives in the unsavory places in Crystalia Castle, but those pale in comparison to the Glauerdoom Moor. Witches and zombies lurk around every corner, and the swamp itself seems against them. Worse than the Moor itself is the tyrant who rules it on behalf of the Dark Consul. The undead Baron Von Drakk has a host of evil creatures at his command, and powerful dark magic of his own. How can Sai defeat someone who took out an entire army, led by the great Princess Citrine herself?
The Glitch: A Novel
by Elisabeth CohenA fast, funny, deeply hilarious debut--The Glitch is the story of a high-profile, TED-talking, power-posing Silicon Valley CEO and mother of two who has it all under control, until a woman claiming to be a younger version of herself appears, causing a major glitch in her over-scheduled, over-staffed, over-worked life.Shelley Stone, wife, mother, and CEO of the tech company Conch, is committed to living her most efficient life. She takes her "me time" at 3:30 a.m. on the treadmill, power naps while waiting in line, schedules sex with her husband for when they are already changing clothes, and takes a men's multivitamin because she refuses to participate in her own oppression. But when she meets a young woman also named Shelley Stone who has the same exact scar on her shoulder, Shelley has to wonder: Is she finally buckling under all the pressure? Completely original, brainy, and laugh-out-loud funny, The Glitch introduces one of the most memorable characters in recent fiction and offers a riotous look into work, marriage, and motherhood in our absurd world.
The Global War on Morris: A Novel
by Steve IsraelA witty political satire ripped from the headlines and written by Congressman Steve Israel, who's met the characters, heard the conversations, and seen the plot twists firsthand.Meet Morris Feldstein, a pharmaceutical salesman living and working in western Long Island who loves the Mets, loves his wife Rona, and loves things just the way they are. He doesn't enjoy the news; he doesn't like to argue. Rona may want to change the world; Morris wants the world to leave him alone. Morris does not make waves. But one day Morris is seduced by a lonely, lovesick receptionist at one of the doctors' offices along his sales route, and in a moment of weakness charges a non-business expense to his company credit card. No big deal, you might think. Easy mistake. But the government's top-secret surveillance program, anchored by a giant, complex supercomputer known as NICK, thinks differently. Eventually NICK begins to thread together the largely disparate and tenuously connected strands of Morris's life--his friends, family, friends' friends, his traffic violations, his daughter's political leanings, his wife's new patients, and even his failed romantic endeavors--and Morris becomes the US government's new public enemy number one. A hilarious, debut novel from a charismatic author, The Global War on Morris toes the line between recent breaking headlines and a future that is not that difficult to imagine.
The Glow: 'Jane Austen on steroids' (Michael Cunningham, author of The Hours)
by Jessie GaynorA desperate young publicist tries to save her career by turning a grungy retreat centre and its charismatic leader into the hot new self-care brand in this darkly comedic, razor-sharp debut novel, and send-up of the wellness industry. For fans of Halle Butler's THE NEW ME, Abigail Bergstrom's WHAT A SHAME and Liane Moriaty's NINE PERFECT STRANGERSJane Dorner has two modes:PR Jane is twenty-five, breezy, clever in a non-threatening way and eager to sell you a feminist vibrator.Actual Jane is twenty-nine, drifting through mediocre workdays and lackluster dates while paralysed by her crushing mountain of overdue bills. Enter the impossibly gorgeous Cass, whom Jane discovers scrolling through Instagram - the guru of a 'wellness retreat' based out of a ramshackle country house that may or may not be giving off cult vibes. Suddenly Jane realises she might have found the one ladder she can climb.But inner peace and glowing skin will always come at a price...'Jane Austen on steroids. It's that sharp, that wicked, that laceratingly true'Michael Cunningham, author of The Hours'Intoxicating . . . A wellness tonic for people who like to make fun of the wellness industry'Leigh Stein, author of Self Care(P) Headline Publishing Group Ltd 2023
The Glow: 'Jane Austen on steroids' (Michael Cunningham, author of The Hours)
by Jessie Gaynor'Jane Austen on steroids. It's that sharp, that wicked, that laceratingly true' Michael Cunningham, author of The Hours'Intoxicating . . . A wellness tonic for people who like to make fun of the wellness industry' Leigh Stein, author of Self Care____________Jane Dorner has two modes:PR Jane is twenty-five, breezy, clever in a non-threatening way and eager to sell you a feminist vibrator.Actual Jane is twenty-nine, drifting through mediocre workdays and lackluster dates while paralysed by her crushing mountain of overdue bills. Enter the impossibly gorgeous Cass, whom Jane discovers scrolling through Instagram - the guru of a 'wellness retreat' based out of a ramshackle country house that may or may not be giving off cult vibes. Suddenly Jane realises she might have found the one ladder she can climb.But inner peace and glowing skin will always come at a price...
The Glow: A Novel
by Jessie GaynorA desperate young publicist tries to save her career by turning the charismatic leader of a grungy retreat center into the hot new self-care brand in this &“wryly funny [and] fabulous debut novel&” (The New York Times Book Review).&“A satire both cutting and careful in its approach, The Glow is a triumph.&”—ElleA GLAMOUR AND LIT HUB BEST BOOK OF THE YEARJane Dorner has two modes: PR Jane, twenty-five, chummy, and eager to sell you a feminist vibrator or a self-care/bereavement subscription box; and Actual Jane, twenty-nine, drifting through mediocre workdays and lackluster dates while paralyzed by her crushing mountain of overdue medical bills. When her job performance is called into question, Jane&’s last-ditch effort to preserve her livelihood and pay off her debt is to land a white whale of a client.Enter the impossibly gorgeous Cass—whom Jane discovers scrolling through Instagram—and her unassuming husband, Tom, proprietors of a &“wellness retreat&” based out of a ramshackle country house that may or may not be giving off cult vibes. Suddenly Jane realizes she might have found the one ladder she can climb—if she can convince them that transforming Cass herself into a high-end wellness brand is the key to all three of their futures. Magnetic yet mysterious, Cass is primed to be an influencer: She speaks in a mix of inspirational quotes and Zen koans, eats only zucchini (the most spiritually nourishing vegetable), and has baby-perfect skin. Despite Tom&’s reticence about selling out, Jane sets out to mold Cass into the kind of guru who can offer inner peace and make your skin glow—all at a hefty price, of course. As Jane reckons with her own long-dormant ambitions, she wonders: Can a person really &“do good&” for others while profiting off them? And what parts of our selves do we lose when we trade power, influence, and beauty?Sparklingly plotted, deliciously deadpan, and irresistibly entertaining, The Glow is a razor-sharp sendup of an industry built on the peculiar intersection of money and wellness, where health is a commodity and self-care a luxury.
The Goat, the Sofa & Mr Swami
by R ChandrashekharA politically weighted cricket match between Pakistan and India provides the setting for the hilarious farce, set in a delightful `Yes Minister? format. The Pakistani Premier's sudden decision to invite himself to a cricket series to be played in India creates uncertainly, panic and bureaucratic gamesmanship in New Delhi. Seemingly above such mundane concerns, India's elderly Prime Minister, devoted to movies, scotch, and late mornings, adds to the confusion with random utterances and occasional temper tantrums. His official factotum, a bureaucrat named Swami, plays the confusion for all it is worth, attempting to advance his career and settle old scores. Old rivalries between the Foreign Service and the domestic bureaucrats flare up as the day of the Pakistani Premier's visit approaches. Matters get stalled as rival departments choose to hide behind arcane laws. Conscious of his place in history and of the damage a botched visit would cause, the Prime Minister stages his own protests. Swami is forced to chart a treacherous course between his political and bureaucratic masters. A parable rooted in the absurdities of modern India, this novel takes a light-hearted dig at the pretensions of people who matter.
The Goatibex Constellation: A Novel
by Fazil IskanderFrom the Russian author of the banned book Sandro of Chegem, this satire of life in the twentieth century USSR takes on agricultural production and genetics. The Goatibex Constellation is the story of a young newspaperman who returns to his native Abkhazia and is soon caught up in the publicity campaign for a newly produced farm animal—a cross between a goat and a West Caucasian tur. What follows is a vicious and hilarious satire of the Soviet Union&’s top-down approach to agriculture, genetics . . . and just about everything else. Harshly criticized at home upon its publication in 1966, The Goatibex Constellation is as fresh, imaginative, and damning today as it was then.