- Table View
- List View
The Ice Factor (Guinea Pigs Online #3)
by Jennifer Gray Amanda SwiftThe weather outside is cold and snowy, but Fuzzy and Coco are as warm as toast in the house, enjoying their favourite TV shows. Fuzzy loves the cookery programmes, while Coco is a huge fan of The Ice Factor, a celebrity skating competition. But some of their furry friends are not so lucky - it's freezing out in the copse, and someone has been stealing the animals' food! Fuzzy and Coco have to do something - can they use the skills they've learnt from their favourite TV shows to help their friends?
The Ice Factor (Guinea Pigs Online #3)
by Jennifer Gray Amanda SwiftThe weather outside is cold and snowy, but Fuzzy and Coco are as warm as toast in the house, enjoying their favourite TV shows. Fuzzy loves the cookery programmes, while Coco is a huge fan of The Ice Factor, a celebrity skating competition. But some of their furry friends are not so lucky - it's freezing out in the copse, and someone has been stealing the animals' food! Fuzzy and Coco have to do something - can they use the skills they've learnt from their favourite TV shows to help their friends?(P)2014 WF Howes Ltd
The Ice Factor (Guinea Pigs Online Ser. #6)
by Jennifer Gray Amanda SwiftThe weather outside is cold and snowy, but Fuzzy and Coco are as warm as toast in the house, enjoying their favourite TV shows. Fuzzy loves the cookery programmes, while Coco is a huge fan of The Ice Factor, a celebrity skating competition. But some of their furry friends are not so lucky - it's freezing out in the copse, and someone has been stealing the animals' food! Fuzzy and Coco have to do something - can they use the skills they've learnt from their favourite TV shows to help their friends?
The Ice Man
by Brittany YoungAuthor of more than twenty novels, Brittany Young brings her dramatic, sensual style to Intimate MomentsHE WAS THE ONE MAN SHE HAD NO BUSINESS WANTINGBut from the moment undercover investigator Kyra Courtland laid eyes on Jack Allessandro, she was consumed by a fierce and undeniable desire for the aloof, all-business shipping tycoon.If Jack was guilty of treason, it was her job to find out. But the warmth Kyra discovered beneath Jack's icy demeanor had her praying he was innocent. But if he was, what then? What would happen to the love in his eyes when he found out his ravishing new "assistant" had wormed her way into his company-and his trust-only to spy on him?
The Ice Monster
by David WalliamsHailed as “the heir to Roald Dahl” by The Spectator, the UK’s #1 bestselling children’s author, David Walliams, will have fans of Stuart Gibbs and Gordan Korman in stitches! David Walliams burst on to the American scene with his New York Times bestseller Demon Dentist, and now he’s bringing his signature humor to this story of a ten-year-old orphan and a 10,000-year-old mammoth. When Elsie, an orphan on the streets of Victorian London, hears about the mysterious Ice Monster—a woolly mammoth found at the North Pole—she’s determined to discover more....Luckily, a chance encounter brings Elsie face to face with the creature, sparking the adventure of a lifetime—from London to the heart of the Arctic!
The Ice Prince (Orsini Brides #1)
by Sandra MartonPrince Draco Valenti, known as the ice prince, bears his title reluctantly, and wears his icy exterior like a suit of armor that no opponent can penetrate....Except Anna Orsini. She isn't any ordinary adversary, she's a high-flying, straight-talking lawyer in a no-nonsense suit and killer stilettos-conflicting signals that perplex, frustrate and attract Draco all at the same time....While they're at odds in business, in the bedroom Draco's desire for Anna has the power to melt his defenses. The temptation to play with fire is overwhelming....
The Ick: A totally hilarious enemies to lovers, forced proximity romantic comedy
by Holly McCulloch'Absolutely loved this book!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'You keep saying "just one more chapter"' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Hilarious. I laughed so much' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'I raced through this funny story. It romps along' Daily MailSix foot two with blue eyes ✅Dimples and strong arms ✅Giant turtle backpack ❌Gem's date is looking promising. Atlas is 6'2, with blue eyes, dimples and strong hands that look like they would be at home wielding an axe. But when he says he eats soup for lunch, Gem is immediately hit with the ick. Suddenly she's painfully aware of his giant backpack that makes him look like a turtle, his colourful socks, and his hair that's just a bit too floppy.Gem, who collects icks like others collect loyalty points, is adamant that the phenomenon is her instinct kicking in, but her housemate and best friend Shanti disagrees, and challenges Gem to take part in a study for her psychology course: Is intuition real?Gem eventually decides to take part, but doing so means she has to break all her own rules. She sees Atlas for a second date, a third, and even a fourth, until she starts losing count. It's all for research purposes, of course - but what if the impossible happens and Gem falls for Atlas? And if he finds out she's being paid to date him, will he ever forgive her?Forced-proximity meets enemies-to-lovers in this spicy, swoon-worthy and totally hilarious romantic comedy. Fans of Emily Henry, Ali Hazlewood and Mhairi McFarlane won't be able to put this sizzling romance down.'Holly has perfected the art of comedy writing' Sophie Cousens'Holly is the queen of the clever feel-good read - hilarious, heart-warming and real, with characters you'll fall in love with and be thinking about long after you finish the final page' Lucy Foley'The perfect subject: icks are hilarious and Holly has managed to weave them into a gorgeous, heartfelt and sexy story' Abigail Mann'Hilarious and charming, The Ick explores what happens when an immoveable avoidant-attachment meets an unstoppable hunk. McCulloch's gift for comedic asides shines brightly here but never overwhelms the delicious, tender romance blossoming between Atlas and Gem. An absolute must for rom-com fans!' Lindz Mcleod'Opening a new Holly McCulloch book is a real treat, and The Ick contains everything I love in a novel: relatable characters, hilarious one-liners, and romance that gives you spaghetti legs' Nicola Gill'Absolutely loved this book!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'This book was full of deadpan humour and I loved that about it. I adored Atlas - I have a thing for cinnamon-roll heroes, and he was very sweet... Made me laugh a lot' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'A fun read where you keep saying "just one more chapter"' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Boy did this meet every expectation. I laughed so much. I can't recommend this enough!!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Loved it - a perfectly pitched modern day romcom with some loveable characters and some deliciously awkward situations. The storytelling was fab, the pages flew by and I was totally rooting for Gem and her man throughout' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'I loved Atlas - there's just something irresistible about kind, soft-hearted heroes, and he was genuinely sweet.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'I loved this book! Funny in all the right places! I love Holly's writing style!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Ick: A totally hilarious enemies to lovers, forced proximity romantic comedy
by Holly McCulloch'Absolutely loved this book!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'You keep saying "just one more chapter"' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Hilarious. I laughed so much' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'I raced through this funny story. It romps along' Daily MailSix foot two with blue eyes ✅Dimples and strong arms ✅Giant turtle backpack ❌Gem's date is looking promising. Atlas is 6'2, with blue eyes, dimples and strong hands that look like they would be at home wielding an axe. But when he says he eats soup for lunch, Gem is immediately hit with the ick. Suddenly she's painfully aware of his giant backpack that makes him look like a turtle, his colourful socks, and his hair that's just a bit too floppy.Gem, who collects icks like others collect loyalty points, is adamant that the phenomenon is her instinct kicking in, but her housemate and best friend Shanti disagrees, and challenges Gem to take part in a study for her psychology course: Is intuition real?Gem eventually decides to take part, but doing so means she has to break all her own rules. She sees Atlas for a second date, a third, and even a fourth, until she starts losing count. It's all for research purposes, of course - but what if the impossible happens and Gem falls for Atlas? And if he finds out she's being paid to date him, will he ever forgive her?Forced-proximity meets enemies-to-lovers in this spicy, swoon-worthy and totally hilarious romantic comedy. Fans of Emily Henry, Ali Hazlewood and Mhairi McFarlane won't be able to put this sizzling romance down.'Holly has perfected the art of comedy writing' Sophie Cousens'Holly is the queen of the clever feel-good read - hilarious, heart-warming and real, with characters you'll fall in love with and be thinking about long after you finish the final page' Lucy Foley'The perfect subject: icks are hilarious and Holly has managed to weave them into a gorgeous, heartfelt and sexy story' Abigail Mann'Hilarious and charming, The Ick explores what happens when an immoveable avoidant-attachment meets an unstoppable hunk. McCulloch's gift for comedic asides shines brightly here but never overwhelms the delicious, tender romance blossoming between Atlas and Gem. An absolute must for rom-com fans!' Lindz Mcleod'Opening a new Holly McCulloch book is a real treat, and The Ick contains everything I love in a novel: relatable characters, hilarious one-liners, and romance that gives you spaghetti legs' Nicola Gill'Absolutely loved this book!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'This book was full of deadpan humour and I loved that about it. I adored Atlas - I have a thing for cinnamon-roll heroes, and he was very sweet... Made me laugh a lot' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'A fun read where you keep saying "just one more chapter"' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Boy did this meet every expectation. I laughed so much. I can't recommend this enough!!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Loved it - a perfectly pitched modern day romcom with some loveable characters and some deliciously awkward situations. The storytelling was fab, the pages flew by and I was totally rooting for Gem and her man throughout' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'I loved Atlas - there's just something irresistible about kind, soft-hearted heroes, and he was genuinely sweet.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'I loved this book! Funny in all the right places! I love Holly's writing style!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Ick: A totally hilarious enemies to lovers, forced proximity romantic comedy
by Holly McCulloch'Absolutely loved this book!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'You keep saying "just one more chapter"' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Hilarious. I laughed so much' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'I raced through this funny story. It romps along' Daily MailSix foot two with blue eyes ✅Dimples and strong arms ✅Giant turtle backpack ❌Gem's date is looking promising. Atlas is 6'2, with blue eyes, dimples and strong hands that look like they would be at home wielding an axe. But when he says he eats soup for lunch, Gem is immediately hit with the ick. Suddenly she's painfully aware of his giant backpack that makes him look like a turtle, his colourful socks, and his hair that's just a bit too floppy.Gem, who collects icks like others collect loyalty points, is adamant that the phenomenon is her instinct kicking in, but her housemate and best friend Shanti disagrees, and challenges Gem to take part in a study for her psychology course: Is intuition real?Gem eventually decides to take part, but doing so means she has to break all her own rules. She sees Atlas for a second date, a third, and even a fourth, until she starts losing count. It's all for research purposes, of course - but what if the impossible happens and Gem falls for Atlas? And if he finds out she's being paid to date him, will he ever forgive her?Forced-proximity meets enemies-to-lovers in this spicy, swoon-worthy and totally hilarious romantic comedy. Fans of Emily Henry, Ali Hazlewood and Mhairi McFarlane won't be able to put this sizzling romance down.'Holly has perfected the art of comedy writing' Sophie Cousens'Holly is the queen of the clever feel-good read - hilarious, heart-warming and real, with characters you'll fall in love with and be thinking about long after you finish the final page' Lucy Foley'The perfect subject: icks are hilarious and Holly has managed to weave them into a gorgeous, heartfelt and sexy story' Abigail Mann'Hilarious and charming, The Ick explores what happens when an immoveable avoidant-attachment meets an unstoppable hunk. McCulloch's gift for comedic asides shines brightly here but never overwhelms the delicious, tender romance blossoming between Atlas and Gem. An absolute must for rom-com fans!' Lindz Mcleod'Opening a new Holly McCulloch book is a real treat, and The Ick contains everything I love in a novel: relatable characters, hilarious one-liners, and romance that gives you spaghetti legs' Nicola Gill'Absolutely loved this book! I loved the characters' storyline and could relate to being a bit picky when it comes to finding a partner' Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'This book was full of deadpan humour and I loved that about it. I adored Atlas - I have a thing for cinnamon-roll heroes, and he was very sweet... Made me laugh a lot' Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Icks are something I find hilarious for the pure ridiculousness of some of them so a whole book about it intrigued me... This is a fun read where you keep saying "just one more chapter"' Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Boy did this meet every expectation. This book is so light and hilarious. I laughed so much. I can't recommend this enough!!' Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Loved it - a perfectly pitched modern day romcom with some loveable characters and some deliciously awkward situations. The storytelling was fab, the pages flew by and I was totally rooting for Gem and her man throughout' Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'I loved Atlas - there's just something irresistible about kind,
The Identicals: A Novel
by Elin HilderbrandThe instant New York Times bestseller is "a fun, delightful, un-putdownable novel" about two identical twin sisters who couldn't look more alike . . . or live more differently (PopSugar). Nantucket is only eleven miles away from Martha's Vineyard. But they may as well be worlds apart for estranged twin sisters Harper and Tabitha Frost.After not speaking for more than a decade, Harper and Tabitha switch islands-and lives-to save what's left of their splintered family. But the twins quickly discover that the secrets, lies, and gossip they thought they'd outrun can travel between islands just as easily as they can. Will Harper and Tabitha be able to bury the hatchet and end their sibling rivalry once and for all?Before the last beach picnic of the season, there will be enough old resentments, new loves, and cases of mistaken identity to make this the most talked-about summer that Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket have experienced in ages."Parent Trap vibes with an adult twist...One of Hilderbrand's most binge-worthy confections." —Elisabeth Egan, New York Times
The Idiot
by John Kendrick BangsJohn Kendrick Bangs (1862-1922) has earned comparison with Mark Twain and L. Frank Baum for his humorous fantasies, including "A Houseboat on the Styx" and these wildly adventurous "Andiron Tales" -- featuring talking andirons, bellows and fire-pokers . . . and a voyage to the crescent Moon
The Idiot Girls' Action-Adventure Club
by Laurie Notaro"I've changed a bit since high school. Back then I said no to using and selling drugs. I washed on a normal basis and still had good credit."Introducing Laurie Notaro, the leader of the Idiot Girls' Action-Adventure Club. Every day she fearlessly rises from bed to defeat the evil machinations of dolts, dimwits, and creepy boyfriends--and that's before she even puts on a bra.For the past ten years, Notaro has been entertaining Phoenix newspaper readers with her wildly amusing autobiographical exploits and unique life experiences. She writes about a world of hourly-wage jobs that require absolutely no skills, a mother who hands down judgments more forcefully than anyone seated on the Supreme Court, horrific high school reunions, and hangovers that leave her surprised that she woke up in the first place.The misadventures of Laurie and her fellow Idiot Girls ("too cool to be in the Smart Group") unfold in a world that everyone will recognize but no one has ever described so hilariously. She delivers the goods: life as we all know it.From the Trade Paperback edition.
The Idiot Girls' Action-Adventure Club
by Laurie NotaroNEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER"I've changed a bit since high school. Back then I said no to using and selling drugs. I washed on a normal basis and still had good credit." Introducing Laurie Notaro, the leader of the Idiot Girls' Action-Adventure Club. Every day she fearlessly rises from bed to defeat the evil machinations of dolts, dimwits, and creepy boyfriends--and that's before she even puts on a bra. For the past ten years, Notaro has been entertaining Phoenix newspaper readers with her wildly amusing autobiographical exploits and unique life experiences. She writes about a world of hourly-wage jobs that require absolutely no skills, a mother who hands down judgments more forcefully than anyone seated on the Supreme Court, horrific high school reunions, and hangovers that leave her surprised that she woke up in the first place. The misadventures of Laurie and her fellow Idiot Girls ("too cool to be in the Smart Group") unfold in a world that everyone will recognize but no one has ever described so hilariously. She delivers the goods: life as we all know it.From the Trade Paperback edition.
The Idler's Glossary
by Seth Joshua Glenn Mark KingwellFor as long as mankind has had to work for a living, people who work have disparaged those who prefer not to. This glossary playfully explores the etymology and history of hundreds of idler-specific terms and phrases, while offering a foundation for a new mode of thinking about work and labor.
The Illegitimate Prince's Baby (Royal Seductions #4)
by Michelle CelmerPrince Ethan would never have slept with a palace employee...normally. Then plain-Jane Elizabeth Pryce appeared at the royal ball, unrecognizably gorgeous- and too desirable to ignore. When he finally discovered her true identity, he also learned she was carrying his child. A royal courtship would defuse the scandal. But would a marriage inflame the passion that still burned between them?
The Illicit Happiness of Other People: A Darkly Comic Novel Set in Modern India
by Manu JosephSeventeen-year-old Unni has done something terrible. The only clue to his actions lies in a comic strip he has drawn, which has fallen into the hands of his father Ousep - a nocturnal anarchist with a wife who is fantasizing about his early death. Ousep begins investigating the extraordinary life of his son, but as he circles closer and closer to the truth, he unravels a secret that shakes his family to the core.Set in Madras in the 1990s, where every adolescent male is preparing for the toughest exam in the world, this is a powerful and darkly comic story involving an alcoholic's probe into the minds of the sober, an adolescent cartoonist's dangerous interpretation of absolute truth, an inner circle of talented schizophrenics and the pure love of a 12-year-old boy for a beautiful girl.
The Illustrated Christmas Cracker
by John Julius NorwichA classic Christmas gift book, reissued with new cover artwork by Quentin BlakeFor more than 40 years, John Julius Norwich has been sending out his Christmas Crackers—a personal collection of quirky quotes and literary odds and ends—to his friends instead of a Christmas card. Here, Quentin Blake has made his own selection of favorite pieces and has illustrated them in his own trademark style. From curious dictionary definitions ("Carphology. Delirious fumbling with the bedclothes," Concise Oxford Dictionary) and tortuous palindromes ("Live dirt up a side-track carted is a putrid evil") to 18th-century accounts of drunken pigs and Benjamin Franklin's account of inventing bifocals, this cracker is stuffed with surprising, offbeat, often hilarious gems. Enlivened by Quentin Blake's witty illustrations, this book is a perfect stocking-stuffer.
The Illustrated Compendium of Amazing Animal Facts
by Maja SäfströmNew York Times bestseller • An artfully playful collection of unexpected and remarkable facts about animals, illustrated by Swedish artist Maja Säfström. Did you know that an octopus has three hearts? Or that ostriches can't walk backward? Or that a group of owls is called a parliament, or that they have three eyelids?Sea otters hold hands in their sleep, bees never sleep, and penguins laugh when they're tickled!This charming compendium contains over 100 pages of fascinating facts about the animal kingdom illustrated with whimsical detail.
The Illustrated Dictionary of Snark: A Snide, Sarcastic Guide to Verbal Sparring, Comebacks, Irony, Insults, and Much More
by Lawrence DorfmanWhat do Dorothy Parker, Groucho Marx, H. L. Mencken, Oscar Wilde, Robert Benchley, George Bernard Shaw, Jules Feiffer, Bill Hicks, Bill Maher, Phyllis Diller, Édith Piaf, W. C. Fields, Mark Twain, Voltaire, Charles Bukowski, and countless others have in common? Not a thing, other than each was a brilliantly snarky wit and all are included in this compendium of the original snark handbooks.Hear wit, sarcasm, and offhanded comments from:The Snark Handbook: A Reference Guide to Verbal SparringThe Snark Handbook: Insult EditionThe Snark Handbook: Sex EditionSnark! The Herald Angels SingThe Snark Handbook: Politics and Government EditionThe Snark Handbook: Clichés EditionThe Snark Handbook: Parenting EditionIsn't that enough!?!?A minor literary success (beloved by both minors and miners), the snark handbooks have cemented their position in the literary world, high atop toilet seats everywhere. Now in one great big edition, this lofty tome promises to fulfill the need to chuckle, guffaw, titter, groan, and belly laugh as readers dip in and out of the great minds in literature, comedy, movies, music, and more. Proceed with caution.
The Illustrated Eric
by Terry PratchettTerry Pratchett's hilarious take on the Faust legend stars many of the Discworld's most popular characters.Eric is the Discworld's only demonology hacker. The trouble is, he's not very good at it. All he wants is the usual three wishes: to be immortal, rule the world and have the most beautiful woman fall madly in love with him. The usual stuff.But what he gets is Rincewind, the Disc's most incompetent wizard, and Rincewind's Luggage (the world's most dangerous travel accessory) into the bargain. The outcome is an outrageous adventure that will leave Eric wishing once more - this time, quite fervently - that he'd never been born.
The Illustrated History of Football: the highs and lows of football, brought to life in comic form…
by David SquiresStunningly illustrated by David Squires (as featured in the Guardian), The Illustrated History of Football is a wry look at the highs and lows of the beautiful game. Laugh-out- loud and occasionally moving, it's the perfect gift for anyone who loves football.'Squires is the master of the football comic strip and this collection is recommended reading for enlightened football fans everywhere' -- Late Tackle'No one captures the absurdities and ugliness of football better than him ... hilarious' -- Coach Magazine'[Illustrated History of Football] is the funniest football tome since Viz's Billy the Fish Football Yearbook, published 26 years earlier' -- Esquire'Simply brilliant - my favourite football book' -- ***** Reader review'Completely amazing cartoons with beautiful insight as to the how, why, when & wow' -- ***** Reader review'Simply wonderful' -- ***** Reader review'One of the funniest books I've read in a very long time. A must for anyone who loves football' -- ***** Reader review*********************************************************************************************Football and comics. Once a hearty Saturday combination to match cartoons and cereal, in recent years they've drifted apart. Thankfully for us, illustrator Squires is here to change all that.In The Illustrated History of Football, his first book, Squires relives some of football's most glorious moments and meets its greatest figures. In a sport full of handsome paycheques and corporate sponsors, he also casts a critical eye over corrupt backroom workings and helps pierce football's overblown balloon.Funny, good-looking and preternaturally astute, this book is everything Sepp Blatter wishes he could be.More than the archetypal loo book, this is a satirical look at the highs and lows of football and the perfect gift for all fans...
The Illustrated Mark Twain and the Buffalo Express: 10 Stories and over a Century of Sketches
by Thomas J. ReigstadComing to Buffalo as a young man with a background as an itinerant printer&’s apprentice, newspaper reporter, and popular lecturer, Twain began his brief but impactful tenure at the Buffalo Express in 1869. One of his first decisions as managing editor was to accompany each of his Saturday feature stories with an illustration. But the sketches didn&’t stop there. For more than a century, illustrators have kept coming back to Twain&’s original Express stories to add their own drawings to the humorist&’s legacy. The Illustrated Mark Twain and the Buffalo Express collects ten feature stories published by Twain in the Buffalo Express during his year-long tenure at the publication, accompanied by illustrations drawn by six artists over a span of nearly 115 years alongside insightful analysis from author and Twain scholar Thomas J. Reigstad. There is the drawing by Twain himself, created in 1870; originals by Express staff artist John Harrison Mills in the fall of 1869; and those featured alongside his Express stories by his favorite contemporary illustrator, True Williams, who would be the principal illustrator of Twain&’s The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Sketches, New and Old. This book also includes 11 humorous illustrations created by Pulitzer Prize–winning cartoonist Tom Toles for a 1978 Buffalo Courier-ExpressSunday Magazine series reprinted here for the first time, as well as a cartoon drawn in 1983 for the Mark Twain Journal by Bill Watterson, the cartoonist and author of the comic strip &“Calvin and Hobbes.&” Finally, this volume contains two 21st-century caricatures of Twain, one as he looked in his early 30s in Buffalo and a second of him decades later as a literary lion, drawn by cartoonist Adam Zyglis – another Pulitzer Prize-winner – for the Buffalo News. Ranging from his first impression of Niagara Falls to the deteriorating condition of a cemetery in his Buffalo neighborhood, to more satirical statements on the state of American journalism, Twain&’s Buffalo Express stories from 1869 and 1870 stand the test of time. But their entertainment value is vastly increased when coupled with visual interpretations provided by talented illustrators (including Twain himself) of yesterday and today.
The Illustrious House of Ramires
by Margaret Jull Costa José Maria de Eça de QueirósIn a brilliant new translation, the wonderful penultimate novel by Eça de Queirós: “Portugal's greatest novelist” (José Saramago) The Illustrious House of Ramires, presented here in a sparkling new translation by Margaret Jull Costa, is the favorite novel of many Eça de Queirós aficionados. This late masterpiece, wickedly funny and yet profoundly tender, centers on Gonçalo Ramires, heir to a family so aristocratic that it predates even the kings of Portugal. Gonçalo—charming but disastrously effete, idealistic but hopelessly weak—muddles through his pampered life, burdened by a grand ambition. He is determined to write a great historical novel based on the heroic deeds of his fierce medieval ancestors. But “the record of their valor,” as The London Spectator remarked, “is ironically counterpointed by his own chicanery. A combination of Don Quixote and Walter Mitty, Ramires is continually humiliated but at the same time kindhearted. Ironic comedy is the keynote of the novel. Eça de Queirós has justly been compared with Flaubert and Stendhal."