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Modern Slavery in Global Context: Human Rights, Law, and Society
by Elizabeth A. FaulknerThis thought-provoking collection brings together academics from a range of disciplines to examine modern slavery. It illustrates how different disciplinary positions, methodologies and perspectives form and clash together through a kaleidoscopic view to contribute a unique insight into critical modern slavery studies. Providing a platform to critique the legal, ideological and political responses to the issue, experts interrogate the construct of modern slavery and the anti-trafficking discourse which have dominated contemporary responses to and understandings of exploitation. Drawing on a range of global real-world examples, this is a vital contribution to the study of modern slavery.
Sons + Fathers
by Sons FathersSONS & FATHERS brings together a remarkable array of politicians and world leaders, writers and musicians, cultural icons and actors in this collection dedicated to fathers. A moving, fascinating and often funny collection of portraits, this anthology includes contributions from Bono, Paul Auster, Bob Geldof, George Clooney, Bill Clinton, Hanif Kureishi, Graydon Carter and Sting, to name a few.SONS & FATHERS tells the stories behind some of the great men of our age through their relationships with their fathers. From writing about memories and special moments, to open letters addressed to their fathers, these essays give readers an insight into otherwise private relationships. Including images and illustrations from the contributors, this exceptional anthology makes a wonderful gift and is highly collectable.
Monkey Taming
by Judith Fathallah"You've eaten too much, you fat pig."When Jessica was thirteen years old, she met the Monkey. The Monkey lived inside her: a driving, fiery voice telling her that thinness was the only way. The only way to be safe, to be good, to be acceptable and above all, to escape from the cold, looming threat of approaching adulthood. Jessica listened to the Monkey, and it consumed her.This is the illuminating story of a teenage girl's wanderings in darkness: the spiral down into madness, the terrible realities of an adolescent psychiatric unit, and the stark choice that she must either tame her monster - or die. Through memory, reflection, and enduring black humour, Jessica makes a tenuous peace with the world and with her emerging adult self.
The Sky Was Ours: A Novel
by Joe Fassler&“An immersive fever dream of a novel, beautifully written and boldly imagined.&” —Leslie Jamison, New York Times bestselling author of The Empathy ExamsFrom prizewinning writer Joe Fassler comes a brilliant modern reimagining of the myth of Daedalus and Icarus as a story of obsession, longing, and the radical pursuit of utopiaIt&’s 2005, and 24-year-old Jane is miserable. Overworked, buried in debt, she senses the life she wanted slipping away—while the world around her veers badly off course, hurtling toward economic and ecological collapse. She wants to find something better. But she has no idea where to start. In a sudden and unprecedented burst of rebellion, Jane decides to abandon everything she knows, leaving behind her relationships and responsibilities to go on the road. That&’s how she meets Barry, a brilliant and charismatic recluse living on an isolated homestead near New York&’s Canadian border. For years, in secret, Barry&’s chased an unlikely obsession: to build a pair of wings humans can fly in, with designs inspired by an obscure precursor to the Wright Brothers. It&’s no mere hobby. He&’s convinced his dream of flight will spark a revolution, delivering us from the degradation of modern capitalism and the climate chaos that awaits us. Jane is captivated by Barry&’s radical vision, even as his experiments become more dangerous. But she&’s equally drawn to the enigmatic Ike, Barry&’s gentle, thoughtful son, who&’s known no other reality—and who only wants to keep his father alive, tethered to ground and to reason. So begins an inventive, dazzlingly beautiful story about the human desire for transcendence—our longing to escape the mundane and glide into a euphoric future. Inspired by the myth of Daedalus and Icarus, The Sky Was Ours is a powerful and imaginative debut that explores the question: If you had access to technology that allowed you to escape the confines of your life, would you use it? And if Barry&’s wings really could change the world, would that be freedom?
Yasmin la Detective (Yasmin En Español Ser.)
by Saadia Faruqi¡Yasmin se encuentra en una situación misteriosa! Las pertenencias de Nani han ido desapareciendo, y nadie tiene idea de dónde podrían estar. Luego, encuentra una pista en una lección de ciencias. ¿Será que la detective Yasmin puede resolver el caso?
Yasmin la Doctora (Yasmin En Español Ser.)
by Saadia FaruqiBaba no se siente bien, y la doctora Yasmin está decidida a averiguar la causa. Después de revisar a Baba, Yasmin sigue sin respuesta. Pero cuando se sienta para armar el rompecabezas de Baba, de repente se le ocurre la solución. ¡Doctora Yasmin al rescate!
Yasmin la Granjera (Yasmin En Español Ser.)
by Saadia Faruqi¡Yasmin y su familia se van a la granja! Tomás, el granjero, pone a Yasmin a cargo de los polluelos, ¡qué emoción! Pero uno de los polluelos se pierde. ¿Será que Yasmin la granjera puede reunir a la bandada?
Yasmin la Patinadora (Yasmin En Español Ser.)
by Saadia FaruqiYasmin y su amiga Emma se van a la pista de patinaje. Pero es la primera vez que Yasmin patina sobre el hielo, ¡qué nervios! Después de dar una serie de excusas, ¿colgará Yasmin los patines o se armará de valor para salir a la pista?
Unsettled
by Reem FaruqiA Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year · Kid's Indie Next List · Featured in Today Show’s AAPI Heritage Month list · A Kirkus Children's Best Book of 2021 · A National Council of Teachers of English Notable Verse Novel · Jane Addams 2022 Children’s Book Award Finalist · 2021 Nerdy Award Winner · Muslim Bookstagram Award Winner for Best Middle School BookFor fans of Other Words for Home and Front Desk, this powerful, charming immigration story follows a girl who moves from Karachi, Pakistan, to Peachtree City, Georgia, and must find her footing in a new world. Reem Faruqi is the ALA Notable author of award-winning Lailah's Lunchbox."A lyrical coming of age story exploring family, immigration, and most of all belonging.” —Aisha Saeed, New York Times bestselling author of Amal Unbound“This empowering story will resonate with people who have struggled to both fit in and stay true to themselves.” —Veera Hiranandani, Newbery Honor author of The Night Diary“A gorgeously written story, filled with warmth and depth." —Hena Khan, author of Amina’s VoiceWhen her family moves from Pakistan to Peachtree City, all Nurah wants is to blend in, yet she stands out for all the wrong reasons. Nurah’s accent, floral-print kurtas, and tea-colored skin make her feel excluded, until she meets Stahr at swimming tryouts.And in the water Nurah doesn’t want to blend in. She wants to win medals like her star athlete brother, Owais—who is going through struggles of his own in the U.S. Yet when sibling rivalry gets in the way, she makes a split-second decision of betrayal that changes their fates.Ultimately Nurah slowly gains confidence in the form of strong swimming arms, and also gains the courage to stand up to bullies, fight for what she believes in, and find her place.
No Place Like Home: A New Beginning with the Dogs of Afghanistan
by Pen Farthing'Nowzad was a gentle giant when it came to taking treats. He never, ever snatched. To me it was just further evidence that, deep inside, there was a great dog struggling to find his way out'When Pen Farthing brings stray dogs Nowzad and Tali back from his tour of Afghanistan, little does he know what he has begun.Suddenly he has four dogs to look after - two of whom have never been house-trained. And soon he is inundated with requests from other Marines and soldiers to help bring their rescued dogs home. Whether it's little Helmand, Fubar or Beardog, Pen does his utmost to give these dogs the chance they deserve.No Place like Home is the true story of one man's courage and persistence as he struggles to give his dogs at home, and those still in Afghanistan, the best possible chance. It will warm - and break - the hearts of dog lovers everywhere.
Introduction to Mythology: Third Edition
by J. G. FarrowThe word myth is often misunderstood, to the point that some people can even be quite offended when it is used in the “wrong” context. If the term is so sensitive, then why study it or even acknowledge the validity of such a subject as mythology in our class-rooms? When we study the subject at college or university level, there is a lot more to it than just the adventures of gods or heroes who, in many cases, are not even believed in any more, at least in a literal sense. At this level of the subject we are far more concerned with the real people who actually did (or in some cases still do) believe in the gods and heroes of the systems we will be studying in the course. We are also concerned with the critics and theorists who have been contributing to the subject over the last two centuries. We cannot understand myths fully without having in our minds a complete “tool kit” of theories and interpretations, some of which are new, others which have stood the test of time for a century or more. If you are buying this book, you are probably a serious student who wants to know more about the subject, not just get a couple more credits (though we all know what a big incentive that can be). Mythology has grown as a subject in the past century, especially in the American higher education system. This is a great contrast from European countries, where students are expected to study the original languages of the sources first (especially Latin and Greek), then get to grips with the myths when they read the works of ancient poets such as Homer, Hesiod, Vergil, and Ovid. Even in our system we cannot avoid one basic fact: the word source is the most important word in mythology. Don’t panic the sources used in this book are all translated into plain English for you. Care has been taken to keep it simple. Where there are important issues arising from the use of a particular word or name in a written source, there are footnotes to explain those issues. The shorter examples given in chapters 9 to 12 of this book are each followed by discussion questions which are designed to get you, as a beginning student of mythology, used to knowing what kind of details to look for and how to recognize structures. It helps if you know some actual history and geography, too. At no point must we ever forget that our sources were real people, living in a real place and at a real time.
Murder, Mystery and My Family: A True-Crime Casebook from the Hit BBC Series
by Karen FarringtonFive Women. Five families’ search for justice. All Sarah Chesham wanted was to survive, at a time when crops were poor and money was tight. By the time she died she was branded a merciless child killer.All Emily Swann wanted was the love of a man who wouldn’t abuse her. By the time she died she was depicted as a vengeful, drunken hussy. All Edith Thompson wanted was a romance with a man who adored her. By the time she died she was seen as a scheming and manipulative adulteress.All Louie Calvert wanted was to be heard. Yet when she died she slipped almost immediately into the shadows, like thousands of other women like her. All Charlotte Bryant wanted was a distraction from a dreary life. By the time she died she was deemed a seductress and an arch poisoner.No one wants to believe that their mother, sister or daughter is capable of murder. When a woman is charged with a killing, we judge more harshly and punish more severely than when a man does the same.Murder, Mystery and My Family explores five historical true-crime tales from the hit BBC series, each with a woman at the heart of the story, from a case of ‘poison panic’ in the 19th century to a post-war murder that gripped the nation. Tales of infidelity and greed, corruption and deceit run throughout – but was justice served for all? Descendants of those convicted revisit each case in search of answers.Based on extensive research, including original court records and interviews with descendants, Murder, Mystery and My Family delves deeper into each crime, while also looking at our changing attitudes to women who have found themselves at the centre of our darkest dramas.
The Repair Shop: A Make Do and Mend Handbook
by Karen FarringtonTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER AND OFFICIAL COMPANION TO THE HIT BBC SERIESBBC’s The Repair Shop is a place where Britain’s most skilled and caring craftspeople rescue and resurrect items that owners thought were beyond saving. Their shared love of craft has helped hundreds of people recover and relive cherished memories, and inspired millions to rediscover their own prized possessions. The skill required to properly restore those items may be beyond most of us, but there are small things we can all do to care for the items we love the most. How do you replenish the stuffing in your child’s beloved, tatty teddy bear, for instance? Or remove a water mark left on your wooden table? What’s the best way to prevent your leather from cracking?Direct from the Repair Shop's 'Workshop of Dreams', this ‘make do and mend’ guide collects advice and stories from each of the show’s experts, to help you understand and care for those aging treasures and heirlooms around your house or gathering dust in the garage. Whether it’s wood, ceramics, leather or silverware, you will get to know your materials, tools and terms from Britain’s best, as the Repair Shop experts share their tips on restoring and conserving, reveal their favourite tools, and provide a series of small, manageable projects that help tackle the most common problems that occur in their given medium. Their book, like the show it accompanies, with help you safeguard your sentimental legacy for generations to come.
The Repair Shop: Tales from the Workshop of Dreams
by Karen FarringtonWe all have treasures hidden away in the attic, well-loved and well-worn belongings that have been passed down from generation to generation. They may be damaged or no longer working, but we can't bear to part with them. The expert craftspeople of hit BBC series The Repair Shop are dedicated to restoring and conserving these heirlooms. They know that the true worth of these possessions doesn't lie in their monetary value, but in the memories they hold and the stories they tell.In this fascinating book, you'll step inside The Repair Shop's Workshop of Dreams to explore some of the most moving family stories from the hit BBC series. From a glamorous sequinned dress that belonged to a popular travelling circus performer to a pump organ that was brought from Jamaica by a member of the Windrush generation, each family item is brought vividly to life - and lovingly restored by the team of Repair Shop experts who also contribute to these expanded stories. With a foreword by Jay Blades, Tales from the Workshop of Dreams is a heartfelt love letter to our collective past, and a fascinating slice of social history.This book features items fixed by Repair Shop experts Steve Fletcher, Will Kirk, Lucia Scalisi, Suzie Fletcher, Kirsten Ramsay, Dominic Chinea, Brenton West, Tim Gunn, Sara Dennis, Chris Shaw, Matt Nickels, Amanda Middleditch and Julie Tatchell. With great care and attention to detail, the Repair Shop team resurrect priceless pieces of family history and breathe new life into the stories they hold.
Jim Morrison's Adventures in the Afterlife: A Novel
by Mick FarrenPart devil, part angel, the specter of Jim Morrison has haunted America's consciousness since his premature death in 1971. His spirit seemed dark, and the graphic despair of his Lizard King persona reigned supreme in his lifetime, but Jim Morrison died with a smile on his face. Was his journey through the afterlife as tumultuous as his journey through life? This is the question Mick Farren answers in his fascinatingly complex novel based on one of the twentieth century's most enigmatic figures.Jim Morrison's Adventures in the Afterlife picks up the story of Morrison as he hurtles through a purgatory-like afterlife in search of some way to bring his soul to peace. Along the way he finds Doc Holliday--and together they find themselves chasing the restless fire-and-brimstone evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson, whose soul has broken after death into two warring halves. McPherson's sexier half becomes the object of Jim's obsession, and as the two struggle to find each other in this disordered land, their wild, careening chase through a dozen dystopiae recalls imagined worlds as diverse as Burgess's A Clockwork Orange or Terry Gilliam's Brazil.This is a daring, hilarious romp through the landfill of millennial society. Possessed of an imagination that rivals that of any of our edgiest fantasists, steeped in the detritus and ephemera of three decades of pop culture, Mick Farren has crafted in this new novel a bizarre and compelling fantasia.
The Girl and the Mirror
by Thomasina FarrellWho hasn’t looked in the mirror and not liked what they saw? The author, Thomasina Farrell, has a particular passion for disability and mental health work and has recognized the nearly universal nature of a lack of self-worth. It is the aim of this book to heighten people’s ability to recover and thrive if they open themselves to access assistance. The story is enhanced by Malcolm Richards’ brilliant, emotive illustrations and the book can be enjoyed by children of all ages.
Unwinnable: Britain’s War in Afghanistan
by Theo FarrellAfghanistan was an unwinnable war. As British and American troops withdraw, discover this definitive account that explains why. It could have been a very different story. British forces could have successfully withdrawn from Afghanistan in 2002, having done the job they set out to do: to defeat al-Qaeda. Instead, in the years that followed, Britain paid a devastating price for their presence in Helmand province. So why did Britain enter, and remain, in an ill-fated war? Why did it fail so dramatically, and was this expedition doomed from the beginning? Drawing on unprecedented access to military reports, government documents and senior individuals, Professor Theo Farrell provides an extraordinary work of scholarship. He explains the origins of the war, details the campaigns over the subsequent years, and examines the West's failure to understand the dynamics of local conflict and learn the lessons of history that ultimately led to devastating costs and repercussions still relevant today.'The best book so far on Britain's...war in Afghanistan' International Affairs 'Masterful, irrefutable... Farrell records all these military encounters with the irresistible pace of a novelist' Sunday Times
My Mother Said...: The Way Young People Learned About Sex and Birth Control (Routledge Revivals)
by Christine FarrellBased on over 1500 interviews with a national random sample of 16- to 19-year-olds in 1974–5, originally published in 1978, My Mother Said… examines the sources of information encountered by young people during their early years which helped or hindered them in their acquisition of knowledge about sex and birth control.The study explores teenage patterns of sexual behaviour and contraceptive practice and looks at the way in which learning and sexual behaviour are related. Interviews were also conducted with over 300 parents of the teenagers, their attitudes to and experiences of the provision of sex-related information being discussed and described in detail. The author’s findings suggest that, although sex education from parents and in schools had improved over the previous ten years, there was still considerable room for changes in attitude and education. By putting the young people’s views and experiences in perspective, the book would help teachers, parents and others concerned to develop sex education along lines which would meet the needs of the young at the time.
Bicycle Bash
by Alison FarrellRichard Scarry meets Nana In the City in this bicycle themed seek-and-find adventure.Imagine visiting Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory—but for bikes! This is a seek-and-find/activity book rife with quirky illustrations that hits the sweet spot of every reader from the youngest to the oldest! The wheels keep turning in Cycle City, and it's finally time for the annual Bicycle Bash, where one and all can ride their bikes indoors. Etta's been specially invited by her Aunt Ellen to attend! But why does Aunt Ellen need a list of Etta's friends?Taking place in the Bicycle Museum, this celebration rolls out bicycles of all kinds—from low riders to tricycles to "bone shakers." The Museum even has lanes and tracks indoors so that everyone, Giraffe and Mouse alike, can ride their bikes anywhere. After a full day of riding through the museum halls, Etta pedals out to find a special surprise—her own birthday bash with her best friends! Follow Etta along her first bike tour with this delightfully detailed seek-and-find adventure.• BELOVED WORLDWIDE: The companion book, Cycle City, was published in seven foreign countries! Don't miss out on the favorite biking book of ciclistas worldwide!• FUN SEEK AND FIND: Alison Farrell's colorful, vibrant village will delight all kids who loved Richard Scarry's Cars and Trucks and Things That Go and Busytown books and thrill parents hoping for the same idea plus a hip design aesthetic.• DETAIL-RICH: There's so much to see on each page! From mini conversations between town denizens to countless biking encounters outside the narrative, young readers will delight in rereading this book in order to see the many enticing, funny sights of this little town.• A TREAT FOR BICYCLE LOVERS: Big, small, fancy, historic—the many different kinds of bikes in this book are a feast for the eyes.Perfect for:• Fans of Richard Scarry• Fans of seek-and-find books• Families and friends who enjoy bike riding together• Parents looking for a lighthearted picture book their kids can spend hours with• Aunts looking for a picture book that portrays niece/nephew relationships• Parents, grandparents, and other family members looking for a lightly educational picture book• Fans of museums
Understanding Allergy (Penguin Life Expert Series #4)
by Dr Sophie FarooqueOne in three of us experiences allergies at some point in our lives and we are more allergic than ever before, so why are allergies still so misunderstood?In Understanding Allergy, Dr Sophie Farooque, a leading expert and consultant in allergy, will provide allergy sufferers and their families with the knowledge they need to help them navigate this minefield. The book will offer practical advice to reduce unnecessary suffering, debunk common allergy myths and address key topics including:· The allergy epidemic· Understanding and treating hay fever and rhinitis · Living with food allergies, delayed food allergies and anaphylaxis · Drug allergies· What to do if you think you have an allergy· Eczema and allergy preventionMany people who are allergic often struggle to access help, whilst many think they have an allergy when they do not - Understanding Allergy is the essential and concise guide to diagnosis, treatment and lifestyle changes, to help you manage and alleviate your allergies.________________________________ 'A fascinating, insightful guide that is extremely clear' Professor Adam Fox'A source of sound information and practical advice' Professor Roy Taylor'A must read' David Stukus, M.D
Bitter Sweets: A Novel
by Roopa FarookiWith this spellbinding first novel about the destructive lies three immigrant generations of a Pakistani/Bangladeshi family tell each other, Roopa Farooki adds a fresh new voice to the company of Zadie Smith, Jhumpa Lahiri and Arudhati Roy.Henna Rub is a precocious teenager whose wheeler-dealer father never misses a business opportunity and whose sumptuous Calcutta marriage to wealthy romantic Ricky-Rashid Karim is achieved by an audacious network of lies. Ricky will learn the truth about his seductive bride, but the way is already paved for a future of double lives and deception--family traits that will filter naturally through the generations, forming an instinctive and unspoken tradition. Even as a child, their daughter Shona, herself conceived on a lie and born in a liar's house, finds telling fibs as easy as ABC. But years later, living above a sweatshop in South London's Tooting Bec, it is Shona who is forced to discover unspeakable truths about her loved ones and come to terms with what superficially holds her family together--and also keeps them apart--across geographical, emotional and cultural distance. Roopa Farooki has crafted an intelligent, engrossing and emotionally powerful Indian family saga that will stay with you long after you've read the last page.
The Lonely Hearts' Quiz League: That Rom-Com you'll be telling all your friends about: funny, romantic and heartwarming
by Lauren Farnsworth'Full of heart. You won't regret spending time with your new favourite group of lonely hearts' LUCY GILMORE'The cast list of The Lonely Hearts Quiz League is wonderful. I thoroughly enjoyed it' CLARE SWATMAN'A heart-warming tale of friendship. It warmed me up, like the welcoming glow of a pub' JOSIE LLOYDThis irresistible novel about love and friendship will make your heart soar, perfect for fans of Beth O'Leary, Mhairi McFarlane and David Nicholls' Starter for Ten.-------Q: What do you call four strangers with nothing left to lose?A: A quiz team who might just surprise everyone...When Bryony, Harry and Jaime step into the Five Bells, each has their own motive for being drawn into the warm glow of the pub. Heartbroken Harry can't face his silent flat. Jaime, new to London with her boyfriend, longs to find a fun crowd. And Bryony is trying to remember the promising young woman she was, before a positive pregnancy test set her life on a different course.When they spot the advert to join a quiz team and enter a tournament, each signs up, unaware that the organiser, Donna, has her own reason to avoid thinking about home.After a few evenings, the strangers begin to see they have more in common than they realised. But when everyone's secrets are finally out on the table, will it sabotage the team's chances of making it through?-------What readers are saying about The Lonely Hearts' Quiz League:'Perfect for fans of Beth O'Leary and Laura Jane Williams with plenty of drama for all characters!' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'I cared about the characters and wanted them to succeed. Totally enjoyable' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'A captivating story that had me hooked from the beginning and kept me reading late into the night' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'A beautiful observation of human nature and why we seek the company of others' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'I loved this story' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'Truly compulsive' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'A heartwarming read' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'The characters made me fall in love with this book' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
I Ching Plain & Simple: The Only Book You'll Ever Need (Plain & Simple Series)
by Kim FarnellThe I Ching, or Book of Changes, is a mix of Taoist and Confucianist philosophies that has evolved over many centuries and may be the oldest book in existence. Its main philosophy is that nothing is static and everything changes over time, so our task is to adjust to the ebb and flow of changing circumstances. The I Ching can help us:Make decisionsManage sensitive relationshipsTap into our creative insight and intuitive powerThe I Ching can be extremely complex, filled with poetry and philosophy. In I Ching, Plain & Simple, Kim Farnell has made the divination system as modern, straightforward, and user-friendly as possible--pick it up and put it to use quickly and easily, without any fuss or confusion. It is the ultimate guide to the I Ching.
Flesh
by Philip José FarmerA starship crew returns to a primitive, post-apocalyptic—and deadly—Earth in this classic adventure by a Science Fiction Grand Master. After eight centuries of exploring the stars, Space Capt. Peter Stagg and his starship crew return to Earth to find a scorched planet with little plant life remaining. Civilization has changed drastically with technology reverted to the Stone Age and culture centered on a pagan fertility cult. Stagg soon finds himself initiated into the Elk fraternity. They graft antlers to his head, crowning him the new &“Sunhero.&” He is then sent on a six-month tour to repopulate the world with the help of every willing virgin. Now the crew must find a way to escape, because while the captain&’s journey might sound pleasurable, it will only end in pain . . . &“A bawdy but good yarn.&” —Analog Science Fiction and Fact&“Farmer must have had lots of fun writing this because I had quite a bit reading it.&” —Locu
Venus on the Half-Shell
by Philip José FarmerDisaster sends a man across the universe in search of answers to life&’s big questions in this humorous classic adventure by a Science Fiction Grand Master. When a massive flood wipes out Earth and spoils his date, lone survivor Simon Wagstaff finds refuge in an abandoned Chinese spaceship, the Hwang Ho. Accompanied by three new companions—a dog, an owl, and a beautiful robot—and his electric banjo, Wagstaff sets off on an extraterrestrial adventure. He travels from planet to planet, seeking the definitive answer to the ultimate question: Why are we created if only to suffer and die? Of course, after he drinks an elixir granting him eternal life, the real question is what to do for the rest of eternity after he answers his first question . . . &“Lively and inventive and goes by faster than a holiday weekend.&” —The Washington Post &“A comedy of sexual mores, an investigative search for Love, a lampoon of people who require answers to imponderable questions.&” —Science Fiction Review&“Not only a science-fiction epic of the most incredible proportions, but it is also a satiric-fantasy, a clever parody of its own genre.&” —The Daily Eastern News