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Oroonoko, the Rover and Other Works
by Aphra BehnWhen Prince Oroonoko’s passion for the virtuous Imoinda arouses the jealousy of his grandfather, the lovers are cast into slavery and transported from Africa to the colony of Surinam. Oroonoko’s noble bearing soon wins the respect of his English captors, but his struggle for freedom brings about his destruction. Inspired by Aphra Behn’s visit to Surinam, Oroonoko (1688) reflects the author’s romantic view of Native Americans as simple, superior peoples ‘in the first state of innocence, before men knew how to sin’. The novel also reveals Behn’s ambiguous attitude to African slavery – while she favoured it as a means to strengthen England’s power, her powerful and moving work conveys its injustice and brutality.
Orphan Girl
by Maggie HopeShe's no more than an unpaid servant...Lorinda is only a child when tragedy deprives her of her true family and, sent to live with her aunt in her boarding house, she grows up desperately craving affection.And although she finds friendship - and even love - in the boarding house, she finally sees a chance to escape her drab surroundings and unkind family. But is a marriage of convenience better than a love that's true?
The Orphan of Florence: A Novel
by Jeanne KalogridisIn this irresistible historical novel set in the turbulent world of the Medicis, a young woman finds herself driven from pick-pocketing to espionage when she meets a mysterious man.Giulia has been an orphan all her life. Raised in Florence's famous Ospedale degli Innocenti, her probing questions and insubordinate behavior made her an unwelcome presence, and at the age of fifteen, she was given an awful choice: become a nun, or be married off to a man she didn't love. She chose neither, and after refusing an elderly suitor, Giulia escaped onto the streets of Florence. Now, after spending two years as a successful pickpocket, an old man catches her about to make off with his purse, and rather than having her carted off to prison he offers her a business proposition. The man claims to be a cabalist, a student of Jewish mysticism and ritual magic, who works for the most powerful families in Florence. But his identity is secret—he is known only as "the Magician of Florence"—and he is in need of an assistant. She accepts the job and begins smuggling his talismans throughout the city. But the talismans are not what they seem, and neither is the Magician. When Giulia's involvement with him ends with his murder, she's drawn into a treacherous web of espionage and deceit involving the forces of Rome, Naples, and a man known as Lorenzo the Magnificent. Accused of the Magician's murder, Giulia is pursued by the handsome policeman Niccolo, Lorenzo's henchmen, and foreign spies, and in order to survive, she must not only solve the mystery of the mystery of the Magician's murder, but that of her own past.
The Orphans
by Annemarie Neary'Artful and beautifully ambiguous' Irish Independent'Captivating and entertaining' RTEEight-year-old Jess and her little brother were playing at the water's edge when their parents vanished. For hours the children held hands and waited for them to return. But nobody ever came back. Years later, Jess has become a locker of doors. Now a lawyer and a mother, she is determined to protect the life she has built around her. But her brother Ro has grown unpredictable, elusive and obsessive. When new evidence suggests that their mother might be alive, Ro reappears, convinced that his sister knows more than she claims. And then bad things start to happen.
An Orphan's Christmas
by Katie FlynnLiverpool, 1936. Molly Penelope Hardwick has been abandoned in Haisborough Orphanage. Desperate to discover her background, she befriends another orphan, Lenny Smith. Together they sneak out to roam the city of Liverpool, and hatch plans for their escape.But when Molly is forced to leave the orphanage, Lenny has no idea where she’s gone. And when war is declared, he soon forgets about his childhood best pal to focus on his posting with the RAF in Scrimpton. What Lenny doesn’t know is that Molly is desperate to join the war effort, and with her sights set on joining the WAAF, chances are they will see each other again. But will things ever be the same after all this time?
The Orphans of Ardwick
by Emma Hornby**Don't miss Emma Hornby's gripping new wartime saga, A DAUGHTER'S WAR - out now**----------------------------Fans of Dilly Court, Rosie Goodwin and Maggie Hope will love Emma Hornby.After a cold, hard winter on the streets, three orphan children are about to give up hope when an unexpected turn of events brings them to the doorstep of a grand house in Ardwick, Manchester.Taken in by the firm but kind-hearted cook, the young friends can hardly believe their luck. But behind Bracken House's impressive façade lies a household steeped in troubles and mystery, with residents above and below stairs battling their own demons and dark secrets.Not everyone is happy about the new arrivals, and soon the orphans' safety is in danger. If they want to stay in the first home any of them have known for years, they must unravel the past and bring hope to the future. Will they succeed? Or will they come to regret ever leaving the mean slum streets they once called home?Emma Hornby's page-turning, absorbing sagas will tug at your heartstrings.----------------------------Readers love Emma Hornby:'Similar to Rosie Goodwin and Dilly Court, Emma Hornby tells a brilliant story that will keep you guessing with twists and turns. Pure talent.''Emma Hornby's books just keep getting better and better. Honest, gritty, lovely characters.''Keep writing Emma, you are very talented and can't wait for your next book. I've read them all.''Emma is a wonderful storyteller and I can't wait for the next one!''Thank you again Emma Hornby for a captivating read''Another beautifully written story by Emma Hornby'
Orphans of the Storm
by Katie FlynnFrom the Sunday Times bestselling author, a classic Katie Flynn story of hope and love, set against the backdrop of WWII Liverpool.____________In the tragedy of war, will love conquer all?Liverpool, 1940When nurses Nancy Kerris and Jess Williams both lose their lovers in the trenches during the Great War, their future in Liverpool looks bleak. As the war finally ends, their lives are set on different paths, with Nancy choosing to marry an Australian, leaving behind her life - and her friend - for the Outback.Years later with the outbreak of the Second World War, Nancy's son Pete decides to join the Royal Air Force and travels to England. He promises to pay his mother's friend a visit, however when he arrives in Liverpool, he is dismayed to find half the city has been demolished by the May Blitz. Jess's home has been destroyed, and even worse, her daughter Debbie is missing.In an unknown country and war-ravaged city, Pete decides he must help find Debbie, whatever the cost . . .
An Orphan's Secret
by Maggie HopeA gripping saga from the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Coal Miner's DaughterLife is a long, tough struggle for Meg Maddison…Growing up caring for her brothers after the death of their mother, it is only her indomitable spirit that gets her through the hard times. And when she marries and starts a family of her own, it seems as if the hardships are over.But the return of a darkly menacing figure from her past threatens to destroy all she has fought for…
The Orthodox Church: An Introduction to Eastern Christianity
by Timothy WareSince its first publication thirty years ago, Timothy Ware’s book has become established throughout the English-speaking world as the standard introduction to the Orthodox Church. Orthodoxy continues to be a subject of enormous interest among Western Christians, and the author believes that an understanding of its standpoint is necessary before the Roman Catholic and Protestant churches can be reunited. He explains the Orthodox views on such widely ranging matters as ecumenical councils, sacraments, free will, purgatory, the papacy and the relation between the different Orthodox churches.
Orthodox Mercantilism: Political Economy in the Byzantine Commonwealth (ISSN)
by Alex FeldmanThis book demonstrates how the political economy of mercantilism was not simply a Western invention by various cities and kingdoms during the Renaissance, but was the natural by-product of perpetually limited growth rates and rulers’ relentless pursuits of bullion. It contributes to discussions of the economic history surrounding the so-called “Great Divergence” between East and West, which would consequently lend context and credence to differences of economic thought in the world today. Additionally, it seeks to explain present economic thought as tacitly derived from implicit antique paradigms. This book advances fields of research from numismatics and sigillography to historical materialism and historical political economy.Divided into three parts, Orthodox Mercantilism first examines the political theology (the sovereignty) of the œcumene from the early 11th century. Second, it analyzes its peripheral legislation from the customary laws of newly Christianized dynasties up to the Kormčaja Kniga’s adoption (the Nomokanon) by 13th-century Orthodox dynasties across Eastern Europe. Third, it explores how these dynasties (and their own satellite dynasties) hoarded finite bullion to pay for defense, resulting in the 11–14th-century coinless period across Eastern Europe and Western Eurasia.Appealing to students and scholars alike, this book will be of interest to those studying and researching economic and mercantile history, particularly in the context of Byzantine and Eastern European societies.
OS ANJOS DE WAKÁN TANKA- uma delicada história para entender a relação entre o homem e o cão
by Orlando EijoOrlando Eijo nos traz, desta vez, uma nova maneira de entender a relação entre o homem e o cão e com isso, a nossa própria natureza como seres humanos, tanto biológica como espiritualmente. Nesta oportunidade é através de uma delicada história, que deixará no leitor a sensação de uma deliciosa brisa de primavera. Francisco, um homem viúvo com muito desejo de dar mais de si, acaba de se aposentar do trabalho que exerceu por toda a sua vida. Com seus filhos independentes, seu lar solitário se torna uma prisão que o deprime. Eles decidem então presenteá-lo com um cachorro da raça Border Collie para que lhe faça companhia. Este cachorrinho o levará a iniciar uma nova atividade, o disc dog, se aprofundando nela a ponto de se deparar com o lado espiritual e profundo da relação humano-canina desde o seu início, quando, segundo a lenda Sioux, o Grande Espírito Wakán Tanka enviou os lobos como seus anjos, para ajudar o ser humano a transitar em sua passagem pela vida. Nas profundas conversas de Francisco com seu filho Jorge, psicólogo, o leitor encontrará um espaço para aprender conceitos de psicologia canina e humana de um modo claro e belo, não só compreendendo os nossos comportamentos, mas se aprofundando no amor à vida, tal como o Grande Espírito quis ensinar com seus enviados de quatro patas. O pequeno Border Collie provocará grandes mudanças em sua vida e na de outros personagens da história, história que o leitor devorará do princípio ao fim com avidez e sem esforço.
O's Little Book of Calm & Comfort (O's Little Guide)
by The Editors of O, The Oprah MagazineA thoughtful collection of soul-soothing writing, O’s Little Book of Calm & Comfort is the antidote to life’s trying times.Featuring essays and interviews from some of the most celebrated contributors to O, The Oprah Magazine, this heartening collection offers solace, wisdom, and connection. Among the highlights: Nora Ephron on the state of rapture that comes from curling up with a good book; Maeve Binchy on the blessings of friends; and a stirring conversation between Oprah and the American Buddhist nun Pema Chodron that reveals how the pain we experience can create the possibility of a more joyful life. Together, these pieces from great writers and celebrated thinkers serve as a reminder that however tumultuous life may become, the world has beauty, kindness, and love enough to see us through.
O's Little Guide to Finding Your True Purpose (O's Little Guide)
by The Editors of O, The Oprah MagazineA rousing mix of prescriptive advice and personal stories of self-discovery, O's Little Guide to Finding Your True Purpose will inspire readers to identify and pursue their true calling.From the beginning, O, The Oprah Magazine has been a catalyst for women hoping to discover who they're meant to be. O's Little Guide to Finding Your True Purpose continues this tradition by combining actionable advice and relatable true-life accounts of trial, error, and triumph. Each entry in this engaging and thoughtful volume guides readers in their quest to come into their own. Contributors include: Marianne Williamson, on growing wise while staying rooted in love; Martha Beck, on how to live your breakthroughs; Patti Smith, on how she found her calling; Elizabeth Gilbert, on the enlightening aspects of failure; Michael Cunningham, on the revelations to be found in small moments; and many more.Each month, O, The Oprah Magazine helps readers live their best lives, serving up information and inspiration on everything from lasting love to luscious food. With a signature blend of candor and humor, fresh advice and timeless wisdom, the magazine offers people the tools they need to, as Oprah Winfrey says, "become more of who they are"-to love themselves more deeply, to look hopefully toward the future, and to leap wholeheartedly into the adventure of being alive.
O's Little Guide to the Big Questions (O's Little Guide)
by The Editors of O, The Oprah MagazineWhat truly matters?What is my purpose? When is the right time to make a change? Who is most important to me? A thoughtful and provocative collection of personal essays, O’s Little Guide to the Big Questions highlights the wisdom to be gained from engaging with life’s deepest mysteries.Award-winning and bestselling writers for O, The Oprah Magazine have been tackling these and other crucial questions since the magazine’s inception. Here, they share their eye-opening, soul-expanding insights. Among the many jewels in the collection, Terry Tempest Williams describes the utter shock of opening her late mother’s journals—and the lessons she gleaned from what she found inside; Thich Nhat Hanh finds compassion in the midst of anger; JulieOrringer reveals how we can know when we’ve found “the one.” Offering valuable perspective to anyone feeling lost or in need of a reset, O’s Little Guide to the Big Questions is proof that while the search for meaning can be daunting, it’s also clarifying, motivating, empowering, and the surest path to becoming the person you were meant to be.
Os Sétimos Filhos
by Claus Augustus Corbett Domino FinnDois anos após o desaparecimento de sua esposa, o detetive Maxim Dwyer ainda corre atrás de pistas. As florestas isoladas de Sycamore são o lar de muitos homens sem lei e nenhum deles está cooperando, mas isso não impediu Maxim de elencar suspeitos. No topo de sua lista, está o clube de motoqueiros local, os Sétimos Filhos. Seu maior obstáculo? Todos juram que os motoqueiros são lobisomens. Os residentes da pequena cidade têm medo de provocar o clube e o gabinete do delegado não é exceção. Tudo muda quando uma briga de rotina entre os motoqueiros acaba em morte. Ignorando as regras, Maxim pressiona um estranho enigmático atrás de respostas, mas Diego de la Torre está colocando em ação seu próprio esquema. O fora da lei lida com mentiras e lendas e nenhum adversário o faz recuar, nem mesmo a polícia. É uma pena que ninguém está acima da lei para Maxim. Ele está disposto a arriscar seu distintivo e sua vida para provar isso.
Oscar Wilde and the Murders at Reading Gaol: A Mystery (Oscar Wilde Murder Mystery Series #4)
by Gyles BrandrethIn this new installment in the engaging mystery series Booklist called “pitch-perfect” and “enthralling”—currently in development as a BBC television series—the incomparable playwright, novelist, raconteur, and now ex-convict Oscar Wilde faces his most fiendishly puzzling case yet.Oscar Wilde has fled to France after his release from Reading Gaol. Tonight he is sharing a drink and the story of his cruel imprisonment with a mysterious stranger. Oscar has endured the treadmill, solitary confinement, censored letters, no writing materials. Yet even in the midst of such deprivation, his astonishing detective powers remain undiminished—and when first a brutal warder and then the prison chaplain are found murdered, who else should the governor turn to for help other than Reading Gaol’s most celebrated inmate?
Osebol: Voices from a Swedish Village
by Marit KaplaA SUNDAY TELEGRAPH AND GUARDIAN BOOK OF THE YEARWINNER OF SWEDEN'S AUGUST PRIZEWINNER OF THE WARWICK PRIZE FOR WOMEN IN TRANSLATIONSHORTLISTED FOR THE BRITISH ACADEMY BOOK PRIZE'Osebol is a magnificent success; it is hard to imagine it better ... Kapla is a magician ... mesmerizing' Sara Wheeler, TLS'A simple, pared-back and down-to-earth masterpiece' James Rebanks'We listen to them like something caught on the wind ... so moving and so strangely beckoning' Nicci Gerrard, Observer'[Among] the year's most pleasing books' Rishi Dastidar, Guardian, Books of the Year'Engrossing and humbling and quietly revelatory' Max Porter'Fascinating ... I was riveted' Lydia Davis'Like standing outside an open window on a warm summer evening and listening to a piece of contemporary history' Länstidningen'What a wonderful book . . . You want to move into it' ExpressenNear the river Klarälven, snug in the dense forest landscape of northern Värmland, lies the secluded village of Osebol. It is a quiet place: one where relationships take root over decades, and where the bustle of city life is replaced by the sound of wind in the trees.In this extraordinary and engrossing book, an unexpected cultural phenomenon in its native Sweden, the stories of Osebol's residents are brought to life in their own words. Over the last half-century, the automation of the lumber industry and the steady relocations to the cities have seen the village's adult population fall to roughly forty. But still, life goes on; heirlooms are passed from hand to hand, and memories from mouth to mouth, while new arrivals come from near and far.Marit Kapla has interviewed nearly every villager between the ages of 18 and 92, recording their stories verbatim. What emerges is at once a familiar chronicle of great social metamorphosis, told from the inside, and a beautifully microcosmic portrait of a place and its people. To read Osebol is to lose oneself in its gentle rhythms of simple language and open space, and to emerge feeling like one has really grown to know the inhabitants of this varied community, nestled among the trees in a changing world.
Ossie: King of Stamford Bridge
by Martin King Martin Knight Peter OsgoodIn a 16-year career spent with Chelsea and Southampton, goal-scoring legend Peter Osgood made 560 appearances, scoring 220 goals and winning two FA Cup-winner's medals. He was part of the victorious Chelsea side that defeated the mighty Real Madrid in the 1971 European Cup-Winners Cup final and is the last player to have scored in every round of the FA Cup, including the final.Ossie tells the story of the career and the extraordinary roller-coaster personal life of the man who spearheaded a team that made as many headlines off the field as on. The truth about the hard-drinking and hard-living antics of these Kings Road dandies - Hudson, Cooke, Baldwin and company - has never before been told. Osgood tells of his strained relationship with manager Dave Sexton, which resulted in his and other stars' departures, triggering a decline in Chelsea FC's fortunes that took some 20 years to reverse. He recounts his experience in the Mexico World Cup of 1970 and is brutally honest about the challenges and problems faced by ex-footballers as they attempt to adjust to life in mainstream society. Peter Osgood was no ordinary footballer and Ossie is no ordinary football autobiography. Like the King of Stamford Bridge himself was, this book is entertaining, outspoken and full of surprises.
Ossie's Dream: My Autobiography
by Ossie ArdilesOssie Ardiles is one of the most iconic footballers ever to have graced the game. After winning the World Cup with Argentina in 1978, Ossie became the first foreign player to make an impact in England, paving the way for the modern era of multinational teams. and was immortalised in Chas & Dave's hit record "Ossie's Dream (Spurs Are On Their Way to Wembley)".In that unforgettable 1981 FA Cup Final, the silky skills of Ossie and fellow Argentine midfielder Ricky Villa inspired Spurs to their famous victory over Man City. He also helped Spurs to retain the trophy the following year, and to win the UEFA Cup in 1984, and even found time to star in the classic football film Escape to Victory with Bobby Moore, Pelé, Michael Caine and Sylvester Stallone.Thirty years on from those glory days, Ossie has a unique perspective on the football world, through his long career both playing and in management, with the emphasis always on style and entertainment. He also talks about growing up under a military dictatorship, how he was torn between two countries owing to the outbreak of the Falklands War, which claimed the life of one of his cousins, and how that football world has changed over the decades.
Othello
by William Shakespeare'If we wish to know the force of human genius we should read Shakespeare' William HazlittA soldier of great standing and a newly married man, Othello seems to be in an enviable position. And yet, when his supposed friend sows doubts in his mind about his wife's fidelity, he is gradually consumed by suspicion. In this tragedy of strange, ornate beauty and remarkable psychological power, innocence is corrupted, and goodness and happiness are wantonly destroyed.Used and Recommended by the National TheatreGeneral Editor Stanley WellsEdited by Kenneth Muir Introduction by Tom McAlindon
The Other Brain: The Scientific and Medical Breakthroughs That Will Heal Our Brains and Revolutionize Our Health
by R. Douglas FieldsA “detailed exploration of a major part of the brain that has been ignored for decades”—and the revolutionary treatments that glial cells could bring (Kirkus Reviews).Despite everything that has been written about the brain, a potentially critical part of this vital organ has been overlooked—until now. The Other Brain examines the growing importance of glia, which make up approximately eighty-five percent of the cells in the brain, and the role they play in how the brain functions, malfunctions, and heals itself.Long neglected as little more than cerebral packing material, glia (meaning “glue”) are now known to regulate the flow of information between neurons and to repair the brain and spinal cord after injury and stroke. But scientists are also discovering that diseased and damaged glia play a significant role in psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia and depression, and in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Diseased glia cause brain cancer and multiple sclerosis and are linked to infectious diseases such as HIV and prion disease (mad cow disease, for example) and to chronic pain. The more we learn about these cells that make up the “other” brain, the more important they seem to be.Written by a neuroscientist who is a leader in glial research, The Other Brain gives readers a much more complete understanding of how the brain works and an intriguing look at potentially revolutionary developments in brain science and medicine.“An insightful, complex, and nuanced picture of the most interesting substance on earth: the matter inside our heads.” —The Boston Globe“Fascinating . . . absorbing and accessible . . . Fields gives life to a potentially dry medical topic by eavesdropping on the work of other neuroscientists, past and present, and shows how penetrating glia’s secrets offers hope for breakthroughs in healing.” —Booklist
The Other Child: The Exceptional Siblings of Special Needs Children
by Linda ScotsonIn The Other Child, Linda Scotson looks at the impact on a child at the arrival of a handicapped sibling. Lili, Linda Scotson&’s daughter, was only two when Doran was born, and she has been Doran&’s companion, motivator, carer—in fact, sister extraordinaire. In helping Doran, she has had to cope with other problems—with the loss of her father, ill health, and her own minor neurological difficulties. But she has done so with courage and determination. What do siblings lose, growing up with a brother or sister with brain injury—and what do they gain? How does the hostility and indifference of the outside world affect these children&’s lives? Becoming &“carers&” themselves, do they miss out on parental care from weary and overstretched parents? How do they reach an understanding, often when very young, of what their injured sibling can and cannot do? Shining through these stories is the love, the humor, and the constancy with which these children approach their very difficult family position—many of them, in adulthood, continuing to care for the handicapped companion of their childhood. By drawing attention to these children, Linda Scotson not only pays tribute to their qualities but also shows how unjust the system is towards those parents struggling to keep their brain-injured child within the family. She argues for a greater network of support systems for the healthy siblings and a greater understanding of the new home treatment programs for injured children—programs in which the whole family, as a team, can participate. This will be an invaluable book for parents of brain-injured children, and for all those professionally involved in the care of such families.
The Other Girl: A Novel
by Erica SpindlerFrom the New York Times bestselling author of Justice for Sara and The First Wife Erica Spindler comes The Other Girl, a chilling new thriller about a ritualistic murder of a college professor that sends a small town cop back into the trauma she thought she’d put behind her."Explosive.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)“A fantastic thriller from one of the best in the genre!” —RT ReviewsA horrific crime. One witness—a fifteen year old girl from the wrong side of the tracks, one known for lying and her own brushes with the law.Is it any surprise no one believed her?Officer Miranda Rader of the Harmony, Louisiana PD is known for her honesty, integrity, and steady hand in a crisis—but that wasn’t always so. Miranda comes from the town of Jasper, a place about the size of a good spit on a hot day, and her side of the tracks was the wrong one. She’s worked hard to earn the respect of her coworkers and the community.When Miranda and her partner are called to investigate the murder of one of the town’s most beloved college professors, they’re unprepared for the brutality of the scene. This murder is unlike any they’ve ever investigated, and just when Miranda thinks she’s seen the worst of it, she finds a piece of evidence that chills her to the core: a faded newspaper clipping about that terrible night fifteen years ago. The night she’d buried, along with her past and the girl she’d been back then. Until now that grave had stayed sealed…except for those times, in the deepest part of the night, when the nightmares came: of a crime no one believed happened and the screams of the girl they believed didn’t exist.Then another man turns up dead, this one a retired cop. Not just any cop—the one who took her statement that night. Two murders, two very different men, two killings that on the surface had nothing in common—except Miranda.
Other girls: Who are these other girls ?
by Solène KateLouise is nineteen and is graduating from high school. She doesn't know what to do with her life but she has a dream: becoming a novelist. The problem is: she never fell in love. To give credibility to her stories, her best friend creates a profile for her on the new dating app that’s trending throughout France, with revolutionary facial recognition capacity: GRAVITATION. Louise is struck when she discovers her list of compatibilities which consists only of women.
The Other Mother: A wickedly honest parenting tale for every kind of family
by Jen BristerI'm Jen Brister: stand-up comedian, middle-aged adolescent, and mum. But not that mum - I'm the other one.'Hysterical, important, moving, wonderful' Sara PascoeConfused? Two years ago, my partner (a woman - we're not solicitors) gave birth to twins. (I know! Believe me, I'm still reeling myself.) Like every new parent, I had absolutely no clue what I was doing. Add 'gay' and 'non-biological' to the mix and what do you get? Not a weird box of detergent, but a panicked beige lesbian desperately googling, 'Will my babies love me?' at 3 a.m.A very funny, very honest look at parenting life, from IVF awfulness to crying over the pages of sleep training manuals. A perfect gift for any parent who feels they don't fit the mould of a traditional family.*LONGLISTED FOR THE POLARI PRIZE*'Damned funny. You'll find the pages of this book brimming with rich and wonderful proof' Hannah Gadsby'A side-splittingly honest look at the grim realities of same-sex parenting' Diva