Literary History & Criticism

From Wilkie Collins to the adventures of Sherlock Holmes, the traditional image of the Victorian detective is male. Few people realize that women detectives successfully investigated Victorian Britain, working both with the police and for private agencies, which they sometimes managed themselves. Sara Lodge recovers these forgotten women’s lives. She also reveals the sensational role played by the fantasy female detective in Victorian melodrama and popular fiction, enthralling a public who relished the spectacle of a cross-dressing, fist-swinging heroine.

From the childhood nostalgia of Peter Pan in Speak Now to the haunted halls of Rebecca in Evermore, Taylor Swift’s lyrics are packed with literary connections. Make sure you’re catching them all with this expert guide to the novels, poems, and plays that influenced her songwriting. Let a literature professor and a musical theater artist guide you through the Swift canon—from Shakespeare to Dickinson to the Brontë sisters. Learn what “New Romantics” has to do with the old Romantics, get to know the Gothic monsters haunting Midnights, and spot Taylor’s many Great Gatsby references.

Purgatorio (Italian: [purɡaˈtɔːrjo]; Italian for "Purgatory") is the second part of Dante's Divine Comedy, following the Inferno, and preceding the Paradiso. The poem was written in the early 14th century. It is an allegory telling of the climb of Dante up the Mount of Purgatory, guided by the Roman poet Virgil, except for the last four cantos at which point Beatrice takes over as Dante's guide.

Renowned critic and translator Robert Alter’s The Art of Biblical Narrative has radically expanded our view of the Bible by recasting it as a work of literary art deserving studied criticism. In this seminal work, Alter describes how the Hebrew Bible’s many authors used innovative literary styles and devices such as parallelism, contrastive dialogue, and narrative tempo to tell one of the most revolutionary stories of all time: the revelation of a single God. In so doing, Alter shows, these writers reshaped not only history, but also the art of storytelling itself.

Aristotle's Poetics (Greek: Περὶ ποιητικῆς; Latin: De Poetica) is the earliest surviving work of dramatic theory and first extant philosophical treatise to focus on literary theory. In it, Aristotle offers an account of what he calls "poetry" (a term that derives from a classical Greek term, ποιητής, that means "poet; author; maker" and in this context includes verse drama – comedy, tragedy, and the satyr play – as well as lyric poetry and epic poetry).

Appian's Civil Wars offers a comprehensive account of the unstable epoch from the time of Tiberius Gracchus (133 BC) to the great conflicts which followed the murder of Julius Caesar. For the events between 133 and 70 BC Appian is the only constant surviving narrative source, making his diaries an invaluable source to understand this brutal and formative moment in history.

In this one-of-a-kind guide, Million Breath unveils the secrets of the Japanese language and culture, focusing on expressions and idioms revolving around the concept of "breath." Whether you're a seasoned language enthusiast or a novice in Japanese studies, this book will deepen your understanding of everyday conversations and enrich your learning experience.

In "Appreciating Shakespeare" a master teacher and theatrical dramaturge makes the essentials for deeply appreciating the meaning in Shakespeare's works easily understandable for listeners and playgoers of all ages. Part 1 provides background on Shakespeare's life, language, poetic and dramatic techniques, theatrical context, and historical and cultural background. Part 2 offers short essays on twenty-two plays and one on selected sonnets.

Prepare to embark on a voyage through J. Edwards Holt's fictional universe with this illustrative guidebook. From the author who spun tales in childhood daydreams to crafting acclaimed short stories and poetry, “The Seven Branches” unveils the mythology behind his enchanting narratives. Whether you're a seasoned fantasy enthusiast or a newcomer eager for adventure, this book promises an unforgettable journey into a world where the extraordinary becomes reality.

அயோத்திப்பெருமாள் - தமிழ் மரபில் இராமகதை எனும் இந்த ஒலிப் புத்தகம் தமிழ் மரபின் 1600 ஆண்டுகால இராமகதைத் தொடர்பை விரிவாக விளக்கும் ஆய்வு நூலாகும். ஆய்வு நூல்களுக்கான துல்லியத்திலிருந்து விலகாமல் அதே சமயம் விறுவிறுப்புக் குறையாமல் இந்தப் புத்தகம் அனைவரும் கேட்கும் வகையில் உருவாகியுள்ளது.