No Great Mischief: A Novel

Amazon.com

For the MacDonalds, the past is not a foreign country. This Cape Breton clan may have lived in the New World since 1779, when Calum Ruadh ("the red Calum") and his wife, 12 children, and dog landed. Scotland, however, remains their true home. So profound is their connection to their lost land that on brief visits they find themselves welcomed by strangers. When one descendent tells a Scotswoman that she's from Canada, she is offered a gentle rejoinder: "That may be.... But you are really from here. You have just been away for a while." In some ways this is unsurprising, since the MacDonalds either have deep black hair or their ancestor's coloring. And those with the latter have "eyes that were so dark as to be beyond brown and almost in the region of glowing black. Such individuals would manifest themselves as strikingly unfamiliar to some, and as eerily familiar to others." Another sport of nature? Many are fraternal twins, including Alistair MacLeod's narrator, Alexander, and his sister.

But No Great Mischief is far more than the straightforward saga of one family over the generations. Instead the author has created a painfully beautiful myth in which the long-ago is in many ways more present than modern existence. Even in the last decades of the 20th century, the MacDonalds fall into Gaelic--its inflections, rhythms, and song--with deep nostalgia. This is a family that is used to composing itself in the face of disaster. They often assure one another, "My hope is constant in thee," and in the light of their many losses, the clan must cling to its motto.

No Great Mischief begins with Alexander's visit to Toronto, where his eldest brother now subsists on a diet of drink and memories. The narrator, a successful orthodontist, doesn't have much to do with the former but is unable (or unwilling) to escape the latter. As the novel proceeds, Alexander fills in his family history, including such key episodes as his great-great-grandfather's self-exile from Scotland. Though Calum Ruadh had intended to leave his dog behind, it broke away and tried to catch up with him. MacLeod piercingly captures the animal's struggle as her master first tries to make her head for shore and then--realizing she won't desert him--spurs her on. Throughout No Great Mischief various people recall this incident, an emblem of intensity, hope, and dependence. A descendant of the bitch is also on hand when Alexander's parents and one of his brothers disappear under the ice on a cold spring night. She persists in searching for her people and tries to protect their lighthouse from the new keeper, receiving in return "four bullets into her loyal waiting heart." When Alexander's grandfather hears of her death, he uses a phrase that becomes one of the book's litanies, "It was in those dogs to care too much and to try too hard."

This is a MacDonald characteristic as well. A good deal of No Great Mischief's strength stems from scenes of longing and despair--for those who die for a lost cause, whether in 1692 when one leader is killed ("the redness of his hair dyed forever brighter by the crimson of his blood") or in an Ontario uranium mine where one brother is decapitated. MacLeod evokes his clan, and the elemental beauty of their landscape, in quiet, precise language that gains power with each repetition. (A sentence such as "All of us are better when we're loved" comes to acquire a near proverbial ring.) If he occasionally tips his hand too much, pressing home his point that present-day prosperity isn't all it's cracked up to be, no matter. I doubt that this inspired and elegiac novel will ever leave those who are lucky enough to read it--proving after all the persistence of the clann Chalum Ruaidh. --Kerry Fried

Book Description

Alistair MacLeod musters all of the skill and grace that have won him an international following to give us No Great Mischief, the story of a fiercely loyal family and the tradition that drives it.

Generations after their forebears went into exile, the MacDonalds still face seemingly unmitigated hardships and cruelties of life. Alexander, orphaned as a child by a horrific tragedy, has nevertheless gained some success in the world. Even his older brother, Calum, a nearly destitute alcoholic living on Toronto's skid row, has been scarred by another tragedy. But, like all his clansman, Alexander is sustained by a family history that seems to run through his veins. And through these lovingly recounted stories-wildly comic or heartbreakingly tragic-we discover the hope against hope upon which every family must sometimes rely.

Customer Reviews:

McLeod does it again........2007-08-23

I picked up Alistair MacLeod's No Great Mischief on the advice of one of my reading buddies (and you can never have enough of those!). I have never heard of MacLeod and when looking for more of his work, I was surprised to find that this Canadian is one of his country's most distinguished writers, although he has only two collections of short stories to his credit.

Weaving the past and the present, No Great Mischief is a tale of family. There are three plot lines in this intricate, yet highly readable novel. In current day, Alexander MacDonald is a successful orthodontist who often has trouble with why people pay him so much to make them pretty. He is trying to care for his oldest brother, Calum, a dying alcoholic who fascinates and repels him.

The second plot line is about Alexander's childhood. Taking place in Cape Breton, Alexander and his twin sister are raised by their paternal grandparents when their parents and one of their older brothers, Colin, falls through the ice as they make their way from the Cape to the lighthouse island where they live. Their three older brothers, now on their own, become loggers and miners in places around the world. They always go together and work side-by-side until one of them is sent to jail for murder.

And the predominate, yet most subtle, plot line is the coming of the MacDonalds to Canada. From the Scottish Highlands, the Calum Rudah (the red-haired clan) weathers a nasty and ill-fated trip across the ocean.

The story is almost, but miraculously not, confusing as different generations of MacDonalds are named "Alexander." However, that is one of the strengths of MacLeod's writing. It has the ability to weave in and out and flash back and forth, all the while never losing the reader.

At the heart of this novel, is family and loyalty. When the Calum Rudah leave Scotland, they try to leave their dog behind, but the dogs swims behind them until they can no longer risk her drowning and pull her into the boat. That image ignites the heart of the novel, as one of the dog's descendants waits for Alexander's parents to return to the lighthouse island in a show of loyalty.

Armchair Interview says: A 5-star offering from Alistair MacLeod.

Perhaps the best written book I've ever read.......2007-08-11

Alastair MacLeod's book is an stunningly well crafted and beautiful novel.

For me, the book that starts out confusing--why the characters are doing what they are today? and ends with a deep comprehension of bonds that form during a life.

This is definitely not a book for someone wanting a breezy travelogue about the pretty vacationland on Canada's East Coast. MacLeod's novel has nothing to do with the tourist experience. Instead, it is about a harsh and demanding land that shapes the characters and their relationships much as the waves carve the shore.

I'm not from Cape Breton, although I have been there 9 times and grown to love the place. The locals see MacLeod's writing as being very true to their heritage, and treasure it. His stories are often dark and quite sad. In particular his short stories (see "The Island") often leave me in tears.
This is the story of some lives, tough lives in remarkable places from Cape Breton to western Canadian mines. In the end, if you are like me (and several of my friends), you will understand the brothers' bond, and applaud the extraordinary skill and beauty with which the author has told this story.

Great Canadian Read.......2006-12-09

Canadian fiction usually has at least one of two themes--harsh conditions of some kind, and family. This has both. This book takes harsh conditions to mean a few things: the terrain, the sadness of true life, and the things we must face everyday. It is an interesting story about a family who has not had the easiest life, and it continues to be difficult for everyone. It is a story about how a tragedy can bring a family together and tear them apart. It is full of courage, hope, and love for your family. It makes you think what you would do if this happened to you. This is a story that dates back to the narrator's ancestors and how the events and tragedies that happened to the ancestors and the actions of distant relatives affect the narrator and his family today. It is a deep and interesting tale, good for anyone to read.

Ridiculously Overrated.......2006-07-13

I've had this book on my radar for quite a long time. Ever since it won the IMPAC award really. I've never been much for Canadian literature, to be honest, and recently I've started to feel that was a shame so I've been making an effort to find some good Canuck authors. This book, unfortunately, was a misstep.

The story revolves around an Orthodontist called Alexander MacDonald. While on a trip to visit his decaying, alcoholic brother in Toronto, MacDonald recalls the story of the first half of his life in Cape Breton, and the story of how his family came to Canada in the 19th century.

There actually is some good writing in here, but you have to wade through a great sea of mediocrity to get to it. The narrator's grandfathers are probably the best developed characters, and the description of his parents' death and visits to his older brothers' house are highlights, but I don't think they alone are enough to recommend it.

One of the first things you'll notice is that MacLeod has a tin ear for dialogue. The only way the dialogue between the narrator and his twin sister could have actually been delivered is if they were both stoned and one had nodded off while the other prattled on, or possibly if there was a hypnotist in the room, mesmerizing each in turn. The parts of the book that stuck most in my craw, however, were the descriptions of trips to Scotland.

These descriptions, given by the sister and by the narrator, really come across as the pathetic wet dreams of an ex-pat. Just try not to roll your eyes as misty-eyed locals, seemingly equally as mesmerized as the main characters, approach any visiting foreign MacDonalds they happen across (recognizing them, apparently, because they have black or red hair and dark eyes), and instantly "know" them and accept them back into the fold. Welcoming them "home." This book really should come with an Enya CD.

Anyway, if you like that sort of mystical clan nonsense, and can look past the dialogue, you might get something out of it. I am still stunned that this won the world's richest literary prize. Perhaps all of the judges had red hair, dark eyes, and haunted, far off stares?

Rubbish.......2006-06-19

I agree entirely with B. Walsh of San Francisco. The dialogue in this novel is wretched. The only reason we're given to care about the characters is their omnipresent Cape Bretonness -- and that's just not enough. How the book managed to pick up the Impac Dublin award is beyond me.

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No Great Mischief (A Novel)

Manufacturer: McClelland & Stewart
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

No Great Mischief: Adapted from the Novel by Alistair MacLeod (Scirocco Drama)

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No Great Mischief: Adapted from the Novel by Alistair MacLeod (Scirocco Drama)
David Young
Manufacturer: Scirocco Drama
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Poetry | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Ancient, Classical & Medieval | Poetry | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Book Description

The long history of the Clan MacDonald begins in 1779 as Calum Ruadh leaves Scotland to begin a new life on Cape Breton Island. Haunted by the stories and songs of the ancestry, two brothers seek to reconcile their past with their present. From the writer of Glenn and Inexpressible Island (Scirocco Drama) comes this adaptation from the award–winning novel by Alistair MacLeod.

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NO GREAT MISCHIEF,A NOVEL

Manufacturer: EMBLEM ED
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000GQY9Q4

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very touching and the cure for heartbreak!

A very touching story.

GREAT BOOK

A great book! A touching love story!

Love transcends all obstacles!
The Husband She Couldn't Remember (The Texas Brand; Silhouette Intimate Moments, No. 854)
Maggie Shayne
Manufacturer: Silhouette
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Romance | Subjects | Books
Silhouette Intimate Moments | Series | Romance | Subjects | Books
Regency | Romance | Subjects | Books
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The Texas Brand: The Homecoming

ASIN: 0373078544

Customer Reviews:

very touching and the cure for heartbreak!.......2005-08-04

This was one of my favorite stories fromt he Texas Brand books. It left you with some questions to keep you reading the rest of the series and at the same time provided you with and excellent read!
The entire series is action packed and filled with romance and suspence. Maggie Shayne delivers excitement and is fabulous at building the characters and stories.

A very touching story........2005-04-12

Another great story about the Brands. 4th in the series. This one is Ben & Penny's story.

Ben is grieving for his lost wife Penny. Penny has amnesia, but still finds her way back home to Ben.

We find out what happened to Penny 2 years earlier. A very touching story & a welcome addition to the Brand family saga.

Next book, book 5 is about one of the Brand missing cousins, Marcus in "That mysterious man".

GREAT BOOK.......2001-08-13

I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH I WONT THE WHOLE FAMILY OF BOOKS THAT ARE IN THE SERIES .I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK VERY HIGHLY.

A great book! A touching love story!.......1999-11-24

I'd heard a great deal of praise for this book before I picked it up and I wasn't disappointed. It's a great story. The plot is original and well told. All the characters, even the secondary ones, are well developed. You feel like you're part of the story from chapter 1. But what a touching love story. I loved it, simply loved it and I couldn't put it down. It's a story I'll never forget.

Love transcends all obstacles!.......1998-12-29

I loved this book! Penny although has amnesia still finds her way home regardless. Ben Brand who for the past two years has been beside himself with grief feels he is losing his mind as well when he sees a life like copy of his wife.. Could it be? What happened that fateful day two years ago? More than anyone every imagined. Rich in feeling and love I couldn't put this book down I loved it and look forward to reading more books by Maggie Shayne.

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The Husband She Couldn't Remember, Badlands Bad Boy, the Baddest Virgin in Texas, the Outlaw Bride, the Littlest Cowboy (The Texas Brand, volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
Maggie Shayne
Manufacturer: Silhouette
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Contemporary | Romance | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000UXOA4Y

Product Description

Outlaw Bride: Esmerelda Montoya would never understand the strange magic that had saved her from certain death in the Old West. All she knew was that she had been swept through time, into a world unlike any she had ever imagined, & into the arms of a man unlike any she had ever known. But she could not surrender to the wildfire passion that raced through her whenever this man from the future touched her. For Elliot Brand was her sworn enemy, & she must keep all the secrets of her heart form him.Husband She Couldn't Remember: Ben Brand had thought nothing could hurt more than losing Penny, his cherished wife. He was wrong. When Penny mysteriously turned up on his ranch, dazed but alive, Ben faced a new kind of anguish. His beloved had no memory of her past, or of him. Ben set out to discover what had happened to his wife. Penny had to remember everything; who she was, where she'd been, the love they'd shared, because he couldn't stand to lose the only woman he'd ever loved, again.Baddest Virgin: Contrary to what her 4 older bros. believed, Jessi Brand was a grown woman. And what she wanted was drop-dead gorgeous drifter Lash Monroe. He was the one. The man she'd saved herself for. The man she wanted as her husband. Lash had vowed never to settle down, especially when the lady came with 4 very protective bros. who knew how to handle shotguns. But he couldn't get Jessi out of his mind. And he couldn't resist her tempting offer. But once he discovered Jessi was pregnant with his child everything changed.Badlands: Whipcord lean & as wild as the Badlands he called home, Wes Brand knew what it meant to be an outsider. All his life he hadn't truly belonged. Not to the Comanche, whose proud blood flowed through his veins. Not to the TX Brands, though they'd embraced him as one of their own. Now, for the first time, Wes found himself needing someone. And though he'd sampled the passion beneath her no-nonsense veneer, headstrong Taylor McCoy resisted him at every turn.

Book Description

Readers will welcome this new novel in the highly popular and award-winning Beast Master series. Set in the future on the frontier world of Arzor, at its heart are the beast masters, people gifted with telepathy and trained to work and communicate mind-to-mind with teams of animals. Laris, a young, orphaned, ex-refugee who has the beast master ability, has bonded with a remarkably intelligent and mysterious cat-like creature named Prauo. Having made a home for herself with the Quades, a family of Arzor ranchers, Laris also becomes friends with beast masters Tani and Hosteen Storm. When Laris inherits a spaceship, she realizes that she might fulfill her dream of finding Prauos home planet. But it wont be easy, and she is relieved when she is able to convince her adopted family to embark with her on a journey into the unknown depths of space. What Laris and her friends find, however, tests their abilities and threatens their very lives. Working together with Hosteen and Tani, Laris can only hope that they will all get back to Arzor alive. This exciting action and adventure novel will keep readers on the edge of their chairs until the very last page.

Customer Reviews:

Beast Masters Quest.......2007-09-14

I have enjoyed Andre Norton's stories since finding my first one in my elementary schools'library nearly 40 years ago. This was tedious and difficult to maintain any interest in. I've tried to look at it as a stand alone novel; no go. It's just not a very good story. Thankfully, Ms. Norton's estate is re-releasing her original stories for fans old and new to enjoy. Track those down and read a real story tellers masterful hand. The other continuations were at least readable, but please don't waste your time and money on this one.

Very Very Disappointed.......2007-08-10

I was really looking forward to this book. As soon as it became available, I grabbed it. I have not read it all the way through, but after being a fan of Andre Norton since high school (I'm now 60) I have found it the most juvenile book I have ever read. Not up to par at all. Her co-author should go back to writing school. I will finish it, but not right now. Have to be in the mood. I really liked Beastmaster Circus and thought it would be a follow up of that book. Not.

this book is recommend to all.......2007-07-10

For those of you who might not have read the beast master series I highly recommend that you read it before this one but the entire series is great : )

Beast Master's Quest.......2007-01-04

I found this to be a great addition to my Andre Norton books

Beast Master Saga Continues in Triumph.......2006-11-05

I still have the original Beast Master title in soft cover, and I still reread it. I also have every story that followed. Beast Master Quest is a worthy continuation. It will be reread many, many times as well. I'm in my 6th decade, and I still thrill to Andre Norton's fantastic stories.

Book Description

This work of theological anthropology looks at original sin the the light of the Resurrection, and shows how forgiveness has become the way of transformation.

Customer Reviews:

Totally intriguing.......2002-08-25

I would begin with a word of caution - this is extremely deep, intense reading, not a devotional book (as "Easter eyes" might be taken to imply.) It is a work where one must read each paragraph carefully, often more than once, to receive the full impact. In doing so, one may see its clear brilliance.

Allison's exploration of original sin is especially striking because he re-interprets this doctrine as taking its meaning from the resurrection. He lays his groundwork by explaining concepts set forth by Rene Girard, then applies this to Christology and soteriology, moving on to explore much of human nature and how theologians of past eras have dealt with similar approaches. I do not wish to expound, not wanting to spoil the material for new readers, but his treatment of the topic had me nearly shouting "Eureka!" every ten pages or so. It is a highly useful work, not only for those specifically interested in theological anthropology, but to anyone wishing a clearer picture of the human condition and relation to God.

This is not a book for a brief meditation or weekend retreat, but, for those interested in an enlightening, original, in depth study, it is quite amazing. The blend of scholarship and insight is a rare treat.

Girard applied to theology.......1998-09-15

René Girard has been called the Copernicus of the human sciences, but up till now his popularity among social scientists is limited. In order to experience how well Girard's mimetology works in different scientific areas, we are in need of theorists who attempt to apply Girard's ideas to theology, psychology, literary sciences and so on. James Alison is some one who does so in the area of biblical exegesis. Alison's is a very thorough work, eloquent in its argument and truthful to the spirit of Girard's main ideas.

THE JOY OF BEING WRONG: ORIGINAL SIN THROUGH EASTER EYES.(Review) (book reviews): An article from: First Things: A Monthly Journal of Religion and Public Life

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THE JOY OF BEING WRONG: ORIGINAL SIN THROUGH EASTER EYES.(Review) (book reviews): An article from: First Things: A Monthly Journal of Religion and Public Life
James G. Williams
Manufacturer: Institute on Religion and Public Life
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Book Description

This digital document is an article from First Things: A Monthly Journal of Religion and Public Life, published by Institute on Religion and Public Life on January 1, 1999. The length of the article is 1708 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: THE JOY OF BEING WRONG: ORIGINAL SIN THROUGH EASTER EYES.(Review) (book reviews)
Author: James G. Williams
Publication: First Things: A Monthly Journal of Religion and Public Life (Refereed)
Date: January 1, 1999
Publisher: Institute on Religion and Public Life
Page: 46(1)

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

The Joy of Being Wrong Original Sin Through Easter Eyes

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The Joy of Being Wrong Original Sin Through Easter Eyes
James Alison
Manufacturer: NY
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000N7ETKW

Customer Reviews:

Beginners will find Simply 7 especially encouraging.......2003-10-14

Quick southwest recipes are seven ingredients and 30 minutes away with Kelley Coffeen's Simply 7, a unique cookbook enhanced with color photography and which offers a host of delicious recipes. Traditionally, southwest recipes are complicated matters which rely on an array of ingredients to complete. This guide reduces the formula to simple dishes which are quick and easy to put together. Beginners will find Simply 7 especially encouraging, as well as busy cooks who have little time for tedious preparations.

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The Complete Price Guide to Antique Radios: Tabletop Radios, 1933-1959 (Machine Age to Jet Age)
Mark V. Stein
Manufacturer: Radiomania Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Radios & Televisions | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Reference | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Radio & Wireless | Telecommunications | Engineering | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
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Antique Radio Restoration Guide

ASIN: 0964795302

Book Description

Machine Age to Jet Age, Vol. 1, America's No.1 vintage radio identification and price guide has been revamped and renamed The Complete Price Guide to Antique Radios. Includes over 1,400 pictures of more than 2,500 vintage tabletop radios. Images have been digitally enhanced, listings expanded & reformatted.Icons now indicate Canadian radios, Ingraham cabinets, World's Fair models and noteworthy industrial designers. Also, newly added are tube and band counts, options, variations and their current values.

An exciting reason to purchase this new edition is that we've now added a comprehensive cross-reference of all radios pictured in the 3-volume

Tabletop series! This INDEX is comprised of over 9,000 listings sorted by brand. Radios are referenced and cross-referenced by model number and model name. Each listing also includes description of variation_ cabinet material, color, finish, tube count, etc. All radios have revised 2002/3 market values as well as the series volume number noting where in the series each radio is pictured and fully described.

You'll wonder what you ever did without it!

Book Description

In Papercrafting with Donna Dewberry, one of North Light's best-selling authors gives her take on today's hottest craft: papercrafting.

Known for her One Stroke painting method, Dewberry demonstrates how to paint basic shapes and details in an extensive techniques section. Then she shows readers how to incorporate paint into unique papercrafting projects -- all for stunning results. This book includes:

-Over 30 projects for dazzling greeting cards, scrapbooks, gift bags, wrapping paper, stationery, and more

-Step-by-step instructions for papercrafting and painting that anyone, regardless of experience, can follow

-Distinctive ideas for using other embellishments, including rubber stamps, charms, fibers, and ribbons

Guaranteed to appeal to both crafters and Dewberry's huge fan base, this book is a must for both audiences.

Book Description

Decorating a loft has never been easier with this comprehensive guide. The Big Book of Lofts features more than 600 different design ideas covering every part of the loft...and then some.

The Big Book of Lofts is divided by square footage, with sections titled "small", "medium", "large", and "extra large". Each section opens with text describing the decorating challenges unique to loft design, followed by full–color design ideas showcasing hundreds of different solutions to outfit every size space with a range of current interior style methods. The styles featured focus on the most popular used by today's best interior designers, including New Rococo, Minimalism, New Rustic, Retro and Contemporary. Photographs are accompanied by captions explaining the different approaches from each designer and architect.

Whether it's one part of the loft or the entire space, The Big Book of Lofts is the ultimate reference for every homeowner ready to redecorate.

The Big Book of Lofts / Le Grand Livre Des Lofts / Das Grosse Loftbuch (Evergreen)

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Mostly Modern

The Big Book of Lofts / Le Grand Livre Des Lofts / Das Grosse Loftbuch (Evergreen)
Staff Taschen
Manufacturer: Taschen
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

Design & Construction | Home Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Interior Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 382284182X

Customer Reviews:

Mostly Modern.......2006-01-02

It features all kinds of lofts around the world - mostly modern but there is also mix of other styles. Photographs are big and there are plenty of them but quality ain't the sharpest. It's not greatest but as it comes with lots of pages to flip thru and price is right - it's nice to have.

The Big Book of Brochures (Big Book (Collins Design))

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The Big Book of Brochures (Big Book (Collins Design))
Funf Freunde (five Friends)
Manufacturer: Collins Design
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0060893141
Release Date: 2008-06-10

Book Description

The literary works of August Strindberg are admired throughout the world, but few people outside his native Scandinavia are aware of his accomplishments as a painter and photographer. This book, written by eminent authorities on Scandinavian art, is the first to bring Strindberg's dramatic and highly original artistic works to an English-speaking audience. The book begins by examining Strindberg's paintings, photographs, drawings, and decorated manuscripts and by discussing the importance of pictorial arts to other areas of Strindberg's oeuvre. It then focuses on Strindberg's photography, relates the experimental photographs he took during the 1890s to the natural philosophy he developed during the same period, describes his relations to artistic circles in Paris, and examines his influence on the Swedish painter Carl Larsson. Richly illustrated in full color, the book sheds new light on the achievements of this innovative and deeply troubled genius.

Customer Reviews:

Who knew?.......2001-11-16

This book is a revelation. It shows that the genius of Strindberg extends beyond the literary and makes itself evident in the visual as well. The paintings in this book are amazing; landscapes made over a hundred years ago that are heavily impastoed and luminous- the quality is almost sculptural- and border on pure abstraction. It's difficult to compare them to anyone else's work (though they do have a quality that recalls Turner in a darker mode). These are paintings that would thrill you if you walked into a contemporary gallery. The book also has a generous selection of Strindberg's photographs and photographic experiments. It's a must have for painters and lovers of modern art.

August Strindberg: Painter, Photographer, Writer

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August Strindberg: Painter, Photographer, Writer
Oll? Granath
Manufacturer: Tate
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | History & Criticism | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Painting | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Landscape | Painting | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Artists, A-Z | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Strindberg: Painter and Photographer

ASIN: 1854375628

Book Description

While August Strindberg (1849-1912) is well known to an international audience as a prolific writer, primarily of plays, his work in the visual arts has remained largely unseen. Painter, Photographer, Writer examines the paintings, drawings, and photographs that demonstrate Strindberg's independent and radical approach to art.

Critics have compared Strindberg's paintings to those of Turner, but also to those of artists from much later movements such as Expressionism. In his youth, working as an art critic, he was one of the first in Sweden to show an understanding of Impressionism. In writings of the 1890s he anticipated ideas promoted by Dada and Surrealism. The book includes correspondence between Strindberg and his friend Gauguin, along with new translations of Strindberg's Cloud Images and New Arts. Painter, Photographer, Writer accompanies a major exhibition of Strindberg's visual works to be held at Tate Modern in 2005. AUTHOR BIO: Olle Granath, curator of the exhibition at Tate Modern, is former director of the Nationalmuseum in Stockholm and a respected scholar of Strindberg's work.

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August Strindberg: Painter, Photographer, Writer.
Olle Granath
Manufacturer: Publisher Unknown
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000UY9ZTS

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Strindberg: Painter and Photographer.
August and Douglas Feuk, Erik Hook, Agneta Lalander, Goran Soderstrom, Per Hedstrom, Olle Granath. Strindberg
Manufacturer: Yale University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000ORS0KQ

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