Book Description
In No Fond Return of Love, Pym introduces Dulcie Mainwaring, one of those seemingly selfless women who always help others and never look out for themselves, especially in matters of love. When Dulcie's young niece becomes the object of absentminded Professor Aylwin Forbes's amorous designs, Dulcie whisks away her friend Viola — who has her own designs on the professor — to the seaside in Taviscombe to discover the hidden secrets of the Forbes clan and a mysterious castle on the hill. The Times Literary Supplement praised Barbara Pym (1913-1980) as “the most underrated writer of the century.”
Customer Reviews:
The best of Pym!.......2006-03-03
I thought I had read all of Pym's novels, but then realized that I had somehow missed No Fond Return of Love. After making up for my mistake, I would have to say that No Fond Return of Love has become my very favorite Pym work. That the story revolves around the incredibly patient and self-effacing folks who compose academic bibliographies (in the days when it was all done by hand), is a stroke of comic genius. Aside from the usual wit and depth of insight, it has the most wonderfully intricate plot and the most fleshed-out and real characters of all her fine books. Dulcie Mainwaring is a saint! And, a very real person. Everyone gets what she wants in this novel, and although the reader may disagree with the main characters' choices, they are THEIR choices and totally believable. This is also the sunniest and funniest of all the Pym novels, and I found myself literally laughing out loud at the many human failings and foibles Pym reveals in her most kind, generous, and forgiving manner.
Pym is always compared to Jane Austen, but No Fond Return of Love seems to me a finer work than anything of Miss Austen's. I enjoyed every single moment of this book and look forward to a re-reading of it quite soon.
Connections.......2005-02-16
Everyone knows the story of Barbara Pym, of how she was suddenly faced with a publisher who no longer wanted her work. She was praised by Philip Larkin as his favorite novelist and she began to write and publish once more.
Dulcie Mainwaring and Viola Dace are attending a conference about editing and indexing. Dulcie has just come to realize that her suitor does not want to marry her. At the conference one of the speakers is Alwyn Forbes, someone known previously to Viola. Dulcie's niece is going to be moving into her house in the suburbs. Laurel is ten or more years younger and her point of view is used by the author to convey a jaundiced and knowing view of some of the actions of the characters.
In time Viola moves into another room in Dulcie's house. She is doing an index for Alwyn Forbes's book gratis. Dulcie determines where Alwyn's mother-in-law lives and at a nearby jumble sale she sees his estranged wife. She knows that she is playing a sort of game. She hears that Alwyn's brother is a clergyman and finds out his name. His church is located near the house of her Uncle Bertram and Aunt Hermione, a brother and sister pair.
Alwyn and Maurice, the former fiance, attend a dinner planned by Dulcie. The five present include the younger person, Laurel. There are endless complications and permutations in this amusing tale. Viola and Aunt Hermione both end up engaged to marry as it is suggested that it is possible Dulcie and Maurice will reunite.
sweet, witty little romance.......2001-01-14
This is the first Barbara Pym I have read and I have to say I was a bit put off at first. It was written and set around the 1950's in London about Dulcie Mainwairing -a 30-odd year old woman and Aylwin Forbes a 47-year-old man. It is quite odd, no very odd. In many ways. There are a cast of extras in it, Laurel, Dulcie's niece; Viola, a rather cynical woman Dulcie meets who boards with her; Mrs Williton, an aunt, an uncle, two highly eccentric neighbours and a very strange bed and Breakfast owner who is Aylwin's mother. They seem to rattle around in this story which is mostly about Dulcie's gentle obsession with Aylwin. She has clearly fallen in love and does all the strange things one does when you fall in love - she looks him up in books, finds out where his brother is, visits his mother's boarding house, and this book is mostly about that obsession - but in the end all these characters floating around seem to tie up their loose ends or become important to the story. More important, and what I really began to enjoy about Pym was the way she tied up different motifs in the plot which were seen from different characters points of view. A stone squirrel in a front yard, a stuffed eagle in the boarding house. At one stage we see Aylwin unpacking, he has bought nothing intellectual to read, just Henry James - later downstairs Dulcie overhears him and wonders to her self why he is talking so Henry Jamesian. Its just a nice overlay of images from different viewpoints and it starts you realising how much in common Dulcie and Aylwin have.
Like I said, I was a bit put off at first, but its a lovely, gentle, clever little romance that fairly soon I was really enjoying it.
it makes me laugh out loud--often!.......1997-10-01
the tale of dulcie mainwearing and her adventures with a number of academic types. barbara pym wrote with a sharp eye for the eccentricities of her characters. but she did not make any of her characters black and white stick figures. read it and laugh!
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No Fond Return of Love
Manufacturer: Granada
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000HIEY84 |
Average customer rating:
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No Fond Return of Love
Manufacturer: CHIVERS AUDIO BOOKS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0816194998 |
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No Fond Return of Love
Barbara Pym
Manufacturer: Pan Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Contemporary
| General
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0330323067 |
Customer Reviews:
Just no good.......2007-09-19
I was really excited to read this. In fact, I bought the big three-in-one trilogy Fiends of the Eastern Front, expecting to devour all three, but since I couldn't stand to read more than the first novel, I'm just writing a review for it.
First, there's no mystery in the book. Right away, the reader knows what's up and why. And I think the same could be said for the main characters, despite the occasional protest that they don't want to believe the obvious, which they do in a paragraph or two anyway.
Second, the vampires are stock. There's nothing new here except that they now wear Nazi uniforms and pilot tanks and planes.
I think there was and still may be lots of room for some good stories here, but this book didn't live up to the potential.
Super Reader.......2007-08-04
This definitely has the flavour of the strip I remember. Complete with the can come back from a speck of ash head vamp, Constanta. The pitched battle at the end, vamps v germans is most excellent. Running throughout all this, of course, is the horror of the actual historical panzer battle along the Eastern Front, with the accompanying infantry. Fans of both war and horror should enjoy this one.
War! What is it good for?.......2006-08-09
Hans, Klaus and Ralf are all brothers fighting the Russians on the Eastern Front for Hitler during World War II. Hans, the youngest, is the most dedicated. Hitler and the 3rd Reich enthralls him. His other brothers have seen enough of war to know it's not all it's cut out to be. None of them are prepared for what they run into. Klaus, a pilot, wonders why the Rumanian pilots' canopies are black. How can they see? Ralf, in the Panzer division, finds dead Russians with bite marks on their necks. Hans of the Infantry sees wisps of smoke rise up and kill attacking Russian soldiers. What's going on?
Klaus finds out after he is shot down by a Rumanian plane and ends up in the hospital close to a Russian POW camp. What he sees horrifies him and he knows that he and his brothers must do something. But what? The monsters appear to be all-seeing, all-knowing but Ralf and Hans have seen enough to know that it must stop. So the brothers begin to plan. Will they be successful against Hauptman Constanta and his hoards?
David Bishop has written a plausible story of World War II from the point of the German soldiers who are more terrified of their supposed allies than they are of their enemies, the Russians. It's a well-written, scary little book that will keep you on the edge of your seat as you wonder what Constanta will think of next to torture not only the Russians, but also the German soldiers. If you like the unknown, this is the book for you.
Reviewed by Alice Holman
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2006-05-12
This book and the second one are works of art.They would make a great movie.I recommend the book,as well as book two,to anyone who likes horror novels with a little history sprinkled in.The way Mr. Bishops writes keeps you engrossed in the story and craving for more........like a blood-lust.His words makes your imagination take over and go wild.Can't wait for the third novel to come out...Ill b the first one to get it.
The German invasion of Russia in 1941 is underway.......2006-01-10
The German invasion of Russia in 1941 is underway. As they smash through Russia defenses, German units unite with their allies, the axis Romanian soldiers. That is when one young German soldier comes to realize that the Romanians in a platoon led by the young nobleman Constanta are vampires. When Romania switches sides and joins the allies, the young solider has the fight of his life trying to survive as Constanta and his vampires try to protect their dark secret from both sides. Operation Vampyr is the first in the new "Fiends of the Eastern Front" trilogy by David Bishop, fantasy action enthusiasts will be left looking eagerly toward the second volume, Blood Red Army, schedules for release in April 2006!
Book Description
A stand-alone book in the "Faction Paradox" novel range, "Of the City of the Saved..." concerns events in—as the title implies—the City of the Saved, a cosmopolis at the end of time where every human who's ever lived has been resurrected. Murder in the City is literally impossible, so a private investigator named Laura Tobin gets called in to investigate when, naturally, one such killing occurs.
Among other things, "Of the City of the Saved..." features the return of Compassion, an ongoing character from the BBC's "Doctor Who" novel range. [Although no pre-knowledge of her is required.] This book compliments the already published "Faction Paradox: The Book of the War" and "Faction Paradox: This Town Will Never Let Us Go," but is perfectly readable by itself.
Customer Reviews:
A rip-roaring read from start to finish!.......2005-11-11
I can't speak highly enough about this book - if you love the kind of intelligent, tight science fiction that grips you from the moment you pick it up, then you're love this!
Book Description
This book takes us along on a search for the feminine face of God. We travel with Linda Johnsen for a fascinating investigation of the great women saints of India who manifest the divine in their lives. Together with her we comb the scriptures, meet the holy ones, and are led, step by step, to sit in awe at the feet of six remarkable, contemporary women. The stories, interviews, and reflections focus on women who are considered by Indian devotees to be incarnations of the Goddess and who show us a divinity far more alive, more human, and more dynamic than any of the treatises on ancient Goddess worship available.
Customer Reviews:
One of my favorite all-time books.......2007-03-09
Inspiring, eye-opening, what is possible for all of us, what we are when all else is stripped away. So different from the heroes (sic) in this culture whom we tend to pick for fame and fortune, not for heart, spirit and sainthood.
read this book!.......2003-08-31
This book is one of the most insperational books that I have read regarding women in spirituality. It is so good that I bought it after checking it out from the library.
Introduction to living, female hindu saints.......2001-04-18
A short and easy to read introduction to the situation of female hindu saints in general and to six ones in particular: Shree Maa, Anandamayi Ma, Anandi Ma, Swami Chidvilasananda, Ma Yoga Shakti and Ammachi. Five of the former are still alive and could, theoretically, be physically met. The nature of the book prevents the author from diving deeper into the lifes of these saints. But she recommends further reading with a list of books about individual of the above saints. (Three stars only, because it's somewhat superficial).
A wonderful journey to the Goddess and her daughters.......1999-07-31
In this time of the renaissance of the divine femine, Linda Johnsen has written a wonderful book that reveals the beautiful and ancient tradition of Goddess energy and women saints in India, and introduces the reader to contemporary women who embody the many aspects of the Goddess, as incarnations of her, and who are alive and active today. Her accounts of living, traveling with, and encountering these remarkable women, are fascinating glimpses into the wisdom and transformative energy that they embody and share with many around the world. She writes as an observer, a scholar, and a devotee, and does so with respect, fascination, reverence and chronicles her own transformation in her meetings with these living women saints. This book offers a fascinating glimpse into the history and daily life of the avatars living amongst us, and the strong Goddess tradition of their homeland and heritage. It is a unique and heartening book which contains humor, storytelling, history, wisdom, and written from a perspective that only a women could do in her study of the mysteries and beauty of the Goddess and her daughters, in all her aspects. Read this book and let the women that she encounterd grace you with their presence as well, through their photos, words, and energy, for the Goddess lives through them, and in this book you can become acquainted with them, as the author did. I appreciate this book immensely, for it is a wonderful forum and introduction to the women who are incarnations of the Goddess, and who are revealed in a personal way so well by the author.
Inspiring, informative, approachable style........1999-02-28
An inspiring and informative first hand account of some of the women alive today (or at least until 1980) from India who embody the living goddess tradition of South Asia. As a westerner who's both seen some of these women for myself and been to India, I find this book a great introduction to the Indian culture as well as a glimpse of what it's like to be in the presence of such women of power. The book is written in an immediate, narrative style and not the dry academic style of many older books on the subject. Once I started reading it, I couldn't put this book down until I was done!
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The Road to Power: Fast Food for the Soul
Barbara Berger
Manufacturer: Heart Link Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Cooking, Food & Wine
| Subjects
| Books
Personal Transformation
| Self-Help
| Health, Mind & Body
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Success
| Self-Help
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
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General
| New Age
| Religion & Spirituality
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General
| Occult
| Religion & Spirituality
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ASIN: 0965157644 |
Book Description
A user-friendly guide for changing your thinking and re-creating your life.
There is a consciousness revolution happening. Using the new mental technologies, many people are creating healthy bountiful lives. Others, who think negatively, become victims of their self-fulfilled creations. In contemporary lingo, Barbara Berger leads the readers step by step through the process of redefining their thinking and ultimately their lives. She presents fast, effective techniques for solving health, financial and general life challenges. The Road to Power is a best seller in Denmark, where the press calls it, "The book you don't leave home without."
Download Description
"We are what we think. We can change our lives by changing our thoughts. Our thoughts and words are all-powerful. Through our thoughts and words, we create our lives." In this simple, yet important book, Barbara Berger shows you how to harness the power of the mind to create the life you want. She reminds us of what is available to us-from the power of release and saying 'no' to focusing, blessing, and giving. And she offers fast, effective techniques for solving health problems, financial difficulties, and other life challenges. Give your soul a boost and your heart a pick-me-up-when you change your thinking, you will ultimately change your life. "Decide on the life you want, visualize it, affirm it, decree it, focus on it, believe it, have faith in it, and you will find yourself living this life much sooner and faster than you ever dreamed possible."
Customer Reviews:
A fantastic book.......2002-02-12
This book changed my life. It has everything in it you need to turn your life around. I am glad to hear that it is now being released in the United States. I first read the book here in Denmark where it is a bestseller. Americans can look forward to Fast Food for the Soul. It's powerful stuff.
Customer Reviews:
Disappointed in book.......2007-07-25
I was expecting a lot more info on the products and did not expect as much personal information on the author.
Needs Work.......2005-12-26
I find Schiffer collector books in general to be amateurish and of poor quality and this one is no exception. Many of the photos suffer from unprofessional lighting, rendering the supposed colors unrecognizable. There are also numerous typos, and the writing style is more of a personal narrative than a factual account. Some people might find this chatty style appealing but I find it distracting. I also don't think we need so much coverage of the "artistry of John Parry," especially of his jewelry. I'm sure he was a very nice man, but I think this info would have been better put at the end of the book as an appendix rather than in the front. Most people buy collector books in order to readily identify and price their items--the biographical information, and the stuff about "morgue" items is interesting, but shouldn't take up so much space. I recommend the next edition go more in-depth on the officially licensed go-along items, as these are more likely to be encountered by the average collector than some of the more obscure decaled lines that have pages written about them.
Post '86 Fiesta a fantastic Book!!!!.......2005-11-24
I found the book to be insightful and full of a plethora of information that experienced and new collectors could use. It is a worth while edition to any fiesta library. I also was thrilled to see the paintings of artist Philip Carroll in the book and on the back cover of paintings using fiesta. What a wonderful concept!
Wow, this book is a definite MUST!.......2003-04-03
I was very pleased w- this book! I have been a Fiesta collector for several years & found this book not only extremely informative, but a very useful tool too. The writing is superb! This book carries current values for lilac, sapphire, & other HTF pieces. Because post 86 Fiesta is currently in production & "readily available", I understand that it is impossible to put values on anything else. I was especially fascinated & intrigued with the many great pictures, espeically of the rare & morgue pieces. Overall, this book is the best post 86 book on the market; it is definitely a must have for any collector!!!
This Book Is A Must Have!!.......2003-04-03
I was very pleased w- this book! I have been a Fiesta collector for several years & found this book not only extremely informative, but a very useful tool too. The writing is superb! This book carries current values for lilac, sapphire, & other HTF pieces. Because post 86 Fiesta is currently in production & "readily available", I understand that it is impossible to put values on anything else. I was especially fascinated & intrigued with the many great pictures, espeically of the rare & morgue pieces. Overall, this book is the best post 86 book on the market; it is definitely a must have for any collector!!!
Book Description
From a beautiful 17th-century botanical publication — all 153 black-and-white images of insects and plants by an artist renowned for her scientific eye and precise detail. The engravings of roses, lilies, carnations, and other plants, as well as butterflies and insects, will be of use to graphic artists, craftspeople, students, and historians.
Average customer rating:
- Sitting on the edge of a great book
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Sitting on the Edge: Modernist Design from the Collection of Michael and Gabrielle Boyd
Aaron Betsky ,
Paola Antonelli , and
Philippe Garner
Manufacturer: Rizzoli International Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Furniture Design
| Design & Decorative Arts
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Collections, Catalogues & Exhibitions
| Photography
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
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General
| Arts & Photography
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General
| Exhibition Catalogs
| Museums
| Museums & Collections
| Arts & Photography
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Furniture
| Antiques & Collectibles
| Home & Garden
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Furniture & Carpentry
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| Home & Garden
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General
| Interior Design
| Home & Garden
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ASIN: 0847821676
Release Date: 1999-01-15 |
Book Description
One hundred chairs, couches, other seating furniture, and objects from what is perhaps the most important and comprehensive collection of modernist furniture in priate hands have been newly photographed in color for this lavish book. Accompanying an exhibition at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, this bok spans the 20th century as it showcases the work of modern masters ranging from Peter Behrens, Otto wagner, and Gerrit Rietveld, throug LeCorbusier and Frank Lloyd Wright, to Wendell Castle, Donald Judd, and Marco Zanuso.
Sitting on the Edge will delight and inform design professionals as well as anyone with a passion for style.
Customer Reviews:
Sitting on the edge of a great book.......1999-12-13
Sitting on the Edge: Modernist Design, is a well put together book, and a rare find in modern furnishing circles. A great review of Michael and Gabrielle Boyd's collection, which as one can see by the list, is stunning. The pictures of the pieces in the collection though are the catch all. Full page photographs, beautiful type, well laid out, and a great collection at one's finger tips, I personally couldn't ask for more, except perhaps the actual pieces of furniture in the collection. If you love Modernist furniture, go with this one!
Customer Reviews:
Great theory book.......2005-11-08
I use this book for my design classes. It is very complete and easy to read, but I feel it should have more images to illustrate the text. Great theoretics but I wish for more parctical imput. Great for freshman design students.
Average customer rating:
- The Definitive Rod Stewart book (for now)
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Rod Stewart: The Visual Documentary
John Gray
Manufacturer: Omnibus Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Voice
| Instruments & Performers
| Music
| Entertainment
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Discographies & Buyer's Guides
| Reference
| Music
| Entertainment
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General
| Music
| Entertainment
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Rock
| Musical Genres
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General
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ASIN: 0711929068 |
Customer Reviews:
The Definitive Rod Stewart book (for now).......2006-11-28
The Rod Stewart story of course goes well beyone 1992, when this book was published, but for those who want to see where Rod Stewart's career began and thrived throughout the 70s and 80s, this minutia filled tome with a ton of pics is perfect. Not exactly a narrative type book--it simply is a calendar of important dates in Rod's career. His Royal Grayness leaves very few stones unturned. Highly recommended.
Books:
- Now and Then: The Poems of Gil Scott-Heron
- One Hand Clapping: A Novel
- Perfect Match: A Novel
- Peril, Kentucky
- Plains Song: For Female Voices
- Running: Difficulty at the Beginning, Book 1 (Difficulty at the Beginning)
- Sanin: A Novel
- Season of the Snake: A Novel
- Secresy (Darkhorse Series)
- Seven Peaches: The First Seven Desert Peach Episodes
Books Index
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