Darwin's Wink: A Novel of Nature and Love

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"An enchanted error..."

Splendid Little Novel of Naturalists in Love

Terrific Novel!

A marvellous book

Beautiful and Exotic

Darwin's Wink: A Novel of Nature and Love
Alison Anderson
Manufacturer: Picador
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Literary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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The Shadow of the Wind

ASIN: 0312332009
Release Date: 2005-10-13

Book Description

Darwins Wink is the story of an exquisite romance between two naturalists working to save a rare bird species on an island off the coast of Mauritius. Both are devastated by their pasts: Fran mourns the unexplained death of her Mauritian lover; Christian, a former Red Cross worker, has recently left war-torn Bosnia after the mysterious disappearance of his fiance. As they slowly teach each other to trust again, the two must also contend with strange attacks on the island that place both their lives and livelihoods in grave danger.

Customer Reviews:

"An enchanted error...".......2005-10-17

Off the coast of Mauritius is a coral reef, Egret Island, twenty-five hectares of tropical vegetation. Following the Portuguese, Dutch, French and British, even the egrets vanish from this beleaguered place. Fran, a trained naturalist, comes to Egret Island via an independent foundation, her mission to return the island to its pre-human state, replacing plant and animal life, "the exotic with the endemic", restoring the natural habitat and possibly saving the mourner bird from extinction. The fiftyish woman is joined by a younger man, Christian, a Swiss by birth. Deeply scarred by his experiences with the International Committee of the Red Cross in Bosnia, Christian is seeking refuge from the harsh reality of war, "a bloody game of bullies and warlords, a slaughter."

Fran carries her own heartbreak, a love affair with Satish, a younger Tamil immigrant from India who knew the island well, his death still a potent grief. Christian's arrival has awakened Fran's feelings, his romance with a local girl a reminder that Satish is gone, as if Fran's relationship was only an island tale. Socially unacceptable, Fran and Satish's love was something they chose, accepting the challenges of such an affair. At this point in her life, Fran has crossed an invisible line, accepted solitude as a way of life, made stronger within the boundaries of self. Fran finds comfort in her position, having never mastered flirtatious games, removed from island society, safe from the entanglements that expose her vulnerabilities. Watching Christian in Satish's place, Fran hopes that their daily routines will offer this man an opportunity to recover, to regain his balance in the world. Drawn closer by the defining experiences of their lives, Fran and Christian share their stories. Writing in her journal, Fran realizes that anything can be changed in nature, an act of God, Darwin's wink: "What will I do now... my ordered little world is only an illusion of order, thwarted by biology."

Fran is a complex person, having weighed her loneliness and made peace with it, yet allowing herself to embrace Satish, and later, Christian. The years have given her a natural wisdom and compassion, withholding her own needs so that those of others can be met. She offers Christian the freedom to make choices without resorting to trickery or dishonesty. Even Christian realizes that this place and this woman are temporary, a brief respite before he reenters a brutal world with unfinished obligations. Yet Christian is acutely aware of Fran's strength, her unconditional acceptance of what life offers, even if happiness only comes in small measures. Anderson evokes a time and place made real and tactile by the species clinging to life and the wounded humans reaching to each other for comfort. The characters inhabit the novel, Fran, Christian, Asmita, the devious Razel, the lost Nermina and the ghost of Satish. Here passion blooms without interference, but the world waits; this temporary solace belongs to the moment, where old wrongs may be made right, nature tilted gently into balance, Fran and Christian planting the seeds of the future. Luan Gaines/ 2005.

Splendid Little Novel of Naturalists in Love.......2005-02-26

Alison Anderson is among the finest literary stylists writing today, writing a carefully crafted lyrical prose which reminds me of Patrick O'Brian's best work in his Aubrey/Maturin saga. Her graceful writing is a poetic throwback to Jane Austen, with much Joycean self reflection thrown in, reminding me too of Andrea Barrett's elegant fictional prose on science and nature. I was quite taken with "Darwin's Wink" as I read through the opening pages, keeping a keen interest in the affairs of the two protagonists, Fran and Christian. To her credit, Anderson has fashioned a tale that I wish didn't end, but yet it did, with ample realism and poetic prose.

Fran is a fortyish American behavioral ecologist and ornithologist who has found sanctuary on Egret Island, a tiny island near its much larger neighbor, Mauritus, trying to save a rare bird from extinction. She also finds herself coping with the unexpected death of her assistant and lover, Salish, a Hindu Mauritian. Salish's replacement, Chris, a former Swiss Red Cross worker, has lost the love of his life, Nermina, a Muslim Bosnian Red Cross worker, he met while both were working in war-torn Bosnia in the mid 1990s. Unexpectedly, they find themselves drawn to each other while contending unknowingly with Mauritians opposed to their conservation work, and who were ultimately responsible for Salish's death.

Terrific Novel!.......2005-02-09

Starts quiet and sort of stays that way which belies the strength of its voice and story which rings loud and clear -- the power, trauma, guilt and loss as each are worked upon. The tiny Maritian island in this book is a stripped down, bare essentials cosmos. Some will say it's a love story but it's no more nor less than a survival story, and that's beautifully sufficient and gorgeously written (though not over-written). Will be moving on, just as quickly as my feet can scurry to my local, to Anderson's earlier novel Hidden Latitudes. She seems to have a thing for Island novels; works for me!

A marvellous book.......2005-01-18

I really loved this book !
While you get gripped into the suspense which has the two main characters strive to keep alive an endangered species of birds on an island near Mauritius working against an unknown enemy and learn slowly about their secrets wounds in a well constructed story that takes you back and forth between past - the war in Bosnia during which Christian was working for the red cross and lost his girlfriend- and present - the island where Fran suffered her own loss, you really dive into the serenity of this island and the beautiful and lyrical use of words by the writer. It is punctuated with pertinent and philosophical comments about life, survival and relationship.
You will not want to leave Fran and Christian when you reach the last page.

Beautiful and Exotic.......2004-12-20

This is a lovely, unusual novel. The writing is lush, the setting and characters complex, and the protagonist's work important. The ending seems quite realistic. For anyone, especially one who cares for endangered species and is drawn to the mystery of islands, this novel should hold one's interest straight through. Beautiful and imaginative.

DARWIN'S WINK: A Novel Of Nature & Love (H)

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DARWIN'S WINK: A Novel Of Nature & Love (H)
Alison Anderson
Manufacturer: Thomas Dunne Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OTIH4I

Book Description

This romantic comedy manga series chronicles the obstacles a young couple must overcome on their way to the altar. Just as Kaoru Hanabishi resigns himself to facing his college years alone, he runs into his childhood sweetheart, Aoi Sakuraba. Despite her family's protests, Aoi is determined to become his wife. But in order to renew their arranged engagement, Kaoru must reconcile with the family he ran away from.

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Newton and the Quasi-Apple
Stanley Schmidt , and Frank Kelly Freas
Manufacturer: Foxacre Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0970971133

Book Description

What if Newton was wrong—or just seemed to be wrong? What if visitors from an advanced civilization accidentally made it seem as if the Three Laws of Motion didn't work as advertised—and thus got Newton in very serious trouble with the authorities?And what if that was just the start of the trouble?

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Newton and the Quasi-Apple

Manufacturer: POPULAR LIBRARY
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0445032235

Product Description

His name was Terek. In the primitive civilization of Yngmor, he alone fully recognized the danger from the rising power of the barbarian hordes.

Customer Reviews:

Self Study Bible Course.......2007-07-28

An excellent study course for those wanting to put scripture to their faith. A must for anyone who has not taken the time to write out their faith and beliefs in a comprehensive manner; a sound and true process without denominational bias.

Awesome!.......2000-06-13

This book allows you to study, break down the bible, and actually get a better understanding of What God is telling us in his word.

Teach Yourself New Testament Greek Complete Course (Teach Yourself)

Average customer rating:

Elementary, compact size, covers all the basics. A++
Starts off strong
Grammar school style textbook from 1960
Excellent for beginners

Teach Yourself New Testament Greek Complete Course (Teach Yourself)
D. F. Hudson
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Foreign Languages | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Classics | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0844237892

Customer Reviews:

Elementary, compact size, covers all the basics. A++.......2006-03-05

I really liked this book. It covers all the basics.

It has gives a good coverage of the basics, and has good explanations, and good practice exercises, charts, etc.,forming a solid foundation for future study of New Testament Greek.

Starts off strong.......2004-06-25

The first half of the book is paced well, and eases you into the New Testament Greek. About the midway point, conveniently when the grammar gets more advanced, I think the explanations and lessons start to weaken. That could be just the nature of the level of study, when you get into Optative mood and all the obnoxious Genitive usages, nonetheless, that is when the instruction should step up and clarify better. I felt the instruction took a step back instead. Nonethless, the beginning chapters are excellent, just be prepared to be patient when you get to the really hard stuff.

Grammar school style textbook from 1960.......1999-07-08

It's okay, though may be oldfashioned for some. Has decent traditional verb tables in the back, but no handy summary of case inflection. Haven't seen McNairs similarly titled book (which is probably in breach of Hodder's Teach Yourself trademark).

Excellent for beginners.......1999-05-23

I read this book about five years ago when a local Greek professor decided to teach some people from his church how to read the language. The book made Greek as simple as it can get by starting out with the Greek alphabet which included pronunciation. The book then became much more advanced, teaching grammar. I plan on buying the book again since one of my friends lost it and was happy to see that it was still being sold on line. If you are just starting out, buy this book. It is cheaper than most and is all you'll need to get a good beginning foundation of New Test Greek.

Vine's Learn New Testament Greek An Easy Teach Yourself Course In Greek

Average customer rating:

A Quick Read and a Great Help

Vine's Learn New Testament Greek An Easy Teach Yourself Course In Greek
W. E. Vine
Manufacturer: Thomas Nelson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Classics | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Literature & Fiction | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Reference | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Religion & Spirituality | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
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ASIN: 0785212329

Book Description

Let the one you've trusted for word studies for years teach you to read the New Testament in Greek! Created by W.E. Vine, the trusted author of the world's most-used expository dictionary, this book is an easy "teach yourself" course for those who have no previous knowledge of Greek. Designed especially for the layperson, you'll start by learning the Greek alphabet and by the third lesson you'll be reading directly from the Greek New Testament!

Complete with charts, tables, and diagrams, it is ideal for self-study. Vine's Learn New Testament Greek is an all-in-one Greek grammar and lesson book.

Customer Reviews:

A Quick Read and a Great Help.......2001-04-21

This book is a big aid to those who are not students of Greek and need an elementary level companion to the Greek New Testament. Very inexpensive--lots of info for the cost--a great value!

Teach Yourself Biblical Hebrew Complete Course

Average customer rating:

Also Poor Printing!
Confuse Yourself
Painfully, unbelievably bad !!
Somewhat Useful, But Out-Dated and Frustrating
Start Somewhere Else

Teach Yourself Biblical Hebrew Complete Course
R. K. Harrison
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill Companies
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Dictionaries & Thesauruses | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Foreign Languages | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Reference | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0844237930

Book Description

Functional and fun, each course offers full pronunciation guides, grammar summaries, dialogues, cultural notes, vocabulary charts, and irregular verb tables. Ideal for complete language study from comprehension, to speaking and writing skills, to understanding the culture.

Customer Reviews:

Also Poor Printing!.......2007-08-21

I bought this book because it was cheap, and I thought I could get an idea of the language from it. Everything that the other reviewers say is true. The only new thing that I want to add is that the printing is so poor and blurred that it is impossible sometimes to distinguish the points indicating the different vowels: very frustrating for a beginner. Nevertheless, this book motivated me to buy a better book and to eventually learn enough Hebrew to read some of the Tanakh in the original language. I would recommend Weingreen's "Practical Grammar for Classical Hebrew", which is concise, clear, and has plenty of exercises. Kelley's book seems also very good, but I don't own it.

Confuse Yourself.......2007-02-05

I have studied Hebrew on and off since 1984. This book would be extremely difficult to understand for a beginner. I would not recommend this book. There is nothing wrong with buying a children's primer to start your study in Hebrew and gradually move on to more advanced teaching. This book is not the one to "Teach Yourself Biblical Hebrew".

Painfully, unbelievably bad !!.......2006-10-29

I read the reviews here on Amazon, and thought to myself "This book can't be that bad, can it?". So I borrowed it from the library... and then found out for myself that I was so wrong! Yes, it really IS that bad. Consider yourself warned :O) Now, for someone who already has some background in Hebrew, this might be a good reference work to have on their shelf. But if youre a beginner, do yourself a favor and skip this one. Instead, I'd recommend "Learn Biblical Hebrew", by John H Dobson.

Somewhat Useful, But Out-Dated and Frustrating.......2002-01-02

"Teach Yourself Biblical Hebrew" CAN get you started, but within a short period, its shortcomings become very obvious. There is accurate, if often very simplified information, but this book is not well organized, not very well presented, and exercises and examples are generally insufficient. Moreover, the limited vocabulary is antiquated. Do we really need a 'hither' and 'thither' kind of book in the 21st Century?

If you're considering this book you would do MUCH better with Page Kelley's "Biblical Hebrew: An Introductory Grammar". It retails for twice the price, but quantitatively you get approximately four times more book, ample exercises and examples, modern usage, and you are plunged immediately into biblical texts.

Start Somewhere Else.......2000-08-01

I cannot recommend this as a "teach yourself" text. You would be better off starting ANYwhere else.

The Christian life is exciting!: Self-study Bible course

Average customer rating:

The Christian life is exciting!: Self-study Bible course

Manufacturer: Gift Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0865950091

A Course in Miracles - Complete 3 Volume Set (Includes Text, Workbook, and Teacher's Manual)

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A Course in Miracles - Complete 3 Volume Set (Includes Text, Workbook, and Teacher's Manual)
Foundation for Inner Peace
Manufacturer: Foundation for Inner Peace
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000WLUVOC

Product Description

According to the Introduction, this is a course in miracles. It does not aim at teaching the meaning of love, for that is beyond what can be taught. It does aim, however, at removing the blocks to the awareness of love's presence, which is your natural inheritance. The opposite of love is fear, but what is all encompassing can have no opposite. This course can therefore be summed up very simply in this way: "Nothing real can be threatened. Nothing unreal exists". Herein lies the peace of God.

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Durham N T Greek Course:
William G. Morrice
Manufacturer: Paternoster Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Foreign Languages | Reference | Subjects | Books

Linguistics | Words & Language | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Bible & Other Sacred Texts | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0853645566

God's Great Exchange: A Self Study Course About the Main Message of the Bible

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God's Great Exchange: A Self Study Course About the Main Message of the Bible
Institutional Ministries Committee
Manufacturer: Institutional Ministries Committee
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000RJ223C

The Reluctant Prophet: a self-study course on the book of Johan (Featuring...self-study format, clearly stated goals and review questions, Bible quotations in the text, final exam., Booklet 7)

Average customer rating:

The Reluctant Prophet: a self-study course on the book of Johan (Featuring...self-study format, clearly stated goals and review questions, Bible quotations in the text, final exam., Booklet 7)

Manufacturer: Institutional Ministries Committee
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000HGIT46

SELF STUDY BIBLE COURSE #1 a Complete Course of Bible Doctrine with Answers and Notes

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SELF STUDY BIBLE COURSE #1 a Complete Course of Bible Doctrine with Answers and Notes
Derek Prince
Manufacturer: By the Author
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000JFK7YK

Customer Reviews:

No longer a native..............2000-08-03

Although I was born in LA when it WAS LA (1942), Mama took me north when I was two! But because of family members of the latino persuasion, I became enamored of the food. When Tia Joanne taught me how to make tamales from scratch, I thought I had died and gone to heaven. But when I stumbled on this incredibale cook book, I knew I had come home! The recipes are simple and yet they are so wonderfully full of tantalizing flavor! All the ingrediants are easy to procure and the recipes are easy to follow. Give yourself a break and try this great cookbook. The history alone is worth the reading!

The cookbook is as memorable as the restaurant.......1998-08-24

I first went to El Cholo when I was a child from Manhattan. When we moved to LA, it was the first restaurant my parents took me to. And it was as good as we remembered. Last week I made the green corn tamales from the recipe in this book and they came out great! I love this cookbook.

A great cookbook!.......1998-07-16

I like cookbooks with more than just recipes, and this is one I can curl up with -- Merrill Shindler is witty and intelligent! My family and I have always enjoyed the food at El Cholo, so I was delighted to get the recipes -- all of the dishes I love to order are there. I already tried the Green Corn Tamales and I swear they turned out as good as the ones I order there. And they were easy. I especially liked all the little anecdotes from people who have eaten at El Cholo -- you can tell they were for real. I wish it had color pictures, but the design is very modern.

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Country Collections: Ideas for Collecting and Displaying Antiques and Other Country Treasures (American Country)
Time Life Books
Manufacturer: Time Life Education
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Decorative Arts | Design & Decorative Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Americana | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0809467836

Average customer rating:
Country Collections : Ideas for collecting & displaying antiques & other country treasures

Manufacturer: Time Life
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0809467844

Average customer rating:
Country Collections Ideas for Collecting And Displaying Antiques and Other Country treasures
Time Life
Manufacturer: TIME LIFE BOOKS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000VZY5IM

Average customer rating:
Country Collections: Ideas for Collecting and Displaying Antiques and Other Country Treasures
Time Life
Manufacturer: Time Life Education
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000VSM7Q6

Book Description

Drawing from the ancient art of Asian brush painting, Craig Vandall Stevens introduces a unique form of chip carving to the hobbyist. With clean flowing lines the knife creates delicate images in wood, relying on the play of the grain and light to bring the images to life. These make beautiful wall hangings on their own, or can be used as a decoration on plates boxes, and screens. Craig goes step-by-step through the carving, beginning with an introduction to the tools and the wood. Two projects are included with clear color photographs and concise descriptions of the carving technique. The pattterns are included as is a gallery of variations and applications., 250 step-by-step photographs, 8 1/2" x 11"

Book Description

For all who seek redecorating resources, "Home Design Workbook" offers readers inspiration, direction, and organization for projects large and small. Packed with fresh ideas, this book contains beautiful, full-color images of professionally designed interiors. In addition, it is a clever way to organize your designing adventure - this book contains workbook pages with pertinent questions evaluating your current situation and your preferences, plus graph paper for creating personalized floor plans.

Chapters target getting started, as well as specific design aspects - walls, windows, floors - and specific rooms - kitchens. Living rooms, bedrooms - and offer advice and creative direction to help organize everything from ideas and to plans of action.

Customer Reviews:

This book is an embarrassment!.......2004-11-19

I don't know how anyone could give this book a good review. The text is stilted and awkward and is marred by multiple spelling and grammatical errors. The photos are too small to be helpful in most cases and in several places the captions were misaligned and not printed properly. Rockport Press usually produces much nicer works. Skip this one folks it's a real mess.

This book is beautifully done!.......1999-04-02

Fabulous guide to hooking up the house. Lush pictures, clear instructions, smart ideas, and a really nice aesthetic sense. I'm off to try some of your suggestions, Ms. Lawrence. Good job!

Book Description

The contributors to this volume analyze visual culture in the context of British and French Colonial activity in the North Atlantic from 1660-1830. It is a response to a noticeable omission in current art history and cultural studies, which have largely ignored the diverse and important body of visual imagery relating to colonialism, Atlantic slavery and the development of racial ideology. This fascinating collection demonstrates that the visualization of individuals, communities, social types, fictive characters, artefacts and landscapes, played a highly significant role in both the European representation and self-representation of the peoples and places of the Atlantic colonial world. Consequently, it reasserts the primacy of visual culture as an active participant in forming this complex and fluid "imagined community."

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