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Dorian: An Imitation
Will Self Manufacturer: Grove Press ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover Similar Items:
ASIN: 0802117295 |
Book Description
The New York Times Book Review has praised Will Self as a "high-powered satirical weapon" and an "alpha male in the British literary hierarchy." Now he confirms his place among our most important writers by offering a stunning reimagination of the most shocking novel of its time. Summer, 1981. It is an age when appearances matter more and more. Only the shallowest people won't judge by them. Henry Wotton, gay, drug-addicted, and husband of Batface, the irrefutably aristocratic daughter of the Duke of This or That, is at the center of a clique dedicated to dissolution. His friend Baz Hallward, an artist, has discovered a young man who is the very epitome of male beauty -- Dorian Gray. His installation, Cathode Narcissus, captures all of Dorian's allure and, perhaps, something else. After a night of debauchery that climaxes in a veritable conga line of buggery, Wotton and Hallward are caught in the hideous web of a retrovirus that becomes synonymous with the decade. Sixteen years later the Royal Broodmare, as Wotton has dubbed her, lies dying in a Parisian underpass. But what of Wotton and Hallward? How have they fared as stocks soar and T-cell counts plummet? And what of Dorian? How is it that he remains so youthful while all around him shrivel and die? Set against the AIDS epidemic of the eighties and nineties, Will Self's Dorian is a shameless reworking of our most significant myth of shamelessness, brilliantly evoking the decade in which it was fine to stare into the abyss, so long as you were wearing two pairs of Ray-Bans.Customer Reviews:
I didn't like this as much as I wanted to........2006-12-10
horrifically bland, boring story.......2005-05-27
Many people just don't like this sort of stuff..........2005-02-02
Narcissism, surely the scourge of our age.......2004-08-14
Wilde would not approve.......2004-05-03
The punchline of the book offers some insights on the purpose, function, and effect of art. Besides that, the book is a tedious, torturous read (besides being gory to the point of swift apathy and desensitization.)
Self's voice is not only grating, but Self-congratulatory and Self-indulgent: he amuses himself with pointless, witless alliteration as often as his characters smoke, snort and shoot all kinds of hideous drug combinations. His treatment of his own characters is sadistic and completely lacking in affection.
The book is built around several mildly interesting comparisons with Wilde's original; the last, revealed in the epilogue, being the strongest. And yes, it's sort of interesting to compare 'moral corruption' with the transmission of a virus for which there is no cure. But his ideas lose all appeal thanks to the voices of the narrator and his aggravating flock of junkies (I speak French and I found the constant turd-like dropping of 'bons mots' infuriating; I can't imagine what it would be like for someone who can't understand them at all....)
Read the original and let your own imagination fit it to the context of the '80s and '90s.
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The Chronicles of Pern: First Fall (The Dragonriders of Pern)
Anne McCaffrey Manufacturer: Del Rey ProductGroup: Book Binding: Mass Market Paperback Similar Items:
ASIN: 0345368991 Release Date: 1994-08-29 |
Book Description
Let the queen of dragons herself take you back to the earliest days of Pernese history as Anne McCaffrey brings to life events that shaped one of the most popular worlds in all of science fiction, in this first-ever Pern short-story collection.Download Description
Travel back to the earliest days of Pernese history in this first-everDragonriders of Pern short-story collection!Join the original survey team as they explore Pern and decide torecommend it for colonization.
Share the terror of the evacuation from the Southern Continent as aflotilla of ships, aided by intelligent, talking dolphins, braves thedreadful currents of the Pernese ocean.
Learn how the famous Ruatha Hold was founded, and thrill with thedragonriders as they expand into a second, then a third Weyr.And discover a secret lost time: the rescue of some of the originalcolonists before the planet was cut off forever!
Building a new life on a distant world, braving the dreaded Thread thatfalls like silver rain from the sky only to destroy every living thingit touches, flying heroically on the wondrous dragons: TheDragonriders of Pern!
Customer Reviews:
Great if you like Sci Fiction.......2007-05-13
The Chronicles of Pern.......2007-05-12
The Chronicles of Pern,First Fall.......2007-01-22
"School & Library" binding is abysmal.......2006-01-08
Wonderful Insights Into Pern's History!.......2003-07-01
The Survey: P.E.R.N - This is the shortest story of the collection and it deals with the original surveyors who were mapping that part of the galaxy and recommended Pern for colonization. The reader is offered tantalizing glimpses of a bigger story behind the tension of the survey crew, but, at only 18 pages, this story doesn't allow a lot of time for any detail.
The Dolphin's Bell - This story takes place concurrently with the end of Dragonsdawn, but from the perspective of the dolphins and their caretakers. It was interesting to see the story from a different perspective and to experience what the colonists had to go through as they braved the treacherous ocean voyage to the northern continent. The story centers around Jim Tillek (of the later Tillek Hold), his love of the sea and his growing love for a courageous young woman named Theo.
The Ford of Red Hanrahan - After the colonists had settled in the Northern Continent at Fort Hold, there was plenty of room for their greatly diminished numbers in the cavernous space. However, after some time, space is getting tight and there are those who are ready to venture forth and create new holds. One of them is Red Hanrahan, whom readers will recognize from Dragonsdawn (as a character and as Sorka's father). He journeys quite a distance from Fort Hold and founds what will become known as the famous Ruatha Hold. This story was quite interesting because it addressed the history of the plague that took so many lives in Moreta's time and how the colonists started fostering their children out to live with other families.
The Second Weyr - Sean and Sorka have done a wonderful job training all of the other dragonriders and are the best weyrleaders that any dragonrider could hope for, but Fort Weyr just doesn't have enough space for them all! Torene, with her maturing queen, has dreams of settling a new weyr and has even found the perfect location, but is afraid to say anything to Sean. When Sean makes the surprise announcement that the dragonriders will be expanding into not just one weyr - but three! Torene is thrilled. She dreams of becoming new weyrwoman at one of the weyrs and waits in eager anticipation to see who will fly her queen in her first mating flight, for they will become the new leaders of the justly named Benden Weyr after their beloved leader who passed on. I have to say that this was my favorite story of the bunch, I just love to read about the dragonriders!
Rescue Run - When Lieutenant Ross Benden's ship comes upon a distress signal around the Rukbat system, he cannot help but think of his uncle, who set off 50 years previously to colonize a planet there. He cannot believe that his uncle, hero of so many battles, would have panicked and set off a signal for help, not 7 years after starting colonization. Still, he is duty bound to explore the area and see if there are any survivors. The biologist on board is fascinated by the organisms that seem to come from the Oort cloud circling so close to the planet. A small team leaves the ship to take a shuttle down to Pern and are surprised to encounter a small band of survivors: Stev Kimmer (whom readers will recognize from Dragonsdawn as being one of Avril's group) and Kenjo & Ito Fusaiyuki's (whom readers will also recognize as being the pilot killed by Avril to steal the plane) children. They insist that there are no other survivors and, though Benden does a sweep of the area, he has no other choice but to believe that his uncle is gone, killed in the Thread attack and leave with the few survivors that remain. This story was interesting because it explains why no one else has ever gone to Pern and why that area of space is simply avoided, as I always thought that someone must come to see the colony after so many hundreds of years.
I am not a big fan of short stories, as a rule, but I enjoyed this book. The stories are typically about 60 pages, except for the first one about the exploration team, which is only about 15. They are all well written and the characters are very interesting - almost too interesting for a short story because I wanted to know more about them! For anyone who has enjoyed the Pern series, I think that they will love the insights this book gives them into the history of Pern and its original colonists. Highly recommended for fans of science fiction & fantasy!
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DragonRiders Dawn Dragondon the Chronicles of pern: First Fall
Anne Mccaffrey Manufacturer: Science Fiction Book Co. ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover Similar Items:
ASIN: 0739466852 |
Product Description
Science Fiction Fantasy
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5 Titles By Anne McCaffrey : Chronicles of Pern: First Fall - To Ride Pegasus - Dinosaur Planet - The Rowan - Power Lines
Anne McCaffrey Manufacturer: various ProductGroup: Book Binding: Mass Market Paperback ASIN: B000WW1776 |
Product Description
multiple books ship as one item. save on shipping/handling charges.
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The Chronicles of Pern : First Fall
Anne McCaffrey Manufacturer: Del Rey ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback ASIN: B000OVHCXS |
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Chronicles of Pern: First Fall
Manufacturer: Turtleback Books Distributed by Demco Media ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover ASIN: 0606283765 |
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The Chronicles of Pern: First Fall (Unabridged), Part 1
Anne McCaffrey Manufacturer: audible.com ProductGroup: Book Binding: Audio Download ASIN: B00007K459 |
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The Chronicles of Pern: First Fall
Anne McCaffrey Manufacturer: Del Rey ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback ASIN: B000OCQ1U2 |
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The Chronicles of Pern: First Fall. [The Dragon Books]
Anne McCaffrey Manufacturer: Bantam Press ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover ASIN: B000J2NS94 |
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The DNA Cowboys Trilogy: Quest for DNA Cowboys/Synaptic Manhunt/Neural Atro
Mick Farren Manufacturer: Do-Not Press ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover Similar Items:
ASIN: 1899344942 |
Customer Reviews:
A delicious, delirious psychadelic Sci-Fi.......2003-09-25
A delicious, delirious psychadelic Sci-Fi Americana Fantasy.......2003-07-01
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Pay to the Order of Puerto Rico: The Cost of Dependence
Alexander Odishelidze , and Arthur Laffer Manufacturer: Allegiance Press ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover ASIN: 159467289X |
Book Description
Customer Reviews:
Book.......2007-05-07
Excellent expose of Puerto Rico!.......2007-03-21
Amazing Facts!.......2006-02-05
Follow the facts.......2005-09-25
More foreign amateurs meddling with the enchanted island.......2005-09-11
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PAY TO THE ORDER OF PUERTO RICO: THE COST OF DEPENDENCE TO THE AMERICAN TAXPAYER
Manufacturer: Allegiance Press Virginia ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover ASIN: B000IB3H74 |
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More Recipes from the Backs of Boxes, Bottles, Cans, and Jars
Ceil Dyer Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill Companies ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback Similar Items: ASIN: 0070185557 |
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Even More Recipes from the Backs of Boxes, Bottles, Cans, and Jars
Ceil Dyer Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill Companies ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback ASIN: 007018559X |
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More Recipes From The Backs of Boxes, Bottles, Cans and Jars
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill Book Company ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover ASIN: B000H5NZNM |
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More Recipes from the Backs of Boxes, Bottles, Cans and Jars
Ceil Dyer Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill Book Company ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover ASIN: B000PAV60S |
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Pocket Knife Price Guide
Jacob N. Jarrett Manufacturer: L W Publishing & Book Sales ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback Similar Items:
ASIN: 0895380242 |
Customer Reviews:
Great, as far as it goes.......2001-01-14
The book's greatest drawback is that the author provides no explanation how the "price guide" prices were derived. Without knowing whether the prices are based upon catalogue (asking) prices for collectible knives, auction results (realized prices), systematic shopping of shows and antiques shops, a formula, or simply the writer's opinion, a user cannot intelligently use the price guide. A brief note in front of the book explains that prices represent knives in "good condition," not unused and unsharpened knives (considered to be the most valuable), but there is no definition of the grade "good."
Worth the price, for the old catalog information, a great aid in identifying and dating knives.
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Price Guide to Knife Album 1976 Edition, 4th Edition, Includes Pocket Knives ,Winchester, Remington Cutlery Etc
Robert, Illustrated, Includes Article By Allen P. Swayne Mayes Manufacturer: Robert Mayes Publ. ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback ASIN: B000JD9V62 |
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Pocket Knife Traders Price Guide
Jim Parker Manufacturer: James F Parker Trust ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback ASIN: B000PRQBDS |
Product Description
illustrated price guide with color and black and white photographs
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Pocket Knife Traders Price Guide Volume 2 (1994 Edition)
Jim Parker Manufacturer: James F. Parker Trust ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback ASIN: B000WFI99M |
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Pocket Knife Traders Price Guide, Volume 5
Jim Parker Manufacturer: James F. Parker ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback ASIN: B000UM0MLK |
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Exploring Contemporary Craft: History, Theory and Critical Writing
Manufacturer: Coach House Press ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback Similar Items:
ASIN: 1552451070 |
Book Description
The craft of craft, the art of craft - here in Canada we're just starting to really talk about these things. In March 1999, Jean Johnson, who runs Toronto's Craft Studio at Harbourfr ont Centre, organized a wildly successful symposium on the state of craft in Canada. Curators, writers, critics, academics and craftspeople spoke about all aspects of craft: history, practice, theory, criticism. Taken together, these papers create a clear picture of the vibrant crafts scene in Canada.
The symposium was a groundbreaking event, a first in Canada, offering to the crafts community a new depth of consideration. The book, too, is a Canadian first, and it will allow a dialogue about the academic side of the craft movement to continue.
Each of the book's three sections, History, Theory and Critical Writing, contains a keynote paper and essays by experts in each field, including Mark Kingwell writing 'On Style,' Blake Gopnik on 'Reviewing Craft Exhibitions for the Art Pages,' and Robin Metcalfe addressing 'Teacup Readings: Contextualizing Craft in the Art Gallery.'
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Pure Deck-Adence: A Guide to Beautiful Decks
Tina Skinner Manufacturer: Schiffer Publishing ProductGroup: Book Binding: Hardcover ASIN: 0764304453 |
Book Description
Pure Deck-adence: A Guide to Beautiful Decks is a fantasy collection of real-life deck photos from all over the United States. From the humblest of condo balcony walkouts to the most elaborate sprawling wood structures, Pure Deck-adence explores the many possibilities of add-on outdoor home improvements. This pictorial essay explores America's fascination with outdoor living, from barbecue-centered constructions to the new immersion in hot tub culture. More than 240 full-color photographs provide a rich resource of ideas for those who dream of expanding their homes, and their horizons, with wood decks.
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Markengesetz/the German Trade Mark Act of 1995 (Series of publications on industrial property rights)
Martin Aufenanger Manufacturer: Vch Pub ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback ASIN: 3527286993 |
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Owl Meets Alien: Amongst Others On My Soul's Journey
Margarite Westo Manufacturer: 1st Books Library ProductGroup: Book Binding: Paperback ASIN: 1410725502 |
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