Чортова дванадцятка — досить змстовна й влучна характеристика збрки жахв за редакцю неперевершеного Ствена Джонса! Пд одню обкладинкою збран 12 гостроцкавих оповдань менитих майстрв горору. Дж. Гаррс, К. Ньюман, М. рей, Р. Кемпбелл та нш гарантують вам безсонну нч в атмосфер тамничост й мстики… Подейкують, що в паризькому Театр Жаху влаштовують кривав вистави. Тридцятидвохрчна Кейт Рд пдбралася надто близько до розгадки… (Гньоль) Вдомий актор Даррен Ловр на пку популярност… був, аж доки не розгнвав вдьму! (Забуття)Chortova dvanadcjatka — dosit' zmstovna j vluchna harakteristika zbrki zhahv za redakcju neperevershenogo Stvena Dzhonsa! Pd odnju obkladinkoju zbran 12 gostrockavih opovdan' menitih majstrv gororu. Dzh. Garrs, K. N'juman, M. rej, R. Kempbell ta nsh garantujut' vam bezsonnu nch v atmosfer tamnichost j mstiki… Podejkujut', shho v pariz'komu Teatr Zhahu vlashtovujut' krivav vistavi. Tridcjatidvohrchna Kejt Rd pdbralasja nadto bliz'ko do rozgadki… (Gn'ol') Vdomij aktor Darren Lovr na pku populjarnost… buv, azh doki ne rozgnvav vd'mu! (Zabuttja)

Heart of Darkness (1899) is a short novel by Joseph Conrad, written as a frame narrative, about Charles Marlow’s life as an ivory transporter down the Congo River in Central Africa. The river is “a mighty big river, that you could see on the map, resembling an immense snake uncoiled, with its head in the sea, its body at rest curving afar over a vast country, and its tail lost in the depths of the land.” In the course of his travel in central Africa, Marlow becomes obsessed with Mr. Kurtz.The story is a complex exploration of the attitudes people hold on what constitutes a barbarian versus a civilized society and the attitudes on colonialism and racism that were part and parcel of European imperialism. Originally published as a three-part serial story, in Blackwood's Magazine, the novella Heart of Darkness has been variously published and translated into many languages. In 1998, the Modern Library ranked Heart of Darkness as the sixty-seventh of the hundred best novels in English of the twentieth century. Short SummaryAboard the Nellie, anchored in the River Thames near Gravesend, England, Charles Marlow tells his fellow sailors about the events that led to his appointment as captain of a river-steamboat for an ivory trading company. He describes his passage on ships to the wilderness to the Company's station, which strikes Marlow as a scene of devastation: disorganized, machinery parts here and there, periodic demolition explosions, weakened native black men who have been demoralized, in chains, literally being worked to death, and strolling behind them a white Company man in a uniform carrying a rifle. At this station Marlow meets the Company's chief accountant who tells him of a Mr. Kurtz, and explains that Kurtz is a first-class agent.

2050. The global village has disintegrated. The Third World War, ending in a stalemate, has left the planet split between two hostile powers, each with a captive sphere of influence. The Atlantic Ocean has become an American sea. West Africa is a desert of failed states and anarchy, dotted with mines and oil rigs, stockaded and armed by U. S. corporations. From their island outpost of St. Thomas, the Americans dispatch expeditions of geologists and mining engineers into the dangerous interior of the Dark Continent to search for untapped mineral resources. One such expedition has gone missing. Ekem “Crash” Ferguson, born in the U.S. in 2008 of African parents and abandoned to the care of foster parents, is a Captain in the Marine Corps. His career blocked and his marriage failing, he accepts an offer to proceed to Ghana on a one-man mission to find the missing experts. Unknown to his handlers, he has another mission. His arrival in Africa is inauspicious: in a shack amongst the coconut palms he comes across two human skeletons. This is only the first incident in what turns out to be a journey of discovery and self-discovery. “Magnificently crafted political fiction.” Andre Vltchek, author of Aurora and Exposing the Lies of the Empire.

《从零开始学法语，“袋”着走》满足了初学者的所有要求。不仅封面大方美观，内容更是丰富多彩。从基础字母入门，到日常生活、青春校园、职场风云、特色文化等，几乎涵盖了所有你能想到的，以及你若是有机会去法国旅游生活或是工作能够用到的所有方面。做成小开本形式，方便读者随时随地翻读。

Mex is looking forward to a well-earned retirement for saving planet Hy Man from men. Instead she has been sent on a mission that will ruin her career with a robot who rubs her up the wrong way... Beryl is the leader of planet Hy Man and fighting to remain so. She is the reason that Mex is where she is trying to understand the Scottish accent, the Scottish weather and why everything they eat is covered in batter. Beryl is desperate, the planet’s energy is on its last legs and chapping at her heels to take over is the ruthless Hilda. A woman with a personality as bad her haircut and will do anything to get her way...

When the centuries-barren orchards of Berrie-on-the-Wyn suddenly bear fruit, it is clear that something strange is afoot — and something fey, for this is no ordinary harvest. To partake of the fruits of Faerie is to be changed for good, but not necessarily for the better. From whence come the golden apples, the moonlit silver pears? Who is the motley piper who walks the streets of Berrie, drawing forth magic and mayhem with his music? And how can half of the town vanish into thin air? There may be chaos aplenty in Berrie, but all that's needed to set things straight is a touch of the right light — and maybe just the right pair of Boots...

Pancho Finds A Home is about a little dog who wanders into a small Mexican village that is preparing for a feast. He befriends a burro, hen and goat and prepares a special surprise for them.

With the power to end the world, would you protect humanity when it broke you or would you take revenge? Meet Ariel: a quiet, unnoticeable girl with an incredible gift… Ariel never had an easy or pleasant life, but the arrival of three gorgeous strangers meant her measured life is turned upside down, as she discovers that angels exist.Now against her will, she’s drawn into an ancient celestial conflict, where her powers will decide the fate of humanity. Deceived, threatened, hunted and now on the run, who can she trust? It's fantastically written using highly descriptive languagethroughout allowing me to feel like I was transported into the story - I couldalmost smell and feel what the characters are experiencing. (Melanie from "Frasier's Fun House"/Book blogger) From the first chapter I found this book scarily addicting.I just wanted more. I was consumed and intrigued. I didn't know where it wasgoing or what was going to happen and was pleasantly surprised. (Emma from "Emma's Chapter"/Book blogger)Once I'm started, I just can't stop myself from reading itand almost constantly think about it while awake, torturing me. Stranger tothis genre, I wasn't aware this book would make my heart race so much and thatmy little imagination wheels in my brain would be on fire! (Kristina from "Books and Dachshunds"/Book blogger)Holy, that was great...I'm speechless by how amazing the story is. (Deekay from "Life of Deekay"/Book blogger)Heavenward by Olga Gibbs was an interesting read. I thoughtthe idea was brilliant. I have not read that many books dealing with angels butI find that I enjoy them. Gibbs took the story of the angels and definitely puther own spin on it. The scenery that she describes in the second half of thebook is just amazing. (Stephanie from "Books in the Skye"/Book blogger)Fantastic page turner! 150 pages were gone in a flash and Ijust wanted more! (Amazon reviewer)Addictive book with a fantastic and vivid world-building! Iwould definitely continue with this series. I need to know what happens next!Well written, well planned out. Reminded me a little of Hush, Hush, so if youlike things like that then you should definitely check this out. (Book blogger)Olga Gibbs has a talent for world-building. From the schoolyard to the heavenly architecture and natural surroundings, her settings andimagery are so vivid and cater to all five senses; it would be hard to tire fromher rich descriptions. (Kelsey from "There's something about KM"/Book blogger)

The 2012 presidential election campaign is well under way when Barack Obama succumbs to a sudden heart attack. Vice-president Biden is sworn in as President and the Democratic Party recalls its convention. Jesse Jackson makes a powerful speech proposing that the party adopt Michelle Obama as its candidate. What happens next?

"Minden sokkal egyszer?bb, mint amilyennek látszik..." ?llítja a szerz? k?nyvében és ezt részletes magyarázattokkal alá is támasztja Andem, egy másik dimenzióból érkezett kedves, fiatal h?lgy tanításai által. Ezen oldalakon keresztül a kedves olvasó is k?zelebb kerülhet a valósághoz, s elgondolkozhat ?nmagán, életén, k?rnyezetén és megtudhatja, hogyan változtathat rajta küzdelem, kemény munka, stressz nélkül, egészen egyszer?en.Akármilyen elgondolásból is kezd hozzá, e k?nyv mindenképpen érdekes olvasmány az Egyetemes Egész m?k?désének egy elképzelésér?l.

Ha nem lennének angol kosztüm?s filmek és szürkéskék szemek, a világ is sokkal biztonságosabb hely volna. Legalábbis így vélekedik Mész?ly Dóra, a LEI magazin újságírója, amikor elhatározza, hogy interjút kér a híres angol színészt?l, Edward Yorke-tól. A feladat egyszer?nek t?nik, hiszen a férfi éppen Budapesten forgatja legújabb filmjét, ám a kezdeti biztató jelek után az ügy egyre bonyolultabbá válik… A lány váratlan akadályok sorával találja magát szemk?zt, ám az egyébként is makacs természet? Dóra nem ismer lehetetlent. Minden találékonyságát latba vetve üld?zi tovább a színészt, mik?zben kalandjai hol filmgyári díszletek k?zé, hol egy magánnyomozó irodájába, hol az éjszakai Budapest kocsmáiba, hol egy londoni szállodába sodorják. De vajon sikerül-e rátalálnia Edwardra? M?RK LEON?RA az Elle magazin f?szerkeszt?-helyettese, el?tte évekig a N?k Lapja munkatársaként dolgozott. H?sn?jével, Mész?ly Dórával szemben nem az interjú a kedvenc m?faja, de ha valaki igazán felkelti az érdekl?dését, ? sem adja fel k?nnyen… ?Vágyni, csodára várni, álmodozni: jó. Tudom, mit érezhetett a k?nyv szerz?je, amikor megszületett benne a vágy. Ismerem az érzést, ami a csoda k?zelében meglep, és az álmodozás sem áll távol t?lem. M?rk Leonóra nagyon pontosan és végtelenül ?nironikusan mutatja be a fázisokat. Egyszer én is évekig üld?ztem egy német punkénekest. Aztán, amikor elkaptam, a fülembe csengtek egy kedves versnek a sorai: ?Nem akarok elérni semmit. Nem akarom, hogy ne legyen mire vágynom.? Hogy a k?nyv újságíró f?szerepl?je mit érez a kalandok során, nem árulom el. Járjuk vele végig az utat. K?nnyen magával húz, élvezet k?vetni. A vége meg: maradjon csattanó.” Karafiáth Orsolya

Bipoláris érzelmi zavar – hangzik a kórházi pszichiáter diagnózisa… Gyógyíthatatlan mentális betegség. Péceli Rita megrémül: ezek szerint élete végéig ?bolond” marad? Rita kezdetben megpróbálja ott folytatni, ahol a diagnózis el?tt abbahagyta. ?m széls?séges érzelmi hullámzásai alatt rossz d?ntéseket hoz, rossz kapcsolatokat k?t, elveszíti szerelmét, és biztos állása, megélhetése is veszélybe kerül. Egy éven belül háromszor kell befeküdnie a pszichiátriára. Rita a sok szenvedés hatására végül úgy d?nt, felveszi a keszty?t, és szembenéz a betegséggel. Vajon siker koronázza-e az er?feszítéseit, és képes lesz-e együtt élni a betegséggel, ha megfogadja segít?i tanácsait? ?lhet-e majd ezután is teljes érték? életet? S ami talán a legfontosabb: megtalálja-e a boldogságot? A regény igaz t?rténet alapján íródott. ?– Talán én nem tettem meg mindent – vallottam be halkan. – ?s félek, nem is fogok tudni megtenni. Pedig nem akarok újra kórházba kerülni. – Látja, most megfogalmazta a célját – mosolygott a szem?ld?két felhúzva Kamilla. – Higgye el, sikerülni fog. Kételkedve sóhajtottam fel, de akkor és ott megmozdult bennem valami. Elt?kéltem: mindent meg fogok tenni, nehogy megint a pszichiátrián k?ssek ki. – Az els? lépés, hogy elfogadják magukat – folytatta a pszichológus. – ?gy, ahogy vannak. A betegségüket. Ne vádolják magukat érte, ne érezzék szégyenbélyegnek, ne tagadják el saját maguk el?l, ha baj van. Maguk ugyanolyan értékes emberek, mint bárki más.”

Egy vicces, olykor megható szerelmes k?nyvet tart a kezében az olvasó. A t?rténetekb?l megtudhatjuk, hányféleképpen lehet n?ként csalódni úgy, hogy annak még a távoli Amerikában, a Szex és New York-sorozat hazájában is híre menjen. S miért a sok koppanás? Mert az ember lánya gyakran minden szerencse és f?leg ?nismeret híján halászgat a zavarosban. Ilyenkor bizony el?fordul, hogy a kiszemelt férfi nem éppen álmaink hercege, csak mi képzeltük róla, hogy ? a nagy ?. Ismer?s a szituáció? Fel a fejjel, azaz talpra, és indulás tovább! A végállomás csakis a boldogság lehet. ?…az el?szoba fel?l kulcsz?rgés hallatszott, majd nevetés harsant, amire vékonyka hang felelt. Egy n? és egy gyerek léphetett be a lakásba. Zoltán egész testében lemerevedett, majd odasúgta Helgának: – Ez Rozi a fiammal. Egy nappal el?bb hazahozta. A francba! Bújj el gyorsan, nehogy meglásson, kül?nben kikaparja a szemedet. Menj ki az erkélyre, én majd behúzom a s?tétít? függ?nyt. – Neked barátn?d van? – tátotta el a száját Helga. – Exbarátn?m, de nem hagy békét. Minden n?t elüld?z mell?lem. Na, menj már ki! Helgának azonban esze ágában sem volt az erkélyen kuksolni, amíg az ismeretlen n? el nem hagyja a terepet. Nekid?lt a konyhapultnak, karjait keresztbe fonta. – T?lem aztán megláthat – mondta kimérten. – ?n nem félek senkit?l, és senki el?l nem fogok bujkálni. – Ha neked esik, magadra vess – vetette oda a férfi idegesen. – ?n el?re szóltam.”

Voltak olyan korok, amikor az azonos nem?ek szerelme elfogadott volt. Vajon hogy lehet, hogy most, a 21. században mégse tudunk mit kezdeni ezzel a dologgal? Miért van az, hogy sokan még ma is csak a kül?nbségeket akarják látni, legyen szó akár vallásról, b?rszínr?l vagy szexuális orientációról? Sokan óvtak attól, hogy megírjam ezt a k?nyvet. Azt mondták, nem olyan világban élünk, hogy ilyenekr?l beszélni lehessen. ?n mégis azt hiszem, hogy az emberi érzéseknek, az emberi életek tanulságainak, az ember drámáinak, dilemmáinak és ?r?meinek mindig és mindenkor helye van, mert talán ezek a legfontosabbak az életben. Remélem, hogy ez a k?nyv sokaknak jelent majd segítséget, kapaszkodót és ad er?t, hogy mindenb?l, a legnehezebb élethelyzetekb?l is van kiút. Fenntartásokkal vettem kezembe ezt a k?nyvet. Nem szeretem a klikkesedést, és vallom, hogy akkor lesz majd jó világ, ha nem kell olyan k?nyveknek születnie, mint ez a mostani. De sajnos még kell. ?rz?dik a hangomban a sértettség? Talán én is sebzett vagyok? Nem tagadom. Nem egyszer? mindennap úgy kimenni az utcára, hogy legalább egyszer ne azt halljad: ?Ott j?n az a buzi a tévéb?l!” ?n mégis mindenkinek azt tanácsolom, hogy inkább ugorjon ?ssze a gyomra egy beszólástól, minthogy egész életében ?k?lbe szoruljon a fel nem vállalt élete miatt… Amikor elkezdtem olvasni ezeket az interjúkat, beszippantott, s?t beindított a sok kül?nb?z? hang. Egyre inkább úgy éreztem, hogy az egész rólam szól. Mondatok, gondolatok, apák, anyák, hülye helyzetek, szorongások, szépségek, a vágy titokzatos tárgyai, szex, szemétség, szerelem, szatíra… Heterók, biszexek, melegek és egyéb állatfajták egyaránt megtalálják a saját mondataikat ezekben a sztorikban korra, nemre való tekintet nélkül. Leny?g?z?, hogy megismételhetetlen életeink mennyire ?sszeforrnak a t?bbiek sorsával, mások t?rténetével. Ez villanyozott fel igazán! Mert eszembe jutott az els? ?barin?m” az oviból, meg az ?ikern?vérem” a gimib?l, akivel csókolóztam, és megrémültem, mert tudtam, hogy egészen másra gondolunk csók k?zben. ?s bevillant a torna?lt?z?, ahol hideg verejtékben für?dtem k?vér kisfiúként, mik?zben a nyolcadikos srácok el?ttünk ?lt?ztek át, és disznó vicceket mesélve r?h?gtek. ?s persze el?bújt az emlékeim k?zül a jelenet, amikor Spanyolországba k?lt?ztem, és apám a gyorsforgalmi úton a reptér felé megkérdezte, hogy akkor végül is meleg vagyok-e. ?s persze az anyámnak írt levél Madridból, mert neki mégis inkább tartoztam ezzel a vallomással. Aztán az els? látogatásom a picike melegbárban, biológiak?nyvemmel a kezemben – másnap az ?t?sért feleltem… Meg a nagy csalódásom a ?legjobb barátomban”, akivel a gimiben el?sz?r lefeküdtem. ?s persze eszembe jutott a ?nagy szerelem”, ami ugyanúgy nem tudott normális lenni, ahogy az egész életem sem az. Ugye, hogy ezek a helyzetek nagyjából mindenki életébe behelyettesíthet?k? A melegek csak annyiból ?mások”, amennyiben a t?bbiek annak akarják tekinteni ?ket. Ez a k?nyv azért fontos, mert mindenki megtalálhatja benne azt, ami róla szól. Lakatos Márk

Káprázatos, borzongtató, lélegzetelállító. T?kéletes. - Meg Rossoff Sally Gardner megd?bbent? regénye egy kegyetlen világban játszódik. Standish Treadwell - akinek kül?nb?z? szín?ek a szemei, és diszlexiája miatt nem tud írni-olvasni sem - egyetlen barátjával, Hectorral átmászik a várost k?rülvev? fal túloldalára, és ráj?nnek, mit rejteget el?lük az Anyaf?ld. Attól a pillanattól kezdve, hogy a két kamasz ráj?n egy óriási titokra, ami kapcsolatban van a Holdra szállással, az életük veszélybe kerül. Száz nagyon r?vid fejezet, t?kéletesen egyedi elbeszélésmódban, mely szinte végighajszolja az olvasót a t?rténeten, mert egyszerre izgalmas és s?tét humorú, lakatlan és borzongtató, gy?ngéd és elragadó. A Hold legs?tétebb oldala eredeti és megindító t?rténet, melyben a barátság és a bizalom az igazi fegyver. Sally Gardner Londonban n?tt fel, ma is ott él. Gyerekként maga is megküzd?tt a diszlexiával, egészen 14 éves koráig nem tanult meg sem írni, sem olvasni. Ikrei születése után kezdett regényeket publikálni, melyek a mágikus és t?rténelmi realizmus egyedi keverékei, stílusuk és témájuk kihívás az olvasóknak, akiket beszippant az általa teremtett világ. Sally szenvedélyesen hiszi, hogy a fiatal olvasókat inspirálni és szórakoztatni kell a k?nyvekkel, mint ahogy azt A Hold legs?tétebb oldala is bizonyítja, melyet számos díjjal tüntettek ki.

Pali kilencéves. Magányos otthon és az iskolában is. Egyik téli reggel aztán a mogorva újságárus csodálatos üveggolyót ad neki. Délutánra a konyhában felt?nik egy Egér, az ablakban megtelepszik egy Pók, egy Légy és egy Katica. Kik ezek és mit akarnak Palitól? Talán a rejtélyekre is fény derül, mikor egy picike kislány magával rántja a fiút a tük?rbe…

A Torzonborz, a rabló és a Torzonborz újabb gaztettei után itt a trilógia befejez? darabja, a Torzonborz megjavul. Otfried Preu?ler legeslegutolsó paprikajancsis és vitézlászlós t?rténete. ?jra felbukkan Torzonborz, a rabló. ?s ez bizony megrémíti Paprika Jancsit, Vitéz Lászlót, Nagymamát, s?t még ?st?llési századost is. De akkor ijednek meg csak igazán, mikor Torzonborz bejelenti: sz?gre akasztja széles karimájú kalapját és felhagy a rablómesterséggel. Vajon mihez kezd ezután az egykori hétt?r?s gazember...? Az életkori besorolás 6+

The history of our English translations of "Don Quixote" is instructive. Shelton's, the first in any language, was made, apparently, about 1608, but not published till 1612. This of course was only the First Part. It has been asserted that the Second, published in 1620, is not the work of Shelton, but there is nothing to support the assertion save the fact that it has less spirit, less of what we generally understand by "go," about it than the first, which would be only natural if the first were the work of a young man writing currente calamo, and the second that of a middle-aged man writing for a bookseller. On the other hand, it is closer and more literal, the style is the same, the very same translations, or mistranslations, occur in it, and it is extremely unlikely that a new translator would, by suppressing his name, have allowed Shelton to carry off the credit. In 1687 John Phillips, Milton's nephew, produced a "Don Quixote" "made English," he says, "according to the humour of our modern language." His "Quixote" is not so much a translation as a travesty, and a travesty that for coarseness, vulgarity, and buffoonery is almost unexampled even in the literature of that day. But it is, after all, the humour of "Don Quixote" that distinguishes it from all other books of the romance kind. It is this that makes it, as one of the most judicial-minded of modern critics calls it, "the best novel in the world beyond all comparison." It is its varied humour, ranging from broad farce to comedy as subtle as Shakespeare's or Moliere's that has naturalised it in every country where there are readers, and made it a classic in every language that has a literature.

FIRE MOUNTAIN IS "A THRILLING SEA STORY BY "NORMAN SPRINGER", AUTHOR OF "THE BLOOD SHIP" Years. Bright, aslant eyes, and a suave and ever-ready smile that broke immediately Martin met his gaze. "You will be so good as to inform the honorable that Dr. Ichi is here?" he asked in precise and stilted voice. Ever the same—the noiseless entry, the quietly spoken request for the lawyer. Martin repressed a flash of irritation; the little Japanese, with his uncanny soft-footedness and stereotyped address, got upon his nerves. However, his orders were explicit; Mr. Smatt would see Dr. Ichi without delay or preliminary, whenever Dr. Ichi favored the office with a visit. It was already the third visit that day, but orders were orders. So, Martin inclined his head toward the door of Smatt's private office. The Japanese crossed the room. He bowed to Martin, as stately a bow as if Martin were also an "honorable," instead of a poor devil of a law clerk; then, noiselessly as he had entered the outer office, Dr. Ichi disappeared within Smatt's sanctum. Martin turned to his window again. But his bright day dream was fled, and he could not conjure it back again. The view was without charm. His thoughts, despite himself, persisted in centering upon the dapper little figure now closeted with his employer. The dandified Jap aroused Martin's interest. What manner of client was this Dr. Ichi? Martin had not seen a single scrap of paper, nor had Smatt dropped a single hint, concerning the case. It was mysterious! Martin was not an overly curious chap, but he was human. It was another of Smatt's secret cases, thought Martin. Another token of those hidden activities of the old vulture, which he sensed, but did not know about. For, though Martin attended to the routine work, though his duties were responsible—Smatt specialized and was prominent in maritime law—still Martin knew he did not enjoy his employer's complete confidence. Much of Smatt's time was taken up with cases Martin knew nothing about, with clients who appeared to shun the daylight of the courts. The Nippon Trading Company, for instance! Martin knew Smatt was interested in a company of that name—a strange company, that apparently conducted business without using the mails. And there was business between Ichi and Smatt—money, or Smatt would have nothing to do with it. The mystery aroused Martin's dormant curiosity. But all his speculation was pointless. Martin bethought himself of the marine affidavit lying uncompleted upon his desk. He turned from the window with the intention of applying himself to that task—and he discovered the office to have a second visitor. Another unusual figure who possessed the penchant for surreptitious entry. He observed the fellow in the very act of closing the office door.

The stories were written when Irish nationalism was at its peak, and a search for a national identity and purpose was raging; at a crossroads of history and culture, Ireland was jolted by various converging ideas and influences. They centre on Joyce's idea of an epiphany: a moment where a character experiences self-understanding or illumination. Many of the characters in Dubliners later appear in minor roles in Joyce's novel Ulysses. The initial stories in the collection are narrated by child protagonists, and as the stories continue, they deal with the lives and concerns of progressively older people. This is in line with Joyce's tripartite division of the collection into childhood, adolescence and maturity. THERE was no hope for him this time: it was the third stroke. Night after night I had passed the house (it was vacation time) and studied the lighted square of window: and night after night I had found it lighted in the same way, faintly and evenly. If he was dead, I thought, I would see the reflection of candles on the darkened blind for I knew that two candles must be set at the head of a corpse. He had often said to me: "I am not long for this world," and I had thought his words idle. Now I knew they were true. Every night as I gazed up at the window I said softly to myself the word paralysis. It had always sounded strangely in my ears, like the word gnomon in the Euclid and the word simony in the Catechism. But now it sounded to me like the name of some maleficent and sinful being. It filled me with fear, and yet I longed to be nearer to it and to look upon its deadly work.Old Cotter was sitting at the fire, smoking, when I came downstairs to supper. While my aunt was ladling out my stirabout he said, as if returning to some former remark of his: "No, I wouldn't say he was exactly... but there was something queer... there was something uncanny about him. I'll tell you my opinion...." He began to puff at his pipe, no doubt arranging his opinion in his mind. Tiresome old fool! When we knew him first he used to be rather interesting, talking of faints and worms; but I soon grew tired of him and his endless stories about the distillery. "I have my own theory about it," he said. "I think it was one of those... peculiar cases.... But it's hard to say...." He began to puff again at his pipe without giving us his theory. My uncle saw me staring and said to me:"Well, so your old friend is gone, you'll be sorry to hear." "Who?" said I."Father Flynn.""Is he dead?" ? ABOUT AUTHOR: ? James Augustine Aloysius Joyce (1882 – 1941) was an Irish novelist and poet, considered to be one of the most influential writers in the modernist avant-garde of the early 20th century. Joyce is best known for Ulysses (1922), a landmark work in which the episodes of Homer's Odyssey are paralleled in an array of contrasting literary styles, perhaps most prominent among these the stream of consciousness technique he perfected. Other major works are the short-story collection Dubliners (1914), and the novels A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man (1916) and Finnegans Wake (1939). His complete oeuvre also includes three books of poetry, a play, occasional journalism, and his published letters.

The Divine Comedy describes Dante's journey through Hell (Inferno), Purgatory (Purgatorio), and Paradise (Paradiso), guided first by the Roman poet Virgil and then by Beatrice, the subject of his love and of another of his works, La Vita Nuova. While the vision of Hell, the Inferno, is vivid for modern readers, the theological niceties presented in the other books require a certain amount of patience and knowledge to appreciate. Purgatorio, the most lyrical and human of the three, also has the most poets in it; Paradiso, the most heavily theological, has the most beautiful and ecstatic mystic passages in which Dante tries to describe what he confesses he is unable to convey (e.g., when Dante looks into the face of God: "all'alta fantasia qui mancò possa" — "at this high moment, ability failed my capacity to describe," Paradiso, XXXIII, 142). His glory, by whose might all things are mov'd,Pierces the universe, and in one partSheds more resplendence, elsewhere less. In heav'n,That largeliest of his light partakes, was I,Witness of things, which to relate againSurpasseth power of him who comes from thence;For that, so near approaching its desireOur intellect is to such depth absorb'd,That memory cannot follow. Nathless all,That in my thoughts I of that sacred realmCould store, shall now be matter of my song. Benign Apollo! this last labour aid,And make me such a vessel of thy worth,As thy own laurel claims of me belov'd.Thus far hath one of steep Parnassus' browsSuffic'd me; henceforth there is need of bothFor my remaining enterprise Do thouEnter into my bosom, and there breatheSo, as when Marsyas by thy hand was dragg'dForth from his limbs unsheath'd. O power divine!If thou to me of shine impart so much,That of that happy realm the shadow'd formTrac'd in my thoughts I may set forth to view,Thou shalt behold me of thy favour'd treeCome to the foot, and crown myself with leaves;For to that honour thou, and my high themeWill fit me. If but seldom, mighty Sire!To grace his triumph gathers thence a wreathCaesar or bard (more shame for human willsDeprav'd) joy to the Delphic god must springFrom the Pierian foliage, when one breastIs with such thirst inspir'd. From a small sparkGreat flame hath risen: after me perchanceOthers with better voice may pray, and gainFrom the Cirrhaean city answer kind. About Dante: Durante degli Alighieri, simply referred to as Dante (1265–1321), was a major Italian poet of the Middle Ages. His Divine Comedy, originally called La Comedia and later called Divina by Boccaccio, is widely considered the greatest literary work composed in the Italian language and a masterpiece of world literature. In Italy he is known as il Sommo Poeta ("the Supreme Poet") or just il Poeta. He, Petrarch and Boccaccio are also known as "the three fountains" or "the three crowns". Dante is also called the "Father of the Italian language".