Dirty Whites and Dark Secrets


Book Description

The first full-length scholarly study of Peyton Place, Grace Metalious's classic story of New England indiscretion




Dirty Secrets of the Black Hand


Book Description

What are we? The Damned childer of caine? The grotesque lords of humanity? The pitiful wretches of eternal hell? We are vampires, and that is enough. I am a vampire, and that is far more than enough. I am that which must be feared, worshipped and adored. The world is mine -- now and forever. No one holds command over me. No man. No god. No prince. What is a claim of age for ones who are immortal? What is a claim of power for ones who defy death? Call your damnable hunt. We shall see whom I drag screaming to hell with me. Secret rules and powers for this hidden sect.




Writing the Survivor


Book Description

Writing the Survivor: The Rape Novel in Late Twentieth-Century American Fiction identifies a new genre of American fiction, the rape novel, that recenters narratives of sexual violence on the survivors of violence and abuse, rather than the perpetrators. The rape novel arose during the women’s liberation movement as women writers collectively challenged the traditional erasure of female subjectivity and agency found in earlier representations of sexual violence in American fiction. The rape novel not only foregrounds survivors and their stories in a textual centering that affirms their dignity and self-worth, but also develops new narratological strategies for portraying violent, disturbing subject matter. In bringing together many key women’s texts of the last decades of the 20th century, the rape novel demonstrates the centrality of sexual assault to women’s fiction of this era. The rape novels of the 21st century continue the political activism inherent in the genre—educating readers, offering community to survivors, and encouraging social activism—as the stories of male survivors are increasingly told. A radical reconsideration of late twentieth-century American novels, Writing the Survivor underscores the importance of women’s activism upon the novel’s form and content and reveals the portrayal of rape as rape to be an interethnic imperative.




Dirty Little Secrets about Black History, Its Heroes, and Other Troublemakers


Book Description

"To date, history remains largely white history. Black people, as a race, are virtually non-existent when historical events are described in textbooks, movies and centennial celebrations. Their role in America is most often that of cotton pickers, marchers or rioters. Black History Month narrowly limits contributions of blacks to a familiar list of 10 to 15 individuals when in fact, blacks, though enslaved and powerless, had a profound and indelible influence on the American socio-economic sysem [sic]. Black labor was the engine that drove this nation and civilizations around the world. Slavery and its legacies shaped and coinue [sic] to receal this nation's cultural, moral and ethical hypocrisy. The products of black labor created industrial revolutions in Britain and America. They provoked social tensions that led to the Revolutionary War, Civil War, Reconstruction and a national civil rights movement...the purpose of this book is to unearth and expose some of the 'Dirty Little Secrets' hidden in the darkness of history." -- cover, page 4.




American Small-Town Fiction, 1940-1960


Book Description

In literature and popular culture, small town America is often idealized as distilling the national spirit. Does the myth of the small town conceal deep-seated reactionary tendencies or does it contain the basis of a national re-imagining? During the period between 1940 and 1960, America underwent a great shift in self-mythologizing that can be charted through representations of small towns. Authors like Henry Bellamann and Grace Metalious continued the tradition of Sherwood Anderson in showing the small town--by extension, America itself--profoundly warping the souls of its citizens. Meanwhile, Ray Bradbury, Toshio Mori and Ross Lockridge, Jr., sought to identify the small town's potential for growth, away from the shadows cast by World War II toward a more inclusive, democratic future. Examined together, these works are key to understanding how mid-20th century America refashioned itself in light of a new postwar order, and how the literary small town both obscures and reveals contradictions at the heart of the American experience.




Unbuttoning America


Book Description

In this lively account of the writing, publication, and legacy of the 1956 bestselling novel, "Peyton Place," Ardis Cameron tells how the story of a patricide in a small New England village became a cultural phenomenon.




Dark Secrets


Book Description

"Dark Secrets" tells the story about a little girl who lived a troubled life with incest and molestion .




Re-visiting Female Evil


Book Description

Reflecting current trends in scholarly analysis of evil and the feminine, the chapters contained in Re-visiting Female Evil focus upon various ‘re-interpretations’ of evil femininities as a cultural signifier of agency, transgression and crisis, re-interpreting them through rewriting of ‘other’ stories, hermeneutic re-interpretations of ancient/classical texts, and revised film/ stage adaptations. These papers illustrate how gendered cultural myths of women’s intrinsic connection to evil still persist in today’s patriarchal society, though in variant and updated forms. Mischievous, beguiling, seductive, lascivious, unruly, carping, vengeful and manipulative – from the Disney princess to the murderous Medea, these authors grapple with our understanding of what it is to be and do ‘evil’, exploring the possible sources of the fear and hatred of women and the feminine as well as their continual fascination and appeal, and how these manifest in a range of 'real life' and fictional narratives that cross times, cultures and media.




Dark Secrets - White Lies


Book Description

We often live in an agony from which we wish to be free, and then, when the situation changes it is not as wonderful as we expected. The grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence but we go to great effort to climb that fence, only to realize our predicament is worse than before. We go through the steps we took and then moan if only I had done it differently. Darlene Hawkins finds herself in an abusive relationship and for the sake of her and her children, she seeks for a way to get out. She is not prepared for the unfortunate events that happen as she makes her escape, nor for the heartache that follows. Her heart longs for the child she left behind and then an unexpected tragedy prevents their long anticipated reunion. This book is set in the nineteen forties when the world was engaged in the conflict of World War II, the introduction of the Atomic Bomb and the struggle to overcome the devastation of the Great Depression. The hills of Tennessee in the area that was to become Oakridge, Tennessee, Kilgore, Texas and Abilene, Texas are the geographical settings of the story. Darlene Hawkins struggles to provide for her family in a community steeped with traditions and the dominance of the man over his wife. The opening of the mysterious manufacturing plant in the hills of Tennessee and the introduction of women to the working world give Darlene a means of escape.




AMERICAN MURDER MYSTERY Boxed Set: 60 Thriller Novels & Detective Stories


Book Description

Arthur B. Reeve's AMERICAN MURDER MYSTERY Boxed Set: 60 Thriller Novels & Detective Stories is a captivating collection of crime fiction that explores the world of early 20th-century detective work. Reeve's writing style is both intricate and fast-paced, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they follow the protagonists through a series of thrilling investigations. Set within a backdrop of American society at the time, the stories delve into the complexities of human nature and the dark aspects of criminal behavior, making for a gripping read for fans of mystery and suspense novels. Reeve's attention to detail and clever plot twists make this boxed set a must-read for anyone interested in classic detective stories. Arthur B. Reeve was a renowned American author known for his contribution to the detective fiction genre. With a background in science and journalism, Reeve's interest in forensic science and crime-solving techniques shines through in his work. His meticulous research and dedication to creating realistic characters and scenarios make his novels both entertaining and intellectually stimulating. Readers looking for a deep dive into the world of early detective fiction will find Reeve's AMERICAN MURDER MYSTERY Boxed Set a compelling starting point for exploration and a delightful addition to their bookshelf. If you are a fan of classic detective stories that keep you guessing until the very end, Arthur B. Reeve's AMERICAN MURDER MYSTERY Boxed Set is a must-read. With a diverse range of thrilling narratives and complex characters, this collection is sure to satisfy your craving for mystery and suspense. Dive into Reeve's world of crime-solving and embark on a thrilling journey through the underbelly of American society in the early 20th century.