The Stability of Laughter


Book Description

A "sad and corrupt" age, a period of "crisis" and "upheaval"—what T.S. Eliot famously summed up as "the panorama of futility and anarchy which is contemporary history." Modernism has always been characterized by its self-conscious sense of suffering. Why, then, was it so obsessed with laughter? From Baudelaire, Nietzsche, Bergson and Freud to Pirandello, Beckett, Hughes, Barnes, and Joyce, no moment in cultural history has written about laughter this much. James Nikopoulos investigates modernity’s paradoxical relationship with mirth. Why was the gesture we conventionally associate with happiness deemed the only sensible way of responding to a world, as Max Weber wrote, that had been "disenchanted of its gods?" In answering these questions, Nikopoulos also delves into our ongoing relationship with laughter. He looks to contemporary research in emotion and evolutionary theory, as well as to the two-thousand-plus-year history of the philosophy of humor, in order to propose a novel way of understanding laughter, humor, and their complicated relationships with modern life. The Stability of Laughter explores how art unsettles the simplifications we revert to in our attempts to make sense of human history and social interaction.




Samuel Beckett


Book Description

From the contents: Beckett and the quest for meaning (Martin Esslin). - Beckett's tonic laughter (Manfred Pfister). - The magic triangle: James Joyce, Samuel Beckett, Arno Schmidt (Friedhelm Rathjen). - Beckett performed in Italy (Annamaria Cascetta). - Beckett and synaesthesia (Yoshiki Tajiri). - Beckett versus the reader (Michael Guest).




Selected works of Fyodor Dostoyevsky


Book Description

Selected works of Fyodor Dostoevsky from the series "Best of the Best" is the book that everyone should read to understand themselves and each other. The authors and works for this book series were selected, as a result of numerous studies, analysis of the texts over the past 100 years and the demand for readers. It must be read in order to understand the world around us, its history, to recognize the heroes, to understand the winged expressions and jokes that come from these literary works. Reading these books will mean the discovery of a world of self-development and self-expression for each person. These books have been around for decades, and sometimes centuries, for the time they recreate, the values they teach, the point of view, or simply the beauty of words. This volume of the Best of the Best series includes famous works The Idiot; Crime and Punishment; The Brothers Karamazov; The Insulted and the Injured; Notes from the Underground; The Grand Inquisitor; The Possessed (also titled: Demons, The Devils); The Gambler; Poor Folk (Poor People); Uncle's Dream; The Permanent Husband; An Honest Thief




90 Masterpieces of World Literature (Vol.I)


Book Description

90 Masterpieces of World Literature (Vol.I) is an expansive anthology that traverses the landscape of global literary achievement, offering readers a comprehensive survey of seminal works that have shaped the ethos of world literature. This collection is marked by an incredible diversity of genres, styles, and themes, reflecting the wide-ranging experiences and historical contexts of its authors. From the existential questions pursued by Dostoevsky and the introspective journey of Proust, to the pioneering adventures penned by Verne and the critical social commentary of Dickens, this anthology showcases the multifaceted nature of human thought and expression. Standout pieces within the volume capture the essence of their time while also speaking to universal themes of love, struggle, freedom, and morality, making the anthology a vibrant tapestry of human experience. The contributors to this volume represent a whos who of historical literary giants, each bringing their unique voice to the collective table. Authors such as Jane Austen and Charlotte Brontë offer keen insights into the gender dynamics of their time, while the visionary science fiction of H.G. Wells and the dark romanticism of Edgar Allan Poe present radical departures from the realist tradition, challenging readers to explore new psychological and societal frontiers. The anthology, thereby, not only aligns with various historical, cultural, and literary movements but also weaves a dialogue between these movements, highlighting the evolution of narrative and thought across ages and geographies. These varied voices together enrich the readers understanding of the broad spectrum of human expression and the complexity of the human condition. 90 Masterpieces of World Literature (Vol.I) is an essential volume for anyone seeking to explore the depth and breadth of literary genius across the ages. It offers a unique opportunity to delve into the works that have not only defined but also continuously reshaped the landscape of world literature. Readers are encouraged to immerse themselves in the richness of this collection, discovering within its pages a world of ideas, stories, and perspectives that are at once enlightening, provocative, and boundlessly imaginative. This anthology serves as both a gateway and a guide for those eager to embark on a comprehensive literary journey, making it an invaluable addition to any personal library.




Crime and Punishment


Book Description




Delphi Complete Works of Fyodor Dostoyevsky (Illustrated)


Book Description

Widely regarded as one of the greatest psychologists in world literature, Fyodor Dostoyevsky crafted unique literary works that explored the psychology of the troubled political, social and spiritual atmosphere of nineteenth century Russia. This comprehensive eBook presents the complete works of Dostoyevsky, with numerous illustrations, rare texts appearing in digital print for the first time, informative introductions and the usual Delphi bonus material. (Version 9) * Beautifully illustrated with images relating to Dostoyevsky’s life and works * Concise introductions to the novels and other texts * ALL 15 novels, with individual contents tables * Images of how the books were first printed, giving your eReader a taste of the original texts * Excellent formatting of the texts * 20 short stories, with rare tales available in no other collection * Easily locate the short stories you want to read * Includes Dostoyevsky’s letters – explore the author’s personal correspondence * Special criticism section, with essays evaluating Dostoyevsky’s contribution to literature * Scholarly ordering of texts into chronological order and literary genres The Novels Poor Folk The Double Netochka Nezvanova Uncle’s Dream The Friend of the Family The Insulted and Humiliated The House of the Dead Notes from Underground Crime and Punishment The Gambler The Idiot The Permanent Husband The Possessed The Raw Youth The Brothers Karamazov The Short Stories Mr. Prohartchin The Christmas Tree and the Wedding The Heavenly Christmas Tree The Crocodile Bobok A Gentle Spirit The Dream of a Ridiculous Man The Peasant Marey The Little Orphan A Faint Heart White Nights Polzunkov A Little Hero The Honest Thief A Novel in Nine Letters The Landlady An Unpleasant Predicament Another Man’s Wife The Grand Inquisitor The Letters Letters of Fyodor Michailovitch Dostoyevsky to His Family and Friends The Criticism On Russian Novelists by William Lyon Phelps Russian Romance by Earl of Evelyn Baring Cromer A Survey of Russian Literature by Isabel Florence Hapgood Extract from ‘An Outline of Russian Literature’ by Maurice Baring Three Essays on Dostoyevsky by Virginia Woolf




Fyodor Dostoyevsky: The Complete Novels (The Giants of Literature - Book 2)


Book Description

Fyodor Dostoyevsky's 'The Complete Novels' is a collection of some of the most influential works in Russian literature. Known for his intense psychological insights and philosophical depth, Dostoyevsky's novels explore themes of morality, redemption, and the human condition. His writing style is characterized by rich character development, intricate plots, and a dark, introspective tone that delves into the complexities of the human psyche. This collection includes masterpieces like 'Crime and Punishment,' 'The Brothers Karamazov,' and 'The Idiot,' showcasing Dostoyevsky's timeless relevance and literary brilliance. Fyodor Dostoyevsky, a Russian novelist and philosopher, drew inspiration for his writing from his own tumultuous life experiences, including his time in Siberian labor camps and struggles with epilepsy. His profound understanding of human nature and moral dilemmas is reflected in his novels, which continue to captivate readers and scholars alike. Dostoyevsky's works have had a lasting impact on literature and continue to be studied for their profound insights into the human soul. I recommend 'Fyodor Dostoyevsky: The Complete Novels' to readers who appreciate deep philosophical explorations, intricate character studies, and compelling narratives. This collection of Dostoyevsky's works is a must-read for anyone interested in classic literature and the complexities of the human experience.







The Golden Rock


Book Description




A Dictionary of Cebuano Visayan


Book Description

The Cebuano language, also referred by most of its speakers as Bisaya or Binisaya (English: Visayan), is an Austronesian language spoken in the Philippines by about 20 million people, mostly in Central Visayas, eastern Negros Island Region, western parts of Eastern Visayas and major parts of Mindanao, most of whom belong to the Visayan ethnic group. It is the most widely spoken of the languages within the so-named Visayan language family and is closely related to other Filipino languages.