In Wicked Women, a 1997 New York Times Notable Book of Year and her most celebrated collection of stories ever, critically acclaimed Fay Weldon brings her bracing wit to bear on men, love, therapy, marriage, parenting, and the myriad self-deceptions and half-truths that oil the wheels of "civilized behavior".In these twenty madcap tales we enter Fay Weldon's world, peopled with therapists who blithely destroy marriages and Family ties, husbands and lovers whose greatest cruelty is their indifference, and clever women navigating the perils and pitfalls of domesticity. In lucid and finely honed prose, Fay Weldon serves up our greatest denials and most imprudent compromises. Her wicked humor and seasoned wisdom are as evident here as always -- and tempered by great compassion for the foibles of the human heart.Amazon.com ReviewFay Weldon is a writer who understands the value of holding a grudge. Who can forget the years-long vengeance the heroine of her best-known book, The Life and Loves of a She-Devil, exacted on her faithless husband and the romance writer who stole him from her? Even the physical extremes to which Weldon's scorned wife goes in order to remake herself in the image of her rival--including broken bones and plastic surgery--are worth it when she finally succeeds in destroying their lives. Horrifying as the conceit might seem in real life, Weldon's fictional revenge, whether served hot or cold, is a most tasty dish. In Wicked Women, a collection of short stories, Fay Weldon continues her one-writer crusade to ensure that bad people get exactly what's coming to them. But if Fay Weldon's stories are dark, they are also savagely satirical. In "Santa Claus's New Clothes," the children of a recently divorced father have some telling questions for their not-so-nice new stepmother, who also happens to be their father's former therapist. In "Not Even a Blood Relation," a mother turns the tables on her three heartless daughters in a manner sure to delight the reader. Weldon has a clear-eyed view of right and wrong--not for her are the concepts of no-fault divorce or infidelity without consequence--and in her fiction, if not in life, victims receive Fay Weldon's fierce brand of justice. From Library JournalIn these 20 stories, some previously published, Weldon continues to pursue the themes of love, relationships, and family with the humor and poignancy that have made her other writings (e.g., Worst Fears, LJ 5/15/96) so engaging. Delivering these themes with varying degress of satire, sincerity, and subtlety, she offers intricate moments in the lives of defeated lovers, insecure cuckolds, perplexed offspring, daring widow/ers, keen children, and underdogs who overcome the oppression of love. Weldon brings together all facets of the relationship race with a unique mastery, using sharp and cultivated prose. Recommended for all libraries.-?Judith A. Akalaitis, Chicago, Ill.Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. Views: 68
William Cyril Moxley was hanged at Sydney's Long Bay Gaol in 1932 – the first execution in New South Wales for eight years. His crime was the brutal rape and murder of 21-year-old Dorothy Ruth Denzel and the vicious beating and killing of her boyfriend, Frank Barnby Wilkinson. How did this World War I army deserter, small-time thief, conman and police informer come to be the infamous murderer 'Mad Dog' Moxley? Was it simply a robbery gone wrong? Did his blackouts and migraines stem from a head injury as he claimed, or was he the monstrous sociopath described by the prosecution lawyers and the tabloids? Why did he leave such an obvious trail? Would he be found guilty today? Views: 68
Introducing the perfect Summer read for 2006. Bordeaux Housewives is a new romantic comedy combining a heady mix of sunshine, sex, Sancerre and secrets. When an ordinary English family swap dreary suburbia and the rat race for the glorious countryside of France they have no idea just how much their lives are going to change. For in addition to the culture shock, they have been selected to appear in a reality TV show about their Good Life lifestyle. But they also have a secret life which they need to hide from the cameras? Meanwhile, at the local bar, another expat is finding that local attractions amount to more than wine, cheese and sunflowers? Views: 68
Elena is lost in the shuffle between her three overachieving siblings. But now that she's on her own for a whole semester, she intends to keep the spotlight on herself—and Spain is just the place to do it. Once she starts living it up in tapas bars, lying out on the beach (even though it's November), and having a nice, long siesta smack-dab in the middle of every day, Elena finds that Spain is everything she hoped it would be. She's even met a to-fawn-over Spaniard, Miguel. But Elena has always been more comfortable writing plays than starring in them, and she's beginning to realize that keeping out of the spotlight has its perks too. . . . Views: 68
Margaret Drabble's affecting novel, set in London during the 1960s, about a casual love affair, an unplanned pregnancy, and one young woman's decision to become a mother. Views: 68
From National Book Award finalist and the New York Times bestselling author of The Year We Left Home comes a moving family saga about three generations of women who struggle to find freedom and happiness in their small Midwestern college town.A Cloud in the Shape of a Girl is a poignant novel about three generations of the Wise family—Evelyn, Laura, and Grace—as they hunt for contentment amid chaos of their own making. Evelyn set aside her career to marry, late, and motherhood never became her. Her daughter Laura felt this acutely and wants desperately to marry, but she soon discovers her husband Gabe to be a man who expects too much of everyone in his life, especially his musician son. Grace has moved out from Laura and Gabe's house, but can't seem to live up to her potential—whatever that might be. In A Cloud in the Shape of a Girl we see these women and their trials, small and large: social slights... Views: 68
Book 2 of this story follows Jacob and Rachel. She betrayed his trust and their marriage and unbeknownst to her, he reciprocated by crossing a line of his own. They need to confront their mistakes and conquer their demons. As Rachel tries to manipulate him into remaining married to her by appealing to his physical needs, Jacob must stand firm. But can he? Views: 67
From bestselling artist Sylvia Long comes an enchanting collection of over seventy-five classic Mother Goose rhymes. Imbued with the artist's love of nature and overflowing with charming details, this spectacular compilation includes such timeless favorites as Old Mother Hubbard, Mary had a little lamb, and Rock-a-bye baby. Sylvia Long's Mother Goose is a perfect gift that, like the rhymes themselves, will be passed from one generation to the next. Views: 67
If you love spaced-out treks, this is your chance to own a galaxy of them in one giant collection. For the first time anywhere, you can buy the entire Trek It! series by award-winning Star Trek author Robert T. Jeschonek in one omnibus edition. Trek It! includes all seven volumes in the series for one great price: Trek This!, Trek Off!, Trek Fail!, Trek Script!, Trek Script 2, Trek Novel!, and Trek You! This omnibus edition also includes EXCLUSIVE BONUS MATERIAL that you won't find anywhere else! Trek It! covers the full Trek career of Robert T. Jeschonek, who won the Grand Prize in the Strange New Worlds competition and wrote official Star Trek fiction in the realms of the original series, The Next Generation, Voyager, and even New Frontier. Enjoy a universe of articles, behind-the-scenes tales, TV scripts, short stories, an online serial, and a novel, all celebrating a starry... Views: 67
Love and addiction in New York City. Things are looking up for Jackie. He's out of jail and staying clean thanks to his sponsor. He might even have found a job. And of course there's Veronica, who he's loved since 8th grade. Nothing could come between them – except a hat. Poetic, profane and hilarious, this whip-smart look at love and addiction finds light even in the darkest corners of New York City. Views: 67
It takes more than guts to win a war...In a Legion gone lax, Colonel Bill Booly, with his mixed-blood and by-the-book attitude, is a misfit. So when he steps on some important toes, his punishment is assignment to the worst post in the galaxy: Earth.But Booly and his troops will turn out to be Earth's best line of defense, when a Legion-led military coup topples the government.It's Legionnaire against Legionnaire in a struggle that will be won by strength, by courage, and... Views: 67
