Best of
British-Literature
1970
The Child from the Sea
Elizabeth Goudge - 1970
It is a story filled with the passions and adventure of an age of glory and squalor, nobility and depravity, courage and betrayal.
Mr Finchley Discovers His England
Victor Canning - 1970
He decides to go to the seaside. But Fate has other plans in store…From his abduction by a cheerful crook, to his smuggling escapade off the south coast, the timid but plucky Mr Finchley is plunged into a series of the most astonishing and extraordinary adventures.His rural adventure takes him gradually westward through the English countryside and back, via a smuggling yacht, to London.This gentle comedy trilogy was a runaway bestseller on first publication in the 1930s and retains a timeless appeal today. It has been dramatized twice for BBC Radio, with the 1990 series regularly repeated. What people are saying about the Mr Finchley series: ‘Wonderful character from a kinder slower England between the wars.’‘An overlooked gem. An innocent picaresque novel set in an arcadian version of mid 20th century England. The literary equivalent of naive painting, it narrates the adventures of a respectable upper middle-aged man who takes retirement.’‘An antidote to the rush of the early 21st century.’‘A thoroughly enjoyable stroll through a vanished England with some lovable characters. Don't expect modern, fashionable agonisings, here there is good, evil, and understanding. A lovely reminiscent wallow of a read.’‘Gentle well told simple story, full of pleasant surprises, and a mild mannered believable hero. Loved it to bits.’‘So gentle, it hurts.’‘There is a freshness about the writing which is charming and that disarms criticism. Don't expect any great profundities, a gripping plot or inter-character tensions - these books are of the world of Billy Bunter and William Brown - but do expect a very well-written and enjoyable romp through early twentieth-century England in the company of an engaging protagonist.’‘A delightful story of a man who finds himself jolted out of his comfort zone and taken on a journey beyond his wildest imaginings.’‘Another lovely book detailing the adventures of Mr Finchley in altogether far too short a series. Full of humour and a book I was sorry to finish as I wanted it to go on and on.’‘Highly recommended for anyone seeking an entertaining amusing read.’‘A delight to be transported to an England I never knew despite growing up in the 1950s and to experience the countryside through the sharp eyes of the author who obviously had a great love of all things rural.’ Editorial reviews: ‘Quite delightful, with an atmosphere of quiet contentment and humour that cannot fail to charm … The longer we travel with Mr Finchley, the better we come to love him. He makes us share his bread and cheese, and beer and pipe. His delight at the beauties of the countryside and his mild astonishment at the strange ways of men are infectious.’ Daily Telegraph‘His gift of story-telling is obviously innate. Rarely does one come on so satisfying an amalgam of plot, characterisation and good writing.
Selected Poems of Christina Rossetti (Wordsworth Poetry Library)
Christina Rossetti - 1970
No reading of nineteenth century poetry can be complete without attention to this prolific and popular poet. Rossetti's inner life dominates her poetry, exploring loss and unattainable hope. Her divine poems have a freshness and toughness of thought, while many of her love poems are erotic, and as often express love for women as for men. The varied threads of Rossetti's concerns are drawn together in what is perhaps her greatest poem, the strange and ambiguous Goblin Market.304
A Fairly Honourable Defeat
Iris Murdoch - 1970
As puppet master, Julius artfully plays on the human tendency to embrace drama and intrigue and to prefer the distraction of confrontations to the difficult effort of communicating openly and honestly.
The Woods In Winter
Stella Gibbons - 1970
When her great-uncle died she was left a lonely cottage near the village of Nethersham with its hills and beech woods. Ivy liked the country, she had gipsy blood which made her fearless, independent and utterly content with the company of her dog, rescued unknown to the law from his undeserving owners. Ivy wanted nothing of the outside world but she could not cut herself off completely. One visitor at least was welcome: the runaway boy Mike who came in from the freezing night to share her fire. Any stray, any sick of suffering creature went straight to her heart.
Angell, Pearl and Little God
Winston Graham - 1970
It was a very satisfactory arrangement – until Little God stepped in. An ambitious boxer with a vicious reputation, he wanted Pearl for himself, no matter what the cost...‘Superb... inevitably a bestseller.’ Daily Mirror‘The incomparable Winston Graham... who has everything that anyone else has, then a whole lot more.’ Guardian
George Bernard Shaw's Plays
George Bernard Shaw - 1970
This collection presents a cross-section of Shaw's most important theater work�Mrs. Warren's Profession, Man and Superman, Major Barbara, and Pygmalion.
Each play is fully annotated. "Contexts and Criticism" features all-new material on the author and his work, from traditional critical readings to more theorized approaches, among them essays on Shaw's Fabianism and his alleged feminism. Contributors include Leon Hugo, Sally Peters, Tracy C. Davis, John A. Bertolini, Stanley Weintraub, and J. Ellen Gainor. A Chronology and a Selected Bibliography are included.
The World of Bede
Peter Hunter Blair - 1970
735), first historian of the English and one of the greatest scholars of the Middle Ages. Originally published in 1970 and out of print for many years, the book remains a minor classic of historical writing, now made available again for the enjoyment of all those interested in the early medieval world. A new preface and supplementary bibliography by Michael Lapidge have brought the book up to date.
An Exhortation to Peace and Unity (A Classic Religious Commentary)
John Bunyan - 1970
You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.
The History of Sir Charles Grandison, Volume 4 (of 7)
Samuel Richardson - 1970
You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.