Taking his title from the wounded cry of the once great Max Bialystock in The Producers -- “Look at me now! Look at me now! I’m wearing a cardboard belt!” -- Epstein gives us his largest and most comprehensive collection to date.Writing as a memoirist, polemicist, literary critic, and amused observer of contemporary culture, he uses to deft and devastating effect his signature gifts: wide-ranging erudition, sparkling humor, and a penetrating intelligence. In personally revealing essays about his father and about his years as a teacher, in deeply considered examinations of writers from Paul Valery to Truman Capote, and in incisive take-downs of such cultural pooh-bahs as Harold Bloom and George Steiner, this remarkable collection presents us with the best work of our country’s most singular talent, engaged with the richness and variety of life, witty in his response to the world, and always entertaining.

    Updated throughout to reflect the profound impact of e-reading and digital resources on the contemporary study of literature, the book also now includes a wider range of international examples to reflect the growing field of world literature.Providing a complete guide to studying the novel in one easy-to-read volume, the book covers:· The form of the novel· The history of the novel, from its earliest days to new electronic forms· Realism, modernism and postmodernism· Analysing fiction: narrative, character, structure, theme and dialogue· Critical approaches to studying the novel· Practical guidance on critical reading, secondary criticism, electronic resources and essay writing· Versions and adaptationsStudying the Novel also includes a number of features to help readers navigate the book and find key information quickly, including chapter summaries throughout, a comprehensive glossary of terms and an historical timeline on the development of the novel, while annotated guides to further reading and discussion questions help students master the topics covered.

    The love of her life is doing big things, and she’s almost done with law school. What is supposed to be the happiest night of Jayda’s life is cut short within a matter of seconds, and her world changes forever. Jayda becomes numb. She’s just walking through life existing, and she doesn’t think she’ll ever be the same again. It’s not until she meets Azaan that she realizes that she’s still capable of feeling something. Determined to use the situation for her own gain and nothing more, Jayda soon discovers that the handsome Haitian hitta from Miami, might not be as easy to get over on as she predicted. 
 Azaan Cezar is big on family, which is why he has no issues leaving Miami and heading to North Carolina to start a business for his younger brother. Beautiful, successful women come a dime a dozen in Miami, and a pretty face was never the thing to get Azaan riled up. Jayda is more than beautiful though. Her entire vibe is hypnotizing, and Azaan discovers that he just might not be ready for the emotionally scarred and obviously bitter Jayda.

    

     Nola Bentley is the oldest of the Bentley sisters. She’s capable of giving her sisters relationship advice but can’t seem to apply it to her own. After being in an eight-year relationship with her boyfriend, Rue, without receiving a ring, she begins to second guess whether their love is worth the fight or not. Rue is a selfish man who only thinks of himself and what will benefit him; not even their son can change that. His selfish ways drive Nola right into the arms of his boss, Desmond McEntire, who’s had his eyes on Nola for years. Things get heated in the love triangle, leaving Nola stuck to make a decision that will leave one of them hurt. Izabel Bentley is the middle Bentley sister who has completely given up on love. After being constantly cheated on and manipulated by her ex-boyfriend, Josh, Izabel vows to never love another. She puts all her time, love, and energy into her foster care business and two daughters she shares with Josh. An unexpected, messy situation with one little boy tugs at her heart; leading her to his father, Omari Marks. Not usually the one to bend her own rules, Izabel finds herself battling the thoughts of giving love another try. Omari seems to be the perfect man to give in to, but will Izabel’s stubborn ways cause her to miss out on a love that could be real? Tatum Bentley is the youngest of the Bentley sisters, and has endured the most out of the three. An abusive, controlling relationship with an older man leads her to doing the unthinkable; attempt of suicide. During the relationship, she’s forced to shut out everyone she loves; including her best friend, Dylan Pierce. Dylan saves her from ending her life, then leaves her to fight for herself. Years pass by before they’re reunited, and old and new feelings emerge from both sides. The only thing keeping Dylan from professing his love for Tatum is his fiancée, Monet. Knowing Tatum is who he’s supposed to be with, he goes above and beyond to show her, but will his disappearance make it impossible for Tatum to forgive him?

    That love that gives you butterflies. In Deja Simmons' case, her first love has turned into a nightmare. Have you ever loved someone wholeheartedly to the point that you were confused, blinded by love and painful abuse! Were the signs there? Did she ignore the signs? Deja thought when she laid eyes on Jace McCray he would be it for her. At eighteen, she met him and he was everything she imagined in a Prince Charming. For years, they were the perfect couple to those who knew them. Now at the age of 23, things had gotten worse, and Deja didn’t know what to do. They always say enough is enough. Can that be the case with Deja? Or will she die at the hands of the man she loves? Jace is your average dope boy trying to get the streets booming with the ring of his name. Being in the game he was destined to be the man. That was, until he had to sit down. With his world crumbling down, he uses and abuses any woman in his corner. Everything he’s going through, from losing friends to losing his credibility in the streets, has him going crazy. When you’re deep in a depression within yourself, your mind tells you to hurt the weakest around you. Will Jace continue to sink in his own depression? Or will he try to change his ways to be a better man to get back on top? No one said love was easy, but in matters of the heart we play the fool all too well. Before it's too late, can Jace be forgiven? Will Deja make it out of this dangerous love affair, after being soaked in her tears for many years. Follow Deja on this ride full of drama and emotions.

    

    They never saw each other as more than brother and sister until Saniyah is hit with a bullet that’s meant for Kiawe. The two of them start exploring the thought of being together until a bomb explodes around them big enough to end their relationship before it begins. Tyson’s been trying to get Selena for years, but she kept running from him. Selena’s battling demons and thinks a bottle is the only thing that can heal her pain. When Selena’s drinking starts getting out of hand, she loses grip and realizes Tyson maybe the only person that can bring her back to reality, that is if she doesn’t go too far over the edge first. Not only are Kiawe and Tyson trying to get a handle on their personal lives but their street affairs as well. With an enemy in the shadows, the boys are constantly watching their back. When their enemy finally decides to make his move someone close to the boys pay, with their life. These four are about to take you on a rollercoaster ride full of drama, love, and tears. Find out if they can handle the pressure or will they crumble.

    Being placed in a group home wasn’t her ideal place to live, but she soon grew to love it because that’s how she met her best friend Glamour. Now a grown woman, her mission is to become some trapper’s Bonnie, but what happens when she meets the smooth-talking and persistent Vonnie Kross? Vonnie isn’t just you’re average trapper. In fact, he is one of the most paid suppliers in the Atlanta streets that every woman craves to get a taste of. Ever since his father grew ill and died, he dropped his dreams of ever going off to college and took over the family business. Everything in his life is sweet, or so he thinks. The moment he decides to pursue Mahari, his entire world goes into a spiral. Glamour is one of the best makeup artists in Atlanta and the ultimate party girl. One drunken night leads her to meet playboy Grayson. An utter mistake has her quickly pushing him away until, finally, she decides to give him a chance and see where things can go from there.

    That is until she catches Graham in bed with another woman. Their breakup leaves her homeless and heartbroken. Nyceah has no choice but to return to Chicago to face her past. However, with Nyceah out of the picture, Graham stares karma in the face. A string of bad events causes him to be bitter, to hate Nyceah’s guts, and to seek revenge. Nexus “Next” Giuliani owns one of the biggest shipping companies in the world. He makes great money as a corporate leader, but, it’s his street affairs that concern him the most. He returns to Chicago to finalize contraband drug shipments for the mafia to France. He has put his heart and soul into this arrangement that includes marrying the French ally’s daughter to seal the deal. Neither Nyceah or Next is looking for love when they first meet, but their attraction is instant. Even though they try to avoid each other for obvious reasons, she craves his touch and he longs for her presence. What starts off as lust between them quickly develops into something more. However, Nexus’ wife Camille and Nyceah’s ex-boyfriend Graham are willing to do anything to stop these two from being together, including murder. Will Camille kill her husband’s mistress like she has in the past? Or will Graham get to Nyceah first? Nyceah’s life is in jeopardy with threats coming from everywhere. With all the power that Nexus has, will he be able to save her from certain death? Experience the complete series right here, right now!

    

    Or that was the way it used to be. Three hot brothers enjoy their work and each other's company, taking advantage of nearby parks for camping and fishing expeditions. But things go awry on a camping trip for Christian, the eldest brother, and that sets off a chain of events that leads each brother on an adventure of keeping the town safe from the dark shifters and finding their mates! If you like paranormal romance with danger, action, and heart-pounding romance, then you won’t want to miss The Holbrook Brothers Shifters series. Grab your copy today! Wild Temptations When a trip to the great outdoors goes horribly wrong, a small-town ER nurse soon finds herself with more than she can handle. Christian Holbrook is looking forward to a quiet, relaxing weekend of fishing with his brothers, complete with their usual jokes about his lacklustre love life. But when he discovers a mysterious cave hidden deep among the trees, the creature that lurks within changes his life forever. Libby Grimes is an ER nurse in a small country town. Tasked with the stressful job of caring for her wheelchair-bound mother, her long days and sleepless nights are haunted by the strange disappearance of her father. She knows he wouldn’t abandon them – but all her clues led to dead-ends. When Christian checks into her hospital, her mystery takes a new turn. Libby soon finds herself drawn to him. As their feelings grow, can Libby she help Christian overcome the darkness forming inside him? Or will his new powers be her end? Finding the Wolf Two artists brought together by a dangerous world of wolf shifters. Eric Holbrook lived for the perfect shot. He dedicates his life to the moments when everything is flawless and the planets seem to align. But growing up in small-town America, he struggles to break from his future of hometown newspapers and an ex happily married to his boss. When his chase for the perfect picture drives him toward secrets he never thought possible, he soon ends up thrust into a dangerous world of shifters. Misty Miller finds herself once again in her hometown, miles away from her art career in Chicago. Finding refuge in clay, wire and metal, she hopes the country setting will breathe inspiration into her work. But when Eric lands on her front porch, her art soon falls to the sidelines. Through the fur and fangs, Misty finds herself clawing to keep him grounded – and struggling to make sense of the new reality that has revealed itself to her. As their bond strengthens, will lust and discovery be enough to see them through the fear and danger that the shifter world brings? Or will Eric’s drive end up being more than just the death of his career? A Dangerous Curiosity She’s a big-city girl with a dark secret. He’s a small-town guy destined to become a wolf shifter. Brighton Holbrook had everything planned for his future – a good education, a family company, and supportive brothers. But when his brothers begin acting strangely, he becomes determined to find out what they’re hiding. And when he discovers their secret, there’s no going back. Lily Tucker is a city girl, groomed to take over her family’s business. But when her grandmother falls ill, she’s forced to travel to a small country town to care for her – and to protect her family’s dark secrets. She expected a quiet, boring town, but it soon becomes anything but when Brighton walks into the bar. He’s handsome, wild, and the spark between them is instantaneous.

    She has a man in her life, mom in rehab & her best friend by her side. Even with all of these positives, Promyse is still hit with a couple of unexpected negatives. Smoke went from feeling himself to being cocky & arrogant all in a blink of an eye. With his new found royal fame the only thing on his mind is getting money and ruling with an iron fist. Too busy being caught up in his own hype, he never sees his competition lurking in the shadows. A new dude by the name of Saigon is looking to reinvent Promyse and have her shining like the true Queen she is. Paulie & Khy thought they had a relationship many would deem as goals. But when issues arise and smart mouths start to fly one of them is pushed into the arms of another. Everyone’s least favorite girl is back & still out for revenge. Lola was labeled positive for the package but that’s not slowing her down. Still on the fast track to getting her man, she finds new ways to try and get her man to realize with her is where he needs to be. All hope isn’t lost for Promyse as she straddles the fence, but with a thug like Smoke & a boss like Saigon fighting for her heart how could she not be a little bad?