22 Miscellany


71910 POISONED PEN: Literary Invective from Amis to Zola


edited by Gary Dexter Ordered chronologically in five sections, here are the Classical, Augustan, Romantic, Victorian and Modern periods grouped together and their opinions of one another can be more readily studied. Here is a tiny selection from the venom for the Victorian: G. K. Chesterton


on Tennyson: ‘If Dickens is Cobbett’s democracy stirring in its grave, Tennyson is the exquisitely ornamental extinguisher on the flame of the first revolutionary poets.’ Addictive. 240pp in paperback. £7.99 NOW £2


70547 LE MORTE D’ARTHUR: Collector’s Library Edition by Sir Thomas Malory with


illustrations by Aubrey Beardsley This magnificent and evocative edition is based on that of 1893, which was decorated and illustrated by the then notorious young artist, Aubrey Beardsley. Combined with Malory’s majestic rendition of the Arthurian legends these drawings create an atmosphere of enchantment. All the familiar stories are here: the wonders and marvels of a sword taken out of a stone, how Merlin counselled King Arthur, how Sir Lancelot was espied in the Queen’s chamber and what happened to both of them, how Mordred was slain and Arthur was hurt to the death. But there are also thrilling tales of people in and around Arthur’s court with whom readers who have read expurgated versions of this volume may not be so familiar, not least how Sir Tristram lay with the lady and how her husband fought with Sir Tristram. 23 x 30cm x 4.1cm, a vast 561 pages with gold-encrusted edges and silk bookmark, illustrated in b/w with glossary and the re-printed preface of William Caxton for the first edition of 1485.


£29.99 NOW £20


71913 READ THIS NEXT by Sandra Newman and Howard Mittelmark


Subtitled ‘...And Discover Your 500 New Favourite Books’. Divided into parts we begin with Love with Camille and Madame Bovary, Memoir including food books and travel books like Norman Lewis’ Naples ’44 and Out of Africa, A Short History of Byzantium by John Julius Norwich, some sci-fi, drug books, politics, humour,


mental illness, murder mysteries, great novels, Hollywood books, sports books, religion and 500 other suggestions. 432pp in paperback. £9.99 NOW £2.50


71338 UNDER THE SUN: The Letters of Bruce Chatwin edited by Elizabeth Chatwin and Nicholas Shakespeare


Bruce Chatwin was a cult writer of beautiful prose with an encyclopedic experience of people and places. Abandoning an art-historical career at Sotheby’s he switched to travel writing and set off for Afghanistan with Peter Levi, sending an advance taster of the book he was to write in a fascinating eight-page letter to his publisher Tom Maschler. He died from AIDS at the age of 48. In Patagonia was followed by The Viceroy of Ouidah, On the Black Hill and The Songlines. Salman Rushdie and Werner Herzog were close friends, and other literary figures who appear in this correspondence are James Lees-Milne, Gerald Brenan, Susan Sontag and many others. 554pp, photos. £25 NOW £4


71899 CUPID AND PSYCHE by Apuleius translated by E. J. Kenney A beautiful princess has a husband she can never see. He visits her only in the dead of night. When curiosity overcomes her, she discovers who he really is, only to be cruelly abandoned. Now Psyche must begin an impossible task, to find her husband, even descending to the depths of Hell in her search. But she has earned the wrath of Venus by rivalling her in beauty, and the vengeful goddess will stop at nothing to destroy her. 92pp in paperback. £4.99 NOW £2


71917 SOURLAND: Stories by Joyce Carol Oates


Pumpkin-Head, The Story of the Stabbing, Babysitter, Bitch, Amputee, The Beating, Bounty Hunter, Probate, Donor Organs, Death Certificate and Lost Daddy are among the 16 short stories, previously uncollected, that explore the power of violence, loss and grief to shake the psyche as well as the soul. Some unusual grammar and experimentation. 373pp in paperback. £14.99 NOW £2.25


71926 THE RIVERED EARTH by Vikram Seth


This beautifully presented book contains four libretti written by the gifted Vikram Seth to be set to music by Alec Roth, together with an account of the pleasures and pains of working with a composer. Entitled ‘Songs in Time of War’, ‘Shared Ground’, ‘The Traveller’ and ‘Seven Elements’, they take us all over the world, from Chinese and Indian poetry to the beauty and quietness of the Salisbury house where the poet George Herbert lived and died. Four pieces of calligraphy by the author. 104pp.


£14.99 NOW £3


72492 THE ALOE by Katherine Mansfield Born in New Zealand in 1888 Katherine Mansfield made her name as a master of stories and short fiction. Linda Burnell dreams, listless and distant, while downstairs her mother sets the house in order. Her husband Stanley, exhaustingly energetic, is at the office, but will return with eager and admiring eyes. Her children prepare lunch on a concrete step, her sister sings love songs to an imaginary young man. This is The Aloe, which Katherine Mansfield wrote to capture the recollection of her childhood. 88 page paperback. £7.99 NOW £2.75


71936 SCRIBBLE SCRIBBLE SCRIBBLE: Writing on Ice Cream, Obama, Churchill and My Mother by Simon Schama


Professor Simon Schama CBE is an Edward Gibbon for our times. Schama presents Churchill as subscribing to the idea of a global conflict between good and evil and finally concludes that his convictions were not false. Another political analysis is Schama’s programme article for the Almeida production of Richard II in 2002. His article on Ruskin’s hatred of Dutch painting is a superb aesthetic meditation, and Martin Scorsese, Charlotte Rampling, Isaiah Berlin all get the Schama treatment. Food is another passion. 428 page paperback, colour illus.


£10.99 NOW £3.75


72493 DARK FLOWER by John Galsworthy An early encounter with Joseph Conrad inspired Galsworthy to write and he went on to emerge as one of the most widely read novelists of his day. In 1932 he won the Nobel Prize for Literature and this classic, The Dark Flower, was first published in 1913. It opens in 1880 with its hero Mark Lennan an 18 year old undergraduate studying art at Oxford unaware that his tutor’s Austrian wife Anna, twice his age, has fallen in love with him. When she suggests that Mark join them on a holiday in the Alps, the scene is set for the first of the passionate involvements that will characterise the young man’s life. 269pp in paperback. £7.99 NOW £3.25


72496 MAURICE GUEST by Henry Handel Richardson


A study of erotic obsession and the will-o-the-wisp evanescence of genius, this first novel is set in the musical world of Leipzig in the 1890s. Its heroine Louise is an Australian student at the academy, of compelling appeal. Her affair with her fellow student Maurice Guest from England ruins his life and career, and yet he has no choice - her captivation of him is such that he becomes the author of his own downfall. First published in 1908 and set at a time when Leipzig was the capital of music in Europe. Explores possessiveness, jealousy, cynical and mercenary motives. 535pp in paperback. £14.50 NOW £3.50


72497 MESSER MARCO


POLO by Donn Byrne This is a short love story based on the visit of Marco Polo to the court of Kubla Khan. The story tells the profound and unscholarly tale of Marco Polo’s courtship of Golden Bells, the daughter of Kubla Khan and of his journey from Venice, ‘Bride of the East’, to the courts of Cathay. The great explorer’s odyssey is handed down to us in


the brogue of the old Ulster Scotch-Irishman, Malachi of the Glens, the Irish lilt evoking the age-old and universal appeal of storytelling. First published in 1921. 85 page paperback.


£5.99 NOW £1.50


72498 MR PERRIN AND MR TRAILL by Hugh Walpole


Born in New Zealand in 1884, this novel was the author’s favourite and it was first published in 1911. Many books have been written about the horror of boys’ public schools, yet comparatively few venture behind the staff room door to examine the suffering of masters as well as pupils. In Moffatt’s, on the stormy coast of Cornwall, Hugh Walpole created an institution that would drive any man to murder. Its poisonous atmosphere derives from the crafty, bullying headmaster the Reverend Moy-Thompson who pursued a relentless policy of divide and rule. Known to the boys as ‘Pomfers’, Vincent Perrin is a gaunt, shabby, middle aged schoolmaster. 206pp in paperback. £7.99 NOW £3.50


MODERN HISTORY


73570 ON NINETEEN EIGHTY-FOUR: Orwell and Our Future


edited by Abbott Gleason et al Among the most widely read books in the world, George Orwell’s 1984 has for more than 50 years been regarded as a morality tale for the possible future of modern society, a future involving nothing less than extinction of humanity itself. Does it


remain relevant today? The editors of this book assembled a distinguished group of philosophers, literary specialists, political commentators, historians and lawyers, and asked them to take a wide-ranging and an inhibited look at that question. The protagonist of the novel Winston Smith has admirers on the right, in the centre and on the left, and the contributors similarly represent a wide range of moral viewpoints. The Cold War that has so often been linked to Orwell’s novel ended with more of a whimper than a bang. Censorship, scientific surveillance, power worship, the autonomy of art, the meaning of democracy, relations between men and women and many other questions are brought to bear. 312pp in large softback published by Princeton University. £21.95 NOW £7


73301 AN ANARCHIST’S STORY: The Life of Ethel


MacDonald by Chris Dolan Ethel was a working-class girl from Motherwell who, during 1936 to 1937, became one of the world’s most famous voices. As a life-long anarchist, she never made any pretence of impartiality, but reported from Spain on the civil war that was tearing the country apart - always expressing her deep commitment to


the Spanish anarchist camp. Drawing meticulously not MISCELLANY Quality Stationery & Gifts


73344 BOOK LIGHT by Mighty Bright


The original clip-on book light with a head that rotates 360 degrees, an incandescent bulb which provides cosy, warm light without glare, a rotating arm that allows for precise adjustment of light, a strong wide mouth clip which grips almost anything or allows you to use free standing as a task light, the whole thing easily folds to a compact position for


storage. Requires four AA batteries (not included) or use an AC adaptor (not included). For home, the car, or even travel this is a lightweight, classic portable reading light.


£22.95 NOW £6 73368 MODERN GEOMETRY


ACCORDIAN FILE TOTE by Galison New York Measuring over 12" across by 11½” tall (34.8 x 29.5 x 8.6cm) in very dark brown, nearly black, this is a classy way to file away


important documents. Unhook the elastic from the silver metal tab of this sturdy A4 folder to find eight sections marked with silver card and a set of 16 labels. With carry handle, suit ladies or gents.


$20 NOW £6.50


73393 V&A MEADOW FIELD FILE TOTE


by Victoria & Albert Museum The design featuring on the outside of this sturdy A4 folder with carry handle is Water Meadow by Coleen Farr, 1964, originally a furnishing fabric and now on display at the V&A. It is an Orla Kiely style folder with a geometric pattern of orange and pink flowers with tall green stems and green leaves on a pale cream background. Measures over 12" across by 11½” tall with eight dividers in pale green and 16 labels. $20 NOW £6.50


73376 RETRO TULIP FILE TOTE by Galison New York


In an Orla Kiely style design of small tulips, flowers and green leaves make up an orange, brown and green repeating pattern on this very stylish A4 divided folder. Sturdy along the bottom and with a carry handle, there are eight sections in dark orange with 16 labels. Measuring over 12" across by 11½” tall (7.2 x 29.3 x 34.2cm).


$20 NOW £6.50


73334 FILE FOLDERS by Galison New York Two each of four designs and with 20 labels on which to write your section headings, these are a fun way to get your paperwork


organised in a breeze. Big bold abstract floral designs in olive green, blue, purple and red with geometric patterns, the folders are designed to fit into the sturdy file tote folders we have. $14 NOW £5


72333 BEYOND REALITY: A Book of Postcards by M. C. Escher


30 hugely popular drawings and engravings that flout gravity and perspective by Maurits Cornelius Escher (1898-1972). Here is the famous Belvedere from 1958 with one of his curious staircases, reptiles entering and disappearing from his desk, Man with Cuboids which is a bizarre engraving, Whirlpools which is a colourful


only on the words of Ethel MacDonald herself and her associates, but also on contemporary accounts, the author is able to unravel the story of the girl who was known as ‘the Scots Scarlet Pimpernel’ and to explore the beliefs that inspired her to play her part in one of the 20th century’s most significant political struggles. It is a story not simply of extraordinary personal bravery and sacrifice, but also of unwavering conviction to the cause - which she maintained even when it meant betrayal by those she fought beside. A gripping 246 paperback pages with b/w archive photos. £9.99 NOW £4


73510 SEEING THE BIGGER PICTURE: Global Infographics


by Claire Cock-Starkey Statistics are meaningless unless you have something to compare them with, and this attractive, user- friendly book does just that: each double spread provides you with a beautifully designed collection of numbers that makes it easy to see the bigger picture at a glance. This


is a visual encyclopedia that covers a range of over 70 topics from the whole of human life and society, including Billionaires, Homicide, Overseas Aid, Population, Online Dating, Women in Power, Happiness, Road Fatalities, Coca Cola, Unemployment, Obesity and Prisons. In between the topics for comparison there are fascinating number-crunching stats: for instance, can you guess how many babies are born worldwide per second? (Four.) Alcohol causes a higher percentage of deaths per year than Aids or violence, but which country has the highest total consumption? Would you be surprised to know that the answer is Moldova? Corruption is not easy to measure, but corruption indices are kept by Transparency International, according to which the least corrupt is Denmark, the most Somalia - but where is the UK and is it higher or lower than America? How do we rate for carbon dioxide emissions,


72688 SQUARE RHODIUM PLATED


SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL EARRINGS by Art de France


Made with genuine Swarovski crystals and with small cleaning cloth and in presentation box, the earrings are rhodium plated and anti-allergenic, for pierced ears and with a safety spring clip instead of a butterfly which makes them more comfortable to wear. The design is rather Art Deco in its style - a rectangle ¾” x ½”, the largest crystal in the centre, and dozens of smaller medium sized crystals making up a shimmering oval and diamond effect design making them look very expensive and classically stylish. Use the cleaning cloth to buff them up and keep them sparkling. WAS £10 NOW £8


72689 SQUARE SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL RINGby Art de France


Why not complete the look with this stunningly beautiful 1" x three quarters of an inch dress ring, which very cleverly has a multi-sizing, expandable band to fit most ladies’ fingers. Use the special cleaning cloth to keep the rhodium plating and genuine Swarovski crystals buffed up for every special occasion. It is an Art Deco style design with two flowers in pretty filigree scrollwork, a large central crystal and smaller and medium sized crystals on the flattish surface. Designed by Art de France and with a Certificate of Warranty and Authenticity. In presentation box. WAS £14 NOW £12


73809 SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL SET:


Earrings and Ring by Art de France Buy the matching set and save more. Would make a beautiful gift set.


ONLY £14


spiralling fish design and Balcony from 1945 with its fish eye lens effect among the black and white and colour images. 30 detachable postcards in softback. £6.95 NOW £3.50


72675 POP-UP NOTE CARDS: Clicker by David A. Carter


In bright primary colours, all with a passion for experimenting with paper will love these flicker-clicker pop-up cards, one pop-up design in four different colours. The little serrated edges actually rotate as the square shape pops emerges from the centre of the card. There is still plenty of space to write your greetings, but be sure to keep one for your own collection. The envelopes are in matching bold colours, influenced by modern art and architecture and they give a really satisfying sound when opened! $18.95 NOW £5


72676 POP-UP NOTE CARDS: Wave by David A. Carter


A companion to Pop-Up Clicker Cards, in bright yellow, red, blue and white, these inventive modern masterpieces provide plenty of space for a thoughtful message. The pop-up element of the note card is a super piece of paper engineering where the inserted leaf has been neatly cut lengthways to form a beautiful wave shape. Eight note cards and matching brightly coloured envelopes, one pop-up design in four different colours.


$18.95 NOW £5.50 27592 SCRAP BOOK


Shiny red laminate cover; 16 pages of recycled grey paper. 8½” x 12", great value. Ideal for photographs, cuttings, pressed flowers, artistic doodles etc. ONLY £1


percentages of women in parliament, average age at marriage and average hours of internet use? A beautifully produced encyclopedia with a difference. 192pp, fully illustrated in colour. £14.99 NOW £6.50


73610 CONSPIRATOR: Lenin in Exile


by Helen Rappaport Conspirator is the compelling and meticulously researched story of Lenin’s 17 years of exile from Russia, working toward the event which transformed the face of Europe: the Russian Revolution of 1917. Constantly under observation by the secret police, Lenin and his closest allies depended upon the


protection of a shadowy and not always reliable network of like-minded friends. Obsessive, penniless and driven, they took huge risks in smuggling back into Russia the samizdat literature which spread the revolutionary message. Lenin was always on the move - to stay still was not an option - between the great cities of Europe, such as London, Paris, Geneva, Brussels and Munich, and the rural backwaters of Poland and Finland. His life was chaotic, living under assumed names, fleeing lodgings at a moment’s notice, always short of money and frequently starving. Acclaimed author Helen Rappaport’s examines the toll that this life and its privations had not just upon Lenin, but also the loyal group that surrounded him, in particular the women - his long-suffering wife Nadezhda, his mother-in-law and his mistress Inessa Armand. Here too are wonderful pieces of detail, such as his holiday to Capri with Maxim Gorky, his visits to the working men’s music halls of Montmartre and the London detective who kept Lenin and company under surveillance from inside a cupboard in a room above an Islington pub as the fledgling party congress fomented revolution. 373pp with many b/w photos.


£20 NOW £7


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