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Language & Literature Poetry, Essays, Humor, & More Spring 2024
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Bad Chaucer : the great poet's greatest mistakes in the Canterbury Tales
by Tison Pugh
Acclaimed for centuries as the "Father of English Literature," Geoffrey Chaucer enjoys widespread and effusive praise for his classic Canterbury Tales-and rightfully so. Still, even the greatest of authors cannot claim perfection, and so Bad Chaucer: TheGreat Poet's Greatest Mistakes in the Canterbury Tales analyzes his various missteps, missed opportunities, and other blunders in this peerless masterpiece. From a vexing catalog of trees in the Knight's Tale to the flirtations with blasphemy in the Parson's Tale, this volume progresses through the Canterbury Tales story by story, tale by tale, pondering the most egregious failing of each in turn. Viewed collectively, Chaucer's troubles stem from clashing genres that disrupt interpretive clarity, themeless themes that undermine any message a tale might convey, mischaracterized characters who act without clear motivation, purposeful and otherwise pleasureful badness that show Chaucer's appreciation for the humor of bad literature, and outmoded perspectives that threaten to alienate modern readers. Badness is not always to be lamented but often celebrated, even cherished, for badness infuses artistic creations with the vitality that springs from varied responses, spirited engagements, and the inherent volatility of enjoying literature. On the whole, Bad Chaucer: The Great Poet's Greatest Mistakes in the Canterbury Tales swerves literary criticism in a new direction by examining the provocative question, for too long overlooked, of what this great author got wrong
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Sharing too much : musings from an unlikely life
by Richard Paul Evans
In this intimate and heartfelt collection of personal essays, the #1 New York Times best-selling author of more than 40 novels recounts his moving journey from childhood to beloved writer, sharing the lessons he's learned and hard-won advice about everything from marriage to parenthood.
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Subculture vulture : a memoir in six scenes
by Moshe Kasher
Telling the story of the lives he spent careening from one to the next, from Alcoholics Anonymous to the techno warehouse party scene to Burning Man, the author deftly weaves together memoir and propulsive cultural history as he takes us on a rollicking ride through deep American subcultures.
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How to stay married : the most insane love story ever told
by Harrison Scott Key
The Thurber Prize-winning author recalls his hilarious and shocking spiritual journey through hell and back after discovering his wife's infidelity with a family friend by confronting his own failure to love his wife in the ways she needed.
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One in a millennial : on friendship, feelings, fangirls, and fitting in
by Kate Kennedy
In this laugh-out-loud book filled with keen observations, a pop culture commentator and host of the millennial-focused podcast Be There in Five both celebrates and criticizes the culture that shaped her as a woman, tackling AOL Instant Messenger, American Girl Dolls, Spice Girl feminism, millennial motherhood and more.
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A hitch in time : reflections ready for reconsideration
by Christopher Hitchens
This collection of essays, reviews, diary entries and letters from the late renowned writer includes his thoughts on Salman Rushdie, being spanked by Margaret Thatcher in The House of Lords and taking his son to the Oscars. 75,000 first printing.
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With every great breath : new and selected essays, 1995-2023
by Rick Bass
Spanning his storied career, the acclaimed writer and environmental activist presents this collection of new and selected essays that explore ecological, social and personal landscapes, celebrating the beauty that inspires us.
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Iredell County Public Library 201 N. Tradd Street, Statesville, North Carolina 28677 704-878-3090www.iredell.lib.nc.us |
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