A sparkling work of literary interpretation by a gifted and versatile author. In sheer brilliance of thought and expression and in range of selection of material few writers can excel Dorothy Sayers. Whether turning to mysteries, devotional literature, to mysticism, drama or history. Miss Sayers produces interesting and engaging results. The material here presented was originally delivered as a series of lectures at Cambridge. She makes Dante come alive for the modern reader. As is too often true of the classics, Dante is more often quoted than read. Dr. Sayers would rescue Dante from the clutches of scholars, in firm conviction that he wrote for the common man and woman. She would tear away the veil of mystery with which Dante has been surrounded by frankly stating that the Pivine Comedy is an allegory to be interpreted on four levels:- literary, political, moral and mystical and that the allegory is concerned chiefly with this life and not exclusively with life after death. She expands a four-fold interpretation of the Comedy, its paradoxes and its comedy..... Too bad the typography is not better.
Pub Date: N/A
ISBN: 1597524913
Page Count: 225
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: Oct. 4, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 1955
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
This is not the Nutcracker sweet, as passed on by Tchaikovsky and Marius Petipa. No, this is the original Hoffmann tale of 1816, in which the froth of Christmas revelry occasionally parts to let the dark underside of childhood fantasies and fears peek through. The boundaries between dream and reality fade, just as Godfather Drosselmeier, the Nutcracker's creator, is seen as alternately sinister and jolly. And Italian artist Roberto Innocenti gives an errily realistic air to Marie's dreams, in richly detailed illustrations touched by a mysterious light. A beautiful version of this classic tale, which will captivate adults and children alike. (Nutcracker; $35.00; Oct. 28, 1996; 136 pp.; 0-15-100227-4)
Pub Date: Oct. 28, 1996
ISBN: 0-15-100227-4
Page Count: 136
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1996
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An extravaganza in Bemelmans' inimitable vein, but written almost dead pan, with sly, amusing, sometimes biting undertones, breaking through. For Bemelmans was "the man who came to cocktails". And his hostess was Lady Mendl (Elsie de Wolfe), arbiter of American decorating taste over a generation. Lady Mendl was an incredible person,- self-made in proper American tradition on the one hand, for she had been haunted by the poverty of her childhood, and the years of struggle up from its ugliness,- until she became synonymous with the exotic, exquisite, worshipper at beauty's whrine. Bemelmans draws a portrait in extremes, through apt descriptions, through hilarious anecdote, through surprisingly sympathetic and understanding bits of appreciation. The scene shifts from Hollywood to the home she loved the best in Versailles. One meets in passing a vast roster of famous figures of the international and artistic set. And always one feels Bemelmans, slightly offstage, observing, recording, commenting, illustrated.
Pub Date: Feb. 23, 1955
ISBN: 0670717797
Page Count: -
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: Oct. 25, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1955
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