A duet of provocative novellas that examine contemporary Greek identity, translated by one of the foremost experts in Greek literature
From esteemed Greek writer Michel Fas comes a duet of novellas that explore the stories we choose to tell about the lives we pretend to live.
In these stories, positioned at the fractured heart of Greek postmodernism, Fas returns to his signature themes of mourning, death, and absence: the permanently open wound in my narrative. Aegypius monachus is a semi-autobiographical snapshot of a man roaming the streets of Athens, reflecting on his tumultuous marriage and the childhood roots of his failure at love. Lady Cortisol dramatizes a conversation between one man and one woman, highlighting the miscommunications and mixed signals that inevitably arise in dialogue with the other. Ironic and bitter, these staccato novellas explore the ways in which we sabotage our rare chances at love, plunging into the interior of the mind and exposing the things we cannot say aloud.
Dive into the poignant world of 19th-century European royalty with "Denkwrdigkeiten aus dem ffentlichen und Privat-Leben der verewigten Charlotte Auguste, Prinzessin von Wales und Sachsen-Coburg," a German-language edition exploring the life and legacy of Princess Charlotte of Wales. This paperback, published by Wentworth Press in 2018, offers readers a unique glimpse into the public and private spheres of a figure who was once second in line to the British throne. Although attributed to J. Coote, it is likely this is a republication of historical writings and biographical accounts surrounding Princess Charlotte, presented in German for a modern audience. Princess Charlotte, the only child of George, Prince of Wales (later George IV), and Caroline of Brunswick, captivated the British public with her independent spirit and potential to secure the Hanoverian succession. Her tragically short life, ending in childbirth at the age of 21, plunged the nation into deep mourning and spurred a scramble to find a suitable heir. This book, "Denkwrdigkeiten," which translates to "Memoirs from the Public and Private Life of the Deceased Charlotte Auguste, Princess of Wales and Saxe-Coburg," likely gathers together contemporary observations, anecdotes, and reflections on her character, her relationships, and her impact on British society. Given the title, expect to encounter intimate details of Charlotte's upbringing, her turbulent relationship with her parents (particularly her famously strained relationship with her father, the Prince Regent), her courtship and marriage to Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld (later King Leopold I of Belgium), and the hopes pinned on her to continue the royal lineage. The book will likely delve into the political context of her life, including the Napoleonic Wars and the changing social landscape of Britain. Reading between the lines, you will also uncover the constraints placed on royal women of the era, the pressures of dynastic expectations, and the public's fascination with their lives. While precise details on the content require a direct reading, historical records indicate that contemporary biographies and memoirs of Princess Charlotte often presented differing perspectives, ranging from idealized portrayals of a virtuous princess to more critical assessments of her personality and political views. This German edition, therefore, promises a potentially nuanced perspective for German-speaking readers, drawing on primary sources and historical analyses to reconstruct the life of this fascinating and ultimately tragic figure. Whether you're a historian specializing in 19th-century British or German history, a student researching royal biography, or simply a reader captivated by tales of royalty and court intrigue, "Denkwrdigkeiten aus dem ffentlichen und Privat-Leben der verewigten Charlotte Auguste, Prinzessin von Wales und Sachsen-Coburg" provides a valuable resource and an engaging narrative. The 178 pages offer a glimpse into a vanished world, where personal lives were inextricably intertwined with political destiny. The German language provides a unique lens through which to view this compelling story. At 259 grams, this book is lightweight and easily transportable.
