Publisher: Nick Hern Books
A play exploring the impact of colonialism through a meeting between Frederick Douglass, the escaped slave and abolitionist who visited Ireland in the 1840s, and a young Irishwoman hoping to emigrate to the country he's running from. Deirdre Kinahan's short play Wild Notes was first staged by Solas Nua in Washington D.C. in 2018.
"Three Short Stories & Ten Poems" is a captivating collection that showcases the literary prowess of Ernest Hemingway, one of the most influential writers of the 20th century. This illustrated edition presents a selection of Hemingway's succinct and powerful prose alongside his evocative poetry, inviting readers to explore the themes of love, loss, and the human condition that permeate his work. The three short stories included in this collection exemplify Hemingway's trademark minimalist style, characterized by his use of simple language and understated emotion. Each narrative delves into the complexities of human relationships, revealing the profound impact of seemingly mundane moments. Through his keen observations and vivid imagery, Hemingway captures the essence of life's struggles and triumphs, allowing readers to connect deeply with his characters. Accompanying the stories are ten poems that reflect Hemingway's lyrical sensibility and his ability to convey profound emotions in a few carefully chosen words. The poems, rich with imagery and metaphor, explore themes of nature, war, and the passage of time, further enhancing the reader's experience of Hemingway's literary world.Show book
The Teseida by Giovanni Boccaccio is a grand and ambitious epic poem that weaves together classical legend, chivalric romance, and the emotional complexity of human desire. Written in the 14th century, this remarkable work stands as one of the earliest Italian epics composed in the vernacular, reflecting Boccaccio's deep engagement with classical antiquity and his emerging Renaissance vision. Set in the mythic world of ancient Greece, the poem centers on the legendary hero Theseus and the dramatic conflict between two Theban knights, Arcita and Palemone. Captured during war and imprisoned in Athens, the two cousins find their loyalty and brotherhood tested when they both fall in love with the noble Emilia. From that moment, their bond gives way to rivalry, and love becomes the catalyst for fate, honor, and tragic destiny. Boccaccio skillfully blends epic grandeur with intimate psychological insight. While battles and tournaments provide spectacle and heroic drama, the heart of the narrative lies in the emotional struggle between passion and duty. Arcita and Palemone are not merely warriors but fully realized individuals torn between friendship and romantic devotion. Emilia herself is portrayed with dignity and complexity, caught in a world where political power and personal longing intersect. Inspired by classical sources yet infused with medieval sensibilities, The Teseida bridges two literary traditions. It draws upon ancient mythology while introducing the courtly ideals and narrative structures that would shape later Renaissance literature. Its influence extended beyond Italy, inspiring Geoffrey Chaucer's Knight's Tale and contributing to the evolution of European epic and romantic poetry. Throughout the poem, themes of fortune, divine intervention, and the unpredictability of destiny unfold against a richly detailed backdrop. The gods observe and influence events, reminding readers of the delicate balance between human will and cosmic design. Yet amid this grand framework, Boccaccio's focus remains firmly on the emotional realities of love, jealousy, honor, and sacrifice. Majestic in scope yet deeply human in its portrayal of longing and rivalry, The Teseida stands as a foundational work of early Renaissance literature. It is both a celebration of heroic tradition and a meditation on the fragile nature of desire—an enduring epic that captures the timeless tensions between loyalty, ambition, and the heart's irresistible call.Show book
The award-winning first book of poetry by Chris Tse – now available as an audiobook. Winner – Jessie Mackay Award for Best First Book of Poetry at the 2016 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards The world is full of murder and words are usually the first to go In 1905, white supremacist Lionel Terry murdered the Cantonese gold prospector Joe Kum Yung to draw attention to his crusade to rid New Zealand of Chinese and other East Asian immigrants. Chris Tse uses this story – and its reenactment for a documentary a hundred years later – to reflect on the experiences of Chinese migrants of the period, their wishes and hopes, their estrangement and alienation, their ghostly reverberation through a white-majority culture. Along the way we visit the gold fields of the south, a shipwreck in the Hokianga that left the spirits of 500 Chinese goldminers in an unmemorialised limbo for a hundred years and the streets of Newtown, Wellington, where Lionel Terry went out one night ' looking for a Chinaman' . Chris Tse' s flickering use of imagery, resonant language and flexible pronouns are particularly suited to the historic events he describes and the viewpoints he shifts through. How to be Dead in a Year of Snakes is a welcome poetic addition to New Zealand literature.Show book
Ever seen a flying cow, a horse that knits, or an eel that rides a bike? Well, welcome in to a world where your fantasy and imagination can bring them all to life. This set of humorous poems, mainly concerning the strange things animals may get up to, are suitably illustrated by the author's whimsical drawings.Show book
A call to anyone who thought they were alone on the journey, Incantations for Rest is for kindred spirits: neurodivergent folks, parents up late past bedtime nursing resentment, Black people in predominantly white spaces—anyone who has found themselves at the edges of Beloved Community. Incantations for Rest is an invitation to slow down and explore every kind of rest, providing sacred space for those exhausted by the demands of a racist, ableist society. This stunning collection of poems, meditations, and magic by poet-activist Atena O. Danner is an examination of spiritual spaces, a love letter to Black well-being, and medicine for BIPOC people. Within these pages you are invited to savor connection, question assumptions, admit to complicated feelings, and still make room for joy. It is a beacon of affirmation and a vital tool for ritual and reflection.Show book
Songs for My Father is a raw and honest collection of free verse poetry about the author’s relationship with her father. It chronicles how his anger and abuse left her emotionally trapped for many years, and how she found her way back into herself through her art.Katherine Lazaruk takes the reader through her early childhood experiences, drawing connections between how family, music, and learning shaped the writer and artist within her. It is a poignant window into the things that so often go unspoken, the elephants in the rooms of our families. Readers who have experienced what it means to be the outsider or scapegoat in their family of origin will be uplifted by this vision of how to break cycles of abuse and reclaim themselves through therapeutic and artistic journeys.Songs for My Father is at times dark, at times uplifting, and always deeply human.Show book
