Other books that might interest you

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  Poetry of the British Isles

  Various Authors

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  A delightful selection of poetry from around the British Isles including 'Dover Beach' by Matthew Arnold,  'Leisure' by W. H. Auden and 'To Autumn' by John Keats. Including classic recordings by acclaimed actors Sir Ralph Richardson and Richard Burton.

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  The Rape of the Lock

  Alexander Pope

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  The Rape of the Lock is a mock-heroic narrative poem written by Alexander Pope, first published anonymously in Lintot's Miscellany in May 1712 in two cantos (334 lines), but then revised, expanded and reissued under Pope's name on March 2, 1714, in a much-expanded 5-canto version (794 lines). The final form was available in 1717 with the addition of Clarissa's speech on good humour. The poem satirizes a petty squabble by comparing it to the epic world of the gods. It was based on an incident recounted by Pope's friend, John Caryll. Arabella Fermor and her suitor, Lord Petre, were both from aristocratic recusant Catholic families at a period in England when under such laws as the Test Act, all denominations except Anglicanism suffered legal restrictions and penalties (for example Petre could not take up his place in the House of Lords as a Catholic). Petre, lusting after Arabella, had cut off a lock of her hair without permission, and the consequent argument had created a breach between the two families. Pope, also a Catholic, wrote the poem at the request of friends in an attempt to "comically merge the two." He utilized the character Belinda to represent Arabella and introduced an entire system of "sylphs," or guardian spirits of virgins, a parodied version of the gods and goddesses of conventional epic. (Summary by Wikipedia)

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  Damengin

  Jenny Wellington

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  Damengin is a country town in Queensland weighed down by the worst drought in living memory and its inhabitants are all desperately waiting for government drought relief. The bad news is that the funds have been sent and spent by Council's Shire Clerk Shifty Grey and his corrupt cohorts. This is a rollicking fast-moving story about political skulduggery, greed, love and lust. It features outrageous characters, blossoming romances, pathos and importantly, has an incredibly happy ending.

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  Medea

  Euripides

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  Medea by Euripides is one of the most powerful and haunting tragedies of ancient Greek drama. First performed in 431 BCE, this timeless play explores the depths of human passion, betrayal, and revenge, presenting one of the most complex and unforgettable characters in classical literature.
  
  The story centers on Medea, a foreign princess and powerful sorceress who has sacrificed everything for her husband, Jason. Years earlier, she betrayed her own family and homeland to help him obtain the Golden Fleece, leaving her past behind to build a new life together. Yet in the city of Corinth, Medea's devotion is cruelly repaid when Jason abandons her in order to marry the daughter of King Creon, seeking wealth and political advantage.
  
  Cast aside and humiliated, Medea finds herself isolated in a society that already views her as an outsider. Stripped of status and threatened with exile, she confronts the devastating betrayal that has shattered her life. What begins as grief soon transforms into a fierce and calculated desire for justice.
  
  Through Medea's struggle, Euripides explores the intense emotions of love, anger, pride, and wounded dignity. The play reveals the dangers of arrogance and the devastating consequences of betrayal. Medea's intelligence and determination make her both terrifying and compelling, forcing audiences to confront the darker aspects of human nature.
  
  As her plan unfolds, the tragedy builds toward one of the most shocking and unforgettable climaxes in classical theatre. Euripides challenges traditional ideas about heroism, morality, and gender roles, presenting a character who refuses to accept humiliation or powerlessness.
  
  Rich with emotional intensity and poetic language, Medea examines themes of revenge, exile, injustice, and the struggle for dignity in a hostile world. The play remains deeply relevant, continuing to provoke debate about justice, loyalty, and the limits of human rage.
  
  Dark, dramatic, and profoundly thought-provoking, Medea stands as a masterpiece of ancient tragedy—a gripping exploration of betrayal and the destructive power of wounded pride.

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  FAME & Other Disasters

  Maria P Frino

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  FAME & Other Disasters by Maria P Frino is a celebrity drama novel and is an adult contemporary  suitable for readers 18+ 
  Fame is a double-edged sword, and nowhere is this more precarious than in the cutthroat world of television hosting. 
  Molly Edwards and Emma Bears Jones are inseparable—two powerhouses of television, hosting rival shows on Shine Ch33 and BBS12. But years of friendship crumble in a single night, a scandal sparked by a reckless decision at an industry party that sends their lives spiralling out of control. 
  In a haze of drugs and poor judgment, both women end up in bed with Richard—Emma’s lover. Molly wakes first, horrified to find herself naked between her best friend and Richard. 
  Desperate to forget the whole thing, Emma tries to bury the incident, but Richard isn't willing to let it go. He’s drawn to Molly’s tender touch and wants more, igniting a chain of betrayal. 
  When Emma uncovers their continued tryst, her fury explodes across social media, transforming a private mistake into a very public spectacle. Apologies from Molly go unanswered, and the vicious back-and-forth between the two goes viral, dragging their careers into the mud. Sponsors pull out, viewers abandon them, and both women are left without a show, their hard-won careers evaporating overnight. 
  Crushed under the weight of scandal and failure, Molly flees to Mumbai, India, seeking solace and purpose, hoping to mend her shattered life. Here she had helped build an orphanage during an extended gap year, Tulip Treasures. But redemption is never easy, and a near-fatal accident threatens to take away what little she has left. 
  As Molly fights to reclaim her life, the question remains: Can she and Emma ever reconcile, or will the wounds of betrayal be too deep to heal?

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  Primers Volume Seven

  Jade Cuttle, Antonia Taylor,...

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  In 2023, Nine Arches Press launched their nationwide Primers scheme for a seventh time, in search of exciting new voices in poetry, with Katie Hale as selecting editor. After reading through hundreds of anonymous entries, and narrowing down the choices from longlist to shortlist, three poets emerged as clear choices: Jade Cuttle, Antonia Taylor and Laura Varnam.
  Primers Volume Seven now brings together a showcase from three distinctive poets, exploring everything from mudlarking and making a 'mossary', to the borderlands of conflicts and a bold retelling of an Old English epic. Through lively engagement with language, deep connection to place and time, and the unearthing the stories of myth, history and peoples, these revealing poems offer an insightful collection of new work from some of poetry's most talented emerging voices.

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