Drawing on a range of examples from classical times to the present, from Cicero to Virginia Woolf to Greta Gerwig, this Very Short Introduction considers why human beings are drawn to exchanging feelings and ideas via letters and why we continue to be fascinated by them today.

In Art and Memory in the Work of Elizabeth Bishop, Jonathan Ellis offers evidence for a redirection in Bishop studies toward a more thorough scrutiny of the links between Bishop's art and life. The book is less concerned with the details of what actually happened to Bishop than with the ways in which she refracted key events into writing: both personal, unpublished material as well as stories, poems, and paintings. Thus, Ellis challenges Bishop's reputation as either a strictly impersonal ...

Mexico is an enchanting land full of many secrets. Some wonderful to behold, and some best kept secret. Deep in the heart of the Yuctan, in a steamy, forgotten jungle, lies one. In 1962, the Mexican government conducted clandestine operations to test an herbicide designed to compete with agent orange, the American militarys herbicide of choice. It was staged over a long abandoned eco-attraction called Yucatanland. It was a failure, in that it didnt kill the plants, but mutated the animals....

Flavors of the Seasons: Fresh, Healthy, and Comforting Recipes for Every Time of YearWritten by Amelia Cartwright – Narrated by Jonathan EllisStep into a culinary journey that celebrates the beauty and taste of every season. Flavors of the Seasons brings you a mouthwatering collection of fresh, wholesome, and heartwarming recipes designed to match the rhythm of nature’s calendar. From light and vibrant spring salads to rich and cozy winter...

Elizabeth Bishop is increasingly recognized as one of the twentieth century's most important and original poets. Initially celebrated for the minute detail of her descriptions, what John Ashbery memorably called her 'thinginess', Bishop's reputation has risen dramatically since her death, in part due to the publication of new work, including letters, stories, and visual art, as well as a controversial volume of uncollected poems, drafts, and fragments. This Companion engages with key debat...

Elizabeth Bishop is increasingly recognised as one of the twentieth century's most original writers. Consisting of thirty-five ground-breaking essays by an international team of authors, including biographers, literary critics, poets and translators, this volume addresses the biographical and literary inception of Bishop's originality, from her formative upbringing in New England and Nova Scotia to long residences in New York, France, Florida and Brazil. Her poetry, prose, letters, transla...

"England My England" by D.H. Lawrence is a collection of short stories exploring themes of love, identity, and the complexities of human relationships against the backdrop of early 20th-century Britain. Through vivid characters and poignant narratives, Lawrence delves into the struggles of ordinary people grappling with societal norms, industrialization, and personal desires. From passionate romances to introspective journeys, these tales highlight the tension between tradition and moderni...

"The Lost Girl" by D.H. Lawrence is a poignant exploration of love, identity, and societal expectations in early 20th-century England. Alvina Houghton, a mill owner's daughter, feels trapped in her small town life until she meets Lorenzo, an Italian immigrant and charismatic musician. Their passionate yet complex relationship challenges cultural and class barriers. As Alvina struggles between duty to her family and her longing for freedom with Lorenzo, the novel delves into themes of perso...

"The Plumed Serpent" by D.H. Lawrence is a powerful exploration of spirituality, nationalism, and revolution set in post-revolutionary Mexico. Kate Leslie, an Irishwoman, becomes entangled with Don Cipriano and Don Ramón, leaders reviving the ancient cult of Quetzalcoatl, the Plumed Serpent. They aim to unite Mexico through a spiritual renaissance rooted in indigenous traditions. As Kate wrestles with her loyalty to Western values and fascination for this new movement, the novel delves int...

A whimsical and honest account of a nine-month journey deep into Mexico. Novelist Georgina Young-Ellis was awarded a Fulbright grant, and randomly placed in a little, out-of-the-way agricultural community in Hidalgo, Mexico, where she taught English at the local university. Having to get around on foot and by local transportation encouraged she and her husband, Jon, to be fully immersed in this adventure of a lifetime. They experienced moments of open-mouthed wonder at the beauty and histo...