Lilian Schreuder Libri

Zana Muhsen, born and bred in Birmingham, is of Yemeni origin. When her father told her she was to spend a holiday with relatives in North Yemen, she jumped at the chance. Aged 15 and 13 respectively, Zana and her sister discovered that they had been literally sold into marriage, and that on their arrival they were virtually prisoners. They had to adapt to a completely alien way of life, with no running water, dung-plastered walls, frequent beatings, and the ordeal of childbirth on bare floors with only old women in attendance. After eight years of misery and humiliation Zana succeeded in escaping, but her sister is still there, and it seems likely that she will now never leave the country where she has spent more than half her life. This is an updated edition of Zana's account of her experiences.

Thirty-nine-year-old Sirine, never married, lives with a devoted Iraqi-immigrant uncle and an adoring dog named King Babar. She works as a chef in a Lebanese restaurant, her passions aroused only by the preparation of food—until an unbearably handsome Arabic literature professor starts dropping by for a little home cooking. Falling in love brings Sirene's whole heart to a boil—stirring up memories of her parents and questions about her identity as an Arab American.

1886, autunno. L'accordatore di piano Edgar Drake riceve una strana richiesta dal Ministero della Guerra britannico: deve lasciare sua moglie e la sua tranquilla vita londinese per trasferirsi nella giungla birmana e accordare un raro esemplare di pianoforte Érard. Lo strumento appartiene al colonnello medico Carroll, comandante dai metodi poco ortodossi di un avamposto dell'esercito inglese in una zona sperduta e ostile della Birmania. Nel suo viaggio attraverso l'Europa, il Mar Rosso e l'India, Edgar Drake incontra strani e coloriti personaggi. Per "Publishers Weekly" il romanzo ricorda al tempo stesso Conrad, Memorie di una geisha e Il paziente inglese .

Told from Gretel's sly and knowing perspective, this story charts her progress as she navigates from childhood to the brink of womanhood, picking her way through the tragedies and absurdities of everyday life in the Samuelson family that is rocked by disaster, bad judgement and fierce attachments.

The narrative revolves around a woman's transformation as she uncovers her desires through an incendiary diary. Once perceived as the ideal wife, she reveals a hidden self driven by newfound sexual awakening and the discovery of an Elizabethan manuscript that explores women's true desires. This journey empowers her to embrace her wants, but raises the tension of maintaining a dangerous double life. The story delves into themes of identity, desire, and the complexities of marriage, challenging societal expectations of women.

Een creatief Hongaars-Amerikaans echtpaar probeert zijn dagdroom te verwezenlijken: een huis in Toscane.

Winnie vindt dat ze een zorgeloos leven leidt. Ze is tevreden met de sleur van haar bestaan, heeft genoeg aan zichzelf en is niemand tot last. Maar haar zelfverkozen rust wordt ruw verstoord wanneer een meisje haar enige bezit steelt: een koffer en een pruik. Winnie gaat op zoek naar de dief. Wat begint als een zoektocht, wordt de herontdekking van een verleden waarvan ze afstand had gedaan. Winnie beleeft opnieuw haar jeugd, de vetes in haar familie, de verwoestende Tweede Wereldoorlog, en ten slotte de onthullingen en het verraad die haar hebben gemaakt tot wie ze nu is: een dakloze vrouw in een niemandsland.

Als een gescheiden Tunesische vrouw in Parijs kamermeisje wordt van een veeleisende gravin, heeft ze door haar warmte en grote intuïtie positieve invloed op haar omgeving.