Rudolf Chalupský Libri

Výbor z povídek prvního anglicky píšícího nositele Nobelovy ceny za literaturu.

'Tender and elegant' Guardian 'Unlike anything else in modern English literature' D.J. Taylor, Spectator A damaged survivor of the First World War, Tom Birkin finds refuge in the quiet village church of Oxgodby where he is to spend the summer uncovering a huge medieval wall-painting. Immersed in the peace and beauty of the countryside and the unchanging rhythms of village life he experiences a sense of renewal and belief in the future. Now an old man, Birkin looks back on the idyllic summer of 1920, remembering a vanished place of blissful calm, untouched by change, a precious moment he has carried with him through the disappointments of the years. Adapted into a film starring Colin Firth, Natasha Richardson and Kenneth Branagh, A Month in the Country traces the slow revival of the primeval rhythms of life so cruelly disorientated by the Great War. With an introduction by Penelope Fitzgerald

At its peak in the nineteenth century, the British Empire governed about a quarter of the world's population, making it the largest empire ever known. Niall Ferguson explores how this "archipelago of rainy islands" came to dominate globally, weighing the costs and benefits of British imperialism. While the book is not a comprehensive history, Ferguson aims to extract lessons for current and future empires, particularly the United States, which he describes as an "empire in denial." He challenges America to consider whether it should "shed or shoulder the imperial load it has inherited," presenting compelling arguments for both perspectives. Ferguson highlights that the achievements of empire are often overlooked compared to its sins, noting that the British did contribute positively to humanity through the promotion of free trade, capital movement, and a common rule of law. He questions whether a less violent path to modernity was possible. The U.S. faces the challenge of using its power for positive global change while avoiding the pitfalls of its predecessor. Covering diverse topics like consumerism, mass migration, the role of missionaries, capitalism's rise, the spread of English, and globalization, this work offers a brilliant synthesis and is highly engaging.

An extraordinary work of fiction, from one of the world's most exceptional writers.WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY JULIAN FELLOWESAfter graduating from Oxford, Daniel Martin moved to America and successfully pursued the dreams of many: he became a Hollywood screenwriter. But, as the years go by, Daniel grows more and more unsatisfied with the life he once coveted and the person he has become. Now Daniel has been called back to England to reconcile with a dying friend, but finds that he must also reconcile with the past and with himself.'I find it disastrous to read any of John Fowles' books - once I pick one up, I cannot put it down so everything else gets ignored!' Judi Dench, Daily Express'An instant masterpiece. It is a tour de force of stamina and subtlety' Daily Telegraph

Dva klíčové prvky díla světoznámého britského prozaika karibského původu – autobiograficky pojatý příběh uměleckého zrání a cesty za vlastním já a nezjednodušený obraz postkoloniální situace třetího světa – se v románové sekvenci z poloviny 90. let, řadící se k vrcholným autorovým prózám, projevují se zvlášť výraznou naléhavostí. V časově i tematicky široce pojatém cyklu devíti kapitol sjednoceném rodným karibským regionem se Naipaulovi podařilo skloubit tragické historické osudy evropských objevitelů a dobyvatelů, epizody z poválečného politického vývoje i osobně laděný příběh hledání vlastních kořenů v neobyčejně originální a přesvědčivý celek, potvrzující autorovu mistrovskou schopnost reflexe historického vývoje i vlastního osudu.

Suffused with rich satire, chaotic brilliance, verbal turbulence and wild humour, The Crying of Lot 49 opens as Oedipa Maas discovers that she haas been made executrix of a former lover's estate. The performance of her duties sets her on a strange

Kaspar Utz, protagonista del romanzo, è un collezionista di porcellane di Meissen, costretto a vivere a Praga con i suoi fragili tesori sotto lo sguardo di uno Stato poliziesco. Utz è un uomo astuto, simile a un trickster, e il suo legame con le figurine della sua collezione è quasi idolatrico. Riconosce che un collezionista è un teologo in incognito, spesso un eretico, e il suo rapporto con le porcellane riflette un profondo attaccamento. La sua vita è un segreto da proteggere, nascosto dietro una facciata di anonimato e squallore. La vera battaglia di Utz è contro il "rumore di fondo" della storia, che minaccia di cancellare le sue preziose figurine, simboli di un'epoca che non può essere intaccata dal tempo. La sua esistenza solitaria diventa una lotta per salvaguardare la collezione, un esercito silenzioso da sottrarre alle grinfie delle autorità. Questo romanzo esplora la sua lotta, culminando in una conclusione sorprendente. Pubblicato da Chatwin nell'autunno del 1988, poco prima della sua morte, è stato accolto con ammirazione come una "gemma squisita, compatta, luccicante e riccamente sfaccettata".