Christina Hardyment Libri

A new edition of the classic account of a voyage in search of Arthur Ransome following clues found among the contents of the beloved author's trunk.

The book delves into the intriguing life of Sir Thomas Malory, the enigmatic author of Morte d'Arthur, which has shaped modern interpretations of the Arthurian legend. Despite his literary acclaim, Malory's historical persona is marred by accusations of serious crimes, including rape and robbery, leading to his lengthy imprisonment. This contrast between his celebrated work and troubled life invites readers to explore the complexities of his character and the impact of his writings on the enduring myth of King Arthur and his knights.

'Writing the Thames' tells a much-loved river's story through the remarkable prose, poetry and illustration that it has inspired. Beautifully illustrated, this book celebrates the writers who have helped to make England's greatest river an enduring legend.

'Novel Houses' visits unforgettable dwellings in twenty legendary works of English and American fiction. A winning combination of literary criticism, geography and biography, this is an entertaining and insightful celebration of beloved novels and the extraordinary role that houses play in their continuing popularity.

This beautifully illustrated collection of food writing features delightful scenes of cooking and feasting from various novels and stories, alongside poems that use food to entice and seduce. It highlights the idea that great authors were as eager to nourish their bodies as their imaginations. This anthology spans a wide range of time and place, exploring literary eating and exceptional writing about food that will amuse, surprise, and tantalize readers. It begins with examples of hospitality, from Chaucer's convivial Franklin to Walter Scott's lavish breakfasts and Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Ramsay's dinners. The collection also showcases impressive meals, including dazzling banquets from Flaubert to F. Scott Fitzgerald, and memorable fictional love feasts, illustrating the strong connection between food and love in literature. Nostalgic childhood memories of food are captured in classic scenes like Pinocchio's hunger, Ratty and Mole's picnic, enchanted Turkish delight in Narnia, and seaside picnics from Enid Blyton. A section on distant times and places features unique dishes, such as seethed tortoise in ancient China and seal's liver fried in penguin blubber for Captain Scott. For those who appreciate simplicity, there are also reflections on delicate salad dressings by Sydney Smith and Hemingway's love for oysters.