This author is an accomplished weaver of strange tales, shaping narratives into quirky yet perfectly formed whole works. His writing, spanning poetry and prose, often delves into unconventional themes and appears online, on stage, and in anthologies. His compelling short stories, focusing on female and non-binary protagonists, are collected in his debut book. His style is distinctive, marked by a touch of the surreal and the unexpected.
The narrative unfolds through a striking encounter with a fury on the street, symbolizing a deeper exploration of emotions and societal tensions. The protagonist's experience serves as a catalyst for introspection and reflection on personal and collective struggles. Themes of anger, conflict, and the human condition are intricately woven throughout, inviting readers to confront their own feelings and the chaos of the world around them. This powerful moment ignites a journey of self-discovery and understanding.
In this enlightening book, James Webster shares over fifty years of research on the afterlife and the paranormal. He argues for survival after physical death and the chance to reunite with loved ones, while critiquing the popular notion of reincarnation. His extensive evidence offers readers new insights into these profound topics.
This volume offers a new view of Joseph Haydn's instrumental music. It argues that many of Haydn's greatest and most characteristic instrumental works are 'through-composed' in the sense that their several movements are bound together into a cycle. This cyclic integration is articulated, among other ways, by the 'progressive' form of individual movements, structural and gestural links between the movements, and extramusical associations. Central to the study is a detailed and comprehensive analysis of the 'Farewell' Symphony, No. 45 in F sharp minor (1772). The analysis is distinguished by its systematic use of different methods (Toveyan formalism, Schenkerian voice leading, Schoenbergian developing variation) to elucidate the work's overall coherence. The work's unique musical processes, in turn, suggest an interpretation of the entire piece (not merely the famous 'farewell' finale) in terms of the familiar programmatic story of the musicians' wish to leave Castle Eszterhaza. In a book which relates systematically the results of analysis and interpretation, Professor Webster challenges the concept of 'classical style' which, he argues has distorted our understanding of Haydn's development, and he stresses the need for a greater appreciation of Haydn's early music and of his stature as Beethoven's equal.
This book provides a detailed account of the Christian missionary movement in the Manchuria region of China in the early 20th century. Webster offers first-hand accounts of his work in the region, as well as profiles of other missionaries and their efforts to spread their message in a challenging and sometimes hostile environment. The book is an essential resource for anyone interested in the history of Christian missionary work in Asia.
This captivating account of travel and adventure in the Middle East is a must-read for anyone interested in the history and culture of this fascinating region. James Webster describes his journey through the Crimea, Turkey, and Egypt, encountering a rich tapestry of people, places, and customs along the way. He provides vivid descriptions of the landscape and architecture, as well as insightful observations on the politics and social conditions of the time. This book is a valuable resource for historians, travelers, and cultural enthusiasts alike.
The vivid travelogue captures the author's journey through Crimea, Turkey, and Egypt from 1825 to 1828, offering detailed observations of landscapes, architecture, art, and local customs. Each chapter delves into specific aspects of his travels, alongside insights into the political and social conditions of the time. The narrative is engaging and informative, making it a rich resource for those interested in the history and culture of these regions. Additionally, it includes reflections on the last illness of Emperor Alexander and the Russian conspiracy of 1825.
Exploring themes of identity and belonging, this narrative centers on a girl who feels disconnected from her surroundings, likening herself to the Lost Boys of Peter Pan fame. Through her journey, she grapples with feelings of loss and the search for a place where she truly fits in. The story delves into her struggles and triumphs, capturing the essence of growing up and the quest for self-discovery amidst the chaos of adolescence.
Culturally significant, this work has been recognized by scholars for its importance in the understanding of civilization. It contributes to the collective knowledge base, highlighting its relevance and impact on historical and cultural discourse.
The three Mozart/Da Ponte operas offer a inexhaustible wellspring for critical reflection, possessing a complexity and equivocation common to all great humane works. They have the potential to reflect and refract whatever locus of contemporaneity may be the starting point for enquiry. Thus, even postmodern and postmillennial concerns, far from seeming irrelevant to these operas, are instead given new perspectives by them, while the music and the dramatic situations have the multivalency to accept each refreshed palette of interpretation without loss of their essential character. These operas seem perennially new. In exploring the evergreen qualities of Don Giovanni and Le Nozze di Figaro, the authors of this book do not shun approaches that have foundations in established theory, but refract them through such problems as the tension between operatic tradition and psychological realism, the coexistence of multiple yet equal plots, and the antagonism between the tenets of tradition and the need for self-actualization. In exploring such themes, the authors not only illuminate new aspects of Mozart's operatic compositions but also probe the nature of musical analysis itself.
