This is a review of The Carnal Prayer Mat by the seventeenth-century Chinese author Li Yu, in the translation by Patrick Hanan. (In Chinese, family names are written first, so the author's surname is "Li.")
This book is a classic that is sexy, witty, fast-paced and fun to read even if you don't like "classics." It also has interesting philosophical aspects that raise it above the level of simply an entertaining read. Some of these philosophical points are raised in the "Critique" sections that come at the end of every chapter (probably written by a friend of Li Yu's). You should be warned that this IS an erotic novel. It is not any more graphic than lots of popular novels today, but if you are offended by explicit sexual discussions, you should not read it.
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: University of Hawaii Press (March 1, 1996)
From Publishers Weekly
After failing at a number of jobs, Yancey joined the IRS as a revenue officer in 1991 when he answered a want ad in the newspaper. As a revenue officer, Yancey was charged with collecting taxes from delinquent taxpayers. At the start of his career, Yancey was ambivalent about working for the IRS, but the longer he stayed with the organization the more seriously he took the job. A turning point came during a seizure (when the IRS seizes property from people who have been unable or unwilling to pay taxes), when Yancey stumbled across a band of tax protesters and took it as a personal challenge to root out as many protesters as possible-and in the course of doing so found himself living for his job. Yancey's account of his 12-year career starts out as a lighthearted look at his early days as an IRS trainee, but the tone is more somber and reflective as he becomes more enmeshed in his job, breaks up with his girlfriend, and finds himself isolated from nearly everyone outside of his workplace. There is a happy ending to the story, however, as Yancey marries his supervisor, quits the service and fulfills his dream of writing a book. His description of what life is like inside the IRS is generally engaging and shows the fallibility of a system that comprises, after all, men and women who have their own strengths and weaknesses.
Award-winning author Spider Robinson is renowned for his "Callahan's Place" series of bestselling novels, the latest being Callahan's Con (Tor). With his wife, Jeanne, he has written the Hugo- and Nebula-winning "Stardance" series (Baen). He has been a favorite with readers from his earliest stories, which won him the John Campbell Award for best new writer. Since then he has garnered many other awards for his amusing, Heinlein-inspired SF, with the current total at three Hugos and a Nebula Award. He is frequently a guest at SF conventions across the US and Canada. His last book for Baen was the novel Lady Slings the Booze, an offshoot of the Callahan series.
About the Author
Timothy Zahn is a Hugo Award-winner, and author of the New York Times best seller Heir to the Empire. Born in Chicago, he earned a B.S. in physics from Michigan State University and an M.S. in physics from the University of Illinois. He sold his first story to Analog in 1978, and immediately attracted attention as a new writer of science fiction based on real, cutting-edge science. Baen recently published his popular Cobra trilogy in one volume. His other popular series include the "Conqueror" and "Dragonback" novels. Zahn has written over twenty novels, including the recent works Angelmass and Manta's Gift.
Только в Азербайджане девушка на второй минуте знакомства спрашивает: "А ты женат?"
Только в Азербайджане человек может иметь Мерседес-600 и жить в доме,
который вот-вот рухнет.
Только в Азербайджане есть понятие "sherikli vezife " (должность на двоих)
Только в Азербайджане вы встретите моллу, не владеющего арабским.
Только в Азербайджане продавщица может сказать вам: "Купите эту рубашку, я своему парню такую же подарила".
Только в Азербайджане говорят: "Kishinin garni olar " (Мужчина без пуза - не мужчина).
Только в Азербайджане есть понятие "geydirme haci " (поддельный хаджи)
Только в Азербайджане чиновник на вопрос какая у вас зарплата, не может
точно ее назвать.
Только в Азербайджане высокопоставленный чиновник на слова о том, что его
чадо нарушает правила дорожного движения, может ответить: "Menim de oglum pozmasa, onda kim poza biler?" (Если и мой сын не может нарушать правила, тогда кто же еще?)
Только в Азербайджане вы можете увидеть надпись - MINI SUPERMARKET
Только в Азербайджане в аэропорту пограничник может внимательно посмотреть
на вас и сказать: "Bize bir soz demek istemirsiz?" (Ничего не хотите нам сказать?)
Только в Азербайджане министр, у которого дюжина вилл, может иметь задолженность
за свет и газ.
Только у нас взяточник называется "bacarigli oglan " (способный парень).
Только в Азербайджане менты при виде движущейся в их сторону иномарки с
круговыми плёнками, включёнными вспышками и безостановочно нажатой "фи-фа",
могут не заметить ее.
Только в Азербайджане дети ментов являются главными и первыми нарушителями и автошами.
Только в Азербайджане идут соревнования по мобильникам типа "А у меня на
телефоне антивирус есть".
Только в Азербайджане друг думает о том как бы навариться на друге.
Только в Азербайджане у "крутых" ментов бывает свой "tapsh" (блат).
Только в Азербайджане всё бывает по-азербайджански.
From Booklist
Law-enforcement officials throughout Hennepin County thought they'd have an advocate on the bench when one of their own--former state prosecutor Carey Moore--became a criminal-court judge. Her Honor, however, knows that she will be scrutinized for favoring the prosecution, so she makes sure to rule evenly. But "even" is not the way the D.A.'s office would describe her handling of the case against defendant Karl Dahl. The cops and prosecutors are sure that Dahl is the one who brutally raped and murdered a mother and her two children, but they recognize that the evidence is highly circumstantial. Admitting Dahl's "prior bad acts" into evidence, they argue, would establish a pattern of behavior, whereas Dahl's attorney maintains that the evidence would be prejudicial. When Carey sides with the defense, her decision ignites a series of events that begins with her being brutally attacked. Then Dahl escapes, and homicide detectives Sam Kovak and Nikki Liska give chase.
A first-rate thriller with an ending that will knock your socks off.
36 fairy tales from Hungary, Russia, Finland, Iceland, Tunisia, the Baltic: "The Cottager and His Cat," "The Crab and the Monkey," "Little Wildrose," "The Gold-bearded Man," and more.
Keep you doped with religion and sex and TV
And you think you’re so clever and classless and free.
But you’re still fucking peasants as far as I can see.
David Icke
" I Am Me I Am Free - The Robots Guide to Freedom"
From the Back Cover
With humor and powerful insight, David Icke exposes the mental and emotional prisons which billions of people build around themselves - prisons which allow a tiny few to control the direction of the world. He shows how shallow and ridiculous are the fears, guilts, resentments and limitations which blight the lives of humankind, and he offers the key to mental and emotional liberation. Icke also reveals staggering information about the almost unspeakable activities of world famous politicians and 'entertainers'. This devastating expose of the human condition and those who manipulate the human mind is a getaway car for the psyche. It will make you laugh. It will make you think. It will blow your mind. How would you describe this book? Very simply. In one word. FREEDOM. "THE OUTSTANDING BOOK OF THE DECADE"
Exposure magazine
About the Author
David Icke, the author of eight books, tours the globe addressing increasingly larger audiences. Many have called him "the most controversial speaker in the world." David was born in Leicester, England in the United Kingdom. He started his career as a professional soccer player until 1973, at age 21, rheumatoid arthritis ended his career. He ventured into journalism and regional television until 1980, when he became a network television news and sports caster until 1990. An experienced environmental campaigner since 1982, Icke has a history of setting up environmental pressure groups. He became the National Spokesman for the British Green Party from 1988 until 1991. While working with the Green Party Icke started to research into issues such as Third World debt, its true causes, and how could be effectively resolved. Icke soon uncovered a disturbing pattern of events and exploitation that was to change the direction of his life forever. As his research progressed Icke left the Green Party and committed himself totally to his research. From 1991 until the present day Icke has become a man with mission. Icke seeks to research and expose the truth about the nature of the human race, how we have been conditioned, the manipulation of the world today, and how we can set ourselves free.
This book, one of Tess Gerritsen's best, is a thriller of the first order, a mystery full of red herrings that will keep you guessing as you burn through the pages, and there is even that special touch of romance for Rizzoli that will touch your heart, even if you're a guy.
Однажды губернатор посещал государственную тюрьму
и заговорил с
бродягой, который просил отпустить его на волю.
- Что тебя здесь не устраивает? Ведь тебе здесь более комфортно, чем где-либо.
- Да, сэр, -- последовал ответ. -- Но все равно я хочу выйти.
- Ведь тебя здесь хорошо кормят?
- Конечно, хорошо. Но дело не в этом.
- А в чем же?
- Понимаете, сэр, меня не устраивает только одно обстоятельство: репутация, которой
это место пользуется во всем штате.
ВОДА В ВИННОЙ БОЧКЕ
В одной деревне проходил большой праздник. Каждого участника попросили
вылить бутылку вина в один гигантский общий котел. Когда начался банкет и
присутствующие стали пробовать содержимое котла, то оказалось, что внутри
была одна вода.
Один крестьянин решил так: "Если среди общего количества вина я
добавлю бутылку воды, то никто не заметит". Однако он не мог представить,
что подобная мысль придет в голову каждому жителю деревни.
ПРОСТО РАЗБУДИТЕ!
Рассказывают, что, когда разгорелся пожар, в доме крепко спал человек.
Его пытались вытащить через окно. Бесполезно. Его пытались вынести
через дверь. Тщетно. Он был огромным и очень тяжелым.
Пожарные уже отчаялись что-нибудь предпринять, когда кто-то
посоветовал:
-- Разбудите его, и тогда он сам выйдет.
Wednesday, May 3, 2006
Обновил линки к редчайшим работам фотографа Прокудина-Горского. Смотреть в обязательном порядке.
From Library Journal
Forget Sneaky Pie and Koko here's a detective who gets help from her Doberman, Daisy. In her third outing, Chief of Police Holly Barker battles a nasty real estate scam even as she recovers from the loss of her fiance .
