An interesting collection for fans of Auster, even if not all essays are easy to appreciate (the ones about French poetry, for instance). Above all, it was a fascinating read, especially for "The Invention of Solitude" and "Hand to Mouth". Auster's informed enthusiasms, especially for European modernism and aspects of the avant-garde, make him a passionate, intelligent, and stimulating commentator. He writes acutely about the dilemmas which inform serious artistic decisions. The hospitable, generous pieces make one want to go immediately to the writers he discusses.
Ellery Queen, hoping for anonymity and some quiet time for writing, has rented a house in Wrightsville under the name Ellery Smith. The town, Wrightsville, appears ideal - attractive homes, friendly people, and little crime. The writer Ellery Smith is quickly embraced by the community, especially by the founding family of Wrightsville. All is tranquil, that is, until a series of arsenic poisonings earns Wrightsville the name Calamity Town.
Jennifer Witt was abused by her husband, so who could blame her if she struck back? But when her husband is shot dead, she refuses to admit she killed him. Her lawyer believes her, especially since her adored son was also killed, but soon he begins to wonder if his judgement has let him down.
Lissianna has been spending her centuries pining for Mr. Right, not just a quick snack, and this sexy guy she finds in her bed looks like he might be a candidate. But there's another, more pressing issue: her tendency to faint at the sight of blood ... an especially annoying quirk for a vampire. Of course it doesn't hurt that this man has a delicious-looking neck. What kind of cold-blooded vampire woman could resist a bite of that?
Emphasizing English vocabulary, especially as words are used within the context of business, industry, and communications, this book has been designed especially for TOEIC test-takers. In fact, it can be used in virtually any ESL course. Each of the book's 50 lessons focuses on a specific TOEIC subject -- for instance, transportation, business contracts, marketing, banking, office equipment, and personnel, to name only a few. Still other lessons concentrate on expanding English vocabulary as it relates to cultural events and activities -- movies, theater, museums, music, art, and the like.
