In 'In the Garden of the North American Martyrs,' Tobias Wolff intricately weaves the lives of two seemingly unconnected characters, intertwining their fates in unexpected ways. Set against the backdrop of lush landscapes and inner turmoil, the story delves into themes of sacrifice, morality, and the quest for redemption. As secrets unfold and revelations come to light, readers are left questioning the nature of faith and the human experience. With rich prose and compelling character development, Wolff invites us to explore the complexities of love and loss. This deluxe edition promises an immersive journey that lingers long after the final page.
By Tobias Wolff
Published: 2015
""The smallest things can carry the heaviest weight, marking the fragile boundary between hope and despair.""
A collection of twelve short stories that showcases Tobias Wolff’s extraordinary talent, available in a deluxe paperback edition—part of Ecco’s The Art of the Story Series. In The Garden of the North American Martyrs, Tobias Wolff’s first collection of short fiction, hailed the arrival of a major talent and the beginning of an acclaimed, bestselling career. In each of these sharply crafted stories, his characters, drawn from everyday life, stumble over each other in their baffled yet resolute search for the “right path.” Among the characters in these twelve stories are a teenage boy who tells morbid lies about his home life; a timid professor who, in the first genuine outburst of her life, pours out her opinions in spite of a protesting audience; a prudish loner who gives an obnoxious hitchhiker a ride; and an elderly couple on a golden anniversary cruise who endures the offensive conviviality of the ship’s social director.
Tobias Wolff is an acclaimed American author known for his poignant and incisive storytelling. He has made significant contributions to contemporary literature through his short stories, novels, and memoirs. Notable works include the short story collections "In the Garden of North American Martyrs" and "Our Story Begins," as well as the memoir "This Boy's Life" and the novel "Old School," which explores themes of identity and the complexities of human relationships. Wolff's writing style is characterized by its clarity, emotional depth, and keen psychological insight, making him a prominent figure in modern American literature.
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In 'A Wrinkle in Time', a young girl named Meg Murry embarks on an extraordinary interstellar journey to rescue her father, who is trapped by a dark force. Joined by her brother Charles and a mysterious guide named Mrs. Whatsit, they traverse the cosmos using the concept of tesseracts—also known as wrinkles in time. Along the way, they confront the embodiment of evil and discover the power of love and individuality. L'Engle masterfully weaves science fiction with themes of family, bravery, and the struggle against conformity. This imaginative tale challenges readers to ponder the nature of good and evil, making it an unforgettable adventure.
In 'If on a Winter's Night a Traveller,' Italo Calvino invites you on a mesmerizing journey through the labyrinth of storytelling itself. As you, the reader, navigate a series of disconnected narratives, the boundaries between reality and fiction blur tantalizingly. Each chapter uncovers a new plot, each more intriguing than the last, challenging your perception of what a novel can be. With its playful prose and enigmatic structure, Calvino crafts a celebration of literature's power to captivate and confound. Prepare to be entranced by a book that is as much about the experience of reading as it is about the stories it tells.
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“"The smallest things can carry the heaviest weight, marking the fragile boundary between hope and despair."”
In the Garden of the North American Martyrs Deluxe Edition
By Tobias Wolff
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