Four stories of comedy, deception, and revenge, including one previously unpublished, from the acclaimed author of Heir to the Glimmering World.
Cynthia Ozick's new work of fiction brings together four long stories that showcase this incomparable writer's sly humor and piercing insight into the human heart. Each starts in the comic mode, with heroes who suffer from willful self-deceit. These not-so-innocents proceed from self-deception to deceiving others, who do not take it lightly. Revenge is the consequence — and for the reader, a delicious, if dark, recognition of emotional truth.
The glorious new novella "Dictation" imagines a fateful meeting between the secretaries to Henry James and Joseph Conrad at the peak of their fame. Timid Miss Hallowes, who types for Conrad, comes under the influence of James's Miss Bosanquet, high-spirited, flirtatious, and scheming. In a masterstroke of genius, Ozick hatches a plot between them to insert themselves into posterity.
Ozick is at her most devious, delightful best in these four works, illuminating the ease with which comedy can glide into calamity.
- Available now
- Just added
- No Wait eBooks
- Most popular
- Popular Nonfiction eBooks
- Spanish Titles
- New Kids Additions
- New Teen Additions
- Wisconsin Born and Read
- Great reads without the wait!
- See all
- Available now
- Just added
- Always Be Listening
- Most popular
- New for Kids
- New for Teens
- New Audiobooks
- Award-Worthy Audiobooks
- L.A. Theatre Works
- Self-Improvement /Self-Help
- Great reads without the wait!
- No Wait Listening!
- See all
- Food & Cooking
- Home & Garden
- Health & Fitness
- Fashion
- News & Politics
- Hobbies & Crafts
- Celebrity
- Tech & Gaming
- Cars & Motorcycles
- Family & Parenting
- Sports
- Travel & Outdoor
- Photography
- See all