Ronald Firbank

The fairly young and entirely alive Mrs Shamefoot wants nothing more than to have a memorial stained-glass window erected in her honour in an English cathedral. From this premise, the inimitable Ronald Firbank extends his witty, eccentric "Vainglory", with a crowded cast of hilariously drawn characters - Winsome Brooks, Lady Anne Pantry, Miss Wookie, Mrs Barrow of Dawn and Mrs Steeple - a riot of parties, and a bottomless sense of the ridiculous. Admired by Auden, Forster and Waugh, Firbank's fine comic skill, quick-fire dialogue and descriptive flights of fancy are perfectly captured in "Vainglory", his first and longest novel, as well as in two novellas included here: "Inclinations" and "Caprice".

In "Sorrow in Sunlight," Ronald Firbank crafts a tantalizing exploration of the interplay between beauty and despair, encapsulating the essence of early 20th-century modernist literature. Through his distinctive, highly stylized prose that reflects the decadence of his era, Firbank immerses readers into a vivid milieu of upper-class characters undergoing existential crises against the backdrop of sun-soaked landscapes. The narrative deftly balances whimsy and melancholy, inviting contemplation on themes of love, loss, and the transient nature of happiness, all while showcasing Firbanks signature wit and fascination with the absurdities of social life. Ronald Firbank, a British author known for his unconventional narrative techniques and vibrant characters, draws upon his personal experiences and observations of the aristocratic circles of his time to inform his writing. His preference for unique, often abstract storytelling set him apart from his contemporaries. Firbanks life, marked by a sense of detachment and the pursuit of aesthetic experiences, greatly influenced the creation of "Sorrow in Sunlight" and reflects his meticulous attention to the delicate subtleties of human emotion and aspiration. With its rich language and complex themes, "Sorrow in Sunlight" is a must-read for those who appreciate literary experimentation and the confines of social critique. It offers a profound commentary on the human condition wrapped in a lush, evocative narrative that is bound to resonate with introspective readers, making it a lasting treasure for literature enthusiasts.In this enriched edition, we have carefully created added value for your reading experience:- A succinct Introduction situates the works timeless appeal and themes.- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the eras events and influences that shaped the writing.- An Author Biography reveals milestones in the authors life, illuminating the personal insights behind the text.- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the works messages, connecting them to modern life.- Handpicked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.

This novel is set in the West Indies during the time of British Rule and slavery. A young negro woman called Miami Mouth is sitting in the shade and thinking about the plans of her mother to move to the big city. Miami cannot imagine what the advantage would be to her family.

In "Sorrow in Sunlight," Ronald Firbank weaves a delicate tapestry of emotion and nuance, exploring themes of beauty, melancholy, and the fleeting nature of existence. This novel, rich in its lyrical prose and vivid imagery, is set against the backdrop of early 20th-century Europe, capturing the essence of an era marked by both glamour and introspection. Firbanks distinctive literary style blends modernist sensibilities with a deft eye for absurdity and irony, encouraging readers to engage with both the characters inner lives and their social milieu, while remaining aware of the subtleties that define human connections. Ronald Firbank, an enigmatic figure in literature, was known for his avant-garde approach and his fascination with the intricacies of human relationships. Coming from a background steeped in art and culture, Firbanks experiences in elite social circles reveal much about the world he depicts in his work. His own struggles with personal identity and societal expectations likely informed the deeply introspective and often bittersweet tone found in "Sorrow in Sunlight," which deftly mirrors his own ambivalence towards the conventions of his time. This book invites readers into a world where beauty and sadness coexist in haunting harmony, making it a must-read for those who appreciate literary exploration of the human spirit. Firbanks unique voice, characterized by his playful yet poignant narratives, will resonate with lovers of modernist literature and those seeking a deeper understanding of the complexities of life, love, and loss.

Un relato fascinante sobre conspiraciones cardenalicias.Un relato fascinante sobre conspiraciones cardenalicias.El escritor mexicano Sergio Pitol, traductor y prologuista deEn torno a las excentricidades del cardenal Pirelli, nos brinda una inquietante incursion en el peculiarisimo universo narrativo de Ronald Firbank.Un territorio soberbiamente descrito por Pitol: Un mundo donde conviven aristocratas, misticos, escritores y toreros, decorado con objetos de arte refinados y exquisitos, perfumado con esencias violentas y costosas, vestido, por supuesto, en Paris. Un escenario languido, colmado de orquideas y arabescos entre cuyas suntuosasfiorituras irrumpe de pronto la musica sincopada de una banda de jazz. Los personajes, una nube de seres crispados e hiperesteticos, ataviados y enjoyados con la mayor extravagancia, alucinados, infatigables en su verbosidad, se desplazan sin reposo de un salon palaciego a una capilla de catedral, de un palco de teatro de la opera a la casa de una masajista de conducta dudosa.En Constanza, una ciudad andaluza inspirada visiblemente en Sevilla, en un cima de afiebrado nerviosismo y excentricidad viven el cardenal Pirelli y sus feligreses. En un mundo ahito de placeres donde todo respira voluptuosidad y libertinaje, en el que la Catedral parece competir con la Maestranza, una sorda conjura se teje en torno a Pirelli, un Principe de la Iglesia mas proximo a la Roma dorada de los Cesares que a la de los tediosos Papas.Uno de sus relatos mas fascinantes (Giorgio Manganelli).Lo que en el nos encanta es su gusto, su eleccion de palabras, el ritmo tanto de su narrativa como de sus dialogos, su ingenio y, en sus ultimas obras, una opulencia como de fruta reunida y cielos esmaltados (E.M. Forster).Un sueño rococo hispanico-italico, y uno de los mas novedosos libros en la prosa inglesa de nuestro siglo (Luis Antonio de Villena).

Volume reúne três novelas de Ronald Firbank, autor inglês cultuado por escritores como Edmund Wilson e W. H. Auden e referência nos estudos de literatura queerMistura de aristocrata fin-de-siècle e e

Novela inglesa retrata com fino humor a decadência e frivolidade da alta sociedade do início do século XXEm Imodéstia, a descoberta de um fragmento original de Safo, célebre poeta grega, motiva a sra

Novela inglesa tematiza relação proibida de amor entre duas mulheresGeraldine OBrookomore é uma escritora experiente que planeja viajar à Grécia para acompanhar uma senhora cuja biografia está escrev

Traição e insubordinação levam a uma reviravolta trágica nesta novela de Ronald FirbankCapricho narra a história da srta. Sally Sinquieur, uma jovem que anseia seguir a carreira teatral, contrariando

Roma es la ambición a voces del delicuescente cardenal Álvaro Pirelli, pero su mandato púrpura tiene principio y fin en la imaginaria Clemenza, claro trasunto de Sevilla. Sólo allí se atavía a la Virgen como para asistir a los toros, se da el mercadeo mas audaz de misas entre la Catedral y la Maestranza y se compite por ofrecerlas a la seguridad del torero de moda; solo en esa ciudad mixtificada compiten dos danzantes de la Catedral en contoneos o en el cante de la malagueña, cual grandes divas del teatro; y un picaro monaguillo sirve en el altar con un virtuoso movimiento taurino de la servilleta aprendido en los cafes cantantes. Todo un cuadro libertino de perfumes, exigencias gastronomicas, delicias de la reposteria, suntuosos vestuarios; voluptuosidad y aristocracia al servicio del bautismo de una perrita o la misa preceptiva en los previos a cada corrida. No falta nada en la España de Firbank: turistas, procesiones, toros, flamenco; pero todo parece vuelto del reves, desenmascarado por una tremenda profanacion. Solo con estos antecedentes puede otro ambicioso cardenal despachar con el papa Tertius II sobre los escandalos en Clemenza y esos siempre molestos cismas de España, y entonces se fragua el final de la vida excentrica del Cardenal Pirelli.

Valmouth (1919) es formalmente una sátira amable de las villas de retiro inglesas, con su sociedad cerrada y ritualista, en la que Firbank es capaz de entretejer diálogos y personajes inolvidables. En Valmouth, especie de balneario donde todos sus habitantes alcanzan edades provectas y casi biblicas, una masajista negra, Yajañavalkya, ejerce su influencia como hechicera, sanadora y celestina. A lo largo del relato desfilan criaturas improbables llenas de encanto y gracia en ls que lo grotesco se combina con lo exquisito: monjas, mudas, sacerdotes promiscuos, guapos marineros, pastores faunicos...