Casting Off (Cazalet Chronicle S.)

But in general the books were very believable. I was interested in all the characters and moved by their experiences. They have been absorbed into my mind just as if they were real people. Major virtues of these books are the atmosphere of English culture of the time, and the subtle character development. An unfortunate minor distraction in this book, unlike the three other volumes, were editing errors, for instance characters starting the paragraph with the wrong name, or Christopher's pet Oliver being a cat for ages and then suddenly on p. 478 being a dog!

For those in the United States who are having a hard time finding this book (as I did) I suggest you try W. H. Smith On-line. I ordered it from them and it took about a month to arrive from England (cost was about 10 pounds).

Newcomers to knitting finally have the book they require: an honest-to-goodness beginner's guide that provides basic visual instruction geared to a real novice's needs.

Knitting books are still hot sellers, thanks to the people of all ages taking up this wonderful craft. But while there are hundreds of manuals available, addressing every conceivable topic, finding a real starter's guide has been difficult...until now. Start to Knit was written with the beginner in mind. It addresses anyone who has never picked up a needle or held a skein of yarn. The introduction presents the basic tools, techniques, and materials. Lessons in the fundamentals include how to hold the needle and wool, cast the first row of stitches, and knit and purl. Through beautifully photographed projects of increasing complexity, more advanced techniques--including advanced stitches, reading patterns, and taking accurate measurements--gradually unfold. Soon anyone will have the skills to create a simple scarf, baby blanket, pillow cover, cardigans, and a handsome pullover complet with vee, crew, and turtleneck variations. A Selection of the Crafters Choice Book Club.

Now in her 70s, Claribel Alegria is universally recognized as the major living poet of El Salvador. Casting Off extends the themes Alegria explored in Sorrow: the loss of a loved one, solitude, and reflections on the past. As the title -implies, this collection is also a lyric farewell: "My footsteps are leading / toward quiet solitude / toward the star-silence / that has no more questions."

She is becoming increasingly well-known in the U.S. as a result of her many tours, readings, and residencies. She will return to the U.S. in the spring to promote Casting Off.

The English versions in this bilingual edition are by renowned translator Margaret Sayers Peden, who beautifully preserves the lyric quality of this major poet at the height of her career.

The Ache of Absence
Oh how my fingertips ache
When I hold out my hand
And don't find you.

Claribel Alegria, the child of a Nicaraguan father and a Salvadoran mother, was born in Esteli, Nicaragua, in 1924. Since she grew up in El Salvador, she considers herself Salvadoran and has received many national prizes from that country. Her works include 12 volumes of poetry, a number of novels and children's stories-many of which have been translated into English. Sorrow won the Independent Publisher Book Award for Poetry in 2000 and was a BookSense selection. Her work is featured in numerous anthologies, including Bill Moyers' The Language of Life.

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