.com Ayesha is She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed, a 2,000-year-old queen who rules a fabled lost city deep in a maze of African caverns. She has the occult wisdom of Isis, the eternal youth and beauty of Aphrodite, and the violent appetite of a lamia. Like A. Conan Doyle's Lost World, She is one of those magnificent Victorian yarns about an expedition to a far-off locale shadowed by magic, mystery, and death. Tim Stout writes, in Horror: 100 Best Books, "As the plot takes hold one has the fancy that [Ayesha] had always existed, in some dark dimension of the imagination, and that [H. Rider] Haggard was the fortunate author to whom she chose to reveal herself." Haggard did, in fact, write this book in a six-week burst of feverish inspiration: "It came faster than my poor aching hand could set it down," he later said. This edition of the 1887 classic features an introductory essay by literary critic Regina Barreca, who likens Ayesha to Flaubert's Madame Bovary or Tolstoy's Anna Karenina--"literally fantastic female figures who must be stopped before they love again." A strange book . . . full of hidden meaning. Sigmund FreudAbout the AuthorHenry Rider Haggard (18561925) was an English writer of adventure novels set in exotic locations, predominantly Africa, and a founder of the Lost World literary genre. His stories continue to be popular and influential, including the much-loved Allan Quatermain and King Solomon's Mines. what is the second best selling book of all time "she"
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful. An exquisite book bound in genuine leatherBy Z HayesI have been collecting The Easton Press Collector's Editions for several years now and consider them to be one of the more exquisite and beautiful book collections in the market. Nothing gives me more pleasure than to gaze upon the beautiful bound books, each having that distinctive leather-bound smell, and of course, the gorgeous illustrations that accompany these editions. Aside from scouring used bookstores, I have also been lucky enough to find some of the Easton Press titles on and this Easton Press Collector's Edition of Emily Bront's "Wuthering Heights" did not disappoint. The book, purchased via a third party seller here, arrived in almost mint condition (even the bookplate sticker, which I found among the pages, had not been peeled off and placed on the inside cover by the previous owner). The gilt-edging on the cover and back is in a beautiful gold, and the book itself is bound in genuine leather and is a grayish black. Most of the Easton Press Collector's Editions come in distinctive colors, all of which are bound in genuine leather, so they not only make for handsome additions to one's personal library, but are also heirloom quality, and of course, make great gifts for bibliophiles.This book is part of the Easton Press series titled "The 100 Greatest Books Ever Written". The book contains color lithographs by Barnett Freedman and was published in 1980. There is a frontispiece portrait of Emily Bront specially commissioned for this edition. The artist is Barbara Sparks. This edition also includes:The Biographical Notice of Ellis and Acton Bell by Currer Bell (Charlotte Bront)An Editor's Preface to the New Edition of Wuthering Heights (1850)A diagram depicting key players in the storyThe text of "Wuthering Heights" which is based on the Oxford edition (with the original printer's errors corrected)All in all, this is a handsome leather-bound edition of one of the greatest works of English literature.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Wonderful book!!By Customer** spoiler alert ** It was a wonderful story about a girl who grew up in very bad conditions. Although her childhood was so sad, she didn't let it affect her present and her faith. Her trust and obedience to God was unwavering despite great temptations. This is one of the best romance story I've ever read. The only thing that didn't seem right is how Jane Mr. Rochester were married in the end by only themselves, why didn't they invite their family and friends to witness this great occasion now that it's legal? I especially enjoyed Jane's godly character and unrelenting love for Mr. Rochester. This explains what love is all about - loving someone despite him becoming poor, unattractive, and disabled... I enjoyed both this book and the accompanying movie.Favorite Quote: Jane! you think me, I daresay, an irreligious dog: but my heart swells with gratitude to the beneficent God of this earth just now. He sees not as man sees, but far clearer: judges not as man judges, but far more wisely. I did wrong: I would have sullied my innocent flowerbreathe guilt on its purity: the Omnipotent snatched it from me. I, in my stiffnecked rebellion, almost cursed the dispensation: instead of bending to the decree, I defied it. Divine justice pursued its course; disasters came thick on me: I was forced to pass through the valley of the shadow of death. His chastisements are mighty; and one smote me which has humbled me for ever. You know I was proud of my strength: but what is it now, when I must give it over to foreign guidance, as a child does itsweakness? Of late, Janeonlyonly of lateI began to see and acknowledge the hand of God in my doom. I began to experience remorse, repentance; the wish for reconcilement to my Maker. I began sometimes to pray: very brief prayers they were, but very sincere." P. 437-4380 of 0 people found the following review helpful. For language and passion, a classicBy Jojo4I realised I'd never read Jane Eyre. Something of a sacrilege for one who reads as much as I do. I was certain my grandmother, the English teacher would have insisted, but likely simply took for granted. Regardless, I'm please I've remedied that fact and know I'm a better reader and scholar now for having completed this book.The Bring sister's have a way of enchanting the English language like no other's. Charlottesville writing is prose. Every phrase and cadence seems intentional. Sometimes conversation read with difficulty, but I soon realize it is simply the relationship she writes of is difficult, or flowing, or obscured, or clear. She sets the phrasing to the relationship of the speakers and in doing so, the dialogue is all the richer.No wonder, this is an enduring masterpiece.