John Lang

This study introduces the reader to a writer of poems, novels and short stories whose accolades include France's prestigious Prix de Meilleur des Livres Etrangers, the Bollingen Prize and the T.S. Eliot Prize. The text identifies and explores the principal influences on the writer, his major themes, and his use of humour as a counterbalance to the gravity of his moral vision. Lang cites the North Carolina Appalachian Mountains of Chappell's youth and the writer's wide reading in the Western literary tradition as two dominant influences on his far-ranging oeuvre. Describing the writer's work as grounded in the region but in no sense provincial, Lang insists on the significance of the wider Western literary traditions in the allusions and Dantean structure of ""Midquest"" and in the prologue and epilogue poems of ""First and Last Words"".

Clessie Bonaparte, a young biracial woman living on her father's farm in the Midwest in 1916, knows only a life of suffering. After her Ojibwe Native American mother dies under mysterious circumstances, Clessie is forced to live through the abuse meted out by her white father. When she discovers she's pregnant, she makes the fateful decision to flee her father's farm so that she and her child can have a better life. Clessie travels west to northern Arizona where she has her baby. Then, overcome again by the terrors she herself has had to survive, she makes the only choice she believes will ensure the baby won't suffer the same. Afterwards she flees into the forest with one intention: to disappear. Months pass until she's discovered by Isaac, the foreman of a cattle ranch. Despite her resolution to erase herself, Clessie finds Isaac's kindness and protective nature healing. As she continues to struggle to live beyond the brutality she's endured, Clessie opens her heart to make a new life with this man and to reckon once more with her father and her past.

Clessie Bonaparte, a young biracial woman living on her father's farm in the Midwest in 1916, knows only a life of suffering. After her Ojibwe Native American mother dies under mysterious circumstances, Clessie is forced to live through the abuse meted out by her white father. When she discovers she's pregnant, she makes the fateful decision to flee her father's farm so that she and her child can have a better life. Clessie travels west to northern Arizona where she has her baby. Then, overcome again by the terrors she herself has had to survive, she makes the only choice she believes will ensure the baby won't suffer the same. Afterwards she flees into the forest with one intention: to disappear. Months pass until she's discovered by Isaac, the foreman of a cattle ranch. Despite her resolution to erase herself, Clessie finds Isaac's kindness and protective nature healing. As she continues to struggle to live beyond the brutality she's endured, Clessie opens her heart to make a new life with this man and to reckon once more with her father and her past.

Captain James Cook's name is synonymous with discovery. Born into humble beginnings, Cook rose through grit and determination to become one of history's greatest explorers. This thrilling tale recounts his three legendary voyages that expanded the known world-from mapping the coastlines of Australia and New Zealand to venturing into the icy waters of Antarctica. Cook's encounters with indigenous peoples and his painstakingly detailed maps forever shaped the course of exploration and understanding. Through trials, triumphs, and a life dedicated to uncovering the unknown, Cook's story is a powerful reminder of the spirit of discovery.History Shapers brings the stories of remarkable individuals to life, inspiring young readers with tales of courage, determination, and vision. This series captures the adventures, achievements, and challenges of those who shaped the world we live in today. Perfectly crafted for curious minds, each book offers a window into the lives of history's most impactful figures, showing how ordinary people can do extraordinary things.

Captain James Cook's name is synonymous with discovery. Born into humble beginnings, Cook rose through grit and determination to become one of history's greatest explorers. This thrilling tale recounts his three legendary voyages that expanded the known world-from mapping the coastlines of Australia and New Zealand to venturing into the icy waters of Antarctica. Cook's encounters with indigenous peoples and his painstakingly detailed maps forever shaped the course of exploration and understanding. Through trials, triumphs, and a life dedicated to uncovering the unknown, Cook's story is a powerful reminder of the spirit of discovery.History Shapers brings the stories of remarkable individuals to life, inspiring young readers with tales of courage, determination, and vision. This series captures the adventures, achievements, and challenges of those who shaped the world we live in today. Perfectly crafted for curious minds, each book offers a window into the lives of history's most impactful figures, showing how ordinary people can do extraordinary things.

Robert Clive's rise from a mischievous youth to a celebrated leader is a story of daring and determination. As a young clerk in India, he dreamed of a life beyond the office-and found his calling on the battlefield. This thrilling biography chronicles his pivotal role in battles like the Siege of Arcot and the Battle of Plassey, where his bravery and strategic genius cemented Britain's foothold in India. Clive's story reveals a life of courage, ambition, and resilience, leaving a legacy that shaped nations.History Shapers brings the stories of remarkable individuals to life, inspiring young readers with tales of courage, determination, and vision. This series captures the adventures, achievements, and challenges of those who shaped the world we live in today. Perfectly crafted for curious minds, each book offers a window into the lives of history's most impactful figures, showing how ordinary people can do extraordinary things.

Robert Clive's rise from a mischievous youth to a celebrated leader is a story of daring and determination. As a young clerk in India, he dreamed of a life beyond the office-and found his calling on the battlefield. This thrilling biography chronicles his pivotal role in battles like the Siege of Arcot and the Battle of Plassey, where his bravery and strategic genius cemented Britain's foothold in India. Clive's story reveals a life of courage, ambition, and resilience, leaving a legacy that shaped nations.History Shapers brings the stories of remarkable individuals to life, inspiring young readers with tales of courage, determination, and vision. This series captures the adventures, achievements, and challenges of those who shaped the world we live in today. Perfectly crafted for curious minds, each book offers a window into the lives of history's most impactful figures, showing how ordinary people can do extraordinary things.