Richard Harland

"Where does the current explosion in literary theory come from? What earlier theoretical movements does it grow out of, bounce off, react against?" "This introductory history homes in on the essential principles governing the major movements in literary theory, unfolding a comprehensive 'story' with all its jumps and swings and switches.". "In this volume, the author looks behind particular critical judgements and interpretations in order to present a clear explanation of the core underlying positions. He explains the internal rationale of each position, together with its derivation and repercussions. At the same time, he shows how 'literary theory' has taken on very different roles in different periods. He relates these different roles to particular socio-political settings, institutional contexts and creative practices."--BOOK JACKET.

Grande-Bretagne, milieu du 19e siècle. Abandonnée par sa mère et son beau-père, Astor est contrainte de jouer les gouvernantes auprès des enfants tyranniques de la famille Swale, la plus grande fortune du pays. La jeune aristocrate de 17 ans voit cependant sa tête mise à prix lorsqu'elle découvre que les chefs de cette ignoble famille fomentent un coup d'État afin de renverser le parti Rural (rassemblant les propriétaires urbains et la noblesse campagnarde) au profit du parti du Progrès (le camp des industriels et entrepreneurs urbains). Pourchassée par les sbires des Swale, Astor se réfugie dans la Zone en compagnie de son seul ami: un domestique prénommé Verron. Les deux fuyards réussissent à survivre dans ces quartiers mal famés grâce à leur talent inné pour la musique, qui leur assure la protection du gang de Granny House, une femme qui aspire à conquérir le monde grâce à un style musical inédit. Et si leurs guitares déchaînées et leurs rythmes endiablés leur permettaient de changer le cours de l'histoire?

Sixteen-year-old Col Porpentine is being groomed as the next Commander of Worldshaker, a juggernaut where elite families live on the upper decks while the Filthies toil below, but when he meets Riff, a Filthy girl on the run, he discovers how ignorant he is of his home and its residents.

The resurrected Starlighter, Cassabrie, may be the humans' last hope on Starlight as Jason, Koren, and Elyssa struggle to warn the soldiers of the dragon king's plan to wipe them out using a deadly disease that already threatens Koren's life.

Seventeen-year-old Astor thinks she is about to wed the handsome plutocrat Lorrain Swale. But to her horror, her mother and stepfather abandon her, and she finds herself a lowly governess in the Swale household. Treated with contempt by the whole family, Astor is determined to escape. Help arrives unexpectedly in the form of the charismatic and mysterious Verrol. Together they plunge into the slums of Brummingham and find themselves in a street band, making wild music - a new kind of music that takes the world by storm. But the Swale brothers haven't finished with them yet ... A story of changing fortunes, romance and the power of music.