I'll go to bed at noon

Haggard, Stephen

Morley-Baker

A gifted young actor and writer who worked in Intelligence during World War II and died prematurely in 1943, Stephen Haggard published his first novel, Nya, in 1938 at the age of 27. Frank Kermode, the eminent British literary scholar and Professor Emeritus at the University of Cambridge, has rediscovered this long-lost novel and has provided a new introduction. It tells the story of a love affair between a man in his mid-twenties and a thirteen-year-old girl who, having spent a carefree childhood in Nyasaland, returns to England for "an English training." Hovering at the threshold between latency and adolescence, Nya represents the noble savage who has experienced a "natural" upbringing. Simon, with whom she falls in love, comes from the same British middle-class background as the aunt and uncle who take in Nya. The poignancy of the story does not stem from the impossibility of their love, nor from the violation of the child by the man, but, rather, it lies in the chastity of the lovers. Although theirs is a passionate love, she does not lose her innocence. Unlike Lolita, which it somewhat foreshadows, Nya attempts in a serious and interesting fashion to reconcile passion with respect for normal conduct, while still portraying authentic passion. The cultural context for such a revolt has changed drastically in the intervening half-century, but the ancient argument between nature and custom, treated in this novel, continues today.

Oxford University Press

The Craft of Comedy

"a work on the art and craft of comedy as important in its own way as works by Stanislavski and Chekhov" – Oxford Theatre Companion In 1939, a young, inexperienced actor wrote to a famous actress of his acquaintance, asking for advice on playing comedy. She responded enthusiastically, and they corresponded variously over the next year. The Craft of Comedy, a record of these exchanges, soon emerged as one of the few classic texts in the field of comedy acting. This major new edition takes a brilliant book and makes it better. Editor Robert Barton has devised extensive supplementary material, including:   An introduction to the correspondents, the culture of the time, and the evolution of their book;   Summaries, definitions, and exercises and practice scenes for readers wishing to explore Athene Seyler’s invaluable advice;   Photographs, additional essays by Seyler, and a guide to easily accessed video clips of her performing.  Seyler’s lucid guidance, and Barton’s scrupulous editorship, ensure this legendary work’s rightful status is restored: as one of the great practical guides to the craft of comedy, and an essential resource for actors and students of acting.

The Craft of Comedy: The 21st Century Edition

Seyler, Athene

Humor & Entertainment

Routledge

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Haggard, Stephen. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Haggard, Stephen