Jane Smiley Ordre des livres

Growing up in St. Louis, Jodie Rattler's life takes a transformative turn after a fateful trip to the racetrack at age six. Her journey from a close-knit family to a successful singing career unfolds across vibrant locations, including New York City and Los Angeles. Amidst the glitz of the music world, she navigates the challenges of fame while seeking fulfillment beyond her professional achievements. Blending themes of chance, romance, and self-discovery, the narrative paints a vivid portrait of a woman's quest for identity in the midst of a tumultuous era.

Exploring a diverse array of literary influences, the essays reveal how Smiley weaves inspiration from notable authors like Dickens, Twain, and Alcott into her own narrative style. By examining the works of figures such as Marguerite de Navarre and Willa Cather, she highlights the enduring impact of literary history on contemporary writing, showcasing the connections between past and present narratives. This collection offers insights into the creative process and the interplay of tradition and innovation in literature.

From the beloved Pulitzer Prize-winning and best-selling author of A Thousand Acres: a rollicking murder mystery set in Gold Rush California, as two young prostitutes follow a trail of missing girls. Monterey, 1851. Ever since her husband was killed in a bar fight, Eliza Ripple has been working in a brothel. It seems like a better life, at least at first. The madam, Mrs. Parks, is kind, the men are (relatively) well behaved, and Eliza has attained what few women have: financial security. But when the dead bodies of young women start appearing outside of town, a darkness descends that she can't resist confronting. Side by side with her friend Jean, and inspired by her reading, especially by Edgar Allan Poe’s detective Dupin, Eliza pieces together an array of clues to try to catch the killer, all the while juggling clients who begin to seem more and more suspicious. Eliza and Jean are determined not just to survive, but to find their way in a lawless town on the fringes of the Wild West—a bewitching combination of beauty and danger—as what will become the Civil War looms on the horizon. As Mrs. Parks says, "Everyone knows that this is a dangerous business, but between you and me, being a woman is a dangerous business, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise ..."

Set in 1851 Monterey during the Gold Rush, this murder mystery follows Eliza Ripple, a young widow turned prostitute, as she investigates a series of gruesome murders of women in her town. With the support of her friend Jean and inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's detective stories, Eliza navigates a perilous world filled with suspicious clients and societal dangers. As they confront the darkness surrounding them, the duo strives for survival and agency in a lawless frontier, highlighting the inherent risks of being a woman in that era.

A young rider encounters well-known horses and new friends in the final installment of the Ellen & Ned trilogy by Pulitzer Prize winner Jane Smiley. Ellen's family has moved to a new town...but some things, like her love for horses, remain the same. Ellen is now the proud owner of her own horse, Tater. She's learning new skills and challenging herself as a rider...but she still can't stop thinking about Ned, the feisty former racehorse she sees on the ranch during her lessons. In the meantime, Ellen's making new friends and encountering old ones. Most exciting of all is Da, a boy from a riding family who is possessed of a spirit of mischief and daring and knows his own mind. Ellen still has a lot to learn...about horses, friendship, and herself. And will she ever be able to get Ned off her mind?

Ellen is a spirited - and occasionally misbehaving - young horseback-riding student. Ellen is only allowed to go to riding lessons when she behaves at school and at home. Ellen has a knack for speaking out of turn in class, and with a new sibling on the way, she can't resist taking advantage of her parents' distraction...

From the Pulitzer Prize-winning author, this captivating story follows three extraordinary animals and a young boy whose lives intersect in Paris. Paras, a spirited racehorse, escapes her stall and journeys to the City of Light, fascinated by its sights and sounds. There, she meets Frida, an elegant German shorthair pointer, who navigates the city while avoiding the attention of suspicious locals. Together, they explore lush green spaces, relying on Frida's clever trips to the bakery and butchershop, and are joined by two lively ducks and an opinionated raven. Paras's adventure takes a turn when she encounters a human boy named Etienne, leading her to a secluded ivy-walled house where he lives with his nearly one-hundred-year-old great grandmother. As Christmas approaches, an unlikely friendship blossoms among the animals and humans. However, the question remains: how long can a runaway horse remain unnoticed in Paris, and how long can Etienne keep her hidden? This enchanting novel celebrates curiosity, ingenuity, and the universal desire for friendship, love, and freedom.

A young rider gets to know a new pony, adjust to a new sibling and learns a lot about secrets in this charming follow-up to Pulitzer Prize winning author Jane Smiley's Riding Lessons.

Ellen is a spirited - and occasionally misbehaving - young horseback-riding student. Ellen is only allowed to go to riding lessons when she behaves at school and at home. Ellen has a knack for speaking out of turn in class, and with a new sibling on the way, she can't resist taking advantage of her parents' distraction...

The first instalment in the Pulitzer Prize-winner's masterpiece - a trilogy following one family over a hundred years.