Axel Carstairs’s world-famous writer mother has always been somewhat of a mystery. Even to him. She doesn’t use her real name in public; she straightens her hair every morning; she avoids cinnamon biscuits and certain animals. Deep down, Axel suspects her enigmatic character is due to an unspoken event in her murky past, when she had a falling-out with her parents and allegedly never went back. But Valerie is too good at concealing her secrets, refusing to confide them in anyone... until one day, when a mysterious letter containing a paper magpie and a metal cat arrives on her doorstep. Finally, a sign. Valerie gives in and hands her son her diary, in which she’s written the manuscript of her latest novel. It’s about herself and the secrets she never meant to tell. As Axel reads the pages filled with his mother’s past and shocking truths, he wonders if the blind trust he always put in his mother has begun to fray—and if the truth alone is enough to reconcile family.
Little Larch seems, at first glance, a perfectly ordinary place. The children are well-behaved and the scenery is beautiful. But look closer, you won’t have noticed this before: Little Larch is ruled by a prejudiced tyrant whom everybody calls the Mayoress. The hierarchy is divided into three primary groups—the plebeians, the commoners; the neutral ones, who refuse to pick a side; and the patricians, the upper-class pseudo-nobility, who will do everything in their power to keep the Mayoress in power. Then there’s Hildegard, whose plebeian family is just like any other. Hildegard, under normal circumstances, wouldn’t have considered trying to change the social hierarchy. She knows only a fool would attempt to overthrow the seemingly all-powerful Mayoress. But this is different. The witch who (rather reluctantly) agreed to turn Hildegard’s heart to ice wants something to change. In any case, the next Election Day is nearing, and if she wins this one, the Mayoress will get to do whatever she wants once and for all. Magic must be added to the chaotic mess to give Hildegard and her mysterious ally a shot at succeeding, but beware—there’s a price for everything, including doing whatever it takes to win. So there goes the story: a bizarre tale of social commentary, strange, deadly magic, and the consequences of taking shortcuts. The ultimate question is, Does the end justify the means?
Little Larch seems, at first glance, a perfectly ordinary place. The children are well-behaved and the scenery is beautiful. But look closer, you won’t have noticed this before: Little Larch is ruled by a prejudiced tyrant whom everybody calls the Mayoress. The hierarchy is divided into three primary groups—the plebeians, the commoners; the neutral ones, who refuse to pick a side; and the patricians, the upper-class pseudo-nobility, who will do everything in their power to keep the Mayoress in power. Then there’s Hildegard, whose plebeian family is just like any other. Hildegard, under normal circumstances, wouldn’t have considered trying to change the social hierarchy. She knows only a fool would attempt to overthrow the seemingly all-powerful Mayoress. But this is different. The witch who (rather reluctantly) agreed to turn Hildegard’s heart to ice wants something to change. In any case, the next Election Day is nearing, and if she wins this one, the Mayoress will get to do whatever she wants once and for all. Magic must be added to the chaotic mess to give Hildegard and her mysterious ally a shot at succeeding, but beware—there’s a price for everything, including doing whatever it takes to win. So there goes the story: a bizarre tale of social commentary, strange, deadly magic, and the consequences of taking shortcuts. The ultimate question is, Does the end justify the means?
Axel Carstairs’s world-famous writer mother has always been somewhat of a mystery. Even to him. She doesn’t use her real name in public; she straightens her hair every morning; she avoids cinnamon biscuits and certain animals. Deep down, Axel suspects her enigmatic character is due to an unspoken event in her murky past, when she had a falling-out with her parents and allegedly never went back. But Valerie is too good at concealing her secrets, refusing to confide them in anyone... until one day, when a mysterious letter containing a paper magpie and a metal cat arrives on her doorstep. Finally, a sign. Valerie gives in and hands her son her diary, in which she’s written the manuscript of her latest novel. It’s about herself and the secrets she never meant to tell. As Axel reads the pages filled with his mother’s past and shocking truths, he wonders if the blind trust he always put in his mother has begun to fray—and if the truth alone is enough to reconcile family.
Concern about humanity's impact on the planet has never been greater, but what are the drivers of environmental change? This wide-ranging introductory textbook outlines the competing explanations of why environmental problems occur and examines the different political approaches taken to address them. Adopting a case study approach, Hayley Stevenson enables students to gain a detailed understanding of how theories and concepts are applied in practice. Diverse perspectives on a variety of contemporary environmental challenges, from climate change to hazardous waste, as well as various responses, from multilateral diplomacy to consumer-focused campaigns, provide students with an in-depth understanding of the merits and limitations of different forms of political action. Refined on the basis of classroom feedback, features include textboxes, key points, a glossary of key terms, questions, further reading suggestions and supplementary online resources. This lively book is an essential resource for advanced undergraduate and postgraduate courses on global environmental politics and environmental policy.
The Immune System and Mental Health fully investigates how immune-related cellular, molecular and anatomical changes impact mental functioning. The book combines human and animal studies to reveal immunological changes related to mental-health problems. In addition, users will find comprehensive information on new research related to the microbial composition of the gut, aka, the microbiome, and how it influences brain function and mental health. Common comorbidities with mental illness and their inherent immunological or inflammatory components are also covered. Written by leaders in the field, the book synthesizes basic and clinical research to provide a thorough understanding on the role of immunity in neuropsychiatry. Sociology, psychology, psychiatry, neuroscience and genetics have provided considerable explanations and solutions to some of the most intractable mental-health problems. But researchers are increasingly relying on investigations of the immune system to identify factors that can undermine and impair mental health. This book covers devastating mental-health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and autism-like spectrum disorders. In addition, degenerative disorders of the brain, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s-like dementia are explored. Considers both basic human and animal studies that address immunological changes relating to mental health problems across the lifespan Incorporates techniques, concepts and ideas from a variety of social, behavioral and life sciences Explores the relatively new area of the microbiome and how the microbial composition of the gut influences brain function and mental health
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