Elizabeth Taylor

La mejor novela de Elizabeth Taylor, una de las grandes escritoras del siglo xx.La señora Palfrey, que se acaba de quedar viuda, decide dejar su casa en el campo e instalarse en el Claremont, un sobrio y respetable hotel de Londres que tiene como huespedes fijos a un variopinto grupo de jubilados. ¿Y a que va a dedicarse Laura Palfrey ahora que dispone de tanto tiempo libre? Puede salir a pasear, ir a ver una exposicion o esperar a que su nieto, que trabaja en el Museo Britanico, vaya a visitarla. Cuando cree que en su vida ya no habra mucho espacio para las sorpresas, conocera a un joven escritor con el que trabara una improbable y especial amistad.Publicada originalmente en 1971, Prohibido morir aqui es seguramente la gran novela de Elizabeth Taylor, una de las mas destacadas novelistas britanicas del siglo xx.Esta encantadora historia sobre las excentricidades y sinsabores de la tercera edad es una inteligente indagacion sobre la soledad y las posibilidades de la amistad. Sus divertidos personajes, la precision de las observaciones sobre la vida cotidiana y un fino sentido de la ironia y de la compasion hacen de este libro una narracion inolvidable.Esta novela cambio mi vida para siempre. Elizabeth Bowen¡Como envidio a cualquier lector que la descubra por primera vez! Elizabeth Jane HowardUna de las mejores novelistas del siglo XX. Kingsley AmisAdmiro a Taylor, una autora de gran sutileza, compasion y profundidad. Vuelvo a leer sus novelas una y otra vez, tratando de descubrir como lo hace. Sarah WatersJane Austen y Elizabeth Taylor son hermanas literarias. Anne TylerSus libros son una revelacion. (...) ¿Hubo un mejor cronista de la vida inglesa posterior a la segunda guerra mundial? Geoff DyerUna hermosa novela y tambien una de las mejores obras de una gran cronista de la Inglaterra de posguerra. Peripecia, intriga, compasion, mordacidad y humor negro. Luis M. Alonso (Abril / El Periodico de España)La escritora Elizabeth Taylor es una de las grandes damas de la literatura inglesa del siglo XX y en este libro brilla por la lucidez, humor y compasion. (...) Una pequeña obra maestra. Jose Maria Guelbenzu (Babelia / El Pais)Un acido y tierno relato sobre la soledad en la vejez. Aloma Rodriguez (La Lectura / El Mundo)Un hospitalario tesoro. Rodrigo Fresan (ABC Cultural)Una novelista con carga letal que, entre las borracheras de unos personajes genialmente perfilados, desliza verdades sociales nada complacientes. Lourdes Ventura (El Cultural)A veces se pregunta por los grandes libros sobre la vejez y aqui esta uno de ellos. Tiene la apariencia de una elegante novelita britanica sobre una dama algo excentrica, pero encierra una vision directa y reveladora sobre la ancianidad y la decadencia. [...] Taylor evita los riesgos de la condescendencia y el patetismo y consigue ser profunda y ligera de un modo que el lector identifica, al instante, con la sabiduria. Pablo Martinez Zarracina (El Correo)

Una novela clásica al mejor estilo de Jane Austen«Incluso antesde verle o de hablar con él, Cassandra había decidido amarle, como una institutriz en una novela. Conocerle simplemente había confirmado

Elizabeth TaylorWriting stories that are extravagant and fanciful, fifteen-year old Angel retreats to a world of romance, escaping the drabness of provincial life. She knows she is different, that she is destined to become a feted authoress, owner of great riches and of Paradise House ...After reading The Lady Irania, publishers Brace and Gilchrist are certain the novel will be a success, in spite of - and perhaps because of - its overblown style. But they are curious as to who could have written such a book: 'Some old lady, romanticising behind lace-curtains' ...'Angelica Deverell is too good a name to be true ...she might be an old man. It would be an amusing variation. You are expecting to meet Mary Anne Evans and in Walks George Eliot twirling his moustache.' So nothing can prepare them for the pale young woman who sits before them, with not a seed of irony or a grain of humour in her soul.

Elizabeth Taylor With a cover design by Celia Birtwell During summer games of hide-and-seek Harriet falls in love with Vesey and his elusive, teasing ways. When he goes to Oxford she cherishes his photograph and waits for the letter that never comes. Then Charles enters her life, and Harriet stifles her imaginings. With a husband and daughter, she excels at respectability: ornaments on the mantlepiece, remembered birthdays and jars of lilac. But when Vesey reappears, her marriage seems to melt away. Harriet is older, it is much too late, but she is still in love with him. First published in 1958, this is Elizabeth Taylor''s subtlest and finest work.

Vinny Tumulty is a quiet, sensible man. When he goes to stay at a seaside town, his task is to comfort a bereaved friend. Vinny is prepared for a solemn few days of tears and consolation. But on the evening of his arrival, he looks out of the window at the sunset and catches sight of a mysterious, romantic figure: a beautiful woman walking by the seashore. Before the week is over Vinny has fallen in love, completely and utterly, for the first time in his middle-aged life. Emily, though, is a sleeping beauty, her secluded life hiding bitter secrets from the past.

An unforgettable picture of love, loss and the keeping up of appearances. Published as part of a beautifully designed series to mark the 40th anniversary of the Virago Modern Classics.

Jazz Baker is just itching for an adventure. If she cant find one she will dream one up and make sure that her little sister, Lizanne and friends Sarah and Badger Marsky are included.A few years ago the kids had discovered a secret cove near their hometown of Luna Beach, California. Every year Basil, a giant turtle that befriended the children, returns to the cove for a few days. The kids play games on pink sand and turquoise water while they wait for Basils return.One day they find two strange kids sitting in the cove. Jazz asks the two, Kat and Splitter, to leave. Thirteen-year-old Splitter doesnt like being bossed around by an eleven-year-old girl. He decides to go to Luna Park and make a bonfire for himself and Kat. Jazz warns him that the dry seasons of California can be dangerous for fires.Later that night the kids and their parents hear a loud explosion from the park. Fire trucks rush to the scene! But Jazz just wants clues to prove who started the blaze. What clue does she find near the charred storage shed in the Park? Did Splitter do this terrible damage because of his dumb idea of a bonfire to show off to Kat? She must find him and convince him to admit his mistake.How can the kids help Splitter without tattling on him? His reason for starting the fire shocks the kids and makes it hard for him to admit his part in the fire.And when will Basil return to the Cove? Will they ever see him again? Will the Cove ever be the secret playground for Jazz and her friends again? But there is a surprise letter and an old friend waiting for the kids in the Cove at the end of their adventure.

On summer vacation Harris Vane gives Julie Tennant her first kiss but that night he takes Meg to the beach party. Although Harris has his arm around Meg, he stares at Julie through the bonfire flames and suddenly asks Julie to sit with him. He then recounts the legend of his Great Aunt Veronica who drowned at the beach sixty years ago. One evening while Julie and her friends are swimming, she sees the ghosts of her Grandmother and Veronica Vane. Although the other girls can see nothing unusual, Julie watches the ghosts laugh and dance on the water. The legend is true! But why is Grans spirit trapped on the beach with Veronica? Julie wants to help free Grans spirit - but how? It is up to Julie to discover why the ghosts are staying near the beach and to set them free. Julie also has to decide between Harris Vane and his cousin Chad who both want to be with her

In 1946, Elizabeth Taylor -- then fourteen and a major star at MGM -- published a book about her pet chipmunk, Nibbles. With wit, charm, and remarkable skill, she related the adventures and mishaps of her high-spirited friend. She and Nibbles were virtually inseparable during the shooting of National Velvet and other films; in fact the chipmunk almost got to appear in Courage of Lassie -- but he was so well behaved that he didnt look real, and his scene was cut! Recounted here are such stories as the happiest birthday of her life, when she was given King Charles, the horse who was called The Pi in National Velvet, because only Elizabeth could ride him.

"En un pequeño pueblo de la costa inglesa, durante los años posteriores a la Segunda Guerra Mundial, Robert, el marido de una escritora de novelas, se siente atraído por Tory, una divorciada con un hijo. Este es el punto de partida del que se sirve Elizabeth Taylor para construir una novela coral sobre la vida de un pueblo costero y los sentimientos de sus gentes. Taylor describe con destreza, y de manera implacable, las relaciones familiares y afectivas de las clases media y alta britanicas.Nadie como Elizabeth Taylor ha sabido reflejar mejor las debilidades y grandezas del ser humano. Un mosaico de emociones, una novela coral, cuyos personajes y sus intrincadas relaciones en un pueblo de la costa inglesa constituyen una de las mejores muestras de talento literario."

Harriet y Vesey se conocen cuando son adolescentes, y su amor es tan intenso e instantáneo como inocente. Pero son jóvenes y tienen toda la vida por delante, Vesey quiere ser como actor. Se separan, Harriet se casa y tiene un hijo, convirtiendose en un miembro de la clase alta britanica. Un dia, Vesey regresa, y con el todos los recuerdos de lo que habian compartido. Aunque sus vidas han cambiado, la quimica entre ellos sigue siendo la misma, e innegable. Pero las cosas ya no son como solian ser. Puede que el amor no este hecho para sobrevivir. ¿O tal vez si?

Una lluviosa tarde de domingo, poco después de haber enviudado, Laura Palfrey llega al Claremont para iniciar una nueva vida. En el hotel la esperan cuatro huéspedes permanentes, días ordenados en torno a las rutinas de las comidas y los programas de television. Solo modifica el tedio la visita esporadica de algunos familiares. Pero nadie va a ver a Laura. Cuando de pronto conoce en la calle a Ludo, un joven a quien desvela el deseo de ser escritor, juntos elaboran un plan para compensar la soledad a la que la tienen sometida.

INTRODUCED BY PHILIP HENSHERElizabeth Taylor is finally being recognised as an important British author: an author of great subtlety, great compassion and great depth. As a reader, I have found huge pleasure in returning to Taylors novels and short stories many times over. As a writer Ive returned to her too - in awe of her achievements, and trying to work out how she does it SARAH WATERSA brilliant novel about the damage caused by relentless niceness. Uncritical, encouraging, the soul of kindness, Floras help is the cruelest hindrance to those who love her most.Here I am! Flora called to Richard as she went downstairs. For a second, Meg felt disloyalty. It occurred to her of a sudden that Flora was always saying that, and that it was in the tone of one giving a lovely present.Elegant, blonde and beautiful, Flora has everything under control: her perfect home, her husband Richard, her friend Meg, adoring Kit, and the writer Patrick. Flora entrances everyone, dangling visions of happiness and success before their spellbound eyes. All are bewitched by this golden tyrant. Except, that is, for the clear-eyed painter, Liz, who can see that Floras kindness is the sweetest poison of them all.