Reflecting while driving through the majestic desert and smelling the fragrance of the greasewood after a spring shower, Edna is tormented by the struggles of an illegitimate castaway born before the Great Depression of the 1930's and of the most terrifying and traumatic visions of physical, emotional and sexual abuse. Responding to the primitive instinct for survival, she retreats deeper into the tranquility of the vast wilderness before her and into the peacefulness of her own mind and new beginnings.

In Carroll Watson Rankin's novel 'The Castaways of Pete's Patch', readers are transported to a picturesque small town where a group of young friends find themselves on a thrilling adventure. Rankin's writing style is engaging and descriptive, immersing readers in the idyllic setting and the children's playful escapades. The book is reminiscent of classic coming-of-age stories, with themes of friendship, courage, and discovery woven throughout the narrative. The charming and heartwarming tale appeals to both young readers and adults who appreciate a well-crafted story. Rankin's attention to detail and ability to capture the innocence of childhood make 'The Castaways of Pete's Patch' a truly enjoyable read. Carroll Watson Rankin's own experiences growing up in a small town likely inspired her to write this nostalgic and uplifting novel. Her deep understanding of the dynamics of childhood friendships shines through in the interactions of the young characters. Fans of wholesome and endearing stories will delight in the adventures of these young castaways, making this book a must-read for anyone seeking a feel-good journey.

One of our best cultural critics here collects sixteen years' worth of essays on film and popular culture. Topics range from the invention of cinema to contemporary F–X aesthetics, from Shakespeare on film to Seinfeld, and we include essays on 30's screwball comedies, Hong Kong Martial Arts movies, to the roots of spy movies and the televising of Clinton's grand jury testimony. O'Brien emphasizes the unpredictable interactions between film as a medium apt for expressing the most private dreams and film as the mass literature of the modern world. Several of the pieces are profiles of individual actors or directors—Orson Welles, Michael Powell, Ed Wood, Marlon Brando, Alfred Hitchcock, Dana Andrews, The Marx Brothers, Bing Crosby—whose careers are probed to look for the point where obsession meets public myth–making.