Charming Noveltees

At the end of the nineteenth century Emilia Pardo Bazán was Spain's leading woman novelist and short story writer, and also a critic, journalist and fierce campaigner for women's rights. This book examines Pardo Bazán's growth into maturity as a novelist during the late 1880s and the 1890s. Hemingway argues against the convenient critical division of the author's works into an early 'Naturalist' and later 'spiritual' phase. Concentrating on four novels published during this time the author demonstrates that Pardo Bazán's writing shows an increasing interest in psychology; the ambiguity and irony evident in her treatment of characters' motivation show her a subtle critic of the claims of science to explain human behaviour, illustrated in the work of Zola and his followers. Dr Hemingway stresses Pardo Bazán's originality as a writer, deserving comparison with her compatriot Galdos and with contemporary French and Ruissian novelists....

Missing your hometown? Try an online visit

NAGA CITY—Filipinos who have long been away from their country can virtually “return home” through the popular social networking site Facebook.

The online pages have become venues for prospective “balikbayans” who want to be updated on happenings in the places they had left for work abroad or for good. They may give comments and suggestions on how their hometowns may improve.

“San Vicente is a little community in the Philippines, on the main island of Luzon, 350 kilometers south of Manila,” reads a Facebook account of the town of San Vicente in Camarines Norte in welcoming “fan” or “friend” to view and post.

As of July 10, the page has been “liked” by 462 people, including the town’s mayor, Joseph Stanley Alegre. Persons who “like” the page can post.

Hundreds of people with roots in the small municipality have already posted.

“I miss Mananap,” says one Facebook user, referring to a village that has a waterfall.

Source: Inquirer.net

Munich Restaurants - Milagros (Mexican) - Home - Schnitzelbahn ...

by Herr J

Within the foreigner community in Munich, people are always discussing new things to see and do.  "Have you eaten at [restaurant X]" is one of the most popular topics.  Therefore we decided to blog some Munich restaurants for both locals and visitors alike.

In this case, the first one is the easiest, because we can say it up front:  Milagros is the best Mexican restaurant in Germany .  Together Frau A and I have sampled places in Hamburg, Berlin, Düsseldorf, Bonn, and Munich, and there's no contest.  (Granted, Germany doesn't do Mexican very well as a rule, but Milagros would make it in Manhattan.)