Author: Linda Smith
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780989645157
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :
Book Description
Invading the Darkness
Author: Linda Smith
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780989645157
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :
Book Description
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780989645157
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :
Book Description
Darkness
Author: Nina Edwards
Publisher: Reaktion Books
ISBN: 1789140374
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 295
Book Description
Darkness divides and enlivens opinion. Some are afraid of the dark, or at least prefer to avoid it, and there are many who dislike what it appears to stand for. Others are drawn to this strange domain, delighting in its uncertainties, lured by all the associations of folklore and legend, by the call of the mysterious and of the unknown. The history of our attitudes toward darkness—toward what we cannot quite make out, in all its physical and metaphorical manifestations—challenges the very notion of a world that we can fully comprehend. In this book, Nina Edwards explores darkness as both a physical feature and cultural image, through themes of sight, blindness, consciousness, dreams, fear of the dark, night blindness, and the in-between states of dusk or fog, twilight and dawn, those points or periods of obscuration and clarification. Taking us across the ages, from the dungeons of Gothic novels to the concrete bunkers of Nordic Noir TV shows, Edwards interrogates the full sweep of humanity’s attempts to harness and suppress the dark first through our ability to control fire and, later, illuminate the world with electricity. She explores how the idea of darkness pervades art, literature, religion, and our everyday language. Ultimately, Edwards reveals how darkness, whether a shifting concept or palpable physical presence, has fed our imaginations.
Publisher: Reaktion Books
ISBN: 1789140374
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 295
Book Description
Darkness divides and enlivens opinion. Some are afraid of the dark, or at least prefer to avoid it, and there are many who dislike what it appears to stand for. Others are drawn to this strange domain, delighting in its uncertainties, lured by all the associations of folklore and legend, by the call of the mysterious and of the unknown. The history of our attitudes toward darkness—toward what we cannot quite make out, in all its physical and metaphorical manifestations—challenges the very notion of a world that we can fully comprehend. In this book, Nina Edwards explores darkness as both a physical feature and cultural image, through themes of sight, blindness, consciousness, dreams, fear of the dark, night blindness, and the in-between states of dusk or fog, twilight and dawn, those points or periods of obscuration and clarification. Taking us across the ages, from the dungeons of Gothic novels to the concrete bunkers of Nordic Noir TV shows, Edwards interrogates the full sweep of humanity’s attempts to harness and suppress the dark first through our ability to control fire and, later, illuminate the world with electricity. She explores how the idea of darkness pervades art, literature, religion, and our everyday language. Ultimately, Edwards reveals how darkness, whether a shifting concept or palpable physical presence, has fed our imaginations.
Dark Realms
Author: Nickalynn Rose
Publisher: Nickalynn Rose
ISBN:
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 171
Book Description
Dark Realms In the dark realm of Scoria, a tale of rebellion and hope unfolds as Queen Lily of Luminafay shines as a beacon against Zirmtra's tyranny. Wielding the dark wand Vorastrix, Zirmtra commands ancient magics, casting shadows of despair. Yet, Queen Lily's courage inspires a fierce resistance. Within this struggle, Sakara, a Zarabethel spiritshifter, and her guide Zeya, confront the dark forces threatening Scoria, including the fearsome Grunterroch and life-draining Gravemorsel. Their journey is perilous, intertwined with Queen Lily's fight, as they navigate Scoria's treacherous paths to challenge Zirmtra's rule. This saga of defiance against darkness, with Sakara's powers and Zeya's wisdom at the forefront, rallies the forces of light in a climactic battle for freedom. The story captures the indomitable spirit of its heroes, promising a clash of light and darkness where the fate of Scoria hangs in balance, embodying heroism, sacrifice, and the pursuit of hope.
Publisher: Nickalynn Rose
ISBN:
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 171
Book Description
Dark Realms In the dark realm of Scoria, a tale of rebellion and hope unfolds as Queen Lily of Luminafay shines as a beacon against Zirmtra's tyranny. Wielding the dark wand Vorastrix, Zirmtra commands ancient magics, casting shadows of despair. Yet, Queen Lily's courage inspires a fierce resistance. Within this struggle, Sakara, a Zarabethel spiritshifter, and her guide Zeya, confront the dark forces threatening Scoria, including the fearsome Grunterroch and life-draining Gravemorsel. Their journey is perilous, intertwined with Queen Lily's fight, as they navigate Scoria's treacherous paths to challenge Zirmtra's rule. This saga of defiance against darkness, with Sakara's powers and Zeya's wisdom at the forefront, rallies the forces of light in a climactic battle for freedom. The story captures the indomitable spirit of its heroes, promising a clash of light and darkness where the fate of Scoria hangs in balance, embodying heroism, sacrifice, and the pursuit of hope.
A Darkness Forged in Fire
Author: Chris Evans
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1847375928
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 662
Book Description
Rejected by their own kind for bearing the mark of the Shadow Monarch, the Iron Elves chose instead to serve with the human armies of the Calahrian Empire, hoping through their dedication and discipline to wipe out the stain of their birth. Their reputation is legendary -- until their commander, Konowa Swiftdragon, takes it upon himself -- for the best of reasons -- to assassinate the Viceroy. Court-martialled and exiled to the forest he despises, his beloved regiment disgraced, dishonoured and disbanded, Konowa finds himself suddenly recalled and ordered to re-form the Iron Elves for one last reconnaissance mission. But the new Iron Elves are not at all the same as they were before, and the mission is a suicidal one, with more at stake than Konowa could possibly have imagined. For the Shadow Monarch and her allies have harnessed destructive forces with the power to tear worlds apart -- and those who bear her mark have a destiny greater than they know. So begins an heroic journey in the company of a motley band of misfits, rebels and outcasts, with a central character whose engaging, brilliantly realised blend of cynicism, dry humour, duty and anguish make him unlike any other in fantasy fiction.
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1847375928
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 662
Book Description
Rejected by their own kind for bearing the mark of the Shadow Monarch, the Iron Elves chose instead to serve with the human armies of the Calahrian Empire, hoping through their dedication and discipline to wipe out the stain of their birth. Their reputation is legendary -- until their commander, Konowa Swiftdragon, takes it upon himself -- for the best of reasons -- to assassinate the Viceroy. Court-martialled and exiled to the forest he despises, his beloved regiment disgraced, dishonoured and disbanded, Konowa finds himself suddenly recalled and ordered to re-form the Iron Elves for one last reconnaissance mission. But the new Iron Elves are not at all the same as they were before, and the mission is a suicidal one, with more at stake than Konowa could possibly have imagined. For the Shadow Monarch and her allies have harnessed destructive forces with the power to tear worlds apart -- and those who bear her mark have a destiny greater than they know. So begins an heroic journey in the company of a motley band of misfits, rebels and outcasts, with a central character whose engaging, brilliantly realised blend of cynicism, dry humour, duty and anguish make him unlike any other in fantasy fiction.
Acts of Theft
Author: Arthur A. Cohen
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
ISBN: 9780226112503
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 324
Book Description
"An astonishing, soaring and seizing novel that means no less than to explain human culture. A detective story with a real detective and a real thief—and yet all the while it is the mind that is being plundered of its own frights."—Cynthia Ozick "[Acts of Theft] ranges from the lost world of the Austrian aristocracy . . . to a thick-walled hacienda in the jungles of Mexico in the 1950s. . . . Cohen has resurrected the special man, the one for whom experience is a search an an intellectual problem, the man who deceives himself grandly and discovers the fact when it may be too late. . . . Cohen's writing is as beautiful and complicated as it is possible for writing to be. Rarely, these days, do novelists risk so much so successfully."—K. Deborah Taub, Baltimore Sun "One of the rare novels that one can begin to reread as soon as the last page is finished. By unfolding the drama of an artist obsessed by the authenticity and perfection of his work, Arthur A. Cohen recalls to us, in fact, the destiny of all human existence. Acts of Theft ranks with the best novels of the post-war period."—Mircea Eliade "Acts of Theft is a very elaborate story of cops and robbers—but it aspires to much more and its aspirations are largely fulfilled. The parallels that spring to mind are Crime and Punishment and Les Mesérables."—Joseph McLellan, Washington Post
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
ISBN: 9780226112503
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 324
Book Description
"An astonishing, soaring and seizing novel that means no less than to explain human culture. A detective story with a real detective and a real thief—and yet all the while it is the mind that is being plundered of its own frights."—Cynthia Ozick "[Acts of Theft] ranges from the lost world of the Austrian aristocracy . . . to a thick-walled hacienda in the jungles of Mexico in the 1950s. . . . Cohen has resurrected the special man, the one for whom experience is a search an an intellectual problem, the man who deceives himself grandly and discovers the fact when it may be too late. . . . Cohen's writing is as beautiful and complicated as it is possible for writing to be. Rarely, these days, do novelists risk so much so successfully."—K. Deborah Taub, Baltimore Sun "One of the rare novels that one can begin to reread as soon as the last page is finished. By unfolding the drama of an artist obsessed by the authenticity and perfection of his work, Arthur A. Cohen recalls to us, in fact, the destiny of all human existence. Acts of Theft ranks with the best novels of the post-war period."—Mircea Eliade "Acts of Theft is a very elaborate story of cops and robbers—but it aspires to much more and its aspirations are largely fulfilled. The parallels that spring to mind are Crime and Punishment and Les Mesérables."—Joseph McLellan, Washington Post
Shake Free
Author: Samuel Rodriguez
Publisher: WaterBrook
ISBN: 1601428219
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 225
Book Description
Based on the story of the apostle Paul's near catastrophic shipwreck (see Acts 27-28) , this is a call to individuals to "shake off" problems and disasters in life and move forward to new health and wholeness. Some days you feel as if you take one step forward only to fall back two—or ten— steps. You struggle and push through one obstacle after another. You know God is present, but when is he going to rescue you from all the storms, shipwrecks, and snakes surrounding you? The apostle Paul faced a great crisis such as this on his epic voyage to Rome, which ended with a disastrous shipwreck—yet every person aboard was saved by grasping broken pieces of wood. In Shake Free, Samuel Rodriguez issues a powerful call for you to shake off your problems. He writes, “When the storm breaks in your life, you will be driven by: • the past or the future • the pathetic or the prophetic • problems or promises • nightmares or dreams • the flesh or the Spirit • Google searches or godly churches • the drama of the storm or God’s destiny for your life.” Rather than merely surviving circumstances, you can discover how to navigate through life’s challenges to truer wholeness and bigger victories from God. “Shake Free . . . will help you break free of emotional, mental, and spiritual burdens. . . This book is necessary for all those who are ready to take back control of their lives!”—DeVon Franklin, producer and New York Times bestselling author
Publisher: WaterBrook
ISBN: 1601428219
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 225
Book Description
Based on the story of the apostle Paul's near catastrophic shipwreck (see Acts 27-28) , this is a call to individuals to "shake off" problems and disasters in life and move forward to new health and wholeness. Some days you feel as if you take one step forward only to fall back two—or ten— steps. You struggle and push through one obstacle after another. You know God is present, but when is he going to rescue you from all the storms, shipwrecks, and snakes surrounding you? The apostle Paul faced a great crisis such as this on his epic voyage to Rome, which ended with a disastrous shipwreck—yet every person aboard was saved by grasping broken pieces of wood. In Shake Free, Samuel Rodriguez issues a powerful call for you to shake off your problems. He writes, “When the storm breaks in your life, you will be driven by: • the past or the future • the pathetic or the prophetic • problems or promises • nightmares or dreams • the flesh or the Spirit • Google searches or godly churches • the drama of the storm or God’s destiny for your life.” Rather than merely surviving circumstances, you can discover how to navigate through life’s challenges to truer wholeness and bigger victories from God. “Shake Free . . . will help you break free of emotional, mental, and spiritual burdens. . . This book is necessary for all those who are ready to take back control of their lives!”—DeVon Franklin, producer and New York Times bestselling author
The Genesys Project
Author: L.A. Kennedy
Publisher: Totally Entwined Group (USA+CAD)
ISBN: 1839434112
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 836
Book Description
FROM POPULAR ROMANCE AUTHOR L.A. KENNEDY The Genesys Project &– the complete box set 1 - Immortal Amour Leading a fierce battle to protect his race, Cael must choose between the life he has and the woman he wants. 2 - Dark Amour There's war brewing and only one group of Slayers to protect their race. Their second-in-command must choose between the life he'd be forced to live and the life he'd kill for. 3 - Wicked Amour One group of Slayers stands between the Rancor Order and the irregulars. Their most trusted Slayer must decide between releasing his wicked darkness or losing the woman he loves. 4 - Poisonous Amour War has bled onto the streets worldwide with only one group standing between The Order and all mankind. Their newest recruit must now decide between loyalty and love. Hunted by an evil dark as night, the irregulars have one hope for survival, The Genesys Project. A band of irregulars who defend their society against The Rancor Order and Proletaryans, a soulless breed of once humans who are controlled by the son of The Genesys, Strain. They are known as Slayers. They are assassins with immunity. They are the Slayers for their race. Their only mission was to take out each and every member of The Rancor Order, focusing on the complete annihilation of the Genesys.
Publisher: Totally Entwined Group (USA+CAD)
ISBN: 1839434112
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 836
Book Description
FROM POPULAR ROMANCE AUTHOR L.A. KENNEDY The Genesys Project &– the complete box set 1 - Immortal Amour Leading a fierce battle to protect his race, Cael must choose between the life he has and the woman he wants. 2 - Dark Amour There's war brewing and only one group of Slayers to protect their race. Their second-in-command must choose between the life he'd be forced to live and the life he'd kill for. 3 - Wicked Amour One group of Slayers stands between the Rancor Order and the irregulars. Their most trusted Slayer must decide between releasing his wicked darkness or losing the woman he loves. 4 - Poisonous Amour War has bled onto the streets worldwide with only one group standing between The Order and all mankind. Their newest recruit must now decide between loyalty and love. Hunted by an evil dark as night, the irregulars have one hope for survival, The Genesys Project. A band of irregulars who defend their society against The Rancor Order and Proletaryans, a soulless breed of once humans who are controlled by the son of The Genesys, Strain. They are known as Slayers. They are assassins with immunity. They are the Slayers for their race. Their only mission was to take out each and every member of The Rancor Order, focusing on the complete annihilation of the Genesys.
Echoes
Author: Gerard Casey
Publisher: Sophia Perennis
ISBN: 9781597310369
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 136
Book Description
Publisher: Sophia Perennis
ISBN: 9781597310369
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 136
Book Description
Chronicles of the Fists
Author: Joseph J. Bailey
Publisher: Joseph Bailey
ISBN: 0989458261
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 1164
Book Description
Yip Chi Chuan, a young martial and spiritual ascetic, must flee as the only home he has ever known, the ancient monastery of the Priests of K'un Lun, is destroyed by a newly ascendant extradimensional evil. Cast out and alone, Yip strikes out on a quest spanning the breadth of his home world of Ea'ae and into the greater macroverse beyond in an attempt to unseat an all-consuming Darkness rooted in his once vaunted order's distant past. Will Yip, the last of his kind to walk the wide world beyond his fallen sanctuary, succeed where his mighty brethren failed in ages past? Unfortunately for Yip, the answer appears all too clear... Without the guidance and teachings of his lineage, pursued by malevolent supernatural agents of the Cabal, unable to fully defend himself in a world steeped in magic, his quest may fail before it ever begins. Unfazed by his limitations, guided by his inner vision and direct experience of the energies of life, the radiant chi suffusing and enlivening the world all around, he is determined to triumph where others have faltered. To win forward, he will need help...but first he must survive. A blend of Western fantasy and Eastern martial arts and mysticism, the Chronicles of the Fists is an epic trilogy recounting Yip's adventures against all odds. Edited by Ashley Davis, Priestess of K'un Lun Tags/Related Terms: Coming of age, young adult, ya, trade, fantasy, sff, sf, sf, asian, japan, china, science fiction, magic, martial arts, meditation, religion, war, adventure, alternate history, ancient text, chinese, doctrine, doctrine, gardens, government, hierarchy, hierarchy, high fantasy, invasion, love, martial, mmpb, modern fantasy, morality, mysticism, oriental, philosophical, political, power, religious orders, speculative, speculative fiction, strategy, temple, Shadow's Rise, Shadow's Descent, Lords of Light, Chronicles of the Fists, Joseph J. Bailey, chi, qi, magic, qigong, chi kung, chi gung, fantasy, sorcery, action, adventure, epic, book, books, epic fantasy, high fantasy, sword and sorcery, martial arts, wuxia, internal alchemy, meditation, haiku, ebook, ebooks, writing, writer, author, authors, novel, novels, trilogy, series, magical, humor, satire, nerd, nerds, rpg, rpg's, wizard, wizards, warrior, warriors, evil, geek, self-help, sorcery, mage, mages, fantasy, tropes, memes, roleplaying, sword, swords, comedy, magic, magical, jest, joke, elf, elves, elfs, elven, elfin, fey, mmo, mmorpg, d&d, dragons, dragon, Dwarf, Dwarfs, Dwarves, Dwarven, hero heroes, heros, villain, villains, fun, Gnome, Gnomes, Gnomish, guide, guides, manual, manuals, technowizard, technowizardry, Paratechnology, tinker, tinkering, steampunk, science, clockwork, technology, technological, metaphysical, metaphysics, metaphysicist, monk, monks, kung fu, wu shu, karate, poetry, knight, knights, arcane, divine, abyss, Cabal, tao, Taoism, zen, Buddhism, shaolin, asia, Asian, spell, quest, adventure, mystic, master, alchemy, neigong, nei kung, neigung, nae gong, demon, daemon, shadow, shadows, void, peace, enlighten, enlightenment, realization, kensho, satori, insight, shikanataza, koan, haiku, fiction, literature, novel, novella, paladin, light, holy, holy sword, Light, Indural, Yeren, Dracodaeran, Dracodin, K'un Lun, Priest, Priests, Priest of K'un Lun, Maeth Onai, fang shi, Bor'Banna, Darkness, Tides of Darkness, Return of the Cabal, Ascension of the Four, Ea'ae, seal, seals, extraplanar, planes, dimensions, extradimensional, supernatural, supramundane, Yip, Aroganji, Wrindanneth, Slate, Spreesprocket, beard, mustache, tome, treatise, Fists, Flaming Fists, Four, the Four, the Fists, faerviage, airship, gate, portal, Tellanon, Illdrassil, yuan qi, yuan-chi, yuan chi, celestial, celestial qi, life, energy of life, one light, ka, dalaren ka, Joe Bailey, Joseph Bailey, Joseph J. Bailey
Publisher: Joseph Bailey
ISBN: 0989458261
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 1164
Book Description
Yip Chi Chuan, a young martial and spiritual ascetic, must flee as the only home he has ever known, the ancient monastery of the Priests of K'un Lun, is destroyed by a newly ascendant extradimensional evil. Cast out and alone, Yip strikes out on a quest spanning the breadth of his home world of Ea'ae and into the greater macroverse beyond in an attempt to unseat an all-consuming Darkness rooted in his once vaunted order's distant past. Will Yip, the last of his kind to walk the wide world beyond his fallen sanctuary, succeed where his mighty brethren failed in ages past? Unfortunately for Yip, the answer appears all too clear... Without the guidance and teachings of his lineage, pursued by malevolent supernatural agents of the Cabal, unable to fully defend himself in a world steeped in magic, his quest may fail before it ever begins. Unfazed by his limitations, guided by his inner vision and direct experience of the energies of life, the radiant chi suffusing and enlivening the world all around, he is determined to triumph where others have faltered. To win forward, he will need help...but first he must survive. A blend of Western fantasy and Eastern martial arts and mysticism, the Chronicles of the Fists is an epic trilogy recounting Yip's adventures against all odds. Edited by Ashley Davis, Priestess of K'un Lun Tags/Related Terms: Coming of age, young adult, ya, trade, fantasy, sff, sf, sf, asian, japan, china, science fiction, magic, martial arts, meditation, religion, war, adventure, alternate history, ancient text, chinese, doctrine, doctrine, gardens, government, hierarchy, hierarchy, high fantasy, invasion, love, martial, mmpb, modern fantasy, morality, mysticism, oriental, philosophical, political, power, religious orders, speculative, speculative fiction, strategy, temple, Shadow's Rise, Shadow's Descent, Lords of Light, Chronicles of the Fists, Joseph J. Bailey, chi, qi, magic, qigong, chi kung, chi gung, fantasy, sorcery, action, adventure, epic, book, books, epic fantasy, high fantasy, sword and sorcery, martial arts, wuxia, internal alchemy, meditation, haiku, ebook, ebooks, writing, writer, author, authors, novel, novels, trilogy, series, magical, humor, satire, nerd, nerds, rpg, rpg's, wizard, wizards, warrior, warriors, evil, geek, self-help, sorcery, mage, mages, fantasy, tropes, memes, roleplaying, sword, swords, comedy, magic, magical, jest, joke, elf, elves, elfs, elven, elfin, fey, mmo, mmorpg, d&d, dragons, dragon, Dwarf, Dwarfs, Dwarves, Dwarven, hero heroes, heros, villain, villains, fun, Gnome, Gnomes, Gnomish, guide, guides, manual, manuals, technowizard, technowizardry, Paratechnology, tinker, tinkering, steampunk, science, clockwork, technology, technological, metaphysical, metaphysics, metaphysicist, monk, monks, kung fu, wu shu, karate, poetry, knight, knights, arcane, divine, abyss, Cabal, tao, Taoism, zen, Buddhism, shaolin, asia, Asian, spell, quest, adventure, mystic, master, alchemy, neigong, nei kung, neigung, nae gong, demon, daemon, shadow, shadows, void, peace, enlighten, enlightenment, realization, kensho, satori, insight, shikanataza, koan, haiku, fiction, literature, novel, novella, paladin, light, holy, holy sword, Light, Indural, Yeren, Dracodaeran, Dracodin, K'un Lun, Priest, Priests, Priest of K'un Lun, Maeth Onai, fang shi, Bor'Banna, Darkness, Tides of Darkness, Return of the Cabal, Ascension of the Four, Ea'ae, seal, seals, extraplanar, planes, dimensions, extradimensional, supernatural, supramundane, Yip, Aroganji, Wrindanneth, Slate, Spreesprocket, beard, mustache, tome, treatise, Fists, Flaming Fists, Four, the Four, the Fists, faerviage, airship, gate, portal, Tellanon, Illdrassil, yuan qi, yuan-chi, yuan chi, celestial, celestial qi, life, energy of life, one light, ka, dalaren ka, Joe Bailey, Joseph Bailey, Joseph J. Bailey
Arts of Darkness
Author: Thomas S. Hibbs
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781890626716
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
"Often denounced as nihilistic and even degenerate, film noir seems an unlikely antidote to the despair of contemporary popular culture. But at the heart of these dark films is a spiritual quest that is profoundly hopeful. In a fascinating re-evaluation of "American noir," Thomas Hibbs argues that these powerful tales of sin and redemption embody religious themes that are essential for cultural renewal." "Starting with early noir classics such as Double Indemnity and The Maltese Falcon, Hibbs reveals their surprising connection with contemporary quest films such as The Passion, The Sixth Sense, and Spider-Man. Despite its roots in the heyday of Hollywood Marxism, noir even displays a distinctly conservative bent - redemption is personal, not political, and scientific rationalism fails to deliver on its sunny promises." "Arts of Darkness explores not only the shadowy works of the 1940s and 1950s but also recent films in which the dark themes of noir converge with the quest for redemption. Hibbs dubs these diverse but related works "American noir," a term that encompasses Chinatown and Taxi Driver, The Matrix and The Terminator, American Beauty and Thelma and Louise. Hibbs insists that these tragic and gritty films stand among the most powerful religious narratives of our time."--BOOK JACKET.
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781890626716
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
"Often denounced as nihilistic and even degenerate, film noir seems an unlikely antidote to the despair of contemporary popular culture. But at the heart of these dark films is a spiritual quest that is profoundly hopeful. In a fascinating re-evaluation of "American noir," Thomas Hibbs argues that these powerful tales of sin and redemption embody religious themes that are essential for cultural renewal." "Starting with early noir classics such as Double Indemnity and The Maltese Falcon, Hibbs reveals their surprising connection with contemporary quest films such as The Passion, The Sixth Sense, and Spider-Man. Despite its roots in the heyday of Hollywood Marxism, noir even displays a distinctly conservative bent - redemption is personal, not political, and scientific rationalism fails to deliver on its sunny promises." "Arts of Darkness explores not only the shadowy works of the 1940s and 1950s but also recent films in which the dark themes of noir converge with the quest for redemption. Hibbs dubs these diverse but related works "American noir," a term that encompasses Chinatown and Taxi Driver, The Matrix and The Terminator, American Beauty and Thelma and Louise. Hibbs insists that these tragic and gritty films stand among the most powerful religious narratives of our time."--BOOK JACKET.