Sheer Madness

Sheer Madness picks up where its prequel Sheer Pressure leaves off, only on higher octane and with higher life-and-death stakes. It follows the evolution of Alex and Emily as their once scandalous love affair feathers its way into the Upper East Side Manhattan mainstream jungle. That is where their lives really begin and where the reader learns who they really are and what they’re made of. A gripping 20-year family saga, Sheer Madness takes the reader to unexpected realms, as a couple with its roots in idealistic love endures a slew of harrowing experiences in schools and boardrooms, hospitals and cafés, courtrooms and prison—all under the shadow of a well-financed black magic curse. All these venues are captured by Greg Abbott with a true savant’s perspective, in a fast-paced, highly readable tale that nonetheless fits together like a grand jigsaw puzzle. Challenges, tragedies, and surprises abound in marriage, education, high finance, child rearing, near-death illness, the occult, rap music, the media, and prison. As the characters develop in fascinating, unforeseen directions and discover their true destinies, for better or for worse, the reader is treated to a large and delectable story chock full of tragedy, intrigue, humor, injustice, vengeance, betrayal, redemption, and always the unexpected. In the end, through all the breathless tribulations, Sheer Madness is about the triumph of love and the human spirit.

All her life, Topaz Hathor has denied her ability to see the spirits of the dead. She despises her father, an infamous spiritualist for exploiting his wealthy patrons and the souls that flock to him. But when the spirit of an attractive man appears in her bedroom claiming he's been drawn to Topaz rather than her father, she sits up and takes notice. Though not dead, Romney Marsh has been banished from his body while confined to an asylum and can't remember much besides his name. Yet he can feel Topaz's spirit calling to his, and he's not leaving until she agrees to help him. Through an increasingly violent spiral of danger and their discovery of unspeakable undertakings, they bond ever more closely. But can Topaz be in love with a man she's never touched, or would that be sheer madness?

A successful man's maniacal descent into emotional hell. Following repeated losses in family court, estrangement from his young sons, and the resulting depression, he checks himself into the psychiatric ward. Five months later he is indicted by a Federal Grand Jury for crimes that could put him in prison for 20 years. Sheer Madness is a story fo love, anguish, the fog of human experience, and the promise of resilience.--Back cover.

Quart here extends her previous writings on what she terms `the best narrative cinema: women-centered cinema' and feminist filmmaking. Quart addresses American, Western European, and Eastern European directors, closing with Third World examples. Arguing that independent filmmaking best serves the quest for a woman's voice and vision, Quart chronicles the survival of women directors. She traces a heritage of women directors inside the Hollywood system and beyond. . . . This excellent study . . . [is] recommended for undergraduates in film and women's studies. Choice The current level of activity among women directors is unequalled in the history of feature films. This unprecedented study examines major contemporary women directors of narrative feature film--their themes, their art, and the circumstances under which they work. Quart contends that women are creating a film language and film sensibility that are unique, strong, and--until now--unexplored. Her discussion centers on the ties between women directors, rather than on a survey of women who direct films. Beginning with the antecedents to today's burgeoning number of women directors, the study progresses to American women directors. Subsequent chapters focus on womenn directors in Western Europe and Eastern Europe, with some attention as well to Asia and Latin America.

Sylvia, a young Amish woman, knows about hard work on a farm. After an unfortunate incident on the farm, she finds herself alone and expecting her first child after the death of her husband. She works the farm alone and finds that she cannot handle the workload on her own. Despite possible backlash from the Amish community, she hires a farmhand. Will she win back acceptance by the Amish community? Will the hired hand leave the farm in shambles?

Margarethe von Trotta (b. 1942) entered the film industry in the only way she could in the 1960s—as an actress. Throughout her career, von Trotta added thirty-two acting credits to her name; however, these credits came to a halt in 1975. Her ambition had always been to be a movie director. Though she viewed acting as a detour, it allowed her to be in the right place at the right time, and through her line of work she met such important directors as Rainer Werner Fassbinder and Volker Schlöndorff. The latter would eventually provide her with the opportunity to codirect her first film, Die Verlohrene Ehre der Katharina Blum (The Lost Honor of Katharina Blum) in 1975. The debut's success ensured von Trotta's future in the film industry and launched her accomplished film directing career. In Margarethe von Trotta: Interviews, volume editor Monika Raesch furnishes twenty illuminating interviews with the auteur. Spanning three decades, from the mid-1980s until today, the interviews reveal not only von Trotta's life in the film industry, but also evolving roles of and opportunities provided to women over that time period. This collection of interviews presents the different dimensions of von Trotta through the lenses of film critics, scholars, and journalists. The volume offers essential reading for anyone seeking a better understanding of an iconic female movie director at a time when this possibility for women just emerged.

“How I Broke into the Movies – and How You Can Too!” is a must-read for anyone who wants to act in film, as well as for fans of the silver screen who want to know what goes on behind the scenes. This straight-from-the-shoulder account written by an eighteen year veteran of the business, pulls no punches. Entertaining and informative, “How I Broke into the Movies – and How You Can Too!” is an easy-going, tell-it-like-it-is book that takes the reader along on the movie adventure Leona Toppel has been experiencing since 1983 (and she doesn’t live anywhere near Hollywood). Aspiring actors will find tips about how to register with agents, what kind of pictures they’ll need, wardrobe, safety (yes safety), what to do on the set – and what not to do, auditions, résumés and a myriad of other information. Cameos about some of filmdom’s brightest stars as told by those who were there are included. There’s a “Who’s Who and What’s What” section which explains many of the terms used in the movie business. Readers can’t help but smile at, and have compassion for, the ups and downs of the background actors who give movies that real look. Each chapter has its specific purpose: 1. Sex and Debauchery or Now That I Have Your Attention, Here’s How I Fell in Love with the Movies (O.K., so there’s not one bit of sex and debauchery anywhere in this book but this chapter will give you an idea of why movies have been important to me for as long as I can remember.) 2. How Would You Like to Be a Mother? The Day Fate Became My Agent. (You just never know when or how an important aspect of your life may change.) 3. A “Typical Day “ on the Set? FUHGEDABOUDIT! (Actually, there is no such thing as a typical day – and that’s just one of the aspects I love about the business. In this chapter you’ll find out how “exciting” a day can be.) 4. I Was Told to Pat Paul Newman on the Shoulder: Little Pleasures, Big Breaks.and Bad Hair Days (Here are some experiences movie fans dream about – with a few nightmares thrown in.) 5. Short Takes on Big Stars (You may be surprised when you read first-hand accounts about some of your favorite stars.) 6. You Meet Some of the Nicest People - and Some Others Who Are – Don’t Ask – I’ll Tell You (You’re sure to recognize some of these characters – whether you work in the movies or in an office.) 7. Did I Get It or Did She Get It? (Auditions are part of the movie/TV business, so deal with it.) 8. Safety First! (You’ve Got to Watch Out for Lots of Dangerous Things in This Business) (Try not to trip over your own feet – or put your foot in your mouth.) 9. Sparky and Friends (The best picture of an extra’s life can be gleaned through sharing their ups and downs.) 10. Show Biz Kidz (Got youngsters you’d like to get into the business? Think long and hard before you take that first step.) 11. A Wrap? No! Just the Beginning! (Here are detailed instructions for getting started in the business.) Each chapter adds another piece to the puzzle which, when completed, gives the reader the BIG PICTURE. Aspiring actor or movie fan, this is the book for you. After reading “How I Broke into the Movies – and How You Can Too!” you may find yourself on the way to a new career – or just on the way to see the latest flick. Either way, you’ll never look at movies the same way again.