Longtemps, l'auteur avait travaillé en tous sens. Relisant Rilke, une fois, il fut frappé d'intimité, d'éclairs doux, de passages d'anges. Il se mit lui aussi, il le dit, à « projeter le grave et le réel qui durent ». Mais, à sa voix démembrée par le « devoir de tout dire », il fallait une forme qui force : d'où ces doubles quatrains, ces stances. Aujourd'hui, certes, toute intimité doit s'ouvrir. La Terre est notre soeur blessée. L'avenir crie d'une joie si dorée, que le cri du poète ne peut plus aller que vers lui, ses vivants, la pointe enfin des siècles mornes. Fils de hasard et de parole, nous savons bien que toute vie se lit comme le voyage d'un mot entre ce monde, et la lumière du monde. Le roi des Morts, en gloire, reviendra. Le bleu persiste. L'amour enferme un peu de la chair des étoiles. Voilà ce qui emplit la forme ancienne et, parfois, s'en échappe.

`Sultana's Dream' is an extraordinarily prescient story set in fictional Ladyland. The narrator, Sultana, falls asleep and is greeted by Sister Sara, who introduces her to the futuristic society she has apparently awakened in. In this alternate reality, men are shy and timid creatures, while women pioneer scientific breakthroughs, such as solar power and weather control. A fascinating and thought-provoking tale that leaves the reader to decide whether this is, in fact, a dream or a visit from an unseen future. Born in Rangpur, Begum Rokeya (1880 - 1932) was an author, political activist, and pioneer of women's rights in South Asia. While her parents were wealthy, their religious beliefs meant that Rokeya and her sister were deprived of education. However, her brothers, who were both attending school, educated them by night. Rokeya's literary career began when she was 22, with the publication of an essay, `Thirst'. This was followed up by two books, `Matichur' and `Sultana's Dream'. The latter took the bold step of reversing the roles of the sexes, in order to demonstrate what women are capable of contributing, given the chance. Her other works follow a similar thread, and Rokeya reinforced her beliefs by setting up the first school for Muslim girls. During her lifetime, she wrote 16 novels, including `The Fruit of Emancipation' and `Education Ideals for the Modern Indian Girl'.

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Sample Book Insights: #1 The end of March 2002 will be etched in my memory forever. I was out riding with the Queen when she suddenly asked me if I would live in suburbia. I accepted the house in the Great Park at Windsor, near Royal Lodge, the weekend retreat of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. #2 I had been a Woman of the Bedchamber to my aunt since 1991, and in her final weeks I went to Royal Lodge every day. I tried to amuse her with snippets of news that might interest her. It was difficult to get her to eat much. #3 The death of Queen Elizabeth II was a difficult and emotional experience for me. I spent the night at the castle, and the following morning I went to Matins in the Park chapel, and then drove over to Royal Lodge to make sure all was well with the staff.