A thriller written by a master of the language. Not for the faint-hearted or those lacking in education, this story relates the series of events that lead up to the stalking of the main character by a seriously disturbed and potentially violent would-be lover. The stalker is obsessive and deluded and follows the pattern of …
First published in 1907, the text of the stage play I read is introduced by a preface from the author. Here, he talks about the language he has used, how and where he encountered it, and why he has employed such colloquial idioms in the work. I can best serve the author’s intent by quoting …
Continue reading The Playboy of the Western World, by J. M. Synge: #BookReview.
147 pages Literary Anthology This is an anthology of the winning entries for the poetry, short fiction, and flash fiction annual contest held in 2020. It includes the ‘commended’ entries, too.The Bridport is a well-respected international literary competition. Along with other contemporary creative activities, what is considered ‘good’ is down to personal taste. We’ve all …
Continue reading Bridport Prize 2020 Anthology, by Bridport Arts Centre: #BookReview.
Image via Mapswire. Pride in Place? Born in slum or palaceyou have no say in youraccident of birthLocation status wealthof parents determineswhere you might emergeSo why so proud ofwhere this chance occurredYou made no choice hereIt was imposed on youPride in place is foolishWith no experienceof another placeyou can make nomeaningful comparisonYou merely echowhat was …
I read this short story by the famous playwright in the hope it would prove a better read than his ‘The Birthday of the Infanta’. My hope was based on ‘The Sphinx Without a Secret’ and ‘The Selfish Giant’, both of which I thoroughly enjoyed. Unfortunately, this moral tale is similar to the ‘Infanta’, in …
Continue reading The Fisherman and His Soul, by Oscar Wilde: #BookReview.
Very definitely a story of its time. It’s intended for children, but I seriously doubt many modern kids would read this. There are moral lessons buried here, but they are largely lost in the unnecessarily detailed descriptions of the riches of the royal family featured. Some of these are effectively lists of luxury items and …
Continue reading The Birthday of the Infanta, by Oscar Wilde: #BookReview.
389 Pages Literary Fiction. All serious works of fiction should carry at least one underlying message. Some manage this with such subtlety it barely makes a conscious impression on those not seeking it, others blare it out loudly, covering their story with a condescending layer of preaching. Many lie somewhere in between; a reasonable balance …
Continue reading Somebody Else’s Troubles, by J.A. English: #BookReview.
480 pages Political Fiction/Dystopian/Literary Fiction Not for the faint-hearted. And, definitely not for the perennially depressed. But this is a book that should be read by everyone (I’m conscious of the contradiction). Set in a future UK too close for comfort, it examines the inevitable consequences of unfettered capitalism. The writing style is clever, sometimes …
494 Pages Science Fiction/Children’s/Colonisation In this quite extraordinary novel we have a piece of science fiction that could well become a literary classic. The combination of figurative language, timeless universal themes, and adventure shown through the eyes of carefully realised and presented characters places this work high above many in the genre. In fact, it …
384 pages Literary Fiction/Time Travel/Adventure Stories and Action. Oddly, this book isn’t listed under comedy or humour on Amazon. I think, however, it’s supposed to be funny, perhaps witty? I confess I found it more irritating than amusing. Written in a style that makes the author appear self-congratulatory and strangely complacent as he waves the …
Continue reading Lost in a Good Book, by Jasper Fforde: #BookReview.
400 pages Literary Classics When a book is as well-known as this classic, it’s difficult to know whether anything new can be said about it. But a review is a personal opinion and may help other readers yet to try the work, so here goes. The edition I bought (as part of a package bought …
Continue reading As I Lay Dying, by William Faulkner: #BookReview.
A new series of posts about what words to use, and how. In this series, I’ll consider Onomatopoeia, Simile, and Collective Nouns. From time to time, I may include the odd reference to other word use, and I’ll continue my Delusional Dictionary. The last series, accessed through this link, dealt with Synonyms, Antonyms, Contronyms, Adverbs, …
304 pages Children’s/Science Fiction and Fantasy It may seem like an odd time of life to be reading children’s literature. In my defence, I bought this book ‘blind’ as one of a number I ordered after being gifted a book token for my 70th birthday. I’d heard of Ursula Le Guin, had her books recommended, …
Continue reading A Wizard of Earthsea, by Ursula K. Le Guin: #BookReview.
Every serious work of fiction should carry at least one underlying message. Some manage this with such subtlety it barely makes a conscious impression, others let it blare out loudly, covering their story with a condescending layer of preaching. Most lie somewhere in between; a reasonable balance of theme and story. In this extraordinary tale …
Continue reading A Place Called Schugara, by Joe English: #BookReview.
Books, writing, reading, words and images. I love them; do you?
Book reviewer and garden enthusiast. Updates from my Hampshire garden. Usually talking about books and plants. People do not forget books or flowers that touch them or excite them—they recommend them.
An Independent Non-Discriminatory Platform With No Religious, Political, Financial, or Social Affiliations
Camera, Click, Capture
do more wandering
Random Repeat
Life Lessons, Books, and Pretty Things!
Writing Magic, Myth and Mystery
Reading feeds the imagination
A photographer's view of the world - words and images to inspire your travels and your dreams
Burn with motivation
It's a bit of this, and a bit of that
Two Humans and a Dog in New Zealand
Book Reviews ∙ Bookish Tags ∙ Book Discussions
Retired and travelling - it doesn't get better than this!
writing circles & poetry to keep your light on
SURREAL HUMOR - BOOKS - WRITING - SATIRE
Cherish every moment
Personal Writings on life, love and beauty
Peace. Tranquility. Insanity.
A writer inspired by nature and human nature
We Survived and Arrived - Now as Warriors We Thrive
Poetry and Prose by Gabriela Marie Milton #1 Amazon Bestselling Poet & Editor, Award Winning Author, Pushcart Prize Nominee
Sometimes, life is like that.
Lover of books and book reviewer. Usually found curled up with a book.
All Things Books.
Musings and Ramblings of a Disorganised Blogger
Speculative Fiction Author, & Reviews.
British Crime Writer April Taylor
Personal Blog
Fotografía, reflexiones y pensamientos sobre la vida y su belleza.
Short stories, Poetry, Reviews, Photography
Stuart Aken 