An explanation of why you shouldn’t make out with bad girls.
Carmen is a bad girl.
If she doesn’t like you, she will seduce you, take your money and then maybe tickle your throat with her knife. On the other hand, if she like’s you, she will seduce you, torment you, laugh at you and finally lead you to your destruction.
Either way, she takes pride in her work.
Yes, this is the Carmen from the opera and this is the story that inspired the opera. Should you read the story? ….Do you like bad girls?
Lord and Lady Clonbrony are absentee Irish landowners, who live in London. Lady Clonbrony wants vary badly to be a respected member of London’s fashionable high society. She spends extravagant amounts of money hosting parties for their pleasure and puts forth her best English accent, yet they still look down upon her because… well, she’s Irish.
Meanwhile back in Ireland, Irish tenants suffer under greedy and unscrupulous agents who exploit them while their absentee masters are away in England, spending money foolishly, in order to be fashionable, yet they can’t be fashionable cause their Irish and so on, and so on.
So, sadly as a consequence, the peasants are left yearning for their masters to return, in order to be exploited directly thereby eliminating the middle men who profit unjustly.
But, who will stop this foolish cycle? -- Enter Lord Colambre, son of Lord and Lady Clonbrony, who departs for Ireland where he travels in disguise upon a quest to find his Irishness.
Well written, often humorous, somewhat satirical, but overly simplistic.
Edgeworth is humorous when she satirizes the vanity of English society. However, when she argues for the return of the gentry as the solution for Irish poverty?… she starts to sound like she may be a few potatoes short of a bushel.
Joseph Andrews is a young, innocent, well mannered, virtuous and very attractive young man. He yearns only for Fanny Goodwill, who is a young, innocent, well mannered, virtuous and very attractive young woman, who in turn yearns only for Andrew.
However, a host of experienced, cynical, ill-tempered and mainly lustful characters seek to separate Joseph and Fanny at every turn in order to fulfill their prurient desires. These villainous characters also share the benefit of being well respected as well as advantaged citizens of their communities.
However, Joseph and Fanny come under the protection of the good natured, kindly and virtuous Parson Abraham Adams. Unfortunately, he is also exceedingly naive and somewhat eccentric.
Can this small band armed with little but morale and physical courage defeat the ever changing forces of evil arrayed against them at every turn.
I suspect you know the answer – but that doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy the confirmation.
R. Austin Freeman cashed in on the Sherlock Holmes craze as did many others of that time. However, of all the Holmes stylistic imitators he probably remains the most respected.
The Story
A theft of diamonds occurs. The only clue is a piece of paper with a red thumb print and a few drops of blood inside an empty safe that formerly contained the diamonds. The proprietor of the business refuses to let the police fingerprint his employee’s who are also his nephews.
John Thorndyke is challenged with a seemingly impossible task of proving the innocence of his client, whose thumb print matches exactly the thumb print taken from the safe.
Bottom line
If you find imitators always boring or disappointing regardless of talent… keep browsing my friend.
If on the other hand, you’ve read every Holmes story and long for more. Well, for you my dear friend, the chase is about to begin… once more.
“Sheridan Le Fanu wrote the best supernatural fiction of the 19th century.” Michael Dirda, Classics for Pleasure.
The Story
Uncle Silas is the story of a young heiress “Maud” growing up in a lonely country estate with her father, along with some complications. It features neither the supernatural nor ghosts, but a growing tension that starts early and builds with each subsequent chapter.
The tension comes as a series of mysterious characters drift in and out of the story exhibiting behavior that shifts back and forth from kindly to ominous. A series of strange events begin to pile on. Maud struggles to look through this kaleidoscope of chameleon characters and events to sift the demonic from the angelic and determine their ultimate intentions.
Or else
Great characters, great plot, great story …… all of that and more
McTeague is a big man and he is for the most part strong, simple minded, docile and obedient not unlike a draught horse. He meets Trina, who is small, pale and delicate not unlike a child’s doll. He is overwhelmed with her fragile beauty, she feels safe enclosed by his great strength. They determine to marry and by a miraculous stroke of luck, just before they marry, she wins a lottery, securing their future.
But Trina has a problem; she likes to count her money much more than she likes to spend it and it is after all, her money.
And then things begin to go bad…. very bad.
The characters in this book form an odd combination. McTeague, Marcus and Trina seem to come straight from Zola; realistic, flawed and tragic, while the supporting cast Mrs. Baker, Grannis, Maria and Zerkow seem to have been dropped out of a Dickens’ novel. However, the style is unquestionably Zola, tough, gritty and uncompromising.
In the end, a great piece of American literature although sadly, often overlooked.
A dedicated employee is unappreciated by his employer and is poorly treated – like an insect.
He wakes up one morning to find he has changed into a giant insect. His family is shocked by the change. However, he and his family determine to make the situation as unpleasant for each other as possible.
However as time passes the family begins to treat him more like an insect while his soul becomes more human.
He dies; his sister then stretches her back – like an insect.
Leaving us the question; who are the insects and how does the metamorphosis begin?
L’Assomoir means club or cudgel and it is derived from the French verb assommer meaning to club or beat down. The title refers to name of a local bar. It also signals the fate of the protagonist, Gervaise and her family.
The story is a realistic and unrelenting description of the fall and degradation of a French working class family living in the slums of Paris during the mid 19th century. Their fate however, is not a simple product of circumstances rather it is the consequence of their choices. This ultimately adds to the tragedy as we wish for their success but instead are forced to watch with growing apprehension as opportunities are wasted and the family spirals downward on a path to disintegration and destruction.
Bottom line: A memorable novel, a great novel but expect a beating as well.
*Also noteworthy, Gervaise’s children survive to become the central characters of two other masterpieces by Zola, Nana and Germinal.
Flaubert spent several years researching this book about an army of mercenaries who revolt against ancient Carthage.
The book is a combination of history and myth not unlike Homer’s Iliad. Like the Iliad it is a larger than life epic, but this tale has neither poetry nor heroes.
Carthage does not want to pay the mercenaries their due; the mercenaries seek to plunder Carthage in revenge. Both sides rely on deceit and treachery to advance their cause.
In the background, the sensual and mysterious Salammbo, seeking her own objective, indifferently and unwittingly affects the outcome.
The war becomes long and brutal as the balance shifts back and forth. The horror of war becomes increasingly indefensible as the author offers neither heroes nor justifications. Fed only by greed, pride and revenge, the war and the slaughter grind on endlessly.
Some would criticize, “This is not Madame Bovary, and this is too much violence without a point.” Others would answer, “This is not Madame Bovary, but to criticize that it is too much violence without a point, is to miss the point.”
Flaubert, painting with exquisite detail and unapologetic language, tells an epic, exotic and sensual tale of failure.
A stingy, avaricious, miserly merchant acquires a fortune utilizing cunning and deceit with complete disregard for principle or scruples - like a Republican running for Congress.
His neighbors envious of his wealth and prestige bow and genuflect at his feet, hoping to win his favors while he takes advantage of them at every turn – like conservative voters awaiting the trickle down.
Despite his fortune, his wife, daughter and faithful housekeeper suffer greatly as a result of his pious hypocrisy - like the Christian right.
His dandy nephew, woes his daughter, assures her of his love, takes what little money she has, takes her pride and then breaks her heat - like a Republican administration.
His wife then dies - like a second term.
In the end, justice prevails, the father dies, allowing the meek to inherit his wealth. Only, it turns out they never really needed it – like another tax break for the wealthy.
Bottom line: A great story by a great writer - all politics aside
Recent comments: User reviews
Carmen is a bad girl.
If she doesn’t like you, she will seduce you, take your money and then maybe tickle your throat with her knife. On the other hand, if she like’s you, she will seduce you, torment you, laugh at you and finally lead you to your destruction.
Either way, she takes pride in her work.
Yes, this is the Carmen from the opera and this is the story that inspired the opera. Should you read the story? ….Do you like bad girls?
I would.
Meanwhile back in Ireland, Irish tenants suffer under greedy and unscrupulous agents who exploit them while their absentee masters are away in England, spending money foolishly, in order to be fashionable, yet they can’t be fashionable cause their Irish and so on, and so on.
So, sadly as a consequence, the peasants are left yearning for their masters to return, in order to be exploited directly thereby eliminating the middle men who profit unjustly.
But, who will stop this foolish cycle? -- Enter Lord Colambre, son of Lord and Lady Clonbrony, who departs for Ireland where he travels in disguise upon a quest to find his Irishness.
Well written, often humorous, somewhat satirical, but overly simplistic.
Edgeworth is humorous when she satirizes the vanity of English society. However, when she argues for the return of the gentry as the solution for Irish poverty?… she starts to sound like she may be a few potatoes short of a bushel.
Joseph Andrews is a young, innocent, well mannered, virtuous and very attractive young man. He yearns only for Fanny Goodwill, who is a young, innocent, well mannered, virtuous and very attractive young woman, who in turn yearns only for Andrew.
However, a host of experienced, cynical, ill-tempered and mainly lustful characters seek to separate Joseph and Fanny at every turn in order to fulfill their prurient desires. These villainous characters also share the benefit of being well respected as well as advantaged citizens of their communities.
However, Joseph and Fanny come under the protection of the good natured, kindly and virtuous Parson Abraham Adams. Unfortunately, he is also exceedingly naive and somewhat eccentric.
Can this small band armed with little but morale and physical courage defeat the ever changing forces of evil arrayed against them at every turn.
I suspect you know the answer – but that doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy the confirmation.
A joyous funny romp – well worth it’s reputation
R. Austin Freeman cashed in on the Sherlock Holmes craze as did many others of that time. However, of all the Holmes stylistic imitators he probably remains the most respected.
The Story
A theft of diamonds occurs. The only clue is a piece of paper with a red thumb print and a few drops of blood inside an empty safe that formerly contained the diamonds. The proprietor of the business refuses to let the police fingerprint his employee’s who are also his nephews.
John Thorndyke is challenged with a seemingly impossible task of proving the innocence of his client, whose thumb print matches exactly the thumb print taken from the safe.
Bottom line
If you find imitators always boring or disappointing regardless of talent… keep browsing my friend.
If on the other hand, you’ve read every Holmes story and long for more. Well, for you my dear friend, the chase is about to begin… once more.
“Sheridan Le Fanu wrote the best supernatural fiction of the 19th century.” Michael Dirda, Classics for Pleasure.
The Story
Uncle Silas is the story of a young heiress “Maud” growing up in a lonely country estate with her father, along with some complications. It features neither the supernatural nor ghosts, but a growing tension that starts early and builds with each subsequent chapter.
The tension comes as a series of mysterious characters drift in and out of the story exhibiting behavior that shifts back and forth from kindly to ominous. A series of strange events begin to pile on. Maud struggles to look through this kaleidoscope of chameleon characters and events to sift the demonic from the angelic and determine their ultimate intentions.
Or else
Great characters, great plot, great story …… all of that and more
McTeague is a big man and he is for the most part strong, simple minded, docile and obedient not unlike a draught horse. He meets Trina, who is small, pale and delicate not unlike a child’s doll. He is overwhelmed with her fragile beauty, she feels safe enclosed by his great strength. They determine to marry and by a miraculous stroke of luck, just before they marry, she wins a lottery, securing their future.
But Trina has a problem; she likes to count her money much more than she likes to spend it and it is after all, her money.
And then things begin to go bad…. very bad.
The characters in this book form an odd combination. McTeague, Marcus and Trina seem to come straight from Zola; realistic, flawed and tragic, while the supporting cast Mrs. Baker, Grannis, Maria and Zerkow seem to have been dropped out of a Dickens’ novel. However, the style is unquestionably Zola, tough, gritty and uncompromising.
In the end, a great piece of American literature although sadly, often overlooked.
A dedicated employee is unappreciated by his employer and is poorly treated – like an insect.
He wakes up one morning to find he has changed into a giant insect. His family is shocked by the change. However, he and his family determine to make the situation as unpleasant for each other as possible.
However as time passes the family begins to treat him more like an insect while his soul becomes more human.
He dies; his sister then stretches her back – like an insect.
Leaving us the question; who are the insects and how does the metamorphosis begin?
A great story – subject to many interpretations
L’Assomoir means club or cudgel and it is derived from the French verb assommer meaning to club or beat down. The title refers to name of a local bar. It also signals the fate of the protagonist, Gervaise and her family.
The story is a realistic and unrelenting description of the fall and degradation of a French working class family living in the slums of Paris during the mid 19th century. Their fate however, is not a simple product of circumstances rather it is the consequence of their choices. This ultimately adds to the tragedy as we wish for their success but instead are forced to watch with growing apprehension as opportunities are wasted and the family spirals downward on a path to disintegration and destruction.
Bottom line: A memorable novel, a great novel but expect a beating as well.
*Also noteworthy, Gervaise’s children survive to become the central characters of two other masterpieces by Zola, Nana and Germinal.
Flaubert spent several years researching this book about an army of mercenaries who revolt against ancient Carthage.
The book is a combination of history and myth not unlike Homer’s Iliad. Like the Iliad it is a larger than life epic, but this tale has neither poetry nor heroes.
Carthage does not want to pay the mercenaries their due; the mercenaries seek to plunder Carthage in revenge. Both sides rely on deceit and treachery to advance their cause.
In the background, the sensual and mysterious Salammbo, seeking her own objective, indifferently and unwittingly affects the outcome.
The war becomes long and brutal as the balance shifts back and forth. The horror of war becomes increasingly indefensible as the author offers neither heroes nor justifications. Fed only by greed, pride and revenge, the war and the slaughter grind on endlessly.
Some would criticize, “This is not Madame Bovary, and this is too much violence without a point.” Others would answer, “This is not Madame Bovary, but to criticize that it is too much violence without a point, is to miss the point.”
Flaubert, painting with exquisite detail and unapologetic language, tells an epic, exotic and sensual tale of failure.
A stingy, avaricious, miserly merchant acquires a fortune utilizing cunning and deceit with complete disregard for principle or scruples - like a Republican running for Congress.
His neighbors envious of his wealth and prestige bow and genuflect at his feet, hoping to win his favors while he takes advantage of them at every turn – like conservative voters awaiting the trickle down.
Despite his fortune, his wife, daughter and faithful housekeeper suffer greatly as a result of his pious hypocrisy - like the Christian right.
His dandy nephew, woes his daughter, assures her of his love, takes what little money she has, takes her pride and then breaks her heat - like a Republican administration.
His wife then dies - like a second term.
In the end, justice prevails, the father dies, allowing the meek to inherit his wealth. Only, it turns out they never really needed it – like another tax break for the wealthy.
Bottom line: A great story by a great writer - all politics aside