Victor Hugo's The Last Day of a Condemned Man , 1879, is a remarkable piece of literature that, for all its gravitas and heart-wrenching subject matter, lends itself surprisingly well to a bit of humorous critique. Let’s dive into this sombre exploration of the human condition with a pinch of wit, a dash of sarcasm, and an … Continue reading Eternal Twilight: A Satirical Journey Through Hugo’s Final Hours
Month: July 2024
Death’s Grand Masquerade: The Ironic Revelry in Poe’s The Masque of the Red Death
Most people prefer not to discuss the inevitable - death - but alas, it visits us all in due course. I find myself in a particularly sombre phase at present, which invariably leads me to peruse my cherished collection of Poe's works. Last week, my father received the devastating news that he has inoperable, terminal … Continue reading Death’s Grand Masquerade: The Ironic Revelry in Poe’s The Masque of the Red Death
The House of Mice and the Pretentious Cat
More of Aesop. Those fables do come in handy when time and family commitments, not to mention tiredness, prevent me from reading or writing anything lengthy. Nevertheless, enjoy. A tale as old as time, involving an overzealous cat, a community of beleaguered mice, and a peg. Let's delve into the delightful absurdities and underlying wisdom … Continue reading The House of Mice and the Pretentious Cat
A Bloated, Pretentious Mess: Clive Barker’s Galilee
I promised myself that now and then I'd dip into something contemporary, a modern novel or other piece of art, so I've recently finished a book that I was tempted by. My thoughts, not-so-nice thoughts, are thus... Clive Barker's Galilee is a prime example of modern fiction's penchant for convoluted plots, overwrought prose, and the … Continue reading A Bloated, Pretentious Mess: Clive Barker’s Galilee
A Glimpse into Gibbons’ Masterpiece: Cold Comfort Farm
Forgive me, but is Stella taking the pee out of the likes of Hardy here? Some say yay, and some say nay. Stella Gibbons' Cold Comfort Farm, published in 1932, stands as a triumphant parody that brilliantly dissects and mocks the overwrought romanticism of rural melodramas prevalent in early 20th-century literature. With a deft hand and … Continue reading A Glimpse into Gibbons’ Masterpiece: Cold Comfort Farm
Wording 