This week, I’ve been indulging in a bit of painting - not the refined strokes of a portrait, mind you, but rather the far more prosaic task of doors and skirting boards! And let me tell you, when I dabble in a spot of DIY (which I am unashamedly dreadful at), I find it essential … Continue reading Solveig’s Song, from Peer Gynt: A Love Letter Wrapped in an Emotional Ambush
Author: Robert
A fifty-something, retired Celestial Travel Agent and Afterlife Preparation Specialist. Walked many paths; some good, lots bad. Meandering through a difficult past, plodding in the present, crawling toward the future. I've studied English Literature, and hold a BA (Hons) Hum. (History & Art History) & MA (Humanities with English Literature)
The Painted Veil: A Saucy Dissection of W. Somerset Maugham’s Sublime Slap in the Face
W. Somerset Maugham’s The Painted Veil is a bit like finding a deceptively lovely flower in a poisoned Chinese river. Ostensibly a story of love, betrayal, and redemption, it teases the reader with a delicate veneer of romance, only to plunge us headfirst into a cynical, uncomfortably reflective look at the human soul. If you thought you … Continue reading The Painted Veil: A Saucy Dissection of W. Somerset Maugham’s Sublime Slap in the Face
Forget the Fawkes: Why We Owe the Gunpowder Plot to Robert Catesby
If you ask the average Briton who led the Gunpowder Plot, chances are they’ll mutter “Guy Fawkes” while half-heartedly stirring their tea. Fireworks, effigies, and a roaring bonfire dedicated to burning Mr Fawkes have immortalised him as the nation’s favourite terrorist (or anti-hero, depending on how rebellious you’re feeling). But the truth is, Guy Fawkes … Continue reading Forget the Fawkes: Why We Owe the Gunpowder Plot to Robert Catesby
Sex, Solitude, and a Side of Nietzsche: Making Sense of The Unbearable Lightness of Being
Milan Kundera’s The Unbearable Lightness of Being is a novel that deals with such weighty topics that it almost feels ironic to handle them with a title so buoyant as 'lightness.' This text floats through philosophy, politics, love, and betrayal with the kind of existential pondering usually reserved for lonely people in cafes at 2am. It’s a … Continue reading Sex, Solitude, and a Side of Nietzsche: Making Sense of The Unbearable Lightness of Being
Alfie: The Charm, the Consequences, and the Loneliness Beneath the Swagger
A few days ago, quite by accident, I found myself watching a movie that reignited memories of a play I had already delved into some time ago. As the familiar story unfolded on screen, I felt the urge to revisit and refine my previous thoughts. Out came the metaphorical polish for an old essay, and … Continue reading Alfie: The Charm, the Consequences, and the Loneliness Beneath the Swagger
Wording 