When I first encountered the works of W. Somerset Maugham, I was not yet in my teens. My initial foray into his literary world was through Of Human Bondage, and I was immediately captivated. However, it was The Moon and Sixpence that truly ensnared my imagination. The allure of this novel lay not only in … Continue reading The Moon and Sixpence: A Dance with the Devil of Artistry
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)
A Beating Heart and a Babbling Fool: The Tell-tale Heart
While there isn't a single confirmed real-life story that directly inspired The Tell-Tale Heart, it's likely that a combination of contemporary crime stories, specific cases like that of James Wood, Poe's personal experiences, and the broader influence of Gothic literature all contributed to the creation of this iconic tale. Poe's genius lay in his ability … Continue reading A Beating Heart and a Babbling Fool: The Tell-tale Heart
Ethan Frome
Ethan Frome, a novella by Edith Wharton, written in 1911, offers a veritable banquet of desolation, seasoned with a dash of New England frigidity and garnished with just a sprig of hope, promptly withered. It’s the literary equivalent of being snowed in with nothing but biscuits and existential dread. And yet, within its chilling confines, … Continue reading Ethan Frome
The Faerie Queene: Spenser’s Monumental Folly
A Noble Attempt at Epic Poetry Edmund Spenser's The Faerie Queene is often hailed as a masterpiece of English literature, a colossal achievement in epic poetry. Yet, it is also a work that, like an overstuffed burrito, contains more than one can digest in a single sitting. Spenser's ambitious narrative attempts to blend allegory, chivalric … Continue reading The Faerie Queene: Spenser’s Monumental Folly
Wallowing in the Muck: Bukowski’s Notes from a Dirty Old Man
After yet another curious exploration into the realms of modern and post-modern literature, I've decided to turn my attention to Charles Bukowski. With some dedicated reading and a bit of research - though let's be honest, forming an opinion on Bukowski doesn't require much - I have grabbed the opportunity to channel my deep-seated frustrations … Continue reading Wallowing in the Muck: Bukowski’s Notes from a Dirty Old Man
Wording 