Émile Zola’s Germinal, published in 1885, is a hefty tome that plunges readers into the sooty, grimy world of French coal miners in the 19th century. With its bleak depictions of class struggle, social injustice, and the human spirit’s tenacity, it’s hardly the kind of book you’d expect to read at a comedy club. Yet, … Continue reading Germinal
Category: Literature
‘Tis Better To Have Loved…
I've delved into the works of Tennyson, and each time, I'm reminded of that weary adage people parrot without recognising its origin. It's worth noting that Tennyson penned the lines I refer to below in the throes of his own grief, and I can certainly respect the depth of emotion behind them. However, there is … Continue reading ‘Tis Better To Have Loved…
The Fiscal Feudalism in Balzac’s Eugénie Grandet
We all need money, yes? Some more than others, and there's no shortage of greedy people who hoard wealth like a squirrel hoards nuts. Well, I read this novel a few years ago and I thought it was time to read it again and scratch out my thoughts - when I can wriggle out from … Continue reading The Fiscal Feudalism in Balzac’s Eugénie Grandet
Mills & Boon: Clichés, Tropes, and Cringe
Given my well-known penchant for classic literature, it was only a matter of time before someone challenged my reading habits, urging me to delve into something more contemporary and 'everyday'. One fateful afternoon, amid the humdrum of office life, I found myself the subject of playful ridicule. My colleagues, ever eager to see me squirm, … Continue reading Mills & Boon: Clichés, Tropes, and Cringe
Sleep Brings No Joy…
For countless years, sleep has been an unrelenting adversary in my life. Each night, I find myself locked in a relentless battle against the elusive embrace of Morpheus. When sleep does finally claim me, it is rarely a sanctuary. Instead, it becomes a stage for dark and tormenting dreams, sinister and vivid, that unravel my … Continue reading Sleep Brings No Joy…
Wording 