Elizabeth Gaskell’s Ruth is a novel that offers a buffet of Victorian sensibilities, served with a side of moral quandaries and a garnish of melodrama. Let’s dive into this delightful dish and dissect its flavours, shall we? Ruth Hilton, our heroine, is the quintessential 'fallen woman' who, despite her circumstances, manages to retain an almost … Continue reading Gaskell’s Ruth: Where Virtue, Vice, and Victorian Vexations Collide
Candide, or Optimism: The Optimist’s Survival Guide to the Worst Holiday Ever
In Voltaire’s Candide, or Optimism, we embark on a rollicking rollercoaster of misfortunes that would make even Murphy of Murphy's Law feel optimistic. It's a satirical romp through a world so fraught with disasters that even Job from the Bible would be inclined to offer a sympathetic shrug. Voltaire takes us through the whimsical and often … Continue reading Candide, or Optimism: The Optimist’s Survival Guide to the Worst Holiday Ever
Psycho by Robert Bloch: An Enthusiastic Dissection
If we're not gallivanting around in the car, revelling in spontaneous outings with sandwiches and a thermos flask of tea, Dad and I while away our hours with books and puzzle magazines - his favourite pass-time being the latter. While Dad is glued to the TV, a hobby that doesn't quite capture my interest, I … Continue reading Psycho by Robert Bloch: An Enthusiastic Dissection
Eternal Twilight: A Satirical Journey Through Hugo’s Final Hours
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
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
