A gruesome title for a blog post, yes, but it deserves it, as you're about to see. From childhood, I harboured a fascination with the Betrayer, Judas Iscariot, who was already known by Jesus to be the one who would betray Him. An article in the Independent in 2016, that pitiable rag, argued that we … Continue reading Bowls Out
Tyrannosaur
Often, you watch a movie to cheer yourself up, occasionally something edifying, something not too serious. So why watch something so miserable that you find yourself with a lump in your throat and the urge to hide forever under your duvet? For a movie to stir me, it really needs to have incredibly convincing performances. … Continue reading Tyrannosaur
The Collector
A Tale of Misery, Mediocrity, and Meaninglessness John Fowles' debut novel, The Collector, has been lauded by some as a brilliant exploration of obsession and power dynamics. However, one must ask if these admirers have ever experienced anything more intellectually stimulating than a soggy slice of toast. The novel, masquerading as a psychological thriller, is … Continue reading The Collector
The Withered Arm
I love Thomas Hardy's work, even though when he writes some of his characters' dialogue in the vernacular, it's enough to make you dig your fingernails into your palms! Thomas Hardy, that wizard of Wessex, had a knack for creating vivid and often haunting stories steeped in the bleak beauty of rural England. In The … Continue reading The Withered Arm
C. S. Lewis – The Screwtape Letters
C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters is a satirical masterpiece that offers a profound yet humorous exploration of human nature, morality, and the subtle workings of temptation. Through the correspondence between Screwtape, a senior demon, and his nephew Wormwood, an inexperienced tempter, Lewis crafts a narrative that is as enlightening as it is entertaining. Let's delve … Continue reading C. S. Lewis – The Screwtape Letters
