Imagine waking up one morning, only to find that you've turned into a giant insect. No, it’s not the aftermath of an epic party, but the start of Gregor Samsa's day in Kafka's The Metamorphosis. Gregor, who probably just wanted five more minutes of sleep, opens his eyes to see he's transformed into something resembling … Continue reading Kafka’s Comedy: A Bug’s Life in The Metamorphosis
Tag: fiction
Delightfully Distracting: Charles Maturin’s Melmoth the Wanderer
Melmoth the Wanderer, the literary equivalent of a gothic cathedral designed by an architect who kept losing his blueprints and decided to wing it instead. Charles Maturin’s 1820 novel is a bewildering masterpiece, a labyrinthine fever dream that feels like it was concocted during an especially eccentric séance. Strap in for a rollercoaster ride through … Continue reading Delightfully Distracting: Charles Maturin’s Melmoth the Wanderer
Fruity Goblins
Yesterday, I accompanied my dad to a hospital appointment. As we approached the main entrance, the vibrant display of a fruit and vegetable stall caught our eyes, its bounty of fresh produce enticing almost everyone. This stall, a regular fixture, offers an array of delectable wares that never fail to attract attention. On previous visits, … Continue reading Fruity Goblins
The Hand of Ethelberta
Strangely, the title of this novel has always transported me back to a peculiar moment from my childhood. I remember vividly the time I implored my mother to procure a mannequin's hand for me. This odd request came shortly after I had watched the horror classic, The Beast with Five Fingers, a chilling tale about a … Continue reading The Hand of Ethelberta
The Mouse and the Mousetrap: Rodent Rationality and Barnyard Bystanders
What's this? Another fable? Yes. Well, I'm working my way through them. Some time ago, I found myself in the unenviable position of evicting an unwelcome tenant - or perhaps tenants - from our garage. A mouse, or maybe several, had taken up residence among the clutter. Rather than resorting to the traditional, lethal mousetraps, … Continue reading The Mouse and the Mousetrap: Rodent Rationality and Barnyard Bystanders
Wording 