A Bloated, Pretentious Mess: Clive Barker’s Galilee

I promised myself that now and then I'd dip into something contemporary, a modern novel or other piece of art, so I've recently finished a book that I was tempted by. My thoughts, not-so-nice thoughts, are thus... Clive Barker's Galilee is a prime example of modern fiction's penchant for convoluted plots, overwrought prose, and the … Continue reading A Bloated, Pretentious Mess: Clive Barker’s Galilee

Kafka’s Comedy: A Bug’s Life in The Metamorphosis

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

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