A Noble Attempt at Epic Poetry Edmund Spenser's The Faerie Queene is often hailed as a masterpiece of English literature, a colossal achievement in epic poetry. Yet, it is also a work that, like an overstuffed burrito, contains more than one can digest in a single sitting. Spenser's ambitious narrative attempts to blend allegory, chivalric … Continue reading The Faerie Queene: Spenser’s Monumental Folly
Tag: Literature
An Irreverent Dive into Stendhal’s The Charterhouse of Parma
Stendhal’s The Charterhouse of Parma is an enduring classic of literature, often praised for its deep psychological insight, political intrigue, and richly detailed narrative. But let’s face it: wading through 19th-century novels can sometimes feel like being asked to appreciate the intricacies of tax law or to find the “fun” in a board meeting. Therefore, let us … Continue reading An Irreverent Dive into Stendhal’s The Charterhouse of Parma
The Man Who Was Thursday: An Examination of Absurdity and Anarchy
G.K. Chesterton's The Man Who Was Thursday is a novel that is as puzzling as it is entertaining, as philosophical as it is whimsical. It's the literary equivalent of a well-executed magic trick: you think you know what's happening until the very end, and even then, you're not entirely sure. Let's dive into this intricate … Continue reading The Man Who Was Thursday: An Examination of Absurdity and Anarchy
The Sorrows of Satan: A Fiendishly Fun Foray into Faustian Folly
Apologies for the glaringly obvious alliteration in the title of this post; I couldn't resist. Marie Corelli’s The Sorrows of Satan is a literary paradox: a work so earnestly didactic that it wraps around to become almost devilishly entertaining. First published in 1895, this novel treads the murky waters of morality with the finesse of … Continue reading The Sorrows of Satan: A Fiendishly Fun Foray into Faustian Folly
Germinal
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
Wording 