Solveig’s Song, from Peer Gynt: A Love Letter Wrapped in an Emotional Ambush

This week, I’ve been indulging in a bit of painting - not the refined strokes of a portrait, mind you, but rather the far more prosaic task of doors and skirting boards! And let me tell you, when I dabble in a spot of DIY (which I am unashamedly dreadful at), I find it essential … Continue reading Solveig’s Song, from Peer Gynt: A Love Letter Wrapped in an Emotional Ambush

Toxic Romance: The Perils of Love in Rappaccini’s Garden

I've been spending a little time in the garden recently, which brought to mind... Nathaniel Hawthorne's Rappaccini's Daughter is like a gothic version of The Bachelor gone horribly wrong, blending mad science, romance, and more poison than a reality TV show. Our hapless hero, Giovanni Guasconti, finds himself in a real-life botanical nightmare where the … Continue reading Toxic Romance: The Perils of Love in Rappaccini’s Garden