Through Hell and High Water: A Wanderer’s Musings on Dante’s Inferno

I have long been of the opinion that if one is to take a trip, one ought to choose the destination with care. A sojourn in Tuscany, perhaps; a jaunt through the Alps; or, at the very least, an unhurried ramble through the English countryside, where the only fiery pits one encounters are the embers … Continue reading Through Hell and High Water: A Wanderer’s Musings on Dante’s Inferno

The King in Yellow: A Curious Case of Cosmic Horror and Turn-of-the-Century Angst

The unifying thread in the best stories is a mysterious, fictional play - also called The King in Yellow - which is said to drive anyone who reads it into a state of gibbering madness. Of course, Chambers teases us with snippets of this forbidden text but never lets us see the full thing, much like … Continue reading The King in Yellow: A Curious Case of Cosmic Horror and Turn-of-the-Century Angst

Utter Bull: A Pretentious Slop-Fest in Bovine Disguise

Another recommendation, and with it, a request for critique. I must admit, I found this one a real struggle. In my ongoing endeavour to step beyond my literary comfort zone and explore more contemporary works, I occasionally find myself questioning the wisdom of my choices - this being one of those unfortunate instances. Having endured … Continue reading Utter Bull: A Pretentious Slop-Fest in Bovine Disguise

Pebbles, Prose, and Pointlessness: Beckett’s Molloy and the Art of Going Nowhere

Question: have you ever sucked a pebble? Samuel Beckett’s Molloy is often heralded as a towering monument of modernist literature, though whether it’s a lighthouse of enlightenment or an impassable granite slab is a matter of perspective. This novel, the first in Beckett’s famous trilogy, plunges us into a world where sucking stones takes on existential significance … Continue reading Pebbles, Prose, and Pointlessness: Beckett’s Molloy and the Art of Going Nowhere

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