The past is a trap in a way, a series of never-ending rooms full of mysterious objects, a dream that devolves into a nightmare.
Nabokov is writing hereThe past is a trap in a way, a series of never-ending rooms full of mysterious objects, a dream that devolves into a nightmare.
Nabokov is writing here about his lost life of privilege in Russia, which haunts him, and the bad dreams he continued to experience — and could not awaken from.
I admired the tone in the early section of this short story, which is mostly grounded in reality, but ever so gradually becomes surreal, and the reader and the narrator both start to realize it must be a dream. However the dream is not one that the narrator is able to escape....more
The cover blurb from Neil Gaiman says this is "The best graphic novel I've read in years" and you know what? I absolutely agree!
Clever insights into tThe cover blurb from Neil Gaiman says this is "The best graphic novel I've read in years" and you know what? I absolutely agree!
Clever insights into the intersection of art and celebrity, the meaning of life, and so much more; buttressed by full use of the graphic novel medium to display character, fantasies, and art pieces themselves.
I plowed through these 488 pages in no time, and I can't remember the last time I enjoyed a graphic novel so much, and also immediately wanted to read it again....more
Some of the humans played against the message of the title.
There is much going on in this long novel, which appears to be YWell — I liked the octopus!
Some of the humans played against the message of the title.
There is much going on in this long novel, which appears to be YA in tone and themes. Some of the subplots were less engaging, but of course through a series of remarkable coincidences everything comes together. The ending was not all neatly wrapped up, but ...
[As a general note, often there is a very sentimental romantic approach to the notion of living free in nature, living the best life in the wild. Living free in nature means, for example, being free to be eaten by a predator. Nature is not all cuddles and cuteness.]...more
Children often see connections between things, or imagine them. Rumours, too, have their own magic, a power conjured out oWas he a saint or a warlock?
Children often see connections between things, or imagine them. Rumours, too, have their own magic, a power conjured out of thin air through the force of repetition.
What to make of this short story from an Argentinian writer? Two boys, one the narrator and one the mysterious other, who may be behind the occurrence of certain events. Coincidence tweaks reality.
A strange little story, not gripping or thrilling, but perplexing....more
Of course, I can convey nothing of that indescribable quality of translucent unreality
This review concerns the title story only, The Door in the Wall,Of course, I can convey nothing of that indescribable quality of translucent unreality
This review concerns the title story only, The Door in the Wall, representing an opening into other dimensions, the road not taken, the impact of choices we make, how when one door opens other possibilities are neglected, how regrets can shape our destiny, how longings can inform our dreams . . .
Gosh, that's a lot, isn't it?
The format of this short story is presented in a familiar frame: the narrator says, "so-and-so told me an incredible story, I don't know if it is true or not, but here it is just as he told it." And of course, the storyteller's death so soon after confessing his fantastic tale cranks up the narrative tension.
As hinted above, the door in the wall has great metaphoric potential. The door in question arises unexpectedly, during decisive moments. An ambitious man may long for playing in a park rather than working. A lonely boy may wish for friends. And then of course there are always those souls who (paradoxically) expect life to be better once theirs is over.
It's a well written story, apparently one of Wells's best (or most popular), and provides the reader with much to think about. When do we decide to go through that door, and create a new life?...more
This is an extraordinary work, at times profound, dazzling, puzzling, distancing, immediate, gripping, and confusing.
A series of shortish chapters, soThis is an extraordinary work, at times profound, dazzling, puzzling, distancing, immediate, gripping, and confusing.
A series of shortish chapters, some of which are related to each other in obvious ways, some of which are obscure to this dazed reader. The voice early on (different in each chapter) is magnificently unique and extremely impressive. Also—there was not, as in a typical novel, a reason to keep reading. A cherished voice or chapter would disappear from view, never to be revisited in full.
As much as I admired this book (novel? linked stories?) at one point I put it aside and read other things. I craved a bit of narrative propulsion and carry through. If this were not a library book clamouring to be returned (much requested) I might not have picked it up again to finish it. It's beautiful, and magnificent, but not gripping.
But I did and I'm glad I did. Although I don't know how to talk about this book, I am quite fond of it.
At risk of spoilers (spoilers! Be warned!) the jacket or promotional materials never seem to mention that it is, very strongly, a ghost story....more
Surrender is a short piece from Winesburg, Ohio; in fact it is doubly embedded in that not only is it part of the Wineburg tales, it is also a part ofSurrender is a short piece from Winesburg, Ohio; in fact it is doubly embedded in that not only is it part of the Wineburg tales, it is also a part of a chapter called "Godliness, a Tale in Four Parts".
"Surrender" is the story of a teenage girl, friendless and lonely, who is isolated and uninformed. She is desperate for love, and seizes on the nearest opportunity. Her life is thus forever altered....more
Having only the slightest familiarity with the "Outlander" universe, I foolishly thought that this graphic novel might be a standalone work.
I didn't hHaving only the slightest familiarity with the "Outlander" universe, I foolishly thought that this graphic novel might be a standalone work.
I didn't have a clue what was happening or who the characters were. The male characters all wore a kilt and a sash and were indistinguishable — sometimes one had messy hair but that might have just been a gust of wind. Not being able to tell the characters apart meant I never knew what was going on.
Perhaps readers who are already immersed in the Outlander mythology would get more out of this, and know more about the characters to understand the conflicts and context. As a standalone it is baffling and opaque — probably because I am easily confused.
Originally published in three short volumes, this tale is best enjoyed as one book, with no gap between the segments.
Afro-futurism is what this is, buOriginally published in three short volumes, this tale is best enjoyed as one book, with no gap between the segments.
Afro-futurism is what this is, but what that is, exactly, is beyond me. The conflict here is the youthful desire for education and the modern world, in competition with the deep pull of tradition....more
A classic tale of fantasy and horror that is often in anthologies. I know I have read this before but I barely remembered it — in fact, I was sure it A classic tale of fantasy and horror that is often in anthologies. I know I have read this before but I barely remembered it — in fact, I was sure it was written by Edgar Allen Poe.
"Be careful what you wish for" is a common cautionary motif. In "The Monkey's Paw" we never learn what others have wished for, or how it turned out, but the cleverness in this tale is that much of the horror is "off-stage" and therefore left to the reader's imagination....more
A long, long time ago, in a small country-village in Japan, there lived a poor farmer and his wife, who were very good people.
The author Lafcadio HearA long, long time ago, in a small country-village in Japan, there lived a poor farmer and his wife, who were very good people.
The author Lafcadio Hearn lived in Japan and collected (and translated) traditional Japanese folk tales. In this one, the youngest son was not a good farm worker, so was sent off to become a priest. But all he wanted to do was draw cats. That was his talent, and his passion.
When the priest has had enough he sends the boy away, with these mysterious words of advice: "Avoid large places at night — keep to small!" ...more
This short tale, "The Wizard Postponed," was written in the 1330s; I thought I had read it before but it is also very likely that it has been much imiThis short tale, "The Wizard Postponed," was written in the 1330s; I thought I had read it before but it is also very likely that it has been much imitated in the world of fantasy tales over the past 700 years.
The moral of the story is to stand by your promises, and to remember those who have helped you when in turn you are able to help them.
The master magician leads the deacon down a stone staircase, very far down; such a journey represents the descent into the subconscious.
At the bottom of the stone staircase is a beautiful room, full of books and everything else they might need. This room is a dream chamber, where the true self is revealed....more
A relatively straightforward Japanese folk tale, involving such themes as keeping promises, seasonal rituals, and (in a complicated manner) respectingA relatively straightforward Japanese folk tale, involving such themes as keeping promises, seasonal rituals, and (in a complicated manner) respecting the necessity of honourable behaviour.
In his introduction to this short story, Alberto Manguel says that "younger Japaneses consider him [Hearn] too traditional for their taste." I wondered about that; perhaps a Greek-born European who considered himself "an American writer" specializing in Japanese folktales might be viewed, by younger Japanese, as practicing what could today be called cultural appropriation....more
An allegorical tale, an early example of the now-popular "shifter" genre in fiction,—in which a man watches his wife connect to her animal nature. TheAn allegorical tale, an early example of the now-popular "shifter" genre in fiction,—in which a man watches his wife connect to her animal nature. The transformation is both sudden and then gradual.
There are touches here of the complicated feelings sharing one's wife with another man; gossip from Garnett's own life indicates this shading is informed by experience.
I didn't love this story very much, took me several tries to get through it, and I was often bored. I'm going to round down to 2 stars, because I can, and who cares....more
he found nothing but a degenerate, dissembling mob of bestial fops, who seemed to be an unbeautiful mixture of all the animal species
Ah dear old Hermahe found nothing but a degenerate, dissembling mob of bestial fops, who seemed to be an unbeautiful mixture of all the animal species
Ah dear old Hermann Hesse! Such an upbeat assessment of the human race.
This story gives a long introduction to Ziegler, emphasizing how average he is, how utterly unremarkable in every way. All the many unremarkable aspects are listed and detailed.
It's been many years since I've read any Hermann Hesse. Perhaps I'll wait another few decades before reading anything more. ...more
Modern writing, it is hoped, has passed the stage where simple events are stated in the void without any clue as to the psychological and hereditary fModern writing, it is hoped, has passed the stage where simple events are stated in the void without any clue as to the psychological and hereditary forces working in the background to produce them.
A playful narrative, a writer playing with the reader, teasing our notions the nature of storytelling, acknowledging how much interaction is necessary (and normally unmentioned) between readers and writer.
We now approach the really important part of the plot, the incident which gives the whole story its significance.
I was utterly charmed by this declaration; in equal parts I was pleasantly baffled by the events of this story. It is such thin gruel to have formed the basis of a satisfying meal, and yet O'Brien manages a narrative miracle....more
An early story from a writer that offers insight into the progression of a Japanese master's craft.
"Deep in h"everywhere beauty and strength were one"
An early story from a writer that offers insight into the progression of a Japanese master's craft.
"Deep in his heart the young tattooer concealed a secret pleasure, and a secret desire."
Sadomasochism is a twisty blade that cuts in all directions, and the young tattooer is obsessed and manipulative. The story is overwrought, the fanciful plot tenuously strung from a thin thread of eroticism.
The notion of torture attracts the tattooist, and he also sets up the means to be tortured by his creation. Such is the nature of a secret desire....more
Shades of the life of Buddha — a sheltered member of the ruling class discovers the tawdry reality of the world outside the palace gates.
Shades of TheShades of the life of Buddha — a sheltered member of the ruling class discovers the tawdry reality of the world outside the palace gates.
Shades of The Picture of Dorian Gray — a painting has magical properties, capturing and containing an extra-vivid world; also offers escape.
Shades of a coming-of-age story, wherein young Ling, afraid of his own shadow, has his eyes opened by a chance encounter with an older mystical artist. This enigmatic guru/painter consumes Ling's life, painting him as a princess and his wife as a prince, in the process stealing her beauty. A portrait of Ling's wife as a sprite among clouds foreshadows her death.
I enjoyed the clunkiness here, the unusual grammar, the mysterious circumstances. A fantasy story that lives in the land of pure art, where art overshadows — and outwits — the machinations of humans....more
A short story whose cultural touchstones are circa 1845, such as a reference to "John Randolph" and which assumes a familiarity with the nature and prA short story whose cultural touchstones are circa 1845, such as a reference to "John Randolph" and which assumes a familiarity with the nature and processes of "mesmerism".
I'll make a small confession: if I was compiling a list of my favourite authors, no matter the length of that list I would never think of including Edgar Allan Poe.
There, I feel better just getting that off my chest. Confession is good for the soul.
I was more amused by the detail in the blurb here, that when first published the story was not labeled as fiction and so many readers took it to be true. Ah, the fake news of the day!
Back to the story, the facts in the case of Voldemort (I think that's what he was called). This is the prototype of the zombie story, the birth (if one can say that) of the undead.
This is V when still feeling relatively spry: His face wore a leaden hue; the eyes were utterly lustreless; and the emaciation was so extreme that the skin had been broken through by the cheek-bones. His expectoration was excessive. The pulse was barely perceptible. He retained, nevertheless, in a very remarkable manner, both his mental power and a certain degree of physical strength.
After being "mesmerized in articulo mortis" I'm afraid poor old V's condition did not improve.
"The Storm" is how this story appears in English, and it is a tale of the supernatural, or perhaps an example of the self-delusion we all practice to "The Storm" is how this story appears in English, and it is a tale of the supernatural, or perhaps an example of the self-delusion we all practice to one degree or another.
Having reached the stage in this anthology where one starts to perceive similarities in stories and anticipate the outcomes; the weight and wallop of the denouement are diminished. ...more
Loading...
