I have stumbled across this on Audible and it seemed like a good idea to listen to this, as I have listened to the Decameron before. It turned out thaI have stumbled across this on Audible and it seemed like a good idea to listen to this, as I have listened to the Decameron before. It turned out that I remembered next to nothing, but it made me re-listen to the book and having understood better the interactions between narrators and the significance of the stories, I am quite certain they stick with me a lot longer this time.
Kristina Olson takes us through each of the ten days and the focus of each day, drawing significant examples. This is all pretty interesting and gives a pretty good overview to those who do not actually want to read the much longer book - although I quite enjoyed it, as the stories are entertaining.
What is probably unique and interesting in these lectures is the parallel the lecturer draws between the plague and the Covid pandemic. Boccaccio's description of how people reacted to the plague is spot on even now. He mentions four groups of people: 1. those who lock themselves into their houses; 2. those who flee to the country; 3. those who feel like the world is ending so might as well party like there is no tomorrow; 4. and those who decide to go about their business but cover their noses with scented kerchiefs. Some things never change. ...more
Uncle Fred in the springtime gets itchy for adventure, especially in the name of bringing two loving hearts together. He is not above impersonation, cUncle Fred in the springtime gets itchy for adventure, especially in the name of bringing two loving hearts together. He is not above impersonation, conning, burglary, and lying through his teeth, all in the name of a good cause, of course, and in the stead of the rather clueless youngsters. All of these shenanigans take place at Blandings Castle, where Lord Elmsworth is still madly fond of his prize winning pig, the Empress, who in the good old traditions of Pigs Have Wings, gets stolen again. A notable sum must be obtained to open a soup stall, there are gambling debts, night time egg throwing, a morose uncle, and the usual madcap Wodehouse situational comedy.
I felt that this one lacked the laugh out loud moments and was a bit overcomplicated, but uncle Fred was a thoroughly enjoyable character. He is smart and can fix situations in the vein of Jeeves, but he has a charm and easy social grace that a butler is not allowed to have. Fun venture into non-Jeeves Wodehouse....more
This is an absolute masterpiece of drama that has yet to be surpassed in dramatic tension and sheer perfection of its construction. There is no line wThis is an absolute masterpiece of drama that has yet to be surpassed in dramatic tension and sheer perfection of its construction. There is no line wasted here: from start to finish, the drama and tension keeps increasing. It is much shorter than I expected: it delivers all its drama without any filler.
The story of Oedipus, who unkowingly murdered his father and married his mother, was known to audiences who watched the play in ancient Greece and it is known to modern readers as well. (Modern editions would have an introduction explaining it; if yours does not, get another one, or look it up on Wikipedia). This is essential to the high tension in the play: it is Oedipus who must find out and confront the truth, it is his gradual reckoning and full realization of his terrible crime that we witness.
Oedipus’s crime is fascinating to so many authors because of the crime’s true abhorrence is contrasted with the perpetrators complete ignorance of committing it. We have a sinner here who bears no responsibility of knowledge yet the full responsibility of the consequences. We know it is coming and see him going through the stages of realization and grief as the impact hits him. The tragedy is fully felt by the audience as we see both his guilt and also his innocence. The true tragedy comes from that we feel for him yet we know he must suffer the consequences in order for society to survive. Some rules are inviolate: the prohibition for killing a family member and incest are the most sacred among them.
Sophocles, so many centuries ago, was a master psychologist who takes Oedipus through the five stages of grief. Denial: Oedipus rejects Teiresias’s truth that he is the problem. Tiresias’s blindness is a metaphor, for he can see the truth but Oedipus cannot. We are so often blinded by our own faults but are quick to condemn others. Anger: Oedipus angrily didmisses Tiresias and proceeds to blame Kreon for his prophecy. Bargaining: as he is discovering more clues, he keeps hoping that someone might just contradict the terrible reality that is slowly dawning on him. Acceptance and depression: as he realizes the truth, the full force hits him and he mourns all he lost and effects on his children.
The dialog is in full service of the drama and tension; the chorus adds interpretation and prayer to the gods.
This play remains one of the most studied, a foundation of all Western drama as we know it, and the best example of the Greek drama tradition. It survives because it explores universal themes of grief and the tragedy of having to face oneself as one’s own worst enemy. ...more
This short tale of mental terror is most worthy to read for the close observation of mental states between consciousness and unconsciousness. Poe alluThis short tale of mental terror is most worthy to read for the close observation of mental states between consciousness and unconsciousness. Poe alludes to the similarity of sleep to unconsciousness and death.
“In the deepest slumber—no! In delirium—no! In a swoon—no! In death—no! even in the grave all is not lost. Else there is no immortality for man. Arousing from the most profound of slumbers, we break the gossamer web of some dream. Yet in a second afterward, (so frail may that web have been) we remember not that we have dreamed. In the return to life from the swoon there are two stages; first, that of the sense of mental or spiritual; secondly, that of the sense of physical, existence.”
This close attention to the physical senses and consciousness gives the story its palpable terror. The protagonist’s frantic fear alternates with calm periods when he welcomes death as the release from his torment: “ And then there stole into my fancy, like a rich musical note, the thought of what sweet rest there must be in the grave. ”
Poe is not concerned with historical accuracy of any sort. The Spanish inquisition was way over before the Napoleonic occupation of Toledo, and General Lasalle was not participating in it. The Inquisition was not really into mental torture when physical was right at hand, either.
“A Damsel in Distress by P. G. Wodehouse. Read by Jonathan Cecil.”
I have just heard these words on my Audible app and immediately my day brightened. “A Damsel in Distress by P. G. Wodehouse. Read by Jonathan Cecil.”
I have just heard these words on my Audible app and immediately my day brightened. Jonathan Cecil is the best. P. G. Wodehouse is the best. Jonathan Cecil reading P.G. Wodehouse is like heaven.
He then begins to read Chapter 1:
“Inasmuch as the scene of this story is that historic pile, Belpher Castle, in the county of Hampshire, it would be an agreeable task to open it with a leisurely description of the place, followed by some notes on the history of the Earls of Marshmoreton, who have owned it since the fifteenth century. Unfortunately, in these days of rush and hurry, a novelist works at a disadvantage. He must leap into the middle of his tale with as little delay as he would employ in boarding a moving tramcar. He must get off the mark with the smooth swiftness of a jack-rabbit surprised while lunching. Otherwise, people throw him aside and go out to picture palaces.”
I am right now completely delighted. And will have five hours of it! Move over, picture palaces.
Update: I have finished and I loved it, as usual. Wodehouse’s lovely snark is just simply pleasurable.
This one is lighter in situational comedy, but has something most Wodehouse novels don’t: character development. We start with a set if stock characters present in all of his work: a bumbling older aristocrat ruled by an overbearing female relative; one or two bumbling idiot aristocratic sons; a couple pretty eligible girls much smarter and more level-headed than the males; a brainy butler; and to make things a bit different, two worthy American youngsters who stir up the peace of the sleepy English village manor.
Plot-wise, we have the usual announced love affairs where the main conflict is to bring the couples, separated by parental disapproval or lack of confidence, together into marital harmony. However, here Wodehouse actually decides to develop the romance between the characters, and have them grow and learn during the novel. The only thing his characters normally learn is that they would be in deep trouble without Jeeves - here they value getting to know each other and being there when needed.
Plenty of chuckles here, but no major laugh out loud moments, however the character development well makes up for it....more
Ovid has been the source material for much of our knowledge about Greek myths, so if you have read them before, this should be familiar. The MetamorphOvid has been the source material for much of our knowledge about Greek myths, so if you have read them before, this should be familiar. The Metamorphoses is a long Latin poem recounting the Greek myths, which the Romans borrowed and just renamed the Gods. Ovid was quite a playboy and treats these stories like entertainment, not like an object of reverence - which is why they are still quite entertaining. He tends to emphasize the romantic and erotic aspects.
Greek and Roman myths basically boil down to two things: bragging and raping. Bragging is a really stupid thing that mortals do to piss off the gods. Brag about that you are prettier, richer, have more kids, etc, than the god, and await your grisly fate. It is amazing that the mortals don’t learn. And if you have a pretty daughter, you can’t hide her. Most gods (Jupiter/Zeus the leader among them) “fall in love” with a beautiful woman when they see her. And by falling in love they mean they immediately want to rape her, disregarding what she wants. Even powerful fathers cannot protect their daughters from the most powerful - the best they can do is turn her into a tree or a spring….
I listened to poeam and that worked wonderfully.
If you are not familar with Greek myths or the roman equivalents of the names, there are an awful lot of names and characters to keep track of. You should probably start with Mythology or Mythos: The Greek Myths Retold....more
This is the original, the classic romantic adventure of chivalry, tournaments, damsels in distress, noble knights, evil villains and daring rescues. IThis is the original, the classic romantic adventure of chivalry, tournaments, damsels in distress, noble knights, evil villains and daring rescues. It is full of exciting action, lofty ideals and beautiful maidens, jousts and battles to the death. In fact, this is THE novel that originally put the buckle in the swash.
The tale is set during the reign of Richard the Lionheart, who is absent on a crusade, and his weak, greedy and changeable brother John rules in his stead. The ruling Normans are opposed by the oppressed Saxons, lead by Cedric, the old stubborn Saxon lord who even disowned his own son for following King Richard, a Norman. He is guardian of Rowena, the beautiful princess descended from the old Saxon kings, and wants her to marry Ethelstan, the last male Saxon heir to the throne.
We have a large cast of colorful characters, among whom the titular Ivanhoe shows up probably the least. We see way more of Cedric, his father, John and his norman courtiers, the Knight Templars, and the Jew Isaac and his beautiful and talented daughter, Rebecca. King Richard also appears, and entertainingly makes acquaintence with Friar Tuck, Robin Hood and his merry men. Scott spends quite a bit on character development, and we are treated to several humorous bits involving Friar Tuck, Robin Hood, and Ethelstan and his appetite.
Sir Walter Scott’s language is quite readable and the action and scenery are well described. However, most characters talk in long and circuituos sentences, never neglecting using fifty words where five would do… so this makes it a bit tedious. On audio, with a good narrator, this is not so much a drawback, but I probably would have skipped quite a bit if I was reading it.
With a work this old there are always problematic parts. This one drips with antisemitic characters. While Scott feels for his Jew and his beautiful daughter and laments how despite their money, they could any time be robbed, expelled or worse, he lets his characters abuse and shame the Jews in pretty much every scene. They go on and on about how dirty and infidel they are and they don’t even want to touch them. I am sure in reality the Jews were way cleaner than most Christians…
The other is the terrible misogyny. We know that damsels were supposed to be beautiful, modest and needing to be rescued, I expected that. And Scott does speak out against the terribly flimsy excuses and lies with which a female good at healing could be declared a witch whenever she became inconvenient to someone. But the scene where Cedric despises Ulrika for sharing the bed of her abductors and still being alive just really made me angry. She was raped, she had no choice in the matter! She needed sympathy, not shaming.
Overall this work stands the test of time - it is still entertaining, and if I could get over the antisemitism and the misogyny, I would give it five stars....more
Deliciously fun and cleverly written, from a pretty blonde gold digger’s point of view. Lorelei Lee is not well educated, but beautiful and knows how Deliciously fun and cleverly written, from a pretty blonde gold digger’s point of view. Lorelei Lee is not well educated, but beautiful and knows how to rub a gentleman’s ego… and other parts. Thus gentlemen line up to educate her and her straight talking friend, Dorothy. They romp through Europe but their idea of sightseeing is not The Tower of London (it is so small, we got way taller towers here in America!), but the jewelry and clothing stores. As Lorelei’s diary unfolds, we find she is not that stupid as she appears (because blondes know how to appear innocent and naive), but quite crafty and able to always get what she wants.
I find myself just wanting to listen to entertaining, light stories, and Wodehouse is at the top of the list of comedic genius. Picadilly Jim is slighI find myself just wanting to listen to entertaining, light stories, and Wodehouse is at the top of the list of comedic genius. Picadilly Jim is slightly longer than usual, and involves a send-up of British and American cultural differences on top of the usual snark about the silly pretensions of the British upper class. There are the customary mistaken identities, domineering aunts, romantic misunderstandings, disguises, nighttime shenanigans, an insufferable child and a couple of put-upon middle aged gentlemen who have a passion for baseball. In other words, expect the expected and you will have fun.
Narrator Jonathan Cecil is absolutely brilliant....more
This is a one-off by Dame Agatha, lacking her usual official detective figure. Bobby happens by to hear the dying man’s last words: ‘why didn’t they aThis is a one-off by Dame Agatha, lacking her usual official detective figure. Bobby happens by to hear the dying man’s last words: ‘why didn’t they ask Evans?’ When he relates this to Frankie, the bored high society girl jumps to the exciting adventure of solving the mystery.
Since they lack authority to ask questions, our amateur sleuths have to resort to clever tricks to acquire information. They often helpfully discuss the status of the investigation and their suspicions, so the reader finds out the clues the same time as they do and can make their own conclusions. (Poirot often keeps his thoughts to himself until the end). Our young protagonists also are more apt to get into trouble, not to mention into romantic entanglements.
The characters are rather flat, as usual, but who reads Christie for the character development? The writing is rather more cheeky than usual, quipping about the prejudices of the young against the old and vica versa, the pandering to people with titles, and the foibles of young idle people. The mystery is clever, although not her best. It is entertaining, and that’s what I wanted....more
This is the definition of swashbuckling adventure with a hero that is attractive, dark and mysterious, yet talented at everything he tries - be that oThis is the definition of swashbuckling adventure with a hero that is attractive, dark and mysterious, yet talented at everything he tries - be that of actor, writer, politician, or swords master. Set against the background of the French revolution, this romantic story is compulsorily listenable, in the best traditions of great classic entertainment. Just what I needed!...more
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