Imagine living in a world where humans interact by computer screen and rely on technology to bring them anything they want. This is the world that E.M. Forster imagined back in the early 1900's in The Machine Stops and I wonder if he had any idea how portentous his story would turn out to be. In Forster's world, humans had become so reliant on technology and leadership … [Read more...]
Tender is the Night is as stunning as it is tragic
I recently read Villa America by Liza Klaussmann, which was about Sara and Gerald Murphy. The Murphy's were two ex-pats who more or less started the 1920's lifestyle of parties and glamour on the French Riviera and, coincidentally, served as the inspiration for F. Scott Fitzgerald's Tender is the Night. Having never read this classic, I was inspired to read it because I had the … [Read more...]
A Reread of ‘The Prince’
I recently started a book titled The Next Decade: Empire and Republic in a Changing World by George Friedman and it relies on the philosophies offered up in Niccolò Machiavelli's The Prince. Before starting this new book, I decided to refresh my memory and reread The Prince so that I would go into this new book a little better equipped than I would be without a reread. The book … [Read more...]
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy (Book Review)
I finally read my first Tolstoy. I've always been afraid of picking him up because, well, the Russians are just so daunting but, since I'm trying to read some of the books from the 1001 Books to Read Before You Die list, I decided to bite the bullet. My first Tolstoy was Anna Karenina and I have a lot of thoughts, especially about the characters themselves. Because I figure … [Read more...]
Sinclair Lewis’ Social Satire in Babbitt (Book Review)
If you were to look at some of the Goodreads reviews for this book, you might be hesitant to pick it up. The main character, George Babbitt, is unlikable, selfish, and a social climber. What you wouldn't know from most of these reviews is that the book is a complete satire and is absolutely hilarious.You see, Babbitt is a conservative, buttoned-up realtor with a wife … [Read more...]
Conquering the Classics: The Bird’s Nest by Shirley Jackson
Shy and introverted, 23-year old Elizabeth spends her days toiling away at a museum while living with her aunt, who cares for her with her own inheritance. Sickly and a chronic sufferer of headaches and back pains, Elizabeth's aunt finally takes her to a doctor, who refers her to a psychiatrist for her "nervous" condition. What at first appears to be a simple and fixable … [Read more...]
The Turn of the Screw by Henry James (Book Review)
Last week was gloomy and rainy, so I was in the mood for a good, short ghost story. I'm a big wuss when it comes to this genre, but Rory at Fourth Street Review assured me that, as far as horror goes, this one isn't so bad. She's right, although if I had seen this version of the cover before reading the book, I definitely wouldn't have picked it up.Despite its scant 120 … [Read more...]
Conquering the Classics – Flowers for Algernon
My husband's not a reader. At all. But, for years he's been bugging me to read this book, so I finally decided to take his advice and take the plunge. I can't decide whether I want to smack him or hug him for making me read it. I want to hug him because it was so good, but I want to smack him because it left me in emotional turmoil and he wouldn't wake up at 2:00 am to discuss … [Read more...]