literature
Geek literature from the New York Times or the recesses of online. Our favorite stories showcase geeks.
Memoirs of a Geisha: Book Review
This is a review of one of my favourite novels: Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden. This beautiful piece of historical fiction was first published in 1997 by Chatto and Windus. A film adaptation of the novel also came out in 2005, and is equally beautiful. I first read this book when I was 14 and I remember wanting to learn more and more about geisha culture from then on. Geisha culture itself has changed so much since the time this novel was set. In the story itself, the main character Sayuri was taken from her family as a child to become a geisha, and she had no choice. The novel is also rather explicit, and the geishas were seen as sexual objects by some of the men, drank saké at a very young age, had their virginity sold to rich men for a lot of money, and were dependent on a danna, an extremely wealthy man who was normally a lot older than the geisha herself, and would provide her with everything she needed. It was normal for the geisha to be in a sexual relationship with her danna.
By Naomi Esméralda4 years ago in Geeks
Book Review: "Edward III: A Heroic Failure" by Jonathan Sumption
As you probably know, I have been reading one book about every single king and queen of England from Edward the Confessor all the way through to Queen Elizabeth II. So far, I have read one book about each of the following: Edward the Confessor, William teh Conqueror, William Rufus (William II), Henry I, King Stephen, Empress Matilda, Henry II, Richard I, King John, Henry III, Edward I and Edward II. Today, I move on to the next king in English history, the woeful and tragic Edward III who just about - like Henry I - lost everything. This book is entitled Edward III: A Heroic Failure and it's by Jonathan Sumption.
By Annie Kapur4 years ago in Geeks
Book Review: "Edward II" by Seymour Phillips
As you may or may not know, I am reading one book about every single king and queen of England, starting with Edward the Confessor and working my way through to Queen Elizabeth II. So far, I have read books on the following kings and queens of England:
By Annie Kapur4 years ago in Geeks
What is Science Literacy?
There have been increasing calls for Scientific Literacy to combat the growing spread of misinformation. The hope is that increases in Scientific Literacy would make conspiracy theories and misinformation less believable and that it would allow for more informed decision-making regarding the use and regulation of science and technology in our society. But what is Science Literacy?
By Christian DeJarnette4 years ago in Geeks
Book Review: "A Great and Terrible King: Edward I and the Forging of Britain" by Marc Morris
As you already know by now, I am reading one book about each and every English king and queen from Edward the Confessor all the way up to Queen Elizabeth II. So far, I have covered the following monarchs: Edward the Confessor, William the Conqueror, William Rufus (William II), Henry I, King Stephen, Empress Matilda, Henry II, Richard I, King John and Henry III. Finally, I am about to move on to the king that everyone seems to unanimously refer to as one of the most evil kings in English history, a man who legitimately frightens the life out of me and a man who I think should not really be given the title of 'great' anything: Edward I. Now to do a throwback review of Marc Morris's A Great and Terrible King: Edward I and the Forging of Britain as I actually read this book two years' ago (but recently read it once more for reference).
By Annie Kapur4 years ago in Geeks
Book Review: "Shaken and Stirred: Intoxicating Stories" edited by Diana Secker Tesdell
The Everyman's Pocket Classics Collection does not fit in your pocket as it states. These books, though they are small, are normally quite thick in length and therefore, unless you have very big and deep pockets - will not fit. That was just a bit of a complaint I had about the name.
By Annie Kapur4 years ago in Geeks
Book Review: "Henry III: A Simple and God-Fearing King" by Stephen Church
I am reading one book for every king and queen of England from Edward the Confessor all the way through to Queen Elizabeth II. First of all, I read a book about Edward the Confessor, then one about William the Conqueror and then one for William Rufus (William II). Next, I read a book about Henry I, then King Stephen and after that, Empress Matilda. Then, I read a book about Henry II and next were his children, King Richard I and then King John. Now, I have moved on to King John's heir apparent: Henry III. By Stephen Church and other sources, he has been given attributes such as 'simple' and 'god-fearing'. But mostly, I think he tried to make the most of a bad situation. Let's review Henry III: A Simple and God-Fearing King by Stephen Church.
By Annie Kapur4 years ago in Geeks
Book Review: "The Dean's December" by Saul Bellow
If you know me, you know of my struggle with Saul Bellow. Though I enjoyed his books It All Adds Up, Dangling Man and Ravelstein, I have also despised the more famous Adventures of Augie March and Herzog. I don't know why, but the latter two seem to have too much of Saul Bellow trying to craft a perfect story whilst not focusing enough on constructing characters - this makes the characters often, deeply unlikeable and you end up not really caring how they turn out. So, today I have finished reading The Dean's December - a book by Saul Bellow that I have never actually heard of and yet, I still find myself sitting atop the fence, looking down over both sides and wondering why I'm here.
By Annie Kapur4 years ago in Geeks
