literature
Geek literature from the New York Times or the recesses of online. Our favorite stories showcase geeks.
Book Review: "Out" by Natsuo Kirino
The world of the Japanese mundane is something that is being explored more and more in the post-modern fiction that is now coming out of there. Alongside this mundane, there will always be another part of the story where the mundane is turned around and the people inhabiting the mundane are forced to come to terms with the fact that their lives are not exactly that ordinary after all. The authors of these works go all the way back to Yukio Mishima and then, move into our own day in which Yoko Ogawa inhabits the literary landscape of Japan. One of the books that I have read regarding the mundane by an author I have not heard of before this is “Out” by Natsuo Kirino. Told in frightening precision, there are a number of incidents and things that make the characters seem like they are a part of a world that is formed against them, to keep them in a loop of the rat-race, to keep them working like dogs until they die even though they cannot pay for very much anything. However, these characters are ultimately flung into another part of this very same world where they are all forced to become another person because now, they cannot go back to the way things were before.
By Annie Kapur4 years ago in Geeks
Book Review: "The Hollows" by Mark Edwards
When it comes to folk horror, there are always a number of components you need for telling the story. These include: urban legends, folktales, pagan/satanic symbolism, cultish behaviour, animals and the supposed supernatural. These are the things that you need in order to make your folk horror novel engrossing. Naturally, books such as “Water Shall Refuse Them” by Lucie McKnight Hardy and “Salt Slow” by Julia Armfield are two great examples of this. In my essay “Women Writing Horror” there is a whole section how women are becoming bigger and more apparent in the folk horror genre. Apart from that though, we have films of folk horror that are making a comeback, almost like someone thought that “The Wicker Man” was a good film - someone apart from me. Ari Aster’s folk horror feasts “Hereditary” and “Midsummer” are intensely electrifying and disturbing films, alongside Jordan Peele’s inclusion of animals as folk symbols alongside the theories surrounding mass cultish behaviour in his films blend folk horror with the contemporary. And that I think, is the key to new the folk horror - blending it with the new and contemporary in our own age so that we, as readers, can relate better to it. Mark Edwards does just this in his book “The Hollows” which is a great experience to have if you read it.
By Annie Kapur4 years ago in Geeks
Book Review: "Broken Monsters" by Lauren Beukes
I am one of those people that enjoys going through Reddit Forums. I like to look at books in particular to find out what kind of books people recommend for horror reading. Yes, we have the normal ones like “The Shining” by Stephen King, “The Haunting of Hill House” by Shirley Jackson and “House of Leaves” by Mark Z Danielewski - but I like to explore ones that maybe we haven’t been subjected to by the mainstream bestsellers of the genre. When I explore deeper into these types of books, I am stunned to find more obscure books, some of which I have gladly never heard of. Reddit has offered me a space to see what others have been reading, what they have thought of the books - and as the discussion replies are normally long and detailed - a short summary of what the book is about as well. This is where I found a book called “Broken Monsters” by Lauren Beukes. The person in question (whom I will not address by any name) called it “truly disturbing” without actually saying what it was really about. I had my theories when I found the book but a lot of my theories were just straight up wrong.
By Annie Kapur4 years ago in Geeks
The Fun of the Fae
While I have always respected and been intrigued by the magical otherworlds of Hogwarts and Wonderland, I was never truly bitten by the fantasy bug until the 'A Court' series wormed its way into my life (bug/worm pun intended). When I used to think of faeries, I would think of Tinkerbell or Cinderella's godmother or even the Fairly OddParents. But oh, no, no, no. These iconic characters are fairies, not faeries. A faerie, at least according to a quick google search, is simply something that is imaginary or mythical. In the world of the Fae (pronounced: fay), created by author Sarah J. Maas, faeries are heightened, otherworldly creatures. Some are powerful, like the High Lords and High Fae; others are not, often dictated by the derogatory term 'lesser faeries'.
By Raine Neal4 years ago in Geeks
"Hogwarts, A History"
It's raining. Candles are lit, blankets cover the couch, and Hedwig's Theme fills the room. The Warner Brother's logo pulls back to reveal the title: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. A wave of nostalgia fills the air. It's the perfect morning for a Harry Potter marathon.
By Lara Turner4 years ago in Geeks
"I Am in Fact a Hobbit (in all but size)"
I lived as much of my life in fantasy as I could when I was growing up. I would lose myself into the worlds created by the likes of J.M Barrie, Rudyard Kipling, and Roald Dahl. Sadly, I was fifteen years old before I discovered what must be the most richly and masterfully created fantasy world ever penned.
By Lena Beana4 years ago in Geeks
Fantasy Worlds Showdown
“I felt her fear before I heard her screams.” Premise Lissa Dragomir is a Moroi princess: a mortal vampire with a rare gift for harnessing the Earth's magic. She must be protected at all times from Strigoi; the fiercest vampires—the ones who never die. The powerful blend of human and vampire blood that flows through Rose Hathaway, Lissa's best friend, makes her a dhampir. Rose is dedicated to a dangerous life of protecting Lissa from the Strigoi, who are hell-bent on making Lissa one of them.
By A.M.Radulescu4 years ago in Geeks
Harry Potter And The Trophy Of Fantasy Fandom. Top Story - September 2021.
Okay, listen. I tried to think of a different series for this challenge, I really did. I’ve read plenty of amazing fantasy, so the choices were endless. HoWeVeR, when it comes to not only my favorite fantasy story but my favorite fantasy world, the one that has subjectively impacted and touched me the most, as well as the one I feel is objectively the most influential… well, I had to go with a more popular answer: Harry Potter.
By Raistlin Allen4 years ago in Geeks
Always.
There will be a lot of people here that can talk better about the Harry Potter Series. I lack the knowledge to become a true fan of anything. I consume the feelings and the inspiration to evolve into my own worlds. But you can't say that these stories that moved a generation cannot be one of the best.
By Sofia Duarte4 years ago in Geeks
The Father of Modern Fantasy
I was perusing the meager book selection at the local Goodwill and feeling frustrated by the abundance of abandoned self-help and cook books when it caught my eye. My fingers flung toward the binding, and I closed my eyes briefly in expectation of the found treasure.
By Lena Beana4 years ago in Geeks
Book Review: "Fever Dream" by Samanta Schweblin
I was initially avoiding this book because I really was not sure about it at all. Samanta Schweblin’s books are normally those that touch on the slightly weird and freakish moments of human nature which are most likely unexplainable. Her books are usually well written and even though they may be a little far fetched, she doesn’t take it out too far. I remember when this book first came out and many people were conflicted about it. I had heard people say it was a brilliant book and then other people sad it was just a silly concept. I did not actually know what the book was about at this particular time, but there were far more people telling me it was going to be a waste of my time in comparison to people telling me that it was going to blow my mind. I would have read the book myself anyway if I could find it in a library. Unfortunately, the aspect of so many people telling me it was bad and then having to spend my own money on it made me realise that maybe, I should just skip this one instead. However, some years later, I have come to my senses and decided to read the book for myself. A character driven story, it is certainly not at all bad.
By Annie Kapur4 years ago in Geeks
