literature
Geek literature from the New York Times or the recesses of online. Our favorite stories showcase geeks.
Book Review: "Goodbye to All That" by Robert Graves
Robert Graves is possibly one of the most recognisable names in British fiction, especially when it comes to writing about the ancient empires and their increasingly disturbing stories. Graves’ novels are often compounded with writing excellence and metaphor whilst being embodied in a lengthy, yet stunningly beautiful narrative. Many people like myself often recall the first time we read any novel by Robert Graves, mine was “I, Claudius” and I have to say at fourteen years’ old, I had no bloody idea what was happening. I had to look up everything in another book and then I had a dictionary for all these archaic words. It was hell and took me just about a month to make it through, but by the end - I was able to write an essay on it. It was quite a wonderful book but I had no idea that Graves had written an autobiography until I was about twenty-one. Yes, before you ask, the autobiography “Goodbye to All That” has been on my ‘to be read’ list for four years, don’t tag me in your post, don’t blog about this incident, just know that I’m sorry. But it was well worth the wait, let me tell you why.
By Annie Kapur4 years ago in Geeks
Chaucer's Tale of Sir Thopas
Geoffrey Chaucer (c.1340-1400) was not only the greatest writer of the Middle English period, but also English Literature’s first humourist of note. It is therefore not surprising that his “Canterbury Tales” should contain a joke at his own expense.
By John Welford4 years ago in Geeks
Book Review: "The Twelve Lives of Alfred Hitchcock" by Edward White
When I read about film - as someone who has a Master’s Degree in the subject, I like to read very specific things. The first type of book I enjoy is a critical analysis of the era or type of movie I have been watching. Books such as “The Big Goodbye” by Sam Wasson have normally done some good in my life. The next type of book I love to read about film are the ones about specific films and their directors, the analysis surrounding them and what they did for film. These are probably the most common film books people read and for this the most famous one I can think of from the top of my head is possibly “Stephen King at the Movies” by Ian Nathan. Finally, there are the books about filmmakers that are slightly different - they are a mix between the life of the filmmaker and the things they have made - no, they may not be those large books that come in cardboard covers about Tarantino, PTA and Wes Anderson, but they are just as good, if not far more detailed. One of the best books I have read in this category includes Simon Callow’s “One Man Band” and the current review on this book on Alfred Hitchcock is no different.
By Annie Kapur4 years ago in Geeks
Review of 'Fresh'
Fresh takes readers back to college in this hilarious, relatable, and realistic read. Elliot Saves the Day Quite possibly, the best part of Fresh is the main character. Elliot is a breath of fresh air, reminding readers that we are all flawed and make mistakes.
By Cyn's Workshop4 years ago in Geeks
Ghost Boy
I picked this up because I had thought about teaching it to my students, and I found that I was pleasantly surprised at how good it was. At first glance, I expected this to be a stereotypical “don’t judge a book by its cover” or “it’s what’s on the inside that truly matters” type of book--and it was--but I found that it was also so much more than that.
By Kurt Mason4 years ago in Geeks
10 Great Scenes from "War and Peace"
"War and Peace" by Leo Tolstoy has constantly been referred to as one of the greatest novels ever written in the history of literature. Upon its first publication, it comes in at about 1'220 pages and yet, ever since it has been read far and wide proving that the size really does not put anyone off (and if it puts you off let me tell you, it is well worth the read). From 1865 to 1867, it was serialised in "The Russian Messenger" and then it was published in book format two years' later. It was meant to be followed by Leo Tolstoy's take on "The Decembrists" (sharing the title with the group) and yet, the novel was abandoned. Ever since, "War and Peace" has become a symbol of just how good literature can be.
By Annie Kapur4 years ago in Geeks
Book Review: "Diaries" by George Orwell
George Orwell’s Diaries are absolutely fascinating. Split between international travels and domestic travels, it shows how the Orwells moved all over the world during the time they were alive. It also shows the various payments and commissions, royalties and expenses of George Orwell in his great lifetime. Journeys across Morocco and stops off in Spain, adventures in Casablanca and the history of the fall of France to Spain in the early to mid-20th century. It is not actually as much about the states and affairs of Britain as you would like and neither is it the obsession with the destruction of the iron curtain that you though Orwell was heavily involved in. But instead, there is a great viewing of a man who had keen observation of everything around him. There is everything from political observation to the way in which people were dressed. There were observations on market places, money, stalls and women. There are government observations and reads from the snippets of newspapers. Orwell had a keen eye for everything and it does not stop at the start of his diaries. It is perhaps more ardent in pursuit of meaning than any of his novels. He never glosses over a detail but stands to admire it long after the detail in question has possibly already passed him by.
By Annie Kapur4 years ago in Geeks
"The War of the Worlds" Still Guides Readers on Science v. Religion, Post-2010 (the Year It Is Set)
“[what’s needed] is not bravery, but circumspection.” — the protagonist (never named by H.G. Wells) The place is Earth. The year is 2010. Pious men use technology to terrorize and destroy their global neighbors.
By Bill Mitchell4 years ago in Geeks
Book Review: "The Maidens" by Alex Michaelides
Books with twists that you never expect are some of the most exciting books to read. For example: we have the novels of Agatha Christie, the books of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and down the line we get this resurgence of thrillers that we are witnessing in our own day. In the last few years I have read my fair share of great thriller novels and most of them have been absolutely amazing. Recently, I did finish the new and best-selling “The Silent Patient” by Alex Michaelides which is about a woman in a mental facility who will not talk. A doctor takes his chances to get her to open up but written in the first person from the doctor’s perspective, this book is nothing like you would expect. The twist is something far more horrific than you think it is. After reading this, I thought it would be a great idea to wait for the next thing from this author to float my way and thus, here we have “The Maidens”. I was super-excited to read this and then I opened the book and made my way inside its dark and blood-splattered pages. Flashlight in hand, it was not what I expected at all.
By Annie Kapur4 years ago in Geeks
