literature
Geek literature from the New York Times or the recesses of online. Our favorite stories showcase geeks.
Little Goody Two-Shoes
“The History of Little Goody Two-Shoes” was an early book for children that had a huge influence on the way that children were taught to read, from its publication in 1765 until the mid 19th century. Although its sententiousness and overbearing morality might cause hilarity today, it was in several ways a revolutionary publication in its time.
By John Welford5 years ago in Geeks
Essential Reads: Terry Pratchett
The novels of Terry Pratchett have reached cult level status among many readers of the fantasy genre. However, Pratchett's Discworld series has become so popular that many of the series' titles are regularly name-dropped in literary and academic circles. While Pratchett sadly passed away in 2015 from Alzheimer's disease, his large body of writing has solidified his literary legacy.
By Word Rabbit5 years ago in Geeks
Dorset: some literary connections
Thomas Hardy (1840-1928) The name that comes first to mind when Dorset and literature are considered together must always be Thomas Hardy. Not only was he the greatest literary figure to have lived and worked in Dorset, but the county was also the backdrop to his novels and poems, and he even re-christened Dorset as “South Wessex”, with its towns and villages identifiable as real places under different names. Many people who have never visited Dorset, but who have read Hardy’s works, have gained an intimate knowledge of the place, as it was in Hardy’s time and before, without realising it.
By John Welford5 years ago in Geeks
Book Review: "Dreamland" by Rosa Rankin-Gee
Normally, I would say that fiction set in the future has ‘all been done before’ and that there are no more stories to tell. When it comes down to “Dreamland” though, I think that there has not yet been a book set in the not so distant future quite like this one. Strangely different from its title, “Dreamland” has absolutely nothing to do with the atmosphere or subjects of the book but instead it is regarding a specific place within the book. Instead, “Dreamland” is a cross between a migration novel and the post-apocalyptic nightmare of hell in a hand basket. However much I thought this book was dark and grim to the extreme, it was also extremely well written and is set in our own near future, to become one of our generation’s modern classics alike to “1984” and “Brave New World”. A future which is possible, which is plausible and yet, one we can only imagine in our darkest thoughts.
By Annie Kapur5 years ago in Geeks
Book Review: "People From My Neighbourhood"
For starters, let me say that I do not normally read flash fiction as it is a bit too short and non-descriptive for me. I like long, philosophical and breathtaking descriptions of atmosphere and setting so the longer the book means the more the description and the more the description, then the better. However, I have read Hiromi Kawakami before. I have read “Strange Weather in Tokyo” and “The Nakano Thrift Shop” and both of those book explore realms of the extraordinary other in terms of their place in the world if they existed. This book entitled “People from my Neighbourhood” is not much different but instead of exploring the extraordinary other, it instead normalises or attempts to observe the behaviour of the people who are considered to be ‘normal’ and therefore, ‘others’ the ordinary. Kawakami does an amazing job of writing to shock and terrify but sometimes the stories are far too short and lose their effect straight after reading. So overall, I would think this book is a good attempt at shocking flash fiction but probably was not up to my own personal tastes.
By Annie Kapur5 years ago in Geeks
Book Review: "Lore" by Alexandra Bracken
I have read many revenge narratives. Everything from Shakespeare to Marlowe, Shelley, Byron and Coleridge, Faulkner and Melville, Fitzgerald to Kerouac’s revenge on modern life and all the way down to the modern narratives of Philippa Gregory’s women of history and their own private acts of revenge. From time to time, I have noticed that changes in the narrative style of revenge make it more and more pleasing when the protagonist finally gets their revenge every single time. With each turn, we have a new meaning to the act and it is never just one single act. It can be many small acts in which the protagonist builds to a pinnacle and the climax of the novel becomes more intense than ever. There are possibilities though, left in our modern times, for even more changes to the revenge narrative. This is where “Lore” by Alexandra Bracken comes in.
By Annie Kapur5 years ago in Geeks
The Book is Better than the Movie
The verdict: The book wins easily. Don’t get me wrong. The movie is a fun romp, but the book is a fabulous tale that makes the reader think. This one isn’t even hard to judge. The movie is fun and exciting, but nothing spectacular. The book is amazing, thought provoking, and interesting.
By Katie L. Oswald (BookDragon)5 years ago in Geeks
Book Review: "Pilgrims" by Matthew Kneale
I have read many books influenced by other works and most of them have been via classic literature and folklore. Christina Henry’s books influenced by “Alice in Wonderland” and “Peter Pan”, Gregory Maguire’s books influenced by L.Frank Baum’s “The Wizard of Oz” as well as others influenced by Baum’s novels including “Dorothy Must Die” by Danielle Page and the next in that series, “The Witch Must Burn”. From other classic literature, there has been many including the series inspired by “The Iliad” by Mary Renault or the series inspired by “The Iliad’ by Madeline Miller. From this, I have gotten used to reading things inspired by other things, poetry and books alike and really, reading something that was inspired by Chaucer’s “The Canterbury Tales” is really refreshing as I have never encountered something like it before.
By Annie Kapur5 years ago in Geeks
10 Great Books I Read in April '21
I read a lot of great books in April 2021 and honestly, this list was incredibly difficult to make. I was going to do twenty books in the list but I did not want to keep you waiting around. So instead, what I have done is I have done a list of ten and then, at the end I will give more suggestions of what else I have read this month that has been amazing.
By Annie Kapur5 years ago in Geeks
