literature
Geek literature from the New York Times or the recesses of online. Our favorite stories showcase geeks.
Book Review: "The Waiting Years" by Fumiko Enchi
When I first read a book by Fumiko Enchi, it was "Masks" and honestly, I thought that it was the peak of her writing until I read this one. Little known to me at the time, this book entitled "The Waiting Years" was actually far more famous than the one I had initially read. Winning multiple awards and translated really well - this novel basically sets the bar for any sort of period drama literature of Japan. Fumiko Enchi's writing style is in no way shy when it comes to talking about female sexuality, especially when the novel is set within a time when it was considered taboo to even look upon the topic let alone talk about it. Enchi is incredibly open with her criticism of the male ego and how women are told to be not only subservient but also willing to do whatever it takes to keep the bond strong even if the marriage itself has already started to break and crumble. Fumiko Enchi's self-awareness in her writing, her way of giving voice to women who would have been without a voiced opinion and her manner of writing style which includes long, overwhelming moments of sadness and contemplation is only part and parcel to this short but wonderful book.
By Annie Kapur5 years ago in Geeks
Have You Found The Fabulist?
Six years ago, I inadvertently sent a novel overseas, but it was only because I was trying to get it published. It's not that complicated, I assure you - it does get a little messy, though, and I'm going to be asking you for your help a little for now. For now, just know that this is a story of desperation and misdirected creativity that went a little farther (literally) than I'd imagined.
By Andrew Johnston5 years ago in Geeks
Book Review: "Three" by Ann Quin
Ann Quin is one of the greatest experimental writers of all time, her greatest and most well-known work being "Berg" and yet, "Three" - in my opinion, is just as great. There is something amazing about the way in which she combines speech and movement in this dance of life that makes everything seem to flow from one moment to the next, even the most tense of times can be followed by the most relaxing ones. However, it is the tense times that seem to go along beat by beat, the movements being so extremely described with the intent of making the reader feel each and every part of the tense moment. The overwhelming nature of these movements often cause the reader to believe the character is descending into obsession and this is most definitely true for the woman of our story - Ruth. Her husband - Leon - not expecting what is to come.
By Annie Kapur5 years ago in Geeks
A Guide to Reading Anne McCaffrey's "Dragonriders of Pern" by Threadfall
Depending on their starting point in the world of Dragonriders of Pern, readers will passionately argue in favor of the series being classified as either fantasy or science fiction. However, when considering the series's overall arc, Dragonriders of Pern is a blend of science fiction and fantasy.
By Sandi Parsons5 years ago in Geeks
Book Review: "The Long Petal of the Sea" by Isabel Allende
Isabel Allende’s writing has always been some source of comfort and emotion to me. I first discovered her when I read her book “Eva Luna” whilst I was in school - I must have been about seventeen at the time and afterwards, I did not think of reading her again until I fell back in love with her writing in university. I was twenty years’ old and I had just finished reading a book called “The House of the Spirits” - which I now believe to be her magnum opus. A heart-wrenching book set in a family saga that begins with the death of a woman called Rosa the Beautiful. Throughout the novel, we see fortune telling and spirituality, war and death, love and conflict that take over almost four generations of a family whilst the brooding Esteban sits back and watches as his life crumbles to the ground. “The Long Petal of the Sea” is not a lot different though it is not as long. Instead, this one is set during the Spanish Civil War and starts off with a doctor who treats the wounded. We get these moments in which we are stopped to contemplate before the reality of the war comes rushing back. When the doctor’s father dies and both he and his brother return to his bedside, he must make his father a promise to take his mother and the pianist away from the war. Unable to say no, but unable to leave his post of being a doctor, this book travels through space and time of the late 1930s and generations ahead as we meet people who would not have existed if it was not for an alternative plan in the mind of our main character.
By Annie Kapur5 years ago in Geeks
An Analysis: Prisoner of Azkaban
This analysis will be organized by theme in order to make it slightly easier to follow. The themes that will be discussed in this analysis will be: a) justice, b) responsibility, c) morality, d) time, e) friendship, f) neglect/abuse as well as g) generally problematic instances.
By Bri M Jenkins5 years ago in Geeks
A Solution Through Shadows Chapter XII
An echo caught Oren’s attention, and the man kept his eyes on the room’s entrance when a gaunt man stepped in. “Watseka told me you worked off that poison quickly,” he said in the silky voice that Oren matched to the aleckso who had caught finally him.
By D. Andrew Munro II5 years ago in Geeks
Book Review: "Thing We Lost in the Fire" by Mariana Enriquez
"Things We Lost in the Fire" is the first book I am reading by this author and my gosh, am I excited for what is to come! It's an excellent form of horror in which the psychological implications of the text will disturb your mind with nightmarish images of things that were not meant to be. The writing style is concise and yet terrifying throughout as it goes deep into the graphic descriptions of things with a concentration on the physical happenings plus the psychological implications it puts upon the witnesses. A brilliant book filled with weird frights, it tells of horror stories revolving around women and set in the beautiful city of Buenos Aires. It proves not only that there is more fantastic works to come from this author but it also shows us that troubling, terrifying and strange things can happen, even in one of the world's most beautiful cities.
By Annie Kapur5 years ago in Geeks
Book Review: "Salt Slow" by Julia Armfield
I originally heard of this book when it was featured on the Belletrist Book Club and if I am going to be honest, because I had so much on my TBR at the time, I did not give it a read. Instead, I waited until now for some reason when I really should have read it before. Why? because it is brilliantly written, dark and twisted with a key element of psychological horror which kind of makes you uncomfortable in the best of ways. Only a few times have I ever found a novel or a set of short stories has made me truly uncomfortable and this one is definitely within that realm.
By Annie Kapur5 years ago in Geeks
