Stories and Paintings
Knowing nothing about Carlo Collodi’s Pinocchio other than it is a classic children’s story about a puppet and it was made into a Disney movie, I expected a sweet and wholesome adventure with a happy ending. I found instead something more like the bible’s book of revelation: a fast-moving account of glorious creatures and terrifying... Continue Reading →
Don Quixote has been loved and revered for centuries as a masterpiece of literature. Perhaps the original modern novel, it is epic, imaginative and endearing. But just what makes it so? Is it the charm of the lead characters? Is it the call to adventure? The innovative narrative style? Many books can claim ownership of... Continue Reading →
It seems communism is much like Samson from the bible—it killed a lot of people and left those it spared with a deep distrust and resentment toward it. My friend Neil is also like Samson, in that he has long hair and lives with his parents. But no one has written a book about Neil... Continue Reading →
Victor Hugo gives us fair warning with Les Misérables, letting us know right there in the title this is a sad tale. At times I had difficulty reading it; I had to keep a box of tissues beside me. But it was overwhelmingly worth it. Jean Valjean is freed after serving nineteen years as a... Continue Reading →
I have a confession to make. I don't what number Superbowl we are up to. And when it comes to reading the year of copyright in the end credits of films, I can never do it. Yes, it's true—I struggle with Roman numerals. I don't say this to garner sympathy, and I certainly don't expect... Continue Reading →
Virginia Woolf's critically acclaimed novel is heartfelt, poetic and philosophical, exploring universal themes in a personal way. While brief sections of the book gripped me, for the most part I found it difficult reading. I just couldn't get into it. Therefore, I will combine this review with one for the much more entertaining book I was... Continue Reading →
Josef K., a promising young banker, is arrested for an unstated crime. He is left to conduct his life and business as usual, except that now he may be summoned or charged at any time. Josef appears before a court and makes an impassioned speech in his defence, but is left none the wiser as... Continue Reading →
All I used to know about this novel was that Mark David Chapman had it with him when he shot John Lennon. Fearing the book contained some bewitching influence, for years I resisted the curiosity to read it, lest I, too, be brainwashed into murdering an overrated music star. Then recently I watched a television... Continue Reading →
Of all the French existentialist novels that share a title with a hit John Farnham song, this is probably my favourite. It holds extra significance for me as my reading of this book coincided with my fifth attempt at learning French. Although I read an English translation of The Age of Reason, the names of... Continue Reading →
