Author of 20th Century Ghosts Joe Hill is something truly unique. While it has many great short stories inside, it also showcases the talents of an author capable of moving through multiple genres. Through this collection Hill has put together one of the finest assemblages of short stories in recent memory. While sounding hyperbolic, it is true. The sheer quality of the novel places it high on a literary pedestal.
Continue reading ’20th Century Ghosts’ by Joe Hill, Haunting and EmotionalCategory Archives: Book Reviews
The section of the blog for book reviews.
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, Art and Murder
The story of Oscar Wilde is an intriguing one. Much like Thomas Pynchon, there is a lot of mythos surrounding his character and exploits. His literary achievements are notable, and he is also responsible for writing a pivotal piece of Victorian literature, The Picture of Dorian Gray. This novel explores the meaning of art and its reflection against hedonistic values. It’s quite a compelling piece.
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Ray Bradbury’s ‘The Halloween Tree’: Life, Death, and Darkness
We have talked a great deal about Ray Bradbury on this blog. We have discussed his stories, his style, and how the themes of his books have affected so many people. With that said, it can be hard to pinpoint the books we may deem as critical. I have my list. Yet, with such a wide catalogue, which books would you choose? Something Wicked this Way Comes for sure has staying power, as does Fahrenheit 451. Nevertheless, I may point to another book to put in the pantheon of the greats: The Halloween Tree. The novel is about a group of boys on Halloween night who venture through time and history. Joined by their guardian and guide, Mr. Moundshroud, they see many historical accounts of Samhain and early onset Halloween. In this post, we are going to look at the importance of Bradbury’s death-laden novel The Halloween Tree.
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Mark Twain’s ‘A Connecticut Yankee’: Parental Love
As I had read Mark Twain’s A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, I couldn’t help but think of the many themes in the text. Twain manages to explore a variety of disparate ideas. These include science and technology in an age when superstitions reigned, and the violence of society throughout time. He also analyzes the permanence of history, and even parental sympathies and loved ones. In this post, I would like to examine just one of these themes: parental love.
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Ray Bradbury’s ‘The Halloween Tree’: A History of Death
We have talked a great deal about Ray Bradbury on this blog. We have discussed his stories, his style, and how the themes of his books have affected so many people. With that said, it can be hard to pinpoint the books we may deem as critical. I have my list. Yet, with such a wide catalogue, which books would you choose? Something Wicked this Way Comes for sure has staying power, as does Fahrenheit 451. Nevertheless, I may point to another book to put in the pantheon of the greats: The Halloween Tree. The novel is about a group of boys on Halloween night who venture through time and history. Joined by their guardian and guide, Mr. Moundshroud, they see many historical accounts of Samhain and early onset Halloween. In this post, we are going to look at the importance of Bradbury’s death-laden novel The Halloween Tree.
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Book List: World War Z by Max Brooks
The zombie apocalypse is a pervasive element in our modern culture thanks to a few luminaries and extremely popular shows (both George A. Romero and The Walking Dead respectively). However, many interpretations of the zombie plague have come and gone, but some have stayed more relevant and engaging. In this post, we examine World War Z by Max Brooks and look at how the world changes through the zombie apocalypse.
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Stephen King’s ‘Fairy Tale’: Book Review and Bildungsroman
Heavy spoilers for Stephen King’s Fairy Tale
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Stephen King’s ‘The Stand’: An Exploration of Cibola
A violent plague crippling society has been a horrific premise in fiction for a long time. In reality, Bird flu, swine flu, Ebola, and Covid-19 were all very real disease-related issues that mirrored fictional illness. In Stephen King’s The Stand, there is a great deal of misery when his disastrous flu attacks society. However, in this post, we are going to set aside the plot-related elements of the novel(mostly), and instead focus on a subject that comes from one of the most interesting characters in the book—The Trashcan Man. As such, we are going to talk about Cibola, or the Seven Cities of Gold.
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Fighting the Power in ‘The Black Arrow’ by Robert Louis Stevenson
When we stand against tyranny, we show our own values and courage. In fiction, this means that action is soon to follow. In this post, we are going to explore The Black Arrow by Robert Louis Stevenson.
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Survival in ‘A Long Walk to Water’ by Linda Sue Park
Today we are delving into the 2010 novel A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park. This is an intriguing novel for its setting and depth of character, which is shown through little actions and exploits. While a slim novel, it packs a punch.
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