Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven. Most quotes as famous as this are from Shakespeare, but this one is from the tremendous epic poem, Paradise Lost written by John Milton, who was, by all accounts, a punk poet 300 years before the invention of punk. Banned Milton’s poem was banned by the… Continue reading Milton – Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven.
Author: admin
Shirley Jackson; Horror of Isolation and Fear
Horror is a male dominated genre. If you search for the best horror novelists you will see a list of mostly male names. But that is not to say there aren’t great female horror writers. In fact, one of the best of all time (and Stephen King agrees) is Shirley Jackson. If you have seen… Continue reading Shirley Jackson; Horror of Isolation and Fear
In Defence of The Graphic Novel
The graphic novel. Often dismissed as mere comics or relegated to the realm of entertainment for children (certainly not true!), graphic novels are, in fact, powerful and sophisticated works of art that deserve to be recognized as legitimate literature. We propose 4 contenders for graphic novels which should definitely be on your reading list as… Continue reading In Defence of The Graphic Novel
Eucatastrophe – my new favourite word
Part of the enduring appeal of Tolkien’s works is hope. The inevitable turn in events that changes a dire situation where all hope seems lost into a positive outcome. The eagles arrive in the battle of the five armies, Gollum attacks Frodo and falls into Mount Doom, Tom Bombadil sings into the Barrows. What you… Continue reading Eucatastrophe – my new favourite word
Performance Poetry; why poetry is punk and poets, rebels.
At some events Rotten Poetry provides entertainment in form of live music or poetry. We try to maintain a varied mix in performances scheduling poetry alongside music. The Challenge of Poetry My experience at these events is that poetry is an extremely challenging medium for performance. For the poets themselves it is daunting to be… Continue reading Performance Poetry; why poetry is punk and poets, rebels.
Quint – The Young Man and The Sea.
I, like many in my generation, watched the movie Jaws as a child. It had a resounding effect on me and I have watched it countless times since. It is, unarguably, one of the greatest films of all time. So, when I saw a copy of Quint on a table in Waterstones I knew I… Continue reading Quint – The Young Man and The Sea.
Top 5 Shakespeare plays to introduce you to the Bard
So, you want to get into Shakespeare. You look at a complete works and you are overwhelmed. You see titles you recognise but you have no idea what they are about. The world of the Bard is full of whimsy, death and history. Wholesome characters and downright scoundrels. Adventuring into his world is absolutely recommended… Continue reading Top 5 Shakespeare plays to introduce you to the Bard
Acton, Currer, Ellis and The Madwoman in the Attic
I recently visited the wonderful village of Haworth in West Yorkshire which was, of course, the home of the Brontë family. I have been before many times but the place means something to me. I grew up with a knowledge of the sisters, I share a name with one of them, as does my sister.… Continue reading Acton, Currer, Ellis and The Madwoman in the Attic
A Taste of Literature: Introducing Hemingway’s Two Signature Cocktails
Is Hemingway more famous as a writer or a drinker? Honestly, We’re not sure you can take one without the other, so why not read in the same manner? So, what best to drink while reading Hemingway? Want to know what to read? We’ve got you covered. Wine is the obvious choice; Hemingway mentions wine… Continue reading A Taste of Literature: Introducing Hemingway’s Two Signature Cocktails
Aphra Behn, International Woman. The Trailblazing Writer, Spy and Feminist Icon
As it’s International Women’s Day today I wanted to draw attention to a hugely influential female writer, Aphra Behn.Aphra Behn was one of the first women to ever make a living from being a writer. Born in 1640 in humble circumstances, Aphra led a life that is worthy of a novel itself. She rubbed shoulders… Continue reading Aphra Behn, International Woman. The Trailblazing Writer, Spy and Feminist Icon