I have just finished reading the Witches of Vardo, by Anya Berman. A compelling tale of women caught up in the moral panic of the 17th century that led to the deaths of tens of thousands of women across the world. The story focuses on a small part of Norway on the lives of two… Continue reading Based On A True Story. Justice For The Witches Of Vardo
Author: admin
Philip K Dick: The 5 Ways To Start Reading
Sci-fi literature is looked on from outside with a great deal of suspicion and trepidation. The perception probably warped by a perfunctory awareness of 50s madness, 70s kitsch and 80s movie adaptations. Selling sci-fi as a credible genre is a tough order. However there are a few authors which really stand out as titans of… Continue reading Philip K Dick: The 5 Ways To Start Reading
Winnie vs Carrie.
I can remember the exact moment I fell in love with books. I don’t recall my age exactly but I will have been around 5 or 6. Winnie The Pooh My mum was reading Winnie the Pooh to me, the one where he falls out of the tree trying to get honey. I laughed so… Continue reading Winnie vs Carrie.
Happy Birthday Virginia Woolf! Reflecting on the great feminist writer
It was Virginia Woolf ’s birthday this week (25 January) and I wanted to take a moment to reflect on this great woman’s life. Woolf is an absolute must for anyone wanting to get to grips with the history of feminist or queer writing. Misunderstood in her day, her thinly veiled attraction to women (and… Continue reading Happy Birthday Virginia Woolf! Reflecting on the great feminist writer
Sevastopol; Absurd War. Tolstoy’s pacifism in the face of war
Sevastopol, or Sketches of Sevastopol, is a set of three short tales set during the siege of Sevastopol (1854-1855). During the Crimean War Sevastopol was an important strategic port held by the Russians. It was besieged by the French (and allies) until it eventually surrendered after a notoriously bloody and horrific siege. Tolstoy visited Sevastopol… Continue reading Sevastopol; Absurd War. Tolstoy’s pacifism in the face of war
For the love of non-fiction
There is more skill required, in my opinion, to write compelling non-fiction, than there is to write fiction. And I feel this is largely due to people’s perception of what non-fiction is. We all remember dry school textbooks that tried to make the subject interesting but could do little for the disinterested minds of teenagers.… Continue reading For the love of non-fiction
The Book that Changed a Life
When a book changes how you think. I have read several books that I think are trying to make you change the way you think. Siddhartha springs to mind. And while that was a hugely influential book for me, I was already thinking and feeling the way it wanted me to. It was more life-affirming… Continue reading The Book that Changed a Life
Good Omens: Book or Series?
Good Omens is great book with an even better TV series. I hate to say it, but it’s true. The series is better than the book. It might be because I watched the series first and it is a word-for-word, scene-for-scene adaptation. There are no extras to be gained from reading the book. It might… Continue reading Good Omens: Book or Series?
The Revolt – History From Another Perspective
This lyrically written historical fiction novel has been translated from the original French but without losing any of the gracefulness of the language. Richard and Eleanor Told from the point of view of Richard The Lionheart, The Revolt tells the story of Eleanor of Aquitaine, a fascinating woman of power and determination. We hear about… Continue reading The Revolt – History From Another Perspective
The Five
This is a very important book. It changes the lens of history and turns a story we all know well into one we have never heard. The Five Hallie Rubenhold’s meticulously researched tome tells the stories of the lives of the five canonical victims. Polly Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes and Mary Jane… Continue reading The Five