A collection of Franz Kafka’s short stories showcasing his dark imagination and wry humour.
20th Century Literature
MARM 2018: Bodily Harm by Margaret Atwood
We look back at the 1981 political thriller ‘Bodily Harm’ for Margaret Atwood Reading Month.
BOOK TAG: Shelfie by Shelfie #2
A fun tag in which I share a picture (or ‘shelfie’) of a favourite bookshelf and answer ten associated questions. This time I celebrate Margaret Atwood Reading Month.
THE CLASSICS CLUB: The Haunting of Hill House
A classic supernatural thriller by an author who helped define the genre.
1944 CLUB: Ficciones by Jorge Luis Borges
Collaborative book blogging: my contribution to the 1944 Club.
Margaret Atwood: The Works
A comprehensive checklist of Margaret Atwood’s publications from 1961 to the present day.
The Bitter Lemons of Bellapais
A visit to the 1950s Cypriot home of Lawrence Durrell.
BOOK REVIEW: An Untouched House
A short but shocking Dutch war classic by a writer who has drawn comparisons to Joseph Heller and Kurt Vonnegut.
THE CLASSICS CLUB: Brave New World
Aldous Huxley’s ingenious fantasy of the future sheds a blazing light on the present and is considered to be his most enduring masterwork.
THOUGHTS ON: The Little Prince
A moral allegory and spiritual autobiography, The Little Prince is the most translated book in the French language.
#VOTE100BOOKS: A Century of Memorable Books by Women Writers
After masses of nominations and much lively debate Hay Fest came up with the top 100 books by women over the last century. I intend to read my way through the list!
THOUGHTS ON: ‘Scoop: A Novel About Journalists’
Described as “a brilliantly irreverent satire of Fleet Street and its hectic pursuit of hot news”, I was unfortunately unable to connect with Scoop – one of Evelyn Waugh’s most popular novels.
1977 CLUB: Johnny Panic and the Bible of Dreams by Sylvia Plath
Collaborative book blogging: My last minute contribution to the 1977 Club.
THOUGHTS ON: George Orwell: A Life in Letters
For almost forty years George Orwell wrote and received the letters collected here, which have been edited by Peter Davison.
THOUGHTS ON: Burmese Days
George Orwell’s 1934 novel is a tale from the waning days of British colonialism, when Burma was ruled from Delhi as a part of British India.
THOUGHTS ON: A Month in the Country
In the balmy summer of 1920 Tom Birkin arrives penniless at Oxgodby station with his nerves “shot to pieces” and a commission to restore a Medieval work of art.
BOOK REVIEW: The Extraordinary Life of A A Milne
While The Extraordinary Life of A A Milne will undoubtedly delight fans, it should also appeal to anyone with even a passing interest in the author and his famous teddy bear.
THOUGHTS ON: Novel On Yellow Paper
I rather like Pompey Casmilus, the narrator of this slightly off-kilter stream of consciousness novel.