21st century readers would rate Dumas’ works as somewhat naive. Let me educate you on the errors of that assessment.
Literary Escapades
English book reviews, literary essays and author portraits.
Literary Escapades. Sinclair Lewis: ‚Main Street‘
Sinclair Lewis is a true American Author. His works are all about the American Dream, and his characters are straight from the coloring book of Great American Tropes.
Until they aren’t.
Literary Escapades. Reading Highlights 2020
The ending year was certainly the most productive reading year of my life, spanning a total of 81 books. As follows, I’ve selected the very best, most memorable reading experiences.
Literary Escapades. H. G. Wells: ‚The Island of Doctor Moreau‘
This novel is in large part a study on the moral boundaries of science: The arguably mad name character performs unscrupulous experiments throughout the book. As the distinctions between humans and animals are dangerously blurred, horrific realities in regards to violence and ruthlessness unravel.
Literary Escapades: Monthly Reviews, 10/2020
Welcome back to the Monthly Reviews series, where I chronologically list last month’s reads, along with a short reflexion and opinion regarding each book.
Here’s a wrap-up of the English books I read in October.
Literary Escapades. Daphne du Maurier: ‚Rebecca‘
Daphne du Maurier’s gothic mystery novel ‚Rebecca‘ starts out as a lover’s lament. As the plot twists and turns, the mysteries and discoveries will increasingly horrify and stun even the best prepared reader. Be ready to have your entire concept of true love shattered before picking up this extraordinary book.
H. G. Wells: ‚The War of the Worlds‘
When H. G. Wells first published ‚The War of the Worlds‘ in 1897, his work could easily have been considered the ramblings of a mad man. From a contemporary perspective, however, one would rather characterize the author as a genius.
Literary Escapades. Philip Roth: ‚Indignation‘
‚Indignation‘ is culturally relevant, intellectually challenging and written with wit as any book by Philip Roth. Is Marcus Messner truly a magnificent hero, or yet another insufferably flawed protagonist?
Literary Escapades. Monthly Reviews, 9/2020
Welcome back to the Monthly Reviews series, where I chronologically list last month’s reads, along with a short reflexion and opinion regarding each book.
Here’s what I read in September:
Literary Escapades. Elizabeth McNeill: ‚Nine and a Half Weeks: A Memoir of a Love Affair‘
McNeill’s memoir can be interpreted as many things: a sensually macabre narration of BDSM play gone wrong, a cautionary tale on domestic abuse, or a voyeuristic portrayal of a woman discovering her darkest desires. Most certainly and above all, it is a rather scary and yet utterly fascinating story.
Literary Escapades. Monthly Reviews, 8/2020
Welcome back to the Monthly Reviews series, where I chronologically list last month’s reads, along with a short reflexion and opinion regarding each book. Here’s what I read in August.
Literary Escapades. Julian Barnes: ‚The Sense of an Ending‘
Barnes‘ fictional protagonists are usually looking back on their lives. So when Tony goes looking for his past in ‚The Sense of an Ending‘, a reader might not be surprised. A mistake.
