What a ride that was. A hilarious, gritty fantasy, full-metal adrenaline-filled ride. Will write a full review (my first in a while) soon because I enWhat a ride that was. A hilarious, gritty fantasy, full-metal adrenaline-filled ride. Will write a full review (my first in a while) soon because I enjoyed that so much....more
Update: With the release of Foundryside just a matter of days away, I would like to thank Kathleen Quinlan and the publishers for initially sending me
Update: With the release of Foundryside just a matter of days away, I would like to thank Kathleen Quinlan and the publishers for initially sending me an advanced copy to read. and a finished harcover edition! I really do still believe that Foundryside is the best fantasy book I have read this year. Which is fascinating given how I likely would not have been able to read it this year without being contacted by the publisher. So my encouragement to update this review is for you to honestly consider reading this if you love fantasy as much as I do. It begins with a familiar fantasy environment, but it certainly ends with creating something that explores power, love and destiny in unique ways.
You can also read a more polished version of this very same review over at my website: I also have many other non-reading related reviews for you to explore!
Reading is a kind of contextual magic. At times, the location in which you read a book can influence the way you absorb the wonder of that novel. For me, I was reading in the back of a van that were it almost anywhere but Manila would have been illegal. We were stuck in traffic for three hours with nothing else to do. So with every bump and screech of brakes as I rode through the Philippines' capital, I read a little more of Foundyside. And I found myself incredibly captivated by the power of this novel, and the intriguing parallels between the megacity around me at the time. It would be fair to admit that Foundryside grabbed me in a way few novels have since I read Mistborn for the first time.
I was given the opportunity to read this advanced copy of Foundryside from the publisher. Having enjoyed Robert Jackson Bennett's obscure novel The Troupe I leapt at the chance. There was no obligations upon receiving this pre-proof edition to provide a review (favourable or otherwise). And I say that to encourage you I rate this five stars from my own enthusiastic opinion, and not because someone impossibly bought my opinion. I have no doubts that Foundryside once fully edited and released in August will be one of the best fantasy books released in 2018.
However, the important detail for me to include in this review is: why? Why is this novel so excellent? Why is this going to be one of 2018' best fantasy novels?
There are two main reasons. The first of which is the unique set of characters presented in this novel. Each character has a very clear point of view with distinctive motivations. Whether these are motivations of survival, honour and justice, or just plain academic curiosity. Foundryside uses these characters to discuss deep themes of truth, freedom, justice and industrialised development.
The key characters, Sancia and Gregor, are likeable and as mentioned previously well developed. While I felt like this world was akin to the writing of Mistborn the characterisation is in many regards far superior in Foundryside. In many regards this is also a novel that feels akin to The Lies of Locke Lamora in tone, theme and content. Yet this is a novel which also balances the serious side of its grim world with a keen sense of wit and humour. An overall entertaining novel.
The second reason is the world-building. It has become a compulsory part of sci-fi and fantasy fiction that an author must develop an impressive world. In Foundryside, Robert Jackson Bennett has created a world in which science and technology exist through magic. This is a world which hints at a great past full of magicians and powerful empires, but is set the city of Tevanne. A city which picked up the pieces of this past and profited through the sale of magic. Much in the same way that Italy picked up the pieces of the Roman Empire and their innovations and ran their merchant houses in Venice. In fact, Bennett is on record as stating that Venetian Merchant Houses were a major inspiration for this novel.
The magic of Foundryside is found through special magical scripts which tell objects how to defy reality. This ability, called 'scriving' is a constructed magic system with clear guidelines. Part of the joy in reading Foundryside, therefore is discovering how these rules work and how the politics of the four Merchant Houses work. These Merchant Houses are wealthy due to selling and controlling scrived products, and the roguish underworld operate by manufacturing knock-offs of their own. All of which creates this alien but familiar world for a powerful narrative to operate within.
In short, Robert Jackson Bennett is clearly a thinking fantasy author. An odd oxymoron to write, given that all authors are thoughtful. But what I mean by this is that in Foundryside it is clear that the author has thought about the entire construction of this imagined world. Whether this construction includes themes or more practical ways in which the world works from economics to magic. I strongly encourage anyone with a love of fantasy to set out to read this book as soon as it releases in August. It is smooth-flowing, detailed and light reading despite the page count, and every detail of the novel is packed full of information and carefully crafted thought....more
Senlin Ascends is a classic fantasy adventure, full of
Senlin Ascends is a classic fantasy adventure, full of reluctant heroes and exotic locations. The novel's plot follows Joseph Senlin, a school master in a far-away town. Senlin has persuaded his new wife to venture with him to the famed Tower of Babel in order to see its mystery. This tower is a grand fantasy landscape, towering over the world below and populated with many unique places within. Yet shortly after arriving at the Tower of Babel, Senlin is separated from his wife. And soon discovers that the Tower hides many dark secrets.
Senlin Ascends is reminiscent of many other fantasy adventures. It has the beautiful and complex writing manner of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. Yet where Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell is alternative magical history, this is a completely new world. The novel also features a reluctant hero in the manner of The Lord of the Rings, without the same epic save-the-world quest. The Tower of Babel is an exotic location like the brooding presence of the Dark Tower in Stephen King's The Gunslinger, but possesses more of a comic touch. In many regards the tone is more akin to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy or The First Discworld Novels the Colour of Magic and the Light Fantastic.
In each and every way, Senlin Ascends is at once a familiar and unforgettably unique novel. The quest within this work of literature is a deeply personal one for the main character. As a bookish man Senlin discovers that the reality of the world is very different to his conceptions in his little town. In many ways, Senlin is originally convinced in his naivete that the Tower is a grand and beautiful place. He later discovers across the novel that it is an engine of hierarchy in which the only way to survive and thrive is to adapt.
Evolution of character is the key theme of this novel. And combined with visually evocative language and potent worldbuilding, Senlins Ascends moves beyond being a simple adventure novel to a powerful artwork. Throughout the novel this theme is visible in how Senlin interacts with his circumstances. His is a deeply personal quest, and it is a quest which transforms Senlin through a series of increasing challenges.
Josiah Bancroft's novel is once reminiscent of many other great fantasy and science fiction books. Yet, Senlin Ascends stands alone as its own great work of fiction. It is beautifully written, and constructed with great care. There are perhaps only two issues readers could take with the novel which I had no problems with. The first being how Senlin's wife becomes the object of his personal quest. Yet, given the presence of some unique and powerful women in this book I did not see the novel's premise as one of objectification. More a novel that revealed the plight of women in this world. Regardless, this may be an issue for some readers and it would be remiss of me not to mention this.
The second issue, is that the novel does at times slow down its pacing. This leads to moments where the novel's impetus slowed down. However, the novel's writing carries the plot across these few moments. The few flaws were lost in the overall feel, tone and flow of the novel. So that by the novel's conclusion I considered this one of those rare few novels I would view as perfect. This work drew me so into the world, that I would look to read anything else by this author moving forward....more
Across the past few months I have been reading my way through the ten books that make up the Mercy Thompson series. This is the review of the whole seAcross the past few months I have been reading my way through the ten books that make up the Mercy Thompson series. This is the review of the whole series, as written by Patricia Briggs. It is an urban fantasy series which focuses on the ubiquitous heroine: Mercedes Thompson. As the novel's pitch runs: Mercy is a shapeshifting mechanic, living in a world of fae, werewolves and vampires. And of course, this brings her into plenty of different kinds of magical and mortal trouble.
Moon Called is the first book in the series, introducing the reader to Mercy. Mercy is presented as a kickass heroine - perfectly capable of looking after herself. She is not powerless, given her ability to shapeshift into a coyote. Yet this ability and power is comparatively weak when placed against the werewolf, vampire and fae dangers of Mercy's world.
The plot of Moon Called revolves around the danger to werewolves living near Mercy's home. Danger involving kidnappings, drugs, silver and murder. Which is part of the cocktail mix needed for an exciting and adventurous beginning. However, this still contains all the hallmarks of a beginning novel. Meaning that there are moments when the charm of the characters and worldbuilding fades a little compared to more polished latter entries.
The Mercy Thompson series features novels that are fun and fast-paced entertainment. Yet at the same time there are some relevant and intriguing themes. The novels address abuse, sexism, racism, mythology, fairytales, fantasy, spirituality and theology to name a few ideas. On the whole, however, if you enjoy the first few novels as a reader you can pick up later volumes with a sense of certainty: that the novel will be a polished, interesting read with worthwhile characters. And that certainty is what makes a novel series truly worthwhile. ...more
Tower of Dawn is the latest installment of Sarah J. Maas popular Throne of Glass series. Unlike the other entries in the series, this novel does not iTower of Dawn is the latest installment of Sarah J. Maas popular Throne of Glass series. Unlike the other entries in the series, this novel does not immediately follow on from previous events. Rather, it is a novel set during the events of the previous text, Empire of Storms. This Throne of Glass novel particularly focuses on Chaol Westfall, and his quest in another land. A quest to assist Aelin in her mission to defeat the evil demonic forces invading her land.
Empire of Storms is the penultimate novel of the Throne of Glass series. Like many popular novels it has its flaws, but it is a novel which continues Empire of Storms is the penultimate novel of the Throne of Glass series. Like many popular novels it has its flaws, but it is a novel which continues to develop the characters and the relationships between characters. Some readers may harbour a belief that Sarah J. Maas is balancing too many characters and that she does not handle this dynamic element well. Others may argue that this novel does not progress the overall plot particularly well, that they feel that Maas is simply 'making things up as she writes.' I for one find the positives of this novel contribute immensely to the running plot, and thoroughly enjoyed reading this work.
At the end of the day a review should serve a purpose. It should be the same as how teaching English should serve a purpose, or how a house should serve a purpose. If I cannot convince my students that English lessons teach them life skills then I become a poor teacher. A house without the ability to be a shelter to its owners merely becomes four walls and a roof. An excellent review, should therefore seek to convince the reader of the reason why they should or should not continue to participate in using the product. It becomes difficult then to write a review of a series of books, five books into a running series.
Why is this? It is because by this stage most people likely to read this review will be A) readers thoroughly enchanted by the series or B) disenchanted readers seeking to find any reason to continue. I propose therefore, that a review of any book in a series should aim to convince existing readers as to whether it is worthwhile for them to continue reading and to convince readers who have not read the first books in the series to begin reading. With that in mind I will suggest why you should or should not read this series.
1. Why you should read the A Throne of Glass Series: a) Because it is popular: While this is hardly the most compelling reason to read any novel, often popularity stems from a reason. In this case, there are characters and a story world that characters have bought into and loved. b) Hulu are making a tv series: Again, while hardly the most compelling reason to read a series, it is a reason. Who wants to be behind with a book series when the television series is releasing? c) Because of the magic and world: A world of Faery, witches with iron teeth, assassins and evil kings is one of those fractured fairytale settings that is difficult to ignore. d) Adventure, character development and cliffhangers: You have a group of interesting e) The moral themes of good versus evil: Given that the main character is an inhuman assassin, yet somewhat relateable, the novels do explore a series of intriguing moral dilemmas that are worth considering in YA fiction.
2. Why you should not read the A Throne of Glass Series: a) If YA fiction with all its tropes and archetypes is not your cup of tea: They feature in this series somewhat prominently. b) If you cannot stand wish fulfilment: I skipped a few chapters in this particular book because they were hopelessly sappy wish-fulfilment love scenes. My personal rule of thumb when it comes to romance scenes in books is that you do not have to describe everything as it would be in life and that you should also avoid including information which takes your audience away from your characters and plot. The love scenes in this book in particular break all of those rules. c) If the idea of a fantasy world of witches, assassins, evil kings etc. does not fascinate you then avoid this series at all costs. They are the focus of this series.
In short I believe the positives for reading this series outnumber the negatives. However, it is up to the individual to choose between whether they want to spend their time (or money) reading this, or investing elsewhere. In terms of popular YA fantasy fiction I rank it amongst the finest series I have read, but as stated it is not without its flaws.
In short: entirely satisfying, gripping and fully recommended for fantasy or sci-fi fanatics.
Brandon Sanderson reminds me of how I feel about the MarvIn short: entirely satisfying, gripping and fully recommended for fantasy or sci-fi fanatics.
Brandon Sanderson reminds me of how I feel about the Marvel cinematic universe. On one level these films are just pure comic fun and adventure, splashed through with pop culture references and special effects. Yet on another they rise to some greater emotive and powerful zone simply through being fun pieces of entertainment. Now, not that Sanderson's works lack depth, but he is far more known for writing entertaining art than for philosophical treatises. Yet, this entertainment somehow manages to be or become greater simply through being of a more excellent quality.
This is the first book I have completed in 2016. In the second half of 2015, due to preparations for my upcoming engagement proposal and completion of university my reading drastically slowed down. I was so busy that picking up a book, any book, was some kind of a chore rather than a leisurely and entertaining hobby. Yet, picking up this book was a breath of fresh air in one sense - a way to blow off the cobwebs from the end of the year (engagement, wedding plans, new job etc. etc.) and start anew.
Because if there's one thing this book does very well, is provide a comforting sense of familiar unfamiliarity. For anyone who has read the previous books in the original Mistborn trilogy and then continued on to the bridging novel (The Alloy of Law) then they will find that this novel is comforting in how it provides the same characters from those previous novels, and the same world, but then provides a real lack of familiarity through providing a variety of new adventures, technologies and discoveries about the Mistborn world. It's a novel which contains one whole story in and of itself and yet remains very much a part of the whole Mistborn series which I think denotes the quality of writing.
Sanderson may never blow the cover off the fantasy genre like some authors. He tends to take elements of the familiar and weave them into his worlds and his process of creating magic systems - yet unlike other authors he appears able to resist the lure of going entirely outside of that magic system and merely adding new powers as he feels fit to. Instead all new powers are redevelopments of the existing structure of magic, and the method in which he creates his worlds may not be breathtakingly original (i.e. there are elements utilised by many other fantasy authors) but they are done in a more original manner and a manner which writes them into existence with far greater style.
I am unabashedly a fan of Brandon Sanderson's work just because of how there is something about the character of his writing or his method of working which is enticing or gripping. Even his worst written novels have some quality which is frankly appealing to me. I read widely, have read widely, and can honestly state that there is something about his writing which, even despite his flaws as an author draws me in and I can't define why. There's some special richness of character or world which simply appeals to me, some minor ways in which the story unfolds. All I have been able to reach so far as a synopsis is that the man is simply an enticing storyteller, and I will take an enticing storyteller any day over someone with silver words but no story.
Is this a work of fiction which will take your breath away? Unlikely. However, if you have read the other Mistborn novels then this is a fine continuation and redevelopment of the existing novels. Sanderson continues to hone his writing ability and adapt his writing to become a far more polished author (the comparison between this and his first works is simply staggering in terms of quality). Is this my favourite work of his? Perhaps not. There is something about the Way of Kings or Warbreaker which still leads me to favourite them, but this is a pretty fine piece of writing and highly recommended by myself....more
"As clowns yearn to play Hamlet, so I have wanted to write a treatise on God. This book, however, is not it."
J.I. Packer begins this book by pointing "As clowns yearn to play Hamlet, so I have wanted to write a treatise on God. This book, however, is not it."
J.I. Packer begins this book by pointing out that there are two types of probable readers for his book. There are those who are on a journey or in the arena - rather, whatever metaphor you wish to use for actually exploring the notion of Knowing God - and then there are the balcony watchers. The 'balconeers' and travelers may think about the same concept, but there are two different ways of doing so and Packer explains that he writes this book for the travelers rather than for those looking on academically into the subject of God. In that sense to critique this book as a 'guide book' of theology is in my view apt and it's a useful book, though as with any work of theology you must always test the use of scripture and the spiritual insight provided.
The most powerful part of this book is the way that Packer so clearly sets out to explain two concepts that are crucial to the Christian faith. The first is that it is to be considered that the purpose of mankind is the worship of God, of the creator. The second is that God is not like a man. This second may seem like a simple statement, yet it is far more elusive than it would appear. Too often people make statements like 'I cannot accept a God who...' or 'I don't believe in a God who...' Frankly it doesn't matter if God is real whether you can or cannot accept a God who fits your particular paradigm: being God he is bigger than your paradigm. I suspect it's this concept that G.K. Chesterton references when he paradoxically states: “If there were no God, there would be no atheists.�
These two concepts are so crucial because they set out the entire perimeter for the book. Packer sets off to basically use the first concept to explain why knowing God is so very important in terms of this notion of worship. He notes that there is a difference between knowing about someone and knowing them personally and it is the second - the intimate knowing of God that Packer writes this work about. The second concept is crucial because Packer refers to how God is not a man, but is spirit (or as scripture also references: light and love), to explain how an all-loving God can also be a God of judgement, wrath, jealousy and so on. Packer clearly explains further that the God in the Old Testament could appear to be different to the one in the new, but it is not God who changes - God does not change, but rather it is human perceptions of God that change: our position in relation to him.
All up this is a work of theology that anyone on a journey to discovering more about God or trying to discover God should read in my opinion. You may find it useful if you are a balconeer, looking on academically at religion, but you won't get to the real heart of the book which is deep and insightful and has caused me to reflect on several views of God I had taken for granted. And taking anything for granted is not a great way to live life......more
As with many of the great characters of literature, Sherlock Holmes was never created to star in multiple novels. He was conceived to be a one-hit won As with many of the great characters of literature, Sherlock Holmes was never created to star in multiple novels. He was conceived to be a one-hit wonder, to satisfy Arthur Conan Doyle's desire to create a detective who could rationalise and deduce the solutions to crimes through the art of observation. As such, in the first Sherlock Holmes' novel, A Study in Scarlet, Sherlock himself was hardly fleshed out as a character of any degree. It is instead left to this second novel to provide the famous details that provide the great structure to the famous detective. A detective so famous that many people have mistakenly believed at some point that he was once a real individual.
The Sign of Four is one of the less highly regarded novels by Doyle. Part of this is due to the fact that the mystery of the novel is far less complex than many of his other works featuring Holmes and Watson. Another reason is that it features a racist depiction of a small African 'savage'. The third reason is one aspect of Holmes which makes him even less politically correct to the modern reader and this is the famed 'seven percent solution'. This being a solution of cocaine, self administered by Holmes for the purpose of gaining mental stimulation. To me, given that in the past people used to take all manners of drugs for medical reasons without understanding them (laudanum - opium, alcohol and morphine solution - was taken to aid sleep for instance) it makes some sense that Holmes would take such drugs for mental stimulation. However, as others have questioned: if he takes cocaine so often, why do we not see him come down on emotional lows more often?
Personally, while I agree that the reasons above make this one of the least impressive Sherlock Holmes stories, I found that this is also a definitive Sherlock Holmes story. You have Watson's wife introduced, you have the drug issues introduced, you have the point raised about how Sherlock deals with deduction based on observation of minutiae and you further see how Sherlock Holmes is skilled in both boxing and disguise as well as deduction. On top of this there are several key quotes which highlight that Holmes values, above all else, cold and rational logic. These elements to me, make this a solid novel and one which fleshes out the character of Sherlock Holmes to a fair degree.
If you are wanting to delve into the literary character that is Sherlock Holmes I certainly recommend this novel. However I first recommend you read the first story and then move onto this. Reading chronologically will provide a much more detailed analysis of how one of the great literary creations was constructed....more
The Everlasting Man is not your typical Christian apologetics classic. I say this because G.K. Chesterton is not aiming to write a pure 'defence of th The Everlasting Man is not your typical Christian apologetics classic. I say this because G.K. Chesterton is not aiming to write a pure 'defence of the faith' as it were, but to write a work that better explores the relationship of Christianity to history. It has become something of a fashionable statement to ignore the relevance of Christianity as it pertains to history and so Chesterton sets out to first explore the concept of God and his role as more than merely just another aspect of mythology and then to explore the relationship between God and man as seen in Christ.
Chesterton makes strong arguments and bold arguments. In doing so he highlights the importance of sticking to one's beliefs. That is why I hold onto my beliefs whether they are...fashionable or not. If I allow my views to merely sway with the breeze of popularity, then what kind of truths do I really believe in? In other words, Chesterton explains the necessity of holding fast to Orthodoxy for himself - a view which others can take to heart. Too often when situations arise in modern society the response of an individual is to change their world-view to accommodate such a situation, when perhaps one should change the response and not the view. Otherwise, all it says is 'I have no strong conviction.'
Chesterton makes use of his skill with paradox with such statements as: "Nero could not hire a hundred Christians to be eaten by lions at a shilling an hour, for men will not be martyred for money." There is a sense through Chesterton's writing that he aims to show how Christianity is not another mythology but something different in history. There have been many creation stories, yet how many religions feature the Creator becoming one of his own Creations to save that Creation? That, Chesterton notes, is an interesting kind of paradoxical situation in itself.
Perhaps my favourite quote from this work is found on page four: "When the world goes wrong, it proves rather that the Church is right. The Church is justified not because her children do not sin, but because they do." To me this is perfect in that it explains the one thing I often feel like explaining to people. They look at Christians and Christianity and believe it is about morality or ethics, but the gospel is not a tool for purely creating 'good' or 'morally right' people. As Romans 3:23-24 states "23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." The church should be full of people just as hurt, broken and failing as the world, and it is when the church contains such people that the message of the gospel should be seen...
Of course if you've read this far through my review you'd be aware that this is a book aimed more at Christians or those actively seeking answers to life from various viewpoints. I find that Chesterton is the best writer I have discovered at providing logical and sound reasons for belief. And in doing so he shows that Christianity is special and that faith and logic are not so different as some may believe....more
S. is by far the most intricate novel I have read in the past few years. Even the monumental work of James Joyce in Ulysses cannot quite compare to th S. is by far the most intricate novel I have read in the past few years. Even the monumental work of James Joyce in Ulysses cannot quite compare to the full flavour and power of the metafiction and post-modern styling of Doug Dorst's work (inspired by the ideas of J.J. Abrams). Certainly it is a major call to state that a modern work of this kind could be more of a puzzle than Joyce's depiction of Dublin and yet I believe that it is (or at least as convoluted a labyrinth in its way). However, I do not intend to state that this is by any means a work as profound as Ulysses, merely that its design is as wonderfully complex. Yet, it is a work that reminds me more of the writing of Jorge Louis Borges, had he ever written a full length novel.
All hype aside one could easily dismiss this as a poor novel with a clever gimmick. And a poor novel with a clever gimmick is merely a shiny paperweight. However, S. appeared to me as the highest quality literature does. It appeared as a novel with multiple facets, themes and ideas. It is a novel with a nested narrative and so many clever little metalinguistic and postmodern tricks that following them all was a nice little challenge.
At its core, however, S. is a novel within a novel which contains a story within a story within a story ad infinitum. The novel within is a fictional novel, The Ship of Theseus, by reclusive author V.M. Straka. Straka is revealed as an author with a love of bird motifs, hidden messages and the art of writing in foreign languages. However, Straka is a pseudonym (which in this case proves to be a fictionally fictional name for a fictionally real character who is in our reality Dorst himself) and as it occurs, no one knows the secret of his true identity, though many wish to know. This identity is concealed with the aid of F. X. Caldeira, the translator of Straka's novels and an individual who had come to love, but never meet, Straka. This fictional history of this author serves as yet another side story to the overall novel as an entire work and feeds into The Ship of Theseus as another side story.
The Ship of Theseus as a novel in its own right is a clever invention in terms of how it is set up to exist as the work of a fictional author. In the footnotes within the book (the final work of Straka) there are plenty of hidden messages and one discovers that Straka himself has written this work as a message about his life and personality. This fictional world, in a clever touch, thereby presents a fictional reality. Further, the different chapters of the work are supposed to represent the different writing styles of (non-existent) Straka works gone before, a kind of pastiche of his other works so to speak. Or as the book itself explains, this work is a kind of palimpsest over a palimpsest (recurring).
The plot of The Ship of Theseus ultimately follows the adventures of the titular character of Dorst and Abram's work - S. He is a man without a past and with a future and therefore preoccupied with his identity (a theme which continues to be discussed throughout the book - with characters affirming that they know who S. is currently but not who he was). Through a series of events, S. ends up aboard a mystical and almost ghostly ship. Even as S. leaves the ship to go aboard land, become part of a radical group (a group shown to be similar to one Straka himself believed in) and an assassin, and his identity is changing, so too does this ship continue to haunt him. The ship subtly changes and yet it remains the same. And even as time changes (in a kind of fantasy way) and S. seems to remain constant (a hint that he is a kind of metaphor within a metaphor) - particularly in his desire to rediscover one particular woman - so this ship continues to haunt the chapters of Straka's work.
Of course, herein lies the secret to the title of this Straka novel. The ship of Theseus is a philosophical experiment also known as Theseus's Paradox. Essentially this paradox questions whether, if you replace piece by piece, the wood from an old ship with fresh wood, the reconstructed ship would remain the same. Various versions on the same idea have existed ever since, even questioning whether the ship remains the same if for instance you only replaced one part of it with another. Is it the same ship, or is it something new, some hybridised creation? Further as Thomas Hobbes questioned: if you take the old wood and replace it piece by piece and then rebuild that old ship with the old wood which, if any of the two ships created, are the original? Dorst's novel essentially on the whole questions this whole idea through the physically changing ship in the novel and also through the questions of identity: does S. himself stay the same as who he previously was or is he something new due to his lack of a past? Are we constantly changing piece by piece and becoming something new as people or are we always the same person, merely recieving refurbishing and redecorating throughout life? Is the 'me' I am now the same 'me' I was at 19 or am I now at 20 a different individual?
The concept doesn't stop here. That would be selling this artwork short I believe. No, there is another story continued in the margins and highlighting the love affair we biblophiles have with those works we cherish. It is a flirtation with words, a marginalised relationship which is discussed and observed by us as onlookers as two individuals begin a detailed discussion of life the universe and everything! , love, literature and everything in between. It is this unfolding development (accompanied by inside notes, photographs and attachments) which turn S. into more than just a mysterious work of fictional post-modern indulgence, instead creating a monument to honour contemporary literature as a whole.
Is this a literary piece, a fantasy, a romance, a mystery? The beauty of this entire work is that it is an experience of literature: containing many genres, many pastiches and many re-workings of old ideas and yet seemingly becoming something new. That said, in essence the entire creation is a ship of Theseus paradox for the potential to ask - is this a new creation or something old replaced piece by piece and refurnished? - exists. I fully endorse anyone up for a challenge to attempt to put some time away and read this. However, before entering into reading this novel I also would first ask that you choose your particular method of reading this novel. I read it as a linear novel, despite its particularly eccentric chronological scale, and was able to follow the goings on after cottoning onto the particular method by which the footnotes, sidenotes and various stories jumped around. That said if you would like a reference as to the various ways of reading this novel I recommend checking this site out: And then? Well I recommend enjoying the overall experience as it flows for you. That is what reading and living is all about....more
Brandon Sanderson is probably my favourite author writing fantasy at the moment. There may be other authors whose work I have enjoyed, yet I haven't fBrandon Sanderson is probably my favourite author writing fantasy at the moment. There may be other authors whose work I have enjoyed, yet I haven't found someone who writes stories so simply and engagingly to keep coming back to, as Brandon Sanderson. It's not perfect writing, but it is enthralling entertainment.
Steelheart was one of the best superhero related novels I have read. I'm a fan of superheroes, I just love the idea of normal people gaining extraordinary powers and the concept of a world in which these powers CAUSE people to turn evil? That's fascinating. Of course in Firefight Sanderson explores this concept to new levels, questioning the idea of what it is that truly makes a person evil and providing an even better thrill ride. If you have teenagers looking for a great read for young adults - or have some young adult friends wanting something to grip them then I cannot recommend this book enough.
I won't write too much for fear of ruining any important plot points. I wish to point out that the novel has plenty of typical twists and turns as is befitting of a Sanderson novel and that there are plenty of fun action scenes. There's even some minor romance (which is much better handled in my view than some of his previous efforts). All in all it's not his best work but very entertaining!...more
T. S. Eliot, You walked among the stars In your words, light trails blazing. Master of the modern, Ruler of the poetic. There is, and
My ode to T.S. Eliot
T. S. Eliot, You walked among the stars In your words, light trails blazing. Master of the modern, Ruler of the poetic. There is, and was, no poet to compare. Your mythology and legend stand immense.
Behold the waste land of the world, Behold the glorious prose of a world shaker. Though some have called thee, Mighty and dreadful , Such slander upholds your greatness, The potency of your reinvention. There is a power to you - in
So behold T.S. Eliot. A masterful poet. One who walked among the stars And brought the heavens a little nearer.
There is a simplicity to the greatest poetry. And at once there is a complexity. There is a simplicity, in that the greatest works of poetry don't contain wordiness or explicitly state their intentions. They strip back language to allow for a nice flow and rhythm to what they are doing. But at the same time there is a complexity generated by a presumed sense of intent and knowledge. The poet assumes that you will get, from the scarcity of language used, what they are aiming to convey. And that is part of the beauty of language, that because the poet strips everything down, there is so much which you can read into and draw as your own understanding of what the poem is about.
And that is what I sensed in The Wasteland and the other poems. The Wasteland is universally accepted as one of the most important pieces of modernism - regardless of all the arguments about it being a plagiarised piece of fiction. For an interesting breakdown on that idea of plagiarism and literature read . And no matter how you read Eliot's work: as a reinvention of older myths and narratives; as a depiction of a destroyed post-war landscape and the people affected by that world; or as a beautiful piece of art; there is so much to gain from reading this work. It really all proves that simply because older ideas are drawn upon and referenced that it doesn't have to be stealing.
Upon further reading and analysis it has come to my attention that what Eliot does in this masterpiece is to both play off the worlds of the common peasants and bourgeoise with those who would be considered academic royalty. He sets up a comparison of white collar and blue collar workers, essentially creating a poem that works like a giant chessgame. In some ways a game of oneupmanship in which Eliot tells the reader that he is better than them but still sympathetic to them. This can be seen in the classical references to high forms of literary art that Eliot draws upon. But there are also elements in which Eliot shows that he is not supercilious and in fact appears to both sympathise and empathise with the proletariat working class (the second section for instance and in lines such as "consider Phlebas" particularly seem to suggest this).
Regardless of how you want to read it I challenge you to go and read one of the great works of literature. It is a notoriously difficult poem to understand and I know I got very little of it, but it was powerful and moving. And I am now looking forward to further discussion and dissection of this in upcoming classes. Isn't the greatest power of literature apparent in how it lives on after we have read it? ...more
After my visit to the U.S.A, I may have brought back a combined total of 12 (or so) newly purchased novels and graphic novels. There was about a 50/50 After my visit to the U.S.A, I may have brought back a combined total of 12 (or so) newly purchased novels and graphic novels. There was about a 50/50 split. The reason was that of course there are so many more comic book stores in America than Australia (and they are such cool places) and also because the Harvard Bookstore is also an amazing location... Either way that was my weak attempt at a segue into mentioning that I did buy this Extremis graphic novel while overseas. And it was completely worth it.
If Superman: Birthright is the best Superman story I have ever read then Extremis is the best Iron Man story I have ever read. Ignore the fact that it was partly inspirational for the whole Iron Man 3 movie concept; ignore the fact that it has some pretty grand artwork; ignore the fact that I just loved how it delved into the psychology of Iron Man and Tony Stark being one and the same. It was a combination of factors which lead to me liking this work on the whole.
The storyline of Extremis basically follows the idea of one man being turned into more than a man through biological upgrading. This 'superfreak' becomes (as you do) a man with a terrorist style agenda. I mean if I became a meta human that's what I'd do first of all...not. Anyway, the main point of this Extremis enhanced individual seems to be to contrast with Iron Man (a man who made himself more than human through a suit rather than biologically) - oh and he also exists to provide the main conflict of the plot in regards to power and responsibility. Either way there is an interesting contrast between biology and artificial technology created in the narrative of this graphic story.
And I'll stop right there because right now, any thoughts I have are caught at the very edge of my thinking and it's remarkably frustrating to try and grasp at them (not to mention that my laptop is running on 10 percent of it's power). But if you do want a great Iron Man story to read, my bet would be to go read Extremis. Maybe even read it in an extreme place or something......more
Let me clear all the baggage out of the way in one bold claim: this is the best Superman story I have ever read, period. End of story. Sure, Geoff Joh Let me clear all the baggage out of the way in one bold claim: this is the best Superman story I have ever read, period. End of story. Sure, Geoff Johns wrote a pretty solid reimagining of Superman with Superman: Secret Origin and I've been told the Grant Morrison Action Comics, Vol. 1: Superman and the Men of Steel is meant to be grand but I don't care, I've encountered Mark Waid's vision and it is amazing.
For those who are new or have no clue in regard to the world of graphic novels, comic books and basic drawn superhero lore let me explain one quick thing. Superman: Birthright was part of the inspiration behind the recent Man of Steel movie. At least, most of the good ideas in that film were based on some of the breathtaking imagery and storytelling in this work of fiction.
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To put it simply this is a fantastically amazing artwork. Not only are the pencilling and the inking jobs top class, but the plotting and story itself are so composed. There is a brilliant balance between the sheer joy of Clark Kent existing as Superman and Clark Kent; a wonderful retelling of the Superman legend; and also a further balance between subtlety, dialogue and melodrama. In short it is a work of brilliance.
In short, if you are any kind of a fan of Superman, do yourself a favour and get yourself a copy of this. Better yet, do what I did and buy it. It should only be around 20 dollars or so if you go to right place and in my view it was 20 dollars well spent.
Shift, as the impressive science fiction follow up to Wool, proves that Hugh Howey can write - and write well. This is a prequel, but is, in my opinio Shift, as the impressive science fiction follow up to Wool, proves that Hugh Howey can write - and write well. This is a prequel, but is, in my opinion, better read after Wool in order to not destroy the unique aspects of reading Hugh Howey's first work.
I would say that together Shift and Wool appear as better versions of The Maze Runner series. Not only are they far more mature in their approach to their particular topics but they possess and infinite amount more plausibility and depth. The way in which Shift sets out the background to Wool, explaining how humanity could end up in silos is brilliant. It particularly works as an exploration of politics, weaponry, humanity's quest for self annihilation, versus the drive to survive. This stands alongside that sense of the contrast between the inner darkness versus the inner greatness of humanity.
However, the one reason this receives a four star rating is that the characters lacked in comparison to the previous novel and were not as appealing to myself as a reader. For once I'm lost for words as to how to properly review all the aspects of this novel. Perhaps fatigue has destroyed me over this week. That said, I will recommend all serious readers give this book a go after they've tried Wool. I will be seriously looking forward to the next book myself. I do love quality science fiction and while I'm lacking something to fully capture and describe about the depth and lack of superficiality or immaturity in this novel I cannot find it. The best thing to do is simply recommend that others read these books....more
For even and morn Ever will be Thro' eternity. Nothing was born; Nothing will die; All things will change.
- Nothing Will Die
Lord Alfred Tennyson was
For even and morn Ever will be Thro' eternity. Nothing was born; Nothing will die; All things will change.
- Nothing Will Die
Lord Alfred Tennyson was a poet of the highest calibre, a man who almost made the myths of poets being descended from the gods a reality. His poetry, as it stands, is both in a class of its own and part of the grand literature of his era (the mid 1800s). It is radiant, moral, mythological and artistic poetry. T.S. Eliot certainly gets it correct when he states that the three qualities possessed by the greatest poets such as Tennyson are "abundance, variety and complete competence." Because Tennyson himself fits all those aspects.
Tennyson's more famous poems are to be found in this volume: The Lotos Eaters, The Kraken, Ulysses, The Charge of the Light Brigade and The Lady of Shalott to name most of them. Yet it is also in his lesser known poems that Tennyson shines. These poems include such titles as: The Poet's Mind, All Things Will Die, The Palace of Art and The Two Voices. A comparison of all these poems reveals some of the key ideas connected to most of Tennyson's poetry. Firstly, Tennyson believes in evoking the power of emotion through an artistic, romantic depiction of nature or the environment. His poetry is all centred around key embodiments of nature, each of which has a particular emotion connected to them. It may be the glorious fields of battle, tinged with melancholy. It may be the old, weathered hills covered in nostalgia. It may even be the soft, coloured petals of trees in spring and their lovely bliss. However Tennyson chooses to work his magic he always seems to aim to weave together nature and beauty, nature and the soul.
When can their glory fade? O the wild charge they made! All the world wonder'd Honour the charge they made! Honour the Light Brigade, Noble six hundred!
- The Charge of the Light Brigade
There are some religious themes to Tennyson's poetry, in that he is concerned with universal themes of life, death, love and war - themes of eternity and mortality. This is perhaps why Tennyson often seems to rely upon popular myths and legends in his poems, using them to describe other ideals. For instance many believe The Lady of Shalott to be about the poet's condition; Ulysses uses the popular tale of The Odyssey to refer to the process of aging and the loss of power; and The Kraken is again a symbol for death, aging and power. In fact, a great theme of Tennyson's appears to be the loss of power and majesty. One could almost assume he is referring to the loss of Great Britain's imperial nobility that it once possessed in history. Or perhaps he instead criticises how one can be caught up by the grandeur of a noble past and so not look to the future.
There hath he lain for ages and will lie Battening upon huge seaworms in his sleep, Until the later fire shall heat the deep; Then once by man and angel to be seen, In roaring he shall rise and on the surface die.
- The Kraken
Tennyson was remarkable in his sheer range of depth. He wrote elegiac poetry, sonnets, narrative poems and a variety of other rhythmic verses. It seems the only poetic forms he did not attempt were that of free verse or the haiku, as his poetry is all remarkably tight and constrained while being free with its expression. His poetry is rather remarkable in how tight, yet how unexplainably free it is at the same time.
Poetry, in many ways is the simplest form of language. Not in that it abolishes all grammatical forms and values. Poetry certainly has its own internal structures, vocabulary and syntax. However, poetry is language taken back to the simple ideals and values of communication with rhythm. It is language taken to a point where one can speak truly without the need of long, complicated sentences. Tennyson shows in these poems that he is the master of being able to use poetry's honest simplicity for these very purposes and it is for this reason that he deserves a place among the great poetic pantheon.
For even and morn Ye will never see Thro' eternity. All things were born. Ye will come never more, For all things must die.
Again, as a disclaimer I have not read this particular edition of John Donne's poetry. I have however read many of the poems found in this edition and Again, as a disclaimer I have not read this particular edition of John Donne's poetry. I have however read many of the poems found in this edition and therefore find it a particularly reasonable version to use to talk about the poems I read as stand alone works.
John Donne was a fascinating character, with a most interesting mixture of personality types. He was, I think, the type of character that true Christianity was and is meant to attract: he was a religious rebel. Earlier in his life he was a party animal from all accounts, the type of man who loved women and who found no reason why they should not love him back. His earliest poetry, such as the famous (or infamous) The Flea is a symbol of this early rebellion:
Mark but this flea, and mark in this, How little that which thou deny'st me is; It sucked me first, and now sucks thee, And in this flea, our two bloods mingled be; Thou knowest that this cannot be said A sin, nor shame, nor loss of maidenhead. Yet this enjoys before it woo, And pampered, swells with one blood made of two, And this, alas, is more than we would do.
Oh stay, three lives in one flea spare, Where we almost, yea, more than married are. This flea is you and I, and this Our marriage bed, and marriage temple is; Though parents grudge, and you, we are met And cloistered in these living walls of jet. Though use make you apt to kill me, Let not to that self murder added be, And sacrilege, three sins in killing three.
Cruel and sudden, hast thou since Purpled thy nail in blood of innocence? Wherein could this flea guilty be Except in that drop which it sucked from thee? Yet thou triumph'st, and sayest that thou Find'st not thyself, nor me, the weaker now. 'Tis true, then learn how false fears be; Just so much honor, when thou yieldst to me, Will waste, as this flea's death took life from thee.
The argument being here that, since the flea has taken blood from both of us already we have already intermingled in some way. In other words Donne was a smooth talker trying to convince a woman that going to bed was fine since they'd already had blood mixed by a third party. Romantic and smooth...or not.
But even when Donne became drawn into 'religion' becoming a man of great importance in the Anglican Church he was a rebel. Which I find fascinating because in many respects Christ himself was a rebel of his times, not caring about convention or even about contention but more about conversion and salvation. The message of Christ is one which naturally broke and breaks cultural barriers and set rigid structures and is not meant to be one of pomp and celebration. And in many ways Donne's later poetry reflects this. His poetry retains that earthy sensuality of his youth but shows a sense of adult maturity and a sense that Donne has become captured by the wonder of a personal God.
I particularly like these three of his Holy Sonnets:
Batter my heart, three-personed God; for you As yet but knock, breathe, shine, and seek to mend; That I may rise and stand, o'erthrow me, and bend Your force to break, blow, burn, and make me new. I, like an usurped town, to another due, Labor to admit you, but O, to no end; Reason, your viceroy in me, me should defend, but is captived, and proves weak or untrue. yet dearly I love you, and would be loved fain, But am betrothed unto your enemy. Divorce me, untie or break that knot again; Take me to you, imprison me, for I, Except you enthrall me, never shall be free, Nor even chaste, except you ravish me.
There is this fascinating sense to how Donne writes his poetry here. It's almost Shakespearian but he has his own flavour with how he opens the poetry with an eye catching line like: batter my heart. The alliteration of 'break, blow, burn' reinforces the sense of violence as connected to the holy love this poetry is about. And therefore in many ways it all makes for an interesting final line, which shows how Donne ends much of his poetry, with two connected and yet contradictory ideas. There is the sense that Donne will never be virginal unless God ravishes him, yet it makes little sense for one to be both virgin and have been ravished as the poem suggests. Has perhaps Donne captured something as to the nature of God, that the things God does cannot be understood as we understand them - much as ideas exist in the Bible as in Matthew 16:25 'For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.'
Death, be not proud, though some have callèd thee Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so; For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow Die not, poor death, nor yet canst thou kill me. From rest and sleep, which yet thy pictures be, Much pleasure, then from thee much more, must low And soonest our best men with thee do go, Rest of their bones and soul's delivery. Thou art slave to fate, chance, kings and desperate men And dost with poison, war and sickness dwell, And poppy or charms can make us sleep as well And better than thy stroke; why swell'st thou then ? One short sleep past, we wake eternally, And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die.
This was the first Donne poem I was ever introduced to. It still retains that sense of rhythm, power and awe when I read it again. It has a strong opening few lines and a strong closing line or two with that same contradictory element: sleep to wake.
Spit in my face you Jews, and pierce my side, Buffet, and scoff, scourge, and crucify me, For I have sinned, and sinned, and only he Who could do no iniquity hath died: But by my death can not be satisfied My sins, which pass the Jews' impiety: They killed once an inglorious man, but I Crucify him daily, being now glorified. Oh let me, then, his strange love still admire: Kings pardon, but he bore our punishment. And Jacob came clothed in vile harsh attire But to supplant, and with gainful intent: God clothed himself in vile man's flesh, that so He might be weak enough to suffer woe.
Finally I conclude with this poem. I find it fascinatingly bold again and the contradictory element here is of how God became weak to be able to suffer woe.
These seem the hallmarks of John Donne's poems: strong and conflict centred openings and strong semantically contradictory conclusions. If you appreciate these aspects and the wild preacher poet behind them then I recommend checking out more of John Donne's work further. He really was an honest individual in many ways......more
Blood Song is, I thought to myself as I turned the final pages of the book, by far one of the best fantasy novel debuts I have read in years. There is Blood Song is, I thought to myself as I turned the final pages of the book, by far one of the best fantasy novel debuts I have read in years. There is no other word to describe the feeling upon finishing this novel than this: satisfaction. It was the feeling of having completed a book I thoroughly enjoyed. In more recent years I have, due to time constraints, felt myself forced to read books at a faster rate than my usually quick pace. I still enjoy each book I read but the sense of needing to rush is a distraction to me. Not so with this book. With this book I returned to the pace I read at several years ago (before university).
First of all, let me review the plot of this novel. It is a plot that feels familiar but proves its unique nature through the use of subtlety, nuance and fine-tuning by the author. It is a novel where pacing and polishing work to the favour of the coming-of-age story (I would say it's a Bildungsroman but it's not quite, not in my mind at least) present at the beginning.
This is a narrative which begins at the ending - or near enough - with our hero who has become something of a legend for his warrior efforts. It follows our hero Vaelin Al Sorna, as he describes to a historian the truth of his own personal legacy: his upbringing amongst the Sixth Order of the Faith, through to the point at which he met the King and onward to the invasion across the sea. However, the reader discovers as they read, that the version of events that they are witnessing is slightly different to the sequence given to the historian. After all, a legend cannot reveal all his secrets at once. For those who are interested this plot device is used slightly differently to how Kvothe uses it in The Name of the Wind. My final summary is that it's a plot which is twisting and winding and very involving. At least I found it to be so, others may differ.
As to the writing? It's hardly purple prose but it is elegant in its subtlety - Anthony Ryan seems to have a clear idea as to how to show the story rather than tell it to the reader. In fact, in the interview at the end of my version he noted that he hardly described the look of his key character, leaving it up to the reader to fill in those gaps. Which is interesting, as it shows to myself that Ryan grasps one aspect of writing which is important: it is the actions, rather than any described 'look' which should tell your readers the most about your character. And Vaelin is a complex main character, a main character who is fleshed out and detailed - palpable and all too human.
As an overall summary of this novel I would completely suggest reading this if you are at all into fantasy. Even if you fear that you've read the 'coming-of-age' narrative far too many times, I would argue that the 'coming-of-age' tale here is simply written better than the majority of those other stories. Not necessarily in the prose itself, though there is a refined poetry to it, but in the choices made by the author. I shall look to buy the next volume sometime this week and am willing to state that alongside Words of Radiance this is my favourite book I have read this year. You see, for me, while I may read books which are objectively the finest of all, I will always prefer something that holds a more emotional and grounded touch to it. The real beauty of a book is not in how uppity the language can be, but in how it touches on the soul of a person. For me, the way the characterisation was done in this novel was sublime and that is what I loved about it! ...more
Alongside Edgar Allan Poe's The Raven, Alfred Tennyson's The Lady of Shalott stands as one of the more fascinating works of poetry from the 1800s. Aes Alongside Edgar Allan Poe's The Raven, Alfred Tennyson's The Lady of Shalott stands as one of the more fascinating works of poetry from the 1800s. Aesthetically it is a work of great and simply beauty, therefore providing evidence that language in a poetic simplicity can provide some of the greatest and most beautiful ideas and images. After all, in the Bible, the splendour of light was released with 'Let there be light.'
The poem appears simple on the outside, with a nice flowing rhythm, reinforced by the repetitious aaaabcccb structure and the use of the word Shalott to close almost each stanza. Yet the poem is far more complex than its language may suggest. There are hints of various critiques and subversions of traditional love narratives buried in Tennyson's work and as such The Lady of Shalott becomes another fantasy tale that reflects on reality.
The narrative, essentially describing how one Lady of Shalott, trapped in a tower, is forced to view the world of Camelot through a mirror, lest she succumb to a curse. Eventually she does turn from the mirror to look down at the glittering, gem covered Lancelot, the poem's ultimate symbol of masculinity (and virility). As a result her mirror and artistry break, signs that her curse has fallen upon her. As a result, she leaves her tower in a boat and floats down to Camelot, only to arrive dead and drained of blood. Where only Lancelot is considerate enough to look upon her and comment that: "She has a lovely face; God in his mercy lend her grace, The Lady of Shalott."
Many critics have suggested that The Lady of the poem is the perfect symbol for how Victorian women were expected to behave, therefore making of this poem a feminist critique. The sense pervades the poem that when the Lady looks down at her possible lover, the beautified Lancelot, it is because she is a woman and therefore supposedly given into the irrational. The very idea that this woman has to be kept hidden in a tower, concealed away from society (and perhaps from exploring her sexuality) is in itself a unique critique. Therefore, it is possible that Tennyson intended the poem to criticise the idea that women were meant to be seen and not heard; objects of beauty but not of necessarily logical capacity. The fact that Tennyson was Poet Laureate for the Queen leads one to consider the strong indications that this poem was intended to be political in nature.
Another angle to observe this poem from is the perspective of the poem as a subversion of the classic fairytale knight quest. Considering the way in which Tennyson uses Arthurian myth and legend in the poem this again seems like another way in which Tennyson perhaps criticises romantic love in relation to male and female dynamics. There is the sense that Tennyson condemns the romantic idea of the gallant chivalrous knight rescuing the damsel in distress, for in his narrative the knights do not come to rescue the damsel and instead the damsel must leave her tower for the knight, resulting in her death. This could be seen as an indication that Tennyson believes that there are no happy ever afters and that chivalry is a naive idea of the past (particular when one connects the poem to the reality of the industrialised age Tennyson lived in). Or, one could read it as a condemnation of women being forced to become independent and rely upon their own strength, that essentially without a knight to rescue them a woman will die from a curse.
One of the motifs in the poem is the use of ethereal, dreamlike constructs. Mirrors and shadows in particular feature heavily in the poem, from the mirror the Lady is forced to observe the world through. A mirror which could be seen as a symbol for the social constraints obscuring that which can be truly seen. Then again, how the Lady weaves what she sees in the mirror into a web of tapestry could be viewed as a criticism of how the artist performs their work. A particularly poignant idea when connected to the nature of Tennyson being Poet Laureate.
"'I am half sick of shadows,' said The Lady of Shalott."
Whatever way you choose to read this poem it is a fascinating work (as is most of Tennyson's work). And in some senses it is a danger to read too much into the poem for fear of ignoring the sheer aesthetic beauty of it. Indeed Tennyson is a poet who understands how to capture musicality with words and as such his work should be read by anyone interested in literature. ...more
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