General/other non-categorized posts
Thus, the story here presented will be told by more than one pen, as the story of an offence against the laws is told in Court by more than one witness—with the same object, in both cases, to present the truth always in its most direct and most intelligible aspect; and to trace the course […]
This month we’re going to lighten things up and go deep into the depths with two poetic selections. Both are narrative poems telling a story. The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe Goblin Market by Christina Rossetti Each of the selections has been hyperlinked to its entry at the Poetry Foundation for those of you who may […]
“My little dog – a heartbeat at my feet.” – Edith Wharton I’ve always loved that quote. Wharton had a passion for small “toy” dogs as many of her photographs prove. Although I’m partial to my darling Shih-Tzus, Wharton loved other toy breeds. She owned several Pekingese (as was her favorite dog, “Linky”), as well […]
William Shakespeare left a remarkable wealth of poetry and plays, which continue to be read and performed. His life has been of keen interest to scholars, some who dedicate their entire field of study to all things Shakespearean. The English language owes many of its familiar phrases and terms to the Bard of Avalon. His […]
Considered one of most beautiful of fairytales, Undine is the story of an enchanting water spirit who leaves the underworld in order to obtain a soul. We first meet Undine as a rambunctious child, drenched from head to toe. She appears suddenly (and eerily) as a sort of “substitute daughter” to a poor fisherman and […]
While reading Hollow City this month — with all its peculiar language — I could not help but think of J. R. R. Tolkien’s work for several reasons: the battle between good and evil (obviously), the talking animals, the invisibility of particular characters, and the fictitious — yet somehow acceptable – language. For instance: ymbryne: […]
To Henry Sturges: Vampire at Large, I have recently read Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith, in which documented your significant role in helping to train one of America’s greatest presidents to survive and slay vampires. I found it a compelling tale, a wonderful mix of verifiable facts and the before untold involvement of vampires in […]
Greetings Dark Readers, While Regency literature with and without mayhem may be our primary focus it is not our only interest. In fact, as I’m sure you have noticed, we take a particular delight in that dark mayhem that comes with the introduction of creatures of nightmares into a world typically well ordered. Keeping up […]
In reading The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe and thinking about how it may have influenced Catherine Morland’s imagination in Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen I find myself wondering how much of the novel Catherine actually paid attention to. Granted, The Mysteries of Udolpho is a gargantuan read compared to most books I typically read in my modern 21st century […]
The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid. I have read all Mrs. Radcliffe’s works, and most of them with great pleasure. The Mysteries of Udolpho, when I had once begun it, I could not lay down again; — I remember finishing it in […]
Today we welcome Daniel McInerny author of “The Bureau of Myths” a short story bring together Jane Austen and a bit of post-Apocalyptic distopian proper mayhem. Jane Austen is in a crucial way…the last great representative of the classical tradition of the virtues. This observation is from Alasdair MacIntyre in his book, After Virtue. In the […]
