This is an excellent early 20th century romantic suspense novel about a young woman who marries a mysterious rich widower. There is a cloud of mysteryThis is an excellent early 20th century romantic suspense novel about a young woman who marries a mysterious rich widower. There is a cloud of mystery surrounding Rebecca's (the man's deceased wife) death. As the plot of the novel unfolds, the young bride slowly learns that something does not seem right about the place. The setting of the novel, the Cornish mansion, Manderley, plays an important role in the atmosphere and intrigue of the story. This is a page turner from start to finish that will appeal to anyone that enjoyed books like Wilkie Collin's, The Woman in White. Du Maurier's best novel and a classic of the genre. I would also like to note that Alfred Hitchcock brought this story to life in a 1940 film which won an Oscar for best picture....more
This is the kind of sci fi I like. It is about humans exploring space rather than some soap opera about aliens in some other galaxy that i can barely This is the kind of sci fi I like. It is about humans exploring space rather than some soap opera about aliens in some other galaxy that i can barely follow. This works so much better as a novel than a movie as well. This story is very psychological as the reader can really get a sense of the loneliness and mystery of space. My only complaint is that the ending is a little confusing. Once you read it you will know what I mean. ...more
Prison Life in Siberia. It is a phrase synonymous with misery and suffering. Below zero temperatures. Hard labor. Isolation. Physical punishment. It iPrison Life in Siberia. It is a phrase synonymous with misery and suffering. Below zero temperatures. Hard labor. Isolation. Physical punishment. It is everything that reminds me of how fortunate I am to be reading Dostoyevsky’s semi-autobiographical work instead of actually living it. It paints an image of prison life that is a hundred times more primitive than many of the lazy country club prisons of today’s western world. Just how bad was it in 19th century Siberia? My curiosity found this novel irresistible. I just had to find out what this lifestyle was in a bygone time in a country that has had a very troubled and complicated past. I was ready to enter the House of the Dead.
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In 1849, Fyodor Dostoyevsky was accused of reading and distributing several banned works of literature and subsequently sentenced to prison by the Russian government to four years hard labor in Siberia followed by mandatory military service. During this time the writer experienced unendurable hardship. His experience of this period inspired him to write a work of fiction that brought this previously unknown world to light. After his release from prison he penned a work that would become the first work that would describe in vivid detail the horrors of his four excruciatingly long years in the awful Siberian prison.
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Dostoyevsky portrays a very realistic and expressive account of his earliest impressions of entering prison life. He introduces the fictional narrator of Alexander Petrovitch, who classifies himself as a “gentleman of the noble class” of Russians much like Dostoyevsky himself. The author touches upon many different aspects of life in the prison. He describes the work schedule, the food, the living conditions, the punishment, the sick hospital all with distinct detail.
A very large focus of Fyodor’s narrative is his examination of the Russian character. It is unclear if any of the other prisoners described are based on actual convicts that Dostoyevsky knew during his incarceration. However, he provides a very interesting account of the attitudes and behaviors of several characters who have adapted to life of punishment and isolation.
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Overall, Dostoyevsky has written one of his most personal and realistic works that is definitely worth reading. It is among some of his shorter works and gets passed up for his four elephants, Crime and Punishment, Brothers Karamazov, The Idiot, and Demons. However, this work should not be ignored. It has excellent writing and is recommended for anyone interested in this unusual and primitive world. ...more
This great novel, often hailed as one of Stephen King's finest moments, is a terrifying ghost story about madness and isolation. I, having seen the StThis great novel, often hailed as one of Stephen King's finest moments, is a terrifying ghost story about madness and isolation. I, having seen the Stanley Kubrick adaptation several times, have been putting off reading this book because I thought I knew the story inside and out. What I didn't realize, which others who have read the book and seen the movie have told me, is that the two are very different. They both contain the same characters and the same setting, but the way the story plays out is totally different. Many of the scenes in the movie do not exist in the book and vice versa. That is part of the reason why the novel still seemed fresh as I read it. The only parallel that I really got from the two versions, is that as a read the book, I visiualized the book like the film with Jack Nicholson playing Jack Torrence. So it was almost like watching the film again for the first time. Overall, I believe that this is an excellent early horror story by King that renewed my interest in reading some of his other works. ...more
Armadale is the 3rd novel I have read out of 4 major works of Wilkie Collins. This is Wilkie Collins’ longest novel and has, I believe, one of the mosArmadale is the 3rd novel I have read out of 4 major works of Wilkie Collins. This is Wilkie Collins’ longest novel and has, I believe, one of the most convoluted plots that I have read of his. It is a semi-epistolary novel that is absolutely worth reading.
The plot of the book introduces two distant cousins who both share a dark family secret that follows these two men into their adult lives. This family secret results in both men bearing the name of Allan Armadale. One of the Allans inherits an estate in Norfolk and a conspiracy transpires to kill him and steal his family fortune. The other Allan, who goes by the alias of Ozias Midwinter, had hitherto lived a very difficult life and gets caught up in the conspiracy as well.
The villain of this novel is Lydia Gwylt, a beautiful yet wicked governess, who creates a web of deceit in order to implement Allan’s demise. This character is what makes this book so worthwhile. Her conspiracy is chronicled in her diary and she paints a picture of herself which is neurotic, selfish, and evil. In other words, a cold hearted bitch. As a result, I believe that Wilkie has successfully created one of the greatest villains of Victorian literature.
Armadale often gets passed up for two of Wilkie’s more famous novels, The Woman in White and The Moonstone, which is unfortunate. I believe that this novel is a must read for anyone who enjoys Wilkie’s work or thrillers in general. ...more
The following is a recently found letter written by the English author Charles Dickens to his friend Wilkie Collins concerning the latter’s newly releThe following is a recently found letter written by the English author Charles Dickens to his friend Wilkie Collins concerning the latter’s newly released 1868 novel The Moonstone:
Charles Dickens 11 Gad’s Hill Place Hingham, Kent England
November 13, 1868
Dear Wilkie,
I am now pressing my pen against this paper to congratulate you on the success of your excellent new novel, The Moonstone. I have just completed reading it and I would like to present you with my opinion that this was, as they say, a true “page turner” in every sense of the word. I am also taking the liberty to take this compliment a step further by stating that this is one of the finest mystery novels of all time.
I must confess that I have never actually read a book such as this that captures the sensation of a mysterious theft and a thorough investigation that follows it. It was a fascinating read throughout as the solution to the mystery was also entirely above my suspicion. I also thoroughly enjoyed the use of multi-narration where the reader obtains various different viewpoints during the inquiry concerning the loss of the Indian diamond.
I believe that this novel, The Moonstone, has successfully maintained the same exceptional level of quality as your masterpiece, The Woman in White, and it ranks among the top tiers of the written pages from our fellow countrymen. I have not the shadow of a doubt that this book will continue to enthrall readers for centuries to come. The Moonstone is a best-seller at the local bookseller here in Kent and my excitement for your continued success is immense. Well done, my dear friend Wilkie. We shall celebrate this achievement over a glass of Cognac. Best wishes and I look forward to reading your future works.
East Lynne is a classic among 19th century sensation fiction but a sadly neglected gem in the history of English literature. The author, Ellen Wood, iEast Lynne is a classic among 19th century sensation fiction but a sadly neglected gem in the history of English literature. The author, Ellen Wood, is among the “big three” of sensation authors alongside Wilkie Collins and Marie Elizabeth Braddon. Whenever people are in the mood for this type fiction they usually reach for Collins’ The Moonstone or Braddon’s Lady Audley’s Secret. Unfortunately, East Lynne gets passed up for these more famous works and the book became a one hit wonder for Ellen Wood. Nevertheless, this mystery story is a must read if you are interested in the genre....more
Lo-Leeeee-Taaahhhh! Now here we have one of the most controversial books in all of literature. This novel is Russian author Vladimir Nakabov’s most faLo-Leeeee-Taaahhhh! Now here we have one of the most controversial books in all of literature. This novel is Russian author Vladimir Nakabov’s most famous work and it deals with a very serious subject matter, pedophilia. Some readers claim that the story’s narrator, a middle aged European expat named Humbert, is a sorry victim of his own impure thoughts, and others take a less sympathetic approach claiming that this person is a deplorable lunatic who deserves every act of punishment that he is owed. I adhere with the later opinion and I’ll explain why.
Humbert is man who has a history of mental problems. He rents a room owned by a widow and her 12 year old daughter in a quiet suburban New England town. He realizes he has a problem. He realized he has a concealed sexual attraction to her 12 year old daughter. He tries to persuade the reader that every accusation of immorality and corruption are true but not uncommon occurrence. In other words, he isn’t the first so why be the last.
As he moves closer and closer to this young girl the reader is pulled into this man’s twisted thoughts. As the true extent of Humbert’s predatory pursuits are fully realized, we realize that this is not just a man who struggles with a perverted mind. He is a man completely ignorant of his own actions and filled with delusion. Although the plot of this novel is groundbreaking in that it tells a tragic and shocking story well ahead of its time, the true magic in this story is Nabakov’s writing. His prose is some of the best I have ever read and this is coming from the pen of man whom English is a secondary language. This is the first story that I have read from Nabakov and it has opened the door for me to his other works that I hope to read very soon. ...more
First of all, I love stories about mysterious women. Then, when you add a brilliantly sinister plot to it, I am sold. That's exactly what happened wheFirst of all, I love stories about mysterious women. Then, when you add a brilliantly sinister plot to it, I am sold. That's exactly what happened when I read this long masterpiece by Wilkie Collins. Great characters, creepy settings, and a jaw dropping scandal are all concocted together by Collins' excellent prose. Many people say that this is one of the best mysteries of all time. It is....more
One of my favorite Poe tales. This is relatively short yet excellent tale about revenge. You probably have had to read it in school at some point. YouOne of my favorite Poe tales. This is relatively short yet excellent tale about revenge. You probably have had to read it in school at some point. You should read it again....more