-
Shakespeare-Bill Bryson/Book Review
I was watching the programme ‘Antiques Roadshow’ this evening, and an interesting item was discussed; a little booklet written by an anonymous writer during Elizabethan times. It was extremely valuable, mainly because it contemporaneously mentions quotes from many Shakespeare plays; valuable to scholars of the playwright and the times he lived in, as such documents are in short supply. This in turn made me think about a book I have read more than once, by Bill Bryson, called ‘Shakespeare’. The book emphasises the fact that very little is known about William Shakespeare, what he looked like, his personality or his childhood. Bryson has written a very clever book here, discussing evidence that has been…
-
Great Expectations-Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens masterpiece, Great Expectations is definitely one of my favourite books. It follows Pip from his childhood and onto his later life. The story is engaging and full of interesting characters; the aggrieved Miss Havisham, the loving and kind Joe, the haughty and distant Estella and the convict Magwitch. There are many plot twists and human emotions: despair, hope, love and hate. We can all relate to Pips character as a child with his family relationships, desires and failures. The character that really stood out to me was, Joe, his sister’s husband. Pip was often ridiculed and made fun of. Children, especially at that time were better ‘seen and…
-
Surely You’re Joking, Mr Feynman! – Book Review
I was given this book as a birthday present last year by my friend who is a physics teacher. I was slightly concerned upon receiving it, because I have no knowledge of physics and couldn’t see how I’d find it interesting, so I approached the book with caution. I needn’t have worried though – this book is an easy recommendation, which should probably be required reading for everybody… It turns out that Feynman didn’t actually write the book – it’s a collection of transcribed stories, taped by a friend of his. All are real stories, told with precision, primarily because they are fun, and there’s a lesson or a laugh…
-
Eating Out
If you go out for a meal, what do you look for? Do you go and find a place with beautiful surroundings, lots of space, fine dining (you know, like arty farty food), cheap prices, good service etc. Well the first thing I look for is non- pretentious food menus, as you are probably aware. I do not care for fast service, fine dining or beautiful surroundings. All I require is enough space so that I am not hitting elbows with my neighbours and a warm seating area that’s not within 5 metres of the entrance door, so that I do not have to contend with blasts of cold air…
-
The Old Curiosity Shop/Book Review
I have just finished reading the most wonderful book. The old curiosity shop by Charles Dickens. This has got to be my favourite novel of his, which is difficult to say considering that only a while ago I read David Copperfield and felt the same way. The story kind of centres on Little Nell and her Grandfather that live in the curiosity shop, but through the grandfathers gambling habits, they become homeless and wander aimlessly for miles meeting characters who help them and provide shelter. I really enjoyed the way the little stories come and go describing each of the lives of the ones that were somehow connected to these…
-
Rosie Goodwin – A Great Storyteller!
Lately, I have been reading books by Rosie Goodwin. You know when you feel like a reading a really good story that flows along nicely and is easy to understand? Well, this author’s novels are just the ticket! She creates great characters and interesting plots, and if the story is a period piece, she has always researched her subjects very well. She talks about what life was like in the 1850s and onward, and many of the stories are set in Nuneaton in England (“?”, i hear you shrug…), with which she is familiar. For me, a great author creates interest for their readers within the first few pages, and…
