literature
Geek literature from the New York Times or the recesses of online. Our favorite stories showcase geeks.
How Wicked Defy Broadway's Popularity. AI-Generated.
Twenty-one years ago, Wicked became the highest-grossing Broadway show surpassing the box office records better than The Phantom of the Opera and The Lion King. The musical adaptation has broken records, received accolades, and huge cultural popularity impact. Before it was a billion-dollar successful Broadway musical, it was based on a novel written by Gregory Maguire telling the story of the Wicked Witch of the West. With Wicked Part One starring Cynthia Ervio and Ariana Grande premiering in November (six months away). Let's look back on how this "wickedly" story became a Broadway fanatic hit.
By Gladys W. Muturi2 years ago in Geeks
The Unrivaled Art in “Goodnight Punpun”. Content Warning.
I recently revisited one of my favorite book series of all time, Goodnight Punpun. And it was phenomenal. Goodnight Punpun is a very important series to me. Despite how dark and desolate the series is, it actually really helped me overcome a very hard time in my life. It’s one of those literary experiences that leaves you unable to do anything but feel, for better or worse, and I really appreciated its brutal humanity. It helped me come to terms with some of the trauma I was dealing with in my own life at the time I read it. It drove me to take action against my actively negative emotions and outlook on the world around me.
By angela hepworth2 years ago in Geeks
My Day at the Hay Festival
As you can probably tell, I went to one of the most famous literature festivals in the world: The Hay Festival. It was the bank holiday and so, everything else was closed and, on top of that, John Boyne was in conversation on one of the stages. John Boyne is an author that I have read profusely and I decided to take my mother since her favourite book is also by John Boyne: The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. I had spent the days before checking out what he had done in Bath and listening to his episode of Desert Island Discs in which he doesn't only list his favourite music but also gives us an insight into his writing process.
By Annie Kapur2 years ago in Geeks
Book Review: "Cardiff, by the Sea" by Joyce Carol Oates
“Live like it’s your life.”- Cardiff, by the Sea by Joyce Carol Oates Joyce Carol Oates is quite possibly one of the finest writers of the past fifty years and has had a great range of novels to lend her name to. Apart from her novels though are her short stories. Now, I have always loved investigating her short stories - I have reviewed them often. 'Zero-Sum' was probably not her best but 'The Doll Master and Tales of Terror' was brilliant. This book named 'Cardiff, By the Sea' is a little bit different in the fact that it is a book of four short novellas rather than just short stories. They are well-written and in a classic Joyce Carol Oates style, deal with a woman's struggle in the world and how they have to bear the brunt of everyone else's bad decisions - including those of men. It is one of her better books in my opinion - every problem is rubbed raw and revealed to the reader as a series of sad vignettes.
By Annie Kapur2 years ago in Geeks
Book Review: "Soldier Sailor" by Claire Kilroy
I have no idea how I actually came across this book. It was pretty much by chance. I liked the idea of the book, I liked the look of the book and I had seen it advertised in a couple of places on X. I read the blurb over and over again of what was advertised and thought to myself: I have to read this. Then I put it aside again and carried on. This went on for about a week before I gave in and bought the book. I am so bloody glad I did because reader, this book was a new level of extreme. The emotion that Kilroy conveys through the narrator is nothing short of a long-winded breakdown of emotion and nerves. It is fantastic, angry and feels like electricity is coursing through the veins of the protagonist, being beamed upon the reading public in sprays.
By Annie Kapur2 years ago in Geeks
Go Tell it on the Mountain by James Baldwin. Top Story - May 2024.
Published on the 18th of May, 1953, ‘Go Tell it on the Mountain’ became the book that James Baldwin is probably most famous for. Including the very real impacts of violence upon the African American community during a time of turbulence for Civil Rights, James Baldwin became an absolute superstar not just of his race, but of the oppressed in every situation, in every country, all over the world. From Palestine to the Civil Rights Movement, from the LGBTQA+ to Muslim Migrants from war-torn countries, James Baldwin is the voice of the oppressed not just through the way he presents the division, but the way he presents a reality that the oppressors could not possibly be aware of. A reality in which every day is a fight to survive. What makes this even more real is that this is a semi-autobiographical novel. In my personal opinion, James Baldwin was the most articulate man in history.
By Annie Kapur2 years ago in Geeks
Book Review: "When We Were Silent" by Fiona McPhillips
Sometimes, I do understand the term 'doom-scrolling' but I wonder whether it counts if I'm doing it on the Penguin Books website. This is where I found the book When We Were Silent by Fiona McPhillips, it just dragged me in automatically. I read the description, the short snippets of reviews and looked intently at the cover whilst I contemplated whether to get it. But whilst I was doing said contemplating, I had already hovered over the 'buy' button and bought it. Thankfully, I bought it on my Kindle and so, I wouldn't have to wait to read it. From a woman who has to confront her past to the same woman who becomes frightened when her daughter wants to join a swimming club.
By Annie Kapur2 years ago in Geeks
Book Review: "The List" by Yomi Adegoke
“That was the irony; men feared false accusations, but survivors were the ones being wrongly smeared. No matter how much evidence there was to support an allegation, for months afterwards accusers were demanded to #ThinkFirst” - The List by Yomi Adegoke
By Annie Kapur2 years ago in Geeks
Book Review: "Brutes" by Dizz Tate
I honestly did not know what to expect when I picked up this book. I had read several reviews on it but none of them seemed to know what the actual storyline was. It was called a book that was well written, but had no plot. I truly do like fiction that pushes some sort of boundary of what is expected of it and so, I thought I would give it a go and try to find out what was going on in this book. I found it more difficult that I had planned and so, what you are about to hear of the plot is my interpretation of what may have happened here filled in with details that are taken straight from the book. If you have a different opinion of what you think happened, don't be afraid to say something and discuss the plot of this strange but brilliantly crafted novel.
By Annie Kapur2 years ago in Geeks
Book Review: "The Bee Sting" by Paul Murray
On the way home Elaine told Cass she was going to post her poem on her Instagram. She had discovered that there was a new generation of lady poets who posted their poems online and got millions of views. They wrote about real-life issues, like racism and homophobia, and were friends with singers, influencers and other celebrities. You could actually become seriously famous from poetry, Elaine noted.- The Bee Sting by Paul Murray
By Annie Kapur2 years ago in Geeks
