literature
Geek literature from the New York Times or the recesses of online. Our favorite stories showcase geeks.
Book Review: "The Rub of Time" by Martin Amis
Every now and again I will do a deep-dive into a book of essays because life is too short not to. Previously, I did a deep dive of Pulphead by John Jeremiah Sullivan which was perhaps, too long and so, I've learnt my lessons. Martin Amis' The Rub of Time is not nearly as good as that but is still interesting in many ways. Though the writing style meant I was reading it for far longer than I normally would. It took me a few weeks to go through and pick out the things I enjoyed but, it was well worth it if to also tell you the things I did not enjoy. I won't however be going through every single essay because there are absolutely tons in this anthology and not all of them are very good at all.
By Annie Kapur2 years ago in Geeks
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark was first published in 1961, a time of significant cultural and social change in Britain. Spark, who was born in Edinburgh in 1918, based much of the novel on her own experiences attending an all-girls' school in Edinburgh, the James Gillespie’s High School for Girls. The central character, Miss Jean Brodie, was reportedly inspired by one of Spark’s own teachers, Christina Kay, though Spark’s portrayal in the novel is more exaggerated and satirical. The novel reflects many of Spark’s own complex feelings about her education and the broader themes of influence, control, and the role of women in society.
By Annie Kapur2 years ago in Geeks
Book Review: "Fake Heroes" by Otto English
You can really tell when I've been paid because I'll splash out on a book I've wanted to read for ages but has always been a bit expensive even to buy on the Kindle. Fake Heroes is one of those books. This is one of those books where I thought 'yes it's nonfiction, but is it going to be more data-based or entertaining?' and it happened to be a cool mix of the two. I was not really very surprised by the people explored in the book and the way in which for example, the cinema industry exploited the death of Rudolph Valentino in order to shake up talk for the re-release of his movies. But what I was surprised about is how it made me confront how I often idolise people like perhaps JFK - who has a lengthy chapter in this book that doesn't colour him a very good person.
By Annie Kapur2 years ago in Geeks
Book Review: "The Eyes are the Best Part" by Monika Kim
I had no idea what this book was going to be about before I got it because again, I fell into the trap of judging a book by its cover. I mean, just look at the covers of the book - all of them look so freaky and strange I had to have it. I read a little bit about how this was the author's debut novel and got a bit sad thinking about the fact I wouldn't be able to investigate anything they had written before. A deeply disturbing horror novel that flickers with social commentary, bleary-eyed with satire and then spits on itself with black comedy; this is really one for our modern ages - a truly great contemporary horror novel.
By Annie Kapur2 years ago in Geeks
