21
Jun
2010
The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde
The basic differences between our world and the alternative history are as follows: The Crimean War has been going on for over 150 years, Wales is an independent republic, Shakespeare is hotly debated by everyone (and appreciated in various capacities), riots break out over art, and some people have a natural gift for time travel.
27
Apr
2010
The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt
Holling Hoodhood is the only kid in his grade who is neither Catholic nor Jewish. Consequently, he is the only kid stuck with Mrs. Baker on Wednesday afternoons when the kids go to Church or Temple to prepare for their Confirmations and Bar/Bat Mitzvahs.
19
Apr
2010
Titus
Though it’s not my favorite Shakespeare play, the 1999 movie version of Titus Andronicus, which is simply titled Titus, has long been my favorite Shakespearian screen adaptation.
6
Apr
2010
The Sandman: Dream Country by Neil Gaiman
Sometimes an up and coming author will put out a couple of well-received novels, and then, whether it’s due to lack of steam, or lack of interest, will take a break from novel writing and put out a book of short stories or essays before going back to novels. That’s what volume three of The Sandman felt like to me.
30
Mar
2010
Hamlet 2
Hamlet 2 begs to important questions: 1. What would Hamlet do with a time machine, and 2. Could Jesus successfully market himself nowadays if he went the sex sells route.
15
Mar
2010
Manga Shakespeare: Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare & Mustashirk Mahbab
Perhaps it is the nature of Comedy vs. Tragedy, but of the two Manga Shakespeare editions I’ve read so far, I liked A Midsummer Night’s Dream much better.
11
Feb
2010
Manga Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare & Kate Brown
What fools these Manga be!
28
Aug
2009
Fool by Christopher Moore
I was shocked and horrified recently when discussing Christopher Moore with a friend on Twitter, who said that she liked all of his books except for two. Which ones? I asked. Lamb and Fool, she said. WHAT?? Those are my two favorites, says I. She said that she didn’t think that he did parody well. And then we got into a discussion about what is and is not parody, because I wouldn’t say that either of those books are actually parody. And then we started talking about something else, I forget what.
19
Aug
2009
Shakespeare Challenge: Because You Just Can’t Say No to the Bard
The latest challenge I’ve decided to join is the Much Ado About Shakespeare Challenge. I should be wearing my “Shakespeare Hates Your Emo Poems” shirt right now. I’ll have to put it on when I actually do this challenge.
14
May
2009
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
The title, “brave new world” comes from a quote in Shakespeare, from Miranda in The Tempest, “Oh…What brave new world that has such people in’t”. But keep in mind that “brave” in Shakespeare’s usage, and indeed, in the title, meant something more like “handsome” rather than courageous. And indeed, the citizens of Huxley’s futuristic dystopia are anything but courageous. They aren’t conditioned to be.
