Review of “The Roman Way” by Edith Hamilton

The Stuff: The author wishes to portray Roman culture and character based on the writings of Roman poets and playwrights. Despite her awareness that this strategy leaves out vast swaths of the Roman world, including women, slaves, artisans, and the disadvantaged, she confines her study to the lettered, leisured male. Proceeding roughly chronologically, she beginsContinue reading “Review of “The Roman Way” by Edith Hamilton”

Review of “The Uninvited” (1944)

This was an enjoyable Saturday night pizza and bad movie flick for more reasons than no ghoulies popped out of a toilet. It was an old-fashioned haunted house story about the ghosts of those who have taken the lifetime squabbles beyond the grave and aren’t too concerned about who gets hurt. Plot:While on vacation onContinue reading “Review of “The Uninvited” (1944)”

Review of ““And So It Goes”: Adventures in Television” by Linda Ellerbee

The Stuff: This is a memoir/autobiography by American journalist Linda Ellerbee, covering her years in television up till the mid-80s. She describes her times as a Washington correspondent for NBC and an anchor on a late-news magazine program called Overnight, among other things. She discusses little of her private life but focuses on the professional.Continue reading “Review of ““And So It Goes”: Adventures in Television” by Linda Ellerbee”

Flash Fiction Published: “Fae: Three Views”

It happens seldom enough that I have to brag about it. An on-line magazine called Quail Bell published a flash fiction piece of mine titled “Fae: Three Views.” It begins: “She had a duty to warn—to let the family know. And sure, old Patrick was failing. His passing could be no surprise, yet, she hadContinue reading “Flash Fiction Published: “Fae: Three Views””

Review of “Ghoulies II” (1987)

We’re still on delayed viewing with Svengoolie because of our bout of Covid. I’m enjoying it—the delayed viewing. Covid was wretched. We zip through commercials and get to choose an earlier start time, which leads, of course, to an earlier bedtime. There is indeed a silver lining to every cloud. And then there’s this movie…Continue reading “Review of “Ghoulies II” (1987)”

Review of “Hurricane: The Miraculous Journey of Rubin Carter”

The Stuff:This is a biography of Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, a boxer who was wrongfully convicted along with his friend, John Artis, of a 1966 triple homicide in a bar in Paterson, New Jersey. Carter and Artis were convicted twice and finally exonerated in 1985 in a federal court. The book follows not only his legalContinue reading “Review of “Hurricane: The Miraculous Journey of Rubin Carter””

Review of “Ghoulies” 1984

We’re still watching these a week behind schedule, catching up from our Covid sleep-in. It’s nice to watch these on delayed viewing, fast-forward through the commercials, and go to bed early. I don’t know if it’s the summer heat, the Covid hangover, native laziness, or a combination of the three, but staying awake is harderContinue reading “Review of “Ghoulies” 1984″

Review of “The Car” 1977

Recovering from “mild” cases of Covid, the dearly beloved and I watched this silly movie last night. We’re doing a lot better, mostly coughing up an occasional lung and sleepy. I wouldn’t wish this on anyone, though. Plot:The film opens with a reworked “Dies Irae,” “Day of Wrath” perhaps by Thomas of Celano, according toContinue reading “Review of “The Car” 1977″

Review of “Reading Like a Writer” by Francine Prose

In discussing writing workshops and classes, author Francine Prose writes, “But that class, as helpful as it was, was not where I learned to write. Like most—maybe all—writers, I learned to write by writing and by example, by reading books.” (p .2) But using what the author calls “close reading,” a writer can learn variousContinue reading “Review of “Reading Like a Writer” by Francine Prose”

Review of “Attack the Block” (2011)

This was our Saturday pizza and bad movie night movie, a little something different. I’m glad it came with subtitles. Plot:On Guy Fawkes Night in South London, nurse Sam (Jodie Whittaker) walks home after work, on the phone to her mother, explaining that she got stuck at work. Young gang members— Pest (Alex Esmail), DennisContinue reading “Review of “Attack the Block” (2011)”