The Stuff and Ramblings:This semi-autobiographical YA novel centers on an adolescent young man called Junior growing up on the Spokane Reservation. Like the author, he was born with hydrocephalus and underwent surgery as an infant. Both also suffered seizures as children. Because he is not athletic, he is easy prey for bullies. He has oneContinue reading “Review of “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” by Sherman Alexie”
Tag Archives: literature
Review of “The Signalman” by Charles Dickens: Halloween Countdown
Plot:Our hero visits a signalman in a railroad tunnel where he works, signaling trains that come through and passing messages along. He announces his presence by shouting from atop the hill, “Halloa! Below there!” Much to his surprise, the man walks away as if he hasn’t heard him. After some more screaming, the narrator getsContinue reading “Review of “The Signalman” by Charles Dickens: Halloween Countdown”
Review of “Master of Fallen Years” by Vincent O’Sullivan: Halloween Countdown
Plot:Augustus Barber works in a paper-box manufacturing business in London. The narrator is at pains to tell the reader how ordinary, if commonplace, Augustus is. He doesn’t read anything outside of newspapers and shows no interest in anything spiritual or metaphysical. After falling ill to the point that he was expected not to recover, BarberContinue reading “Review of “Master of Fallen Years” by Vincent O’Sullivan: Halloween Countdown”
Review of “A Ghost Story” by Mark Twain: Halloween Countdown
Plot: The narrator recounts that he took a large room in a huge old building. The upper stories, where his room is, have been unoccupied for years and have long given up to cobwebs, solitude, and silence. He feels he’s invading the privacy of the dead. For the first time in his life, a superstitiousContinue reading “Review of “A Ghost Story” by Mark Twain: Halloween Countdown”
Review of “The Mark of the Beast” by Rudyard Kipling: Halloween Countdown
For October 18 Plot: It’s New Year’s Eve in India during the Raj. Strickland of the police; Fleete, newly arrived and unfamiliar with native customs; and the unnamed narrator are tying one on—especially Fleete. His family’s property is in the hinterlands, so he usually doesn’t come into town. He ends up staggering home because hisContinue reading “Review of “The Mark of the Beast” by Rudyard Kipling: Halloween Countdown”
Reviews of Old and New Stories. Mostly Old 