A word: The work reviewed contains frank and violent depictions of child molestation and physical abuse. Plot:Ruth Anne “Bone” Boatwright comes into the world after her fifteen-year-old mother, Anney, is hurt in a car accident. Anney remains unconscious throughout the delivery but recovers. Granny and Aunt Ruth have tried to smooth things over with littleContinue reading “Review of “Bastard out of Carolina” by Dorothy Allison”
Tag Archives: writing
Review of “Reading Lessons” by Carol Atherton
The Stuff: In this nonfiction work, British teacher Carol Atherton mulls over fourteen books and plays, and one poem she has taught English students over the years. A single chapter, titled with a tagline, is devoted to each work. An afterword discusses additional modern works that could be added to the reading lists. Some works,Continue reading “Review of “Reading Lessons” by Carol Atherton”
Review of “The Yellow Sign” by Robert W. Chambers: Halloween Countdown
Plot: The painter, Mr. Scott, writes that he first sees the watchman go into a church on Washington Square and thinks nothing of it. The next time he sees him, he glances from his window and sees his face. It reminds him of a “coffin-worm” or “grave-worm” (a maggot). He turns back to his easelContinue reading “Review of “The Yellow Sign” by Robert W. Chambers: Halloween Countdown”
Review of “The Undying Thing” by Barry Pain: Halloween Countdown
Plot: Sir Edric murdered his wife, Alice, and sent their son away. He loves his present wife, Eve. For some unexplained reason, he began keeping wolves on his estate. Eve begged him to “destroy” the animals, but he liked them until they attacked Eve without biting her (huh?). He then shot them all himself. NowContinue reading “Review of “The Undying Thing” by Barry Pain: Halloween Countdown”
Review of “The Thing from ‘Outside’” by George Allan England: Halloween Countdown
Plot:A party of Americans traveling in the Canadian wilderness finds themselves deserted by their Indigenous guides after they come across a “circular print on a rock-ledge.” They hear the guides scream, fire shots, and conclude they’re dead and “out of harm’s way.” On the other hand, the present company is “two hundred and fifty wickedContinue reading “Review of “The Thing from ‘Outside’” by George Allan England: Halloween Countdown”
Review of “The Story of Ming-Y” by Lafcadio Hearn: Halloween Countdown
Plot:This little morality tale is set during the Ming Dynasty (ruled 1368-1644). Ming-Y’s father is the Inspector of Public Instruction at the city of Tchin-tou. Though only eighteen, Miny-Y stands out for his scholarship, grace, and polite accomplishments. Thus, when the wealthy Lord Tchang seeks a worthy tutor for his children, he engages Ming-Y. BecauseContinue reading “Review of “The Story of Ming-Y” by Lafcadio Hearn: Halloween Countdown”
Review of “The Shadow” by Edith Nesbit: Halloween Countdown
Plot:A girl faints during a dance at a country house over Christmas in Victorian-era Great Britain. She is sent to recover in a dressing room. Other girls sleep in a bedroom attached to the dressing room. Of course, they don’t sleep but sit up, telling each other ghost stories. While they’re scaring themselves, a knockContinue reading “Review of “The Shadow” by Edith Nesbit: Halloween Countdown”
Review of “Scoured Silk” by Marjorie Bowen: Halloween Countdown
Plot: Some twenty years earlier, Mr. Humphrey Orford moved to Covent Garden with his young wife. The understanding is that his family was from Suffolk, where he had considerable estates that he never visited. Only a few weeks after they arrived, his wife, Flora, fell ill and passed away. He erected a small plaque: Flora,Continue reading “Review of “Scoured Silk” by Marjorie Bowen: Halloween Countdown”
Review of “The Moonlit Road” by Ambrose Bierce: Halloween Countdown
Plot:The following things happened: Joel Hetman returned from a trip at an unexpected time and used the back door without disturbing anyone. He chased what appeared to be a prowler into the woods, who got away. His wife, Julia, was strangled to death in her bedroom. He summoned his nineteen-year-old son, Joel, Jr., home fromContinue reading “Review of “The Moonlit Road” by Ambrose Bierce: 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”
Reviews of Old and New Stories. Mostly Old 