The Stuff: Fair warning: rant to follow: In his preface, author Kevin Ashton tells the reader: “In this book, I want to describe how stories and new tools for telling them change us. The story of stories—which, ironically, is largely untold—offers a map for navigating our strange new world and hope in a difficult, turbulentContinue reading “Review of “The Story of Stories: The Million-Year History of a Uniquely Human Art” by Kevin Ashton”
Tag Archives: writing
Review of “The Mortal Immortal” by Mary Shelley (yes, that Mary Shelley): Halloween Countdown
732 words, 4 minutes read time In the home stretch: 30) “The Mortal Immortal” by Mary Shelley (yes, that Mary Shelley) Plot: In what appears to be a journal entry dated July 16, 1833, the narrator, Winzy, notes that it is the anniversary of his having been alive for three hundred and twenty-three years. IsContinue reading “Review of “The Mortal Immortal” by Mary Shelley (yes, that Mary Shelley): Halloween Countdown”
Review of “The Lady’s Maid’s Bell” by Edith Wharton: Halloween Countdown
29) “The Lady’s Maid’s Bell” by Edith Wharton Plot: After recovering from typhoid, Alice Hartley has difficulty finding another position. The ladies she applies to look at her pale complexion and her thin limbs and decline her services. Alice is at the end of her rope. A chance meeting with Mrs. Railton, a friend ofContinue reading “Review of “The Lady’s Maid’s Bell” by Edith Wharton: Halloween Countdown”
Review of “The Invisible Eye” by Erckmann-Chatrian: Halloween Countdown
28) “The Invisible Eye” by Erckmann-Chatrian Note: This story was first published roughly 170 years ago and, unfortunately, displays the antisemitism and misogyny of the times. Plot: Christian, who narrates the story, is an artist renting an attic room in an old house on Rue des Minnesängers in Nuremberg. He has a commanding view ofContinue reading “Review of “The Invisible Eye” by Erckmann-Chatrian: Halloween Countdown”
Review of “The Hand” by Guy de Maupassant: Halloween Countdown
26) “The Hand” by Guy de Maupassant Plot:Clean-shaven M. Bermutier, a judge, talks to a group of people gathered in Paris discussing the Saint-Cloud mystery. The judge notes that the women, shaking and trembling, move closer to him; they are “moved by fear and curiosity, and by the eager and insatiable desire for the horrible,Continue reading “Review of “The Hand” by Guy de Maupassant: Halloween Countdown”
Review of “The Devil and Tom Walker” by Washington Irving: Halloween Countdown
24) “The Devil and Tom Walker” by Washington Irving (as Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.) Note: The story reviewed is about two hundred years old and contains some racially insensitive and misogynistic language. Plot: In 1727, “at the time when earthquakes were prevalent in New England and shook many tall sinners down upon their knees,” Tom Walker,Continue reading “Review of “The Devil and Tom Walker” by Washington Irving: Halloween Countdown”
Review of “The Crime of Micah Rood” by Elia W. Peattie: Halloween Countdown
23) “The Crime of Micah Rood” by Elia W. Peattie Plot:In the early 18th century, in eastern Connecticut near the Shetucket River lived Micah Rood, “a solitary soul,” who “occupied a low, tumble-down house, in which he had seen his sisters and his brothers, his father and mother, die. The mice used the bare floorsContinue reading “Review of “The Crime of Micah Rood” by Elia W. Peattie: Halloween Countdown”
Review of “The Watcher by the Threshold” by John Buchan: Halloween Countdown
21) “The Watcher by the Threshold” by John Buchan Plot:Our hero, Henry, a lawyer, is enjoying some vacation time out shooting (ICK, but yeah) at a friend’s estate when he receives a letter from his cousin, Sibyl, asking him to visit her and her husband in Scotland. She adds a postscript: “For Heaven’s sake, comeContinue reading “Review of “The Watcher by the Threshold” by John Buchan: Halloween Countdown”
Review of “Wake Not the Dead” by Ernst Raupach: Halloween Countdown
20) “Wake Not the Dead” by Ernst Raupach (often attributed to Johann Ludwig Tieck) Plot: Walter, a powerful lord in Burgundy, marries a beautiful woman named Brunhilda. They are very much in love. Alas! Brunhilda dies, leaving Walter heartbroken. He eventually remarries a wonderful, beautiful woman named Swanhilda. They have two children, a boy andContinue reading “Review of “Wake Not the Dead” by Ernst Raupach: Halloween Countdown”
Review of “Unseen—Un[f]eared” by Francis Stevens: Halloween Countdown
19) “Unseen—Un[f]eared” by Francis Stevens Before I proceed, I would like to offer a few content warnings, specifically about suicide and some racially and ethnically insensitive elements of the story. About the latter: the narrator is ill and not himself, so it could reflect a paranoid, altered state of mind. Or he may just beContinue reading “Review of “Unseen—Un[f]eared” by Francis Stevens: Halloween Countdown”
