Spoilers! World-building: Renaissance Fantasy I have thought to myself that it would be interesting to read or write a renaissance fantasy story, and I think Bardugo did a fine job making one. Her originality in the combination of magic and guns, as well as in making a world that deliberately resembles our own (Amsterdam, Russia,Continue reading “Book Review: Six of Crows”
Author Archives: James Imelda
Thoughts on The Count of Monte Cristo
I may at some point write a short essay on a certain aspect or scene in this book (e.g. Dumas’ expert use of subtext in dialogue—UGH he’s so talented like how will I ever write that good); for now, I’ll just say yes, it’s one of those classics worthy of the label. However, I feltContinue reading “Thoughts on The Count of Monte Cristo”
Christmas Reading List
Why, on the 30th of December, am I publishing a post on Christmas literary recommendations? Firstly because, in the words of Bob Cratchit, I was making rather merry—and still am! Hence the short post, as well. Secondly because (and this is for another post), Christmas has not ended! In the Church (outside of which ChristmasContinue reading “Christmas Reading List”
Clay & Steel: Differences between Children’s Stories, Young Adult, & Adult
A while back I was trying to determine what distinguishes children’s books—specifically for older children, say age 10 on average—from young adult, and young adult from adult novels. I think it may consist partly in the following. The protagonists in children’s books are generally not on a path of self-discovery, but rather have a practicalContinue reading “Clay & Steel: Differences between Children’s Stories, Young Adult, & Adult”
Lloyd Alexander’s Gypsy Rizka: A Delightful Read!
I nearly missed this book! I was at The Dusty Bookshelf looking for The Prydain Chronicles, and almost walked away without seeing that Lloyd Alexander’s books occupied another shelf! I had previously seen Gypsy Rizka listed among his works on Audible and it sounded interesting. I had no idea it would be so good! ItsContinue reading “Lloyd Alexander’s Gypsy Rizka: A Delightful Read!”
Book Review & Analysis of Children’s Stories: The Mysterious Benedict Society
A delightful read, which exemplifies two or three characteristics especially important in children’s books. The first of these is a catalyst right at the start (or nearly so). If we look at some other well-done (or at least popular) children’s stories, all or nearly all of the following have the inciting incident occurring within theContinue reading “Book Review & Analysis of Children’s Stories: The Mysterious Benedict Society”
Homicidal Passivity: An Analysis of Hemingway’s “The Killers”
In The Killers, Hemingway displays how passivity, rather than reducing one’s agency, can make one an agent, even an agent of evil, through cowardice and irresoluteness. He displays this in each character, either by example or by an ironic contrast. The first person named is neither of the apparent killers, Al or Max, but George.Continue reading “Homicidal Passivity: An Analysis of Hemingway’s “The Killers””
Humility, Charity, and True Honor: A Book Review of Black Cauldron (Prydain Chronicles #2)
In Lloyd Alexander’s Black Cauldron, second of The Prydain Chronicles, both Taran and Prince Ellidyr show in wonderful character arc’s different paths to the the same virtues of humility and charity.1 While we may like Taran and dislike Ellidyr from the beginning, their arcs begin in similar places. Both possess great pride and shame inContinue reading “Humility, Charity, and True Honor: A Book Review of Black Cauldron (Prydain Chronicles #2)”
At Home in Oneself: A Book Review of Taran Wanderer by Lloyd Alexander
In Taran Wanderer, fourth in The Chronicles of Prydain series by Lloyd Alexander, Taran begins his quest to learn his parentage with a great deal of pride. His pride has always manifested itself in the series as quickness to judge others, accumulated shame regarding his own mistakes, and a high value on birth, nobility, andContinue reading “At Home in Oneself: A Book Review of Taran Wanderer by Lloyd Alexander”
Blog Update: A Rule of Life
I recently began to reevaluate my rule of life, to take again a look at my ‘recipe’ for a life well ordered toward true joy and fulfillment in Heaven, beginning in this life and never-ending in the next. I began to do this near the beginning of Advent, and in light of a conversation withContinue reading “Blog Update: A Rule of Life”
The Curious Critic 