literature
Geek literature from the New York Times or the recesses of online. Our favorite stories showcase geeks.
"Invitation to a Beheading" by Vladimir Nabokov
Often, people ask me what my favourite Nabokov novel is and I have to say that the one I have read that is most unlike his other works is possibly “Invitation to a Beheading” because it represents something that is familiar to us in his bibliography that is written in an entirely different way. We get the question of morality and happiness, the difference between right and wrong and then, we get it written in a style that is often described as “kafkaesque” though I beg to differ. I first read this book when I was sixteen years’ old and nearing the summer of my life before sixth form. It was a scorching hot day and reading Nabokov whilst drinking juice was often considered the high life of the teenage literary nerd. This book is about a man called Cincinnatus C. who is due to be executed and often, we experience the various morality filters of different characters, including guards, family members and the protagonist himself. The characters I always associated most with the morality question were the protagonist, Cincinnatus and a man called Pierre, who mostly plays the sort of almost villainous shadowy trait of humanity in which we do things we are not proud of but often do them anyway. Pierre seems to represent not only morality, but the obsession and want to do something good, but the decision to do what one wants instead. It’s almost very Nietzsche of him I think. This book is written in a style that often, I would not associate with Nabokov - it written almost exclusively in an omniscient style, but also with an aspect of trickery. It is like Nabokov is trying to trick us into an ending. Some may say that the ending is anti-climatic but I believe that it is often more philosophical than we first think and subsequent readings have shown me this.
By Annie Kapur6 years ago in Geeks
10 YA Book Quotes That Will Give You All The Feels
Have you ever read a quote that you couldn’t get out of your head? That seems to explain your life to you in ways you couldn’t understand until you read it?If you’re into making that kind of discovery, check out this 10 YA book quotes we’re currently digging from these unforgettable YA novels.
By YASH GOYAL6 years ago in Geeks
My Dark Vanessa
★★★★★ My Dark Vanessa follows the narrative of 32 year old Vanessa and her reflection on the relationship she had with her teacher, Mr.Strane at the age of 15. As another former students comes forward with accusations of her abuse by the same man, Vanessa is forced to question what she believed to be the great love of her life.
By Book Slugs6 years ago in Geeks
Today's Book Spotlight
Today's Book Spotlight is Beyond Twilight With the release of Stephenie Meyer’s Midnight Sun, the interest in vampires is returning and so are the interesting and diverse books of other vampire writers that tell of stronger female characters than Bella in Twilight.
By Spirit Guide Communication through the Art of Divination6 years ago in Geeks
Review of 'Outrun the Wind'
Synopsis The Huntresses of Artemis must obey two rules: never disobey the goddess, and never fall in love. After being rescued from a harrowing life as an Oracle of Delphi, Kahina is glad to be a part of the Hunt; living among a group of female warriors gives her a chance to reclaim her strength. But when a routine mission goes awry, Kahina breaks the first rule in order to save the legendary huntress Atalanta. To earn back Artemis's favor, Kahina must complete a dangerous task in the kingdom of Arkadia-where the king's daughter is revealed to be none other than Atalanta. Still reeling from her disastrous quest and her father's insistence on marriage, Atalanta isn't sure what to make of Kahina. As her connection to Atalanta deepens, Kahina finds herself in danger of breaking Artemis's second rule. She helps Atalanta devise a dangerous game to avoid marriage, and word spreads throughout Greece, attracting suitors to go up against Atalanta in a race for her hand. But when the men responsible for both the girls' dark pasts arrive, the game turns deadly.
By Cyn's Workshop6 years ago in Geeks
Book Review: “Chasing the Light” by Oliver Stone
As we are all probably well aware by now, Oliver Stone is one of my favourite directors ever with his film “JFK” (1991) being one of my favourite films of all time. He has directed amazing movies like “Any Given Sunday” and the legendary “Platoon” which is based on his own experiences as a soldier in the Vietnam War. But little do we know about what happened before all of this great directing. Oliver Stone lets us into his life in which there are many, many setbacks for him. His perseverance through broken relationships, both family and in love, failed odd jobs and many more left him without money and often without hope. But, this man still managed to find the time to write out scripts upon scripts which were rejected each and every time. Of course, there was no doubt that one day, he would write a script that would become a great movie as we read this book after a lengthy, successful career. Oliver Stone writes passionately about his experiences, with vigour, reality and does not seek to be anything he is not. He tells his story in words that all can understand and all will come to understand the story behind this legend which is one of constant kicks and punches. In the end though, he does not give up.
By Annie Kapur6 years ago in Geeks
Review of 'Vicious Spirits'
Vicious Spirits is an incredible sequel that expands upon the folklore that started this series. However, this scope of this novel has expanded by adding in Junu’s and Somin’s perspectives of the novel. These additions add more richness to the novel, allowing the depth between the dynamics to grow.
By Cyn's Workshop6 years ago in Geeks
Review of 'A Curse of Gold'
A Curse of Gold by Annie Sullivan is the second novel in her retelling series of the tale of King Midas. Now the first book was excellent, you can see the review here, but this novel surpasses its predecessor in some ways because it delves deeper into Greek Mythology.
By Cyn's Workshop6 years ago in Geeks
Lack of independence and Ableism in Good Country People
The short story “Good Country People” by Flannery O’Connor follows Hulga Hopewell who is subject to a form of disrespect and discrimination called Ableism at the hands of her mother, Mrs. Freeman, and the bible salesman. Hulga is a capable young woman who went to college and earned a Ph.D. in philosophy. Hulga has an artificial leg that affects her daily life and a heart condition that affects her life span. These two combined keep her home with her mother and away from the life she wants to live. People with disabilities face microaggressions on the daily. Microaggressions are very commonly used and are not often recognized for what they are. What a person might mean as a compliment or trying to be helpful, may be offensive to a person with a disability. Ableism can be outright discrimination as well with verbal insults or attacks which Hulga unfortunately faces by the people that label themselves “good country people”. Ableism is abundant in the story and is a main driving point of the plot.
By Miss Ghoul6 years ago in Geeks
Today's Book Spotlight
Today's Book Spotlight is The Road Not Taken by Susan Rubin. Tagline: A trippy fantasy that uses time travel to explore the inner drives of a woman in midlife whose errand to a department store lipstick counter becomes an opportunity to unravel the mystery of self.
By Spirit Guide Communication through the Art of Divination6 years ago in Geeks
"Julius Caesar" by William Shakespeare
When I was thirteen years’ old I went through a massive Shakespeare phase and the first thing I did was re-read all the plays that I had read before and then, I finalised to start a new one. The new play I started first and foremost was “Julius Caesar” and I can honestly say that even though I did not have high hopes for the play to begin with, I was absolutely entranced by the end of it. I did not want to play to be over, it was absolutely fascinating to see exactly how the conspiracy worked, and ultimately, why it didn’t work. The characters were each individual, even the guy who has his identity mixed up with a guy who has the same name as him and gets himself arrested. The symbols, ghosts and violence of the play is extreme and even the language is just what you’d expect from Shakespeare - multiple layers in which you definitely won’t get it all first time. From the plot which climaxes with the assassination of Julius Caesar to the downfall in which suicide and war are the only options, this play has everything you could want in a terrifying tragedy. It has the supernatural, the satirical, the murderous, the torturous, the conspirators, the violent, the fiery, the brutal and ultimately, the suicidal. It is possibly one of Shakespeare’s most violent plays after “Titus Andronicus” and I can honestly say that every time I have taught this play, it has been nothing but appreciation for Shakespeare’s over-the-top violence and gore. From start to finish, it was a masterpiece that thirteen-year-old me first opened up, only to be consumed by future re-reads throughout my teen years and beyond. It was like reading into a great painting from history. You don’t quite get it all first time - but when you see Rome covered in blood, you think you’re finally on your way to understanding what it is all about. At least, you hope so.
By Annie Kapur6 years ago in Geeks
