Category Archives: Literature

Rudin

Posted on September 6, 2023 by Dystonia Girl

Written in 1856, Ivan Turgenev’s first novel, Rudin, presents us with a small, play-like dramatis personae centred around the family, friends and servants of Darya Mikhaylovna Lasunsky, a wealthy widow staying at her country estate. Dmitry Nikolayevich Rudin, a former student, becomes … Continue reading →

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Armadale

Posted on December 26, 2022 by Dystonia Girl

Anyone remotely interested in Victorian fiction has, at some point, to read a Wilkie Collins novel.  The books are standalone, ingenious and make use of innovations of the time (railways, telegraphic communication and the increasing scale and speed of the postal … Continue reading →

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Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail ‘72

Posted on May 27, 2021 by Dystonia Girl

Every time I think about Hunter S. Thompson, an unbidden mental picture of The History Man’s infernal Howard Kirk hoves into view, probably because Thompson, like Kirk, is inextricably linked in the general consciousness with the so called ‘counter culture’ of … Continue reading →

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Henry V

Posted on August 21, 2020 by Dystonia Girl

Randomly selecting things to read, sometimes comes up trumps.  This week, my random pick was Shakespeare’s great history play, Henry V.   The events leading up to the battle of Agincourt, the battle itself and the ensuing peace process following the French … Continue reading →

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Nostromo

Posted on April 30, 2020 by Dystonia Girl

If you’re looking for a meaty tome, with a vast army of finely drawn characters, political intrigue, a haul of silver ingots, all topped off with a revolution, then take a look at the magnificent Nostromo. Written in 1904, and … Continue reading →

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Fathers and Sons

Posted on February 22, 2020 by Dystonia Girl

Russian literature, like blue Stilton cheese, is something of an acquired taste.  Defeated by War and Peace, but not by Crime and Punishment, my literary tasting tour has ended with a more digestible work by Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev: Fathers and … Continue reading →

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The Second World War

Posted on August 20, 2017 by Dystonia Girl

I’m quite interested in military history, as I find understanding the conflicts of the past helps unlock the motivations of the present. Add to this, a love of maps and strategy and I’ve suddenly turned into an armchair general.  The … Continue reading →

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South

Posted on March 27, 2017 by Dystonia Girl

Some years ago, I used to work in London and, as I lived on the South Coast, I spent a lot of time on trains. Which was very annoying. On the plus side, it did mean that I had a … Continue reading →

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Back To School

Posted on April 15, 2015 by Dystonia Girl

If anyone ever tells you that it’s easy to get your child into a good school, look at the calendar, check that it’s not April 1st and that you don’t have a sign saying “Kick Me” on your back, then … Continue reading →

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The House of Mirth

Posted on May 21, 2014 by Dystonia Girl

This week, a ‘lucky dip’ read comes good. As a general rule, if you are looking for a good book, you will never find yourself standing in front of the bookshelves of one of the town’s larger stationery suppliers. If … Continue reading →

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