One of my favorite audiobooks to regularly re-listen is Twain's The Diaries of Adam and Eve. So I tried to temper my expectations when embarking on thOne of my favorite audiobooks to regularly re-listen is Twain's The Diaries of Adam and Eve. So I tried to temper my expectations when embarking on this read but I was probably not successful. This book was a mixed bag. It was enjoyable and had I read it in my doe-eyed 20s, all the American ingenuity and vague democratic values would've appealed more. What my cynical over 30 self can't help but appreciate is Twain's social commentary and the way he ends his book.
I also love Twain's humor but not even 500 pages of it can temper the almost paternalistic way in which Hank, our narrator, talks about a culture he is not a part of but wants to mold according to his vision regardless of their desire. And of course, his vision is that by bringing industry and capitalism, science will prevail over superstition. I use science here as vaguely and as utilitarianly as Hank does himself.
This would've been a nice novella, but Twain really wanted to kill satire by overusing it. I probably would've liked this book a lot more if Hank made fun of him Ubermensch self more often. Maybe Twain would've liked him more too....more
Judecata lui Brînduș - piesa de teatru care explorează problema lui Brînduş a cătui soţie l-a crezut mort într-un accident pe mare şi s-a recăsătorit Judecata lui Brînduș - piesa de teatru care explorează problema lui Brînduş a cătui soţie l-a crezut mort într-un accident pe mare şi s-a recăsătorit şi a avut un copil; cei doi bărbaţi nu vor să renunţe la femeia iubită iar ea are o “hotărâre” grea de făcut....more
There's nothing wrong with these poems, but none of their themes or metaphors caught my fancy.There's nothing wrong with these poems, but none of their themes or metaphors caught my fancy....more
Verlaine's poems presents some of the most vivid, engrossing descriptions of love I've ever read.Verlaine's poems presents some of the most vivid, engrossing descriptions of love I've ever read....more
While the case was interesting and engaging, I can't say that the writing style or the protagonist produced the same impression upon me.While the case was interesting and engaging, I can't say that the writing style or the protagonist produced the same impression upon me....more
Prince Alberic and the Snake Lady - as a lonely child, Alberic became fascinated with the tapestry which he later inhabits (3 stars)
A Wedding Chest - Prince Alberic and the Snake Lady - as a lonely child, Alberic became fascinated with the tapestry which he later inhabits (3 stars)
A Wedding Chest - on the eve of a wedding, the bride is stolen by the lord's son (3 stars)
Amour Dure - a writer becomes entranced when researching the infamous Duchess Madea Da Carpi (3 stars)
A Wicked Voice - a conductor travels around Italy in search of inspiration; he soon stumbles upon the legend of Zaffirino who sang so beautifully that no woman was able to resist him and whose beauty rivaled their own (4 stars)
The Legend of Madame Krasinska - a painter and a nun by sheer happenstance reunite; their backstory is recorded by a writer (3 stars)
The Virgin of the Seven Daggers - Don Juan Gusman del Pulgar, Count of Miramor, goes forth to conquer a new target; the attitude towards Jews, Moors, and women is not really my cup of tea so I would've preferred the ending without the Virgin's intervention (2 stars)
Vernon Lee's writing is superb and atmospheric, perfect for legends and fairytales. I could've used less praising of saints though. ...more
I really wish the writing style were less verbose. This would be a perfect if the pacing were better and 40% of this book were gone. Having not seen aI really wish the writing style were less verbose. This would be a perfect if the pacing were better and 40% of this book were gone. Having not seen any adaptation of this book, I went into it hoping for a sensational story and I definitely got that, but I think the musical will take advantage of the macabre premise....more
Part memoir, part spiritual quest and part nature study, Walden is really verbose, at times boring, at times engaging. I don't think I'll come back toPart memoir, part spiritual quest and part nature study, Walden is really verbose, at times boring, at times engaging. I don't think I'll come back to this text, but I'm glad I read it....more
While the themes of justice and law were interesting, what really stood out to me was the gay subtext of the novella. The last 5 chapters were intenseWhile the themes of justice and law were interesting, what really stood out to me was the gay subtext of the novella. The last 5 chapters were intense, filled with memorable passages and analysis from different perspectives....more
Chiriţa în provincie - Chirita este căsătorită cu Bârzoi, un răzes înstarit şi astfel, să între în rândul boierilor. Ea îl îndeamnă pe acesta să obţinChiriţa în provincie - Chirita este căsătorită cu Bârzoi, un răzes înstarit şi astfel, să între în rândul boierilor. Ea îl îndeamnă pe acesta să obţină functia de ispravnic şi doreşte să-şi căsătorească nepoata orfană bogată cu Guliţă, fiul ei cam lipsit de minte.
Chiriţa în voiagiu - plecaţi într-o călătorie, dezastrul se abate asupra Chiriţei. Totu se termină cu bine, dar protagonista a fost cam rea cu slujnica. Chiriţă, n-ai obraz?! Cu toţii ştim cum e plodul tău......more
Nostalgia joacă sigur un rol important în aprecierea acestei piese, dar confortul şi chicotelele pe care le simt la fiecare vizionare sunt imposibil dNostalgia joacă sigur un rol important în aprecierea acestei piese, dar confortul şi chicotelele pe care le simt la fiecare vizionare sunt imposibil de negat....more
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