Monthly Archives: January 2011

The other science fiction of Pierre Boulle

Posted on 01/30/2011 by originalliterature

Continuing perhaps the trend of discussing lesser known works of various science fiction authors, I am turning my attention to an omnibus volume (in French) of the four books (apart from Le planète des singes which in English is called … Continue reading →

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Mr. Adam by Pat Frank

Posted on 01/30/2011 by originalliterature

While Pat Frank is rightly well known for his classic novel Alas, Babylon, he is also the author of the humorous novel Mr. Adam, which was in fact his first. One should recall that at the time the latter book … Continue reading →

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The Jungle by David Drake

Posted on 01/17/2011 by originalliterature

The novella I actually bought the book I have just been reading for was the classic Clash by Night by Henry Kuttner. One would never know from the cover that this ground-breaking work was included in that book at all; … Continue reading →

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A short note

Posted on 01/13/2011 by originalliterature

I’m a bit preoccupied today to do a proper blog-post lest it not be to my usual standards. Nevertheless I wanted to take the opportunity to mention that I am also in the process of adding pages to this blog … Continue reading →

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The Odyssey: Book 2 – a necessary digression

Posted on 01/12/2011 by originalliterature

This particular blog post deals with necessary background to what is happening in Book 2 of the Odyssey. Most readers will have heard the Greek word πόλις (pronounced [pólis]) and will have been told simply that it means city. Yet … Continue reading →

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The Odyssey: Book 2 lines 35-39

Posted on 01/11/2011 by originalliterature

As Book 2 of the Odyssey continues, the old warrior Aegyptius of Ithaca has set the stage for Telemachus to address the assembly as the son of Odysseus. What one should bear in mind is that by the customs of … Continue reading →

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The Odyssey: Book 2 lines 25-34

Posted on 01/10/2011 by originalliterature

Book 2 of the Odyssey continues with the address to the assembly by the old warrior Aegyptius (as implied rather than explicitly stated). In essence, he has heard the news that Odysseus is alive on the island of Calypso and … Continue reading →

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Out of the Silent Planet by C.S. Lewis

Posted on 01/09/2011 by originalliterature

This book first appeared in 1938 but became the first part in what is most commonly referred to as the Space Trilogy, with its sequels Perelandra and That Hideous Strength. Like virtually all of C.S. Lewis‘ writings, the book comes … Continue reading →

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The Odyssey: Book 2 lines 1-24

Posted on 01/09/2011 by originalliterature

The second book of the Odyssey begins with the coming of the next dawn. This passage gives a fascinating insight into the manner of dress and daily habits of the early ancient Greeks. Telemachus awakes and puts on his sword … Continue reading →

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Final comments on Book 1 of the Odyssey

Posted on 01/08/2011 by originalliterature

The first Book of the Odyssey begins and ends in medias res. One ought not be surprised at this fact, since although the Odyssey itself became a main source for material on the myths it discusses, the ancient Greek audience … Continue reading →

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