Ko-fi

The Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out of a Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson - a review and analysis

 


Disclaimer: If you make any purchases through links in this blog, I may earn a commission from the seller, but that does not impact upon the cost to you as the consumer, nor does it influence the content of this blog.

I did tell you in my last post that I would be discussing this book, and, true to my word here we are!

The central theme of this novel is taking chances, and accepting what it is that life throws your way. The character of Allan Karlsson is a carefree one-hundred year old man, tolerant of a great deal that life has dealt him, but who will also remove himself from undesirable situations if he can. He manoeuvres these undesirable situations with little fuss and fanfare, just taking himself off onto the next chapter of his life. But, he will also tolerate a great deal if he has to; he takes imprisonment, a stay in an asylum, and interrogation in his stride, during the course of his eventful life. His habit of taking himself off when the need arises, or when he just fancies a drink or two, plus his tolerance and acceptance for all sorts of people and experiences, has meant that Allan has found himself in all sorts of company with many stories to tell.

Over the course of Allan's one hundred year long life, he has spent time in the company of communists, capitalists, democrats, revolutionaries, priests, leaders, and other colourful characters. The story of Allan climbing out of the window and disappearing is juxtaposed with the story of his life. That story demonstrates his character, his experiences, drawing upon figures and events from the last century (1905 - 2005). In putting Allan in positions where he spends time with politicians, the religious, and events from the past, the author is also able to shine a light on the comedic absurdities of politics and organised religion. Something clearly of importance to Mr. Jonasson who, unlike his centenarian creation, cares about political and social issues.

I have always loved stories about road trips and adventures, and this is one of those books. Though Allan isn't really an adventurer. When he climbs out of the window of the old people's home where he lives he doesn't do it in search of adventure. He does it because he has had enough of being there, and because he imagines there are probably better things to do elsewhere. If nothing else, somewhere he can get a drink. Allan Karlsson had never been given to pondering things too long. He kind of just goes for it.

As already mentioned, the story is more than just the tale of Allan's taking off out the window, and eventually on a road trip across Sweden with colourful characters, and a suitcase full of money (plus a couple of dead bodies left behind for good measure!). No, though that story sounds interesting and entertaining enough on its own, the author tells the story of Allan's life too, switching between past and present, a device that I enjoyed. It added more depth to the story. It, as I say, allowed the author to explore political and social issues over the last century, pointing out the absurdities, but it also demonstrates Allan's character, making him more real. And, it is a pleasure to travel with him too!

The modern historical events used as a backdrop to the plot of the novel drew me in to the story. Allan's life is kind of fantastic, and he is kind of a fantastic character, the very real events in which he finds himself, and the opportunity to see them through his eyes, warmed me to the character. Allan himself has very little interest in political discussion, but he finds himself in a world full of it. And, I came away feeling that sometimes it really takes a character who has no interest in politics, somebody who stands outside of those concerns with political and social issues, to see the oddities of politics. I mean, if you've ever taken the plunge into the comments of a political discussion on Twitter, you'll know some people can get a little lost in political ideology, almost to the point of getting a little disengaged from reality!

Allan really is rather a simple character though. If he had had enough food to eat, a decent supply of vodka to drink, and an adequate form of shelter where he could sleep, you get the impression he might have happily spent his life in that one place. In fact, there are points in the telling of his life where he does exactly that, spending years in one place, content to pass the time. His excursions and adventures are often prompted by those events that surround his life. This is another theme of the novel - the way in which the times we live in shape who we are. Allan's story really is the story of the events and experiences he has had. He concerns himself little with the details of the events that impact his life, though they shape the way in which he navigates his life, and the world in which he lives. And, those people he meets on his journeys, those who are impacted by the events related, are shaped by time and place in which they live, their beliefs and personalities directly influenced by them.

Allan's approach to life is almost fatalistic. Things are what they are, and whatever will be, will be. He plays the hand he is dealt, uncomplaining the vast majority of the time. So, of course, he climbs out of a window, of course he takes a suitcase full of money from a criminal gang, of course he ends up on a road trip across Sweden with a group of various characters, and of course he has many stories to tell. We might benefit from adopting a little of Allan's approach to life.

I will leave the last words of this piece to the author himself, quoted from an interview related in the final pages of my copy of the novel:


To go to the village sauna each Saturday afternoon, to sit there among grumpy old men, just to be updated about what's happening in the neighbourhood. But I think a lot of people really should consider the possibility of climbing out of their window. My perspective is that we only live once, I cannot be sure but that is what I believe. I think that if you've once asked yourself: 'Should I . . .' then the answer should be: 'Yes!' Otherwise, how would you ever get to know that you shouldn't?

- Jonas Jonasson


If you're intrigued, you can purchase The Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out Of the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson, the global bestseller, here, from bookshop.org. Bookshop.org supports independent bookshops in the UK, and offsets carbon emissions from every delivery.

If you enjoyed this piece, or found it useful, please do consider following/supporting me over on ko-fi. Ko-fi is a platform specifically for creatives, and a great way to keep up to date with what they are up to. If you can donate, it makes a world of difference. And, all support is gratefully received, and very much appreciated.

Thank you, take care, be safe, read lots, and see you soon.

A few more reading challenges

 


The last post I published on reading challenges (here) proved to be quite popular, so, because I am so good to you, here are a few more challenge ideas. I do like the way in which challenge ideas can draw readers to those books that they might not otherwise have read, so I hope that this brings something new into your "to be read" pile. If not, I hope you at least enjoy this piece!


A book about, or heavily featuring, a car/cars

Under this challenge, I might recommend On The Road by Jack Kerouac, which, when I first read it as a teenager, captured me with its depiction of life on the open road of mid-twentieth-century America. Kerouac's tale of sex, drugs, and beat life, depicts perfectly the restlessness of post World War II America youth, with their lost innocence and desire for something more than the dream that was offered. Or, perhaps you would prefer Stephen King's Christine, which tells the story of a car apparently possessed by evil supernatural forces and the hold it has on its owner. Whatever book you choose for this challenge, you might end up in the fast lane!


A book about, or heavily featuring, drugs and/or alcohol

We all know James Bond, Ian Fleming's creation, liked a martini, and throughout the series of Bond novels you'll find spirits, cocktails, and beers aplenty! Or, perhaps you'd prefer Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, in which Huxley's dystopia makes use of the fictional drug, Soma, to keep society in check. I am a big fan of Huxley and would recommend his most famous work to anyone that hasn't read it. When it comes to the use of hard drugs, Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh, and Junkie by William S. Burroughs (drug use can be found throughout much of Burroughs' work), both in their own ways depict the users world in a raw and honest way. 


A book for self improvement

Now, with this one, we could go the route of the self-help book, and if you do so, you'll have plenty of choice. The last book I read that concerned itself with the problem of how to attain happiness was a book called Happiness By Design by Paul Dolan, a Professor of Behavioral Science. In this book, the author explored how purpose and pleasure are the main constituents of happiness, and how to get that balance just right. In the not too distant future, I plan to read, and discuss here, Peter Jones' How To Do Everything and be Happy. In this book, the author tries to take an approach to maximising happiness using practical methods, such as the use of diaries, lists, and scheduling. I will discuss this one, as I say, in a later post. However, self improvement doesn't mean a visit to the self help section, it could be that there is a non-fiction book you have been meaning to read that could lead to you developing a better understanding of politics, history, science, or art. Anything really. What self improvement means to you is really up to you!


A book that makes you cry

I suppose with this one, it need not be a book; it could be a poem, or a play. And they need not be tears of despair, but tears of joy. Still, we ought not to be afraid of those works that bring a tear to the eye, or maybe even a stream of tears. Those feelings are just as valid as happiness, and don't we read partly so that we can explore those feelings in a safe way? I know I do. In this category, I might recommend Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman, a book that can be a hard read, but a book that deals with themes of loneliness and mental illness beautifully. I might also recommend One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest by Ken Kesey, which is one of those stories that, to me, blends hope and brutality. Whatever it is for you, I urge you not to shy away from those books that make you cry.


A book you never get tired of

Again, it needn't be a book. I could never get tired, I don't think, of reading and rereading The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe. It is such a beautiful, gothic, musical poem, and if you haven't read it, I wholly recommend it. Or, see if you can find James Earl Jones' reading of it on the internet! Oh, that voice! Or, I am rereading The One Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out of a Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson, a book I fell for, as did many others, when I first read it. I will be discussing this book in an upcoming post too. This challenge is a comforting and cosy challenge, perfect for blankets and coffee along with that book you love. Or, if not coffee, something a little stronger perhaps.


Children's/YA books

On my shelves I have a book, a Winnie the Pooh book, that I had when I was a child, and I have as much respect for that book as I do for anything Tolstoy or Dickens ever wrote! It is beautiful. And, those books we love as children, it could be argued, can have a greater influence on us than those we embrace as adults. I also have Batman and Deadpool graphic novels standing on my shelves, those comics and superheroes I loved as a kid and a teenager . . . Well, I still love them. I'm sorry. I just do. As for YA fiction, I might suggest The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, a book that deals with themes as weighty as anything you might find in Ishiguro. Go on, immerse yourself in a kids book, or a book for teens. An opportunity to revisit childhood, or those tumultuous teenage years.

I hope you got some ideas from this little piece, and if you did enjoy it, perhaps you would consider following/supporting me over on ko-fi. Ko-fi is a platform specifically for creatives. If every reader donated just the minimum, it would make such a difference to me. But, if you can't, but you have a ko-fi page of your own, do consider following. Thank you.

Stay safe, read lots, and see you soon.

How to be a rather bookish blogger

 



Every blog is different because each blogger is different. And, presumably, every blogger starts blogging for different reasons. So, there is going to be plenty that you will need to figure out for yourself. You don't want to follow a formula, because then you end up with something formulaic. However, I can tell you a little bit about my own experience, and you can take from that what you will.

Beginning

When I started blogging, I didn't really have a clear idea in my head as to why I had started blogging. I have an interest in writing - writing stories and poetry, pitching to magazine editors, etc. - and blogging was just another avenue to explore in pursuing that interest.

Of course, as a writer, I have taken more than my share of rejection, and the great bonus of starting up a blog seemed to be that I could write, publish, and attract readers without having to go through an editor, publisher, or agent (this can also be considered a negative - having to go through this is something that must be learned at some point as a writer). And so, I started a blog.

If you look back at earlier posts, I think you can tell that they are a bit less well structured, a bit less well written. I was still experimenting, and I do believe it shows. I haven't altered them though since I originally published them. I kind of like that they are there, reminders of how I have progressed.

Aside from my still experimenting back then, figuring out what was possible and the identity of this space, I didn't, as I said, really know why I had started the blog. I settled on writing about books and bookish things because I love to read, as simple as that. But, there were no goals or ambitions beyond having a place to write, preferably with a few readers along for the ride.

Ambitions have developed though as I have progressed. I have come to see that having a blog can be a great way to demonstrate my ability as a writer for those other writerly pursuits I undertake. Also, I have joined a couple of affiliate marketing schemes. However, I have tried to keep advertising in this space tasteful - this blog will never be primarily about trying to sell anything, it will always be about books and bookish things.

My interest in using this space to try and gain some supplementary income was really instigated by my losing work during the first UK lockdown, last year, because of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, as I say, making money will never be the primary goal. I suppose, having some sort of community is the goal, reaching out to people who share similar interests, values, and passions.

Writing articles

From the other book blogs that I have seen, I have noticed that a lot of bloggers have genre specific blog content. Whereas, you may have noticed, my content is more diverse. The original idea being that I would simply discuss those books that make up my bookshelves. I'm not sure if this holds me back - potential readers being put off by my lack of specificity - or whether the broad range of books I discuss might be a help in the long term. Time will tell.

Beyond discussing the books I read, I also decided to write and publish posts about bookish related topics. So, if you explore the blog, you might find posts on how to make time for reading (here), films based on books (here), or even on my experiences as a bookish blogger (this post you're reading right now).

It's hard to say which posts are going to be popular and which ones aren't. And, besides, posts tend to garner attention incrementally, or at least they do in my experience. However, my most recently published posts which have been relatively popular are ones on reading challenges (here), and a review of Kazuo Ishiguro's The Buried Giant (here). But again, other posts have gained attention as well and reader numbers increase incrementally.

Outside of analysing and reviewing books that I have read, I have written a few list pieces, "how to" pieces, pieces inspired by news items . . . Pretty much anything bookish related that captures my interest, is a joy to write, and hopefully of interest to readers. And, chances are that if it is a pleasure for you to write there will be someone for whom it is a pleasure to read.

I think my one piece of advice would be to persevere. Even if you are writing and you suspect that no one is reading, you started blogging for a reason. If you still have that reason, and the writing is good, and getting better, the readers will come. 

Of course, getting the readers to come may mean having to leave the blog for a while . . .

Followers/support

Social media, especially Twitter, has been great in terms of finding support, even something of a community.

On Twitter, I have felt embraced by the book blogger community. From sharing each others' blog posts, to tagging each other to boost awareness of your efforts, the Twitter book blogger community has been wonderful. They are gosh darn friendly bunch too!

Beyond Twitter, I don't really make much use of Facebook for my bookish/writerly pursuits, simply out of personal preferences, but you can sometimes find me sharing bookish things on Instagram, though my bookish interests there are nestled amongst other of my interests too.

Away from social media, I have also set up a ko-fi page. Ko-fi is a platform specifically for creatives, and it is designed as a way for those creatives to stay in touch with supporters and, yes, to try and garner some monetary support for their efforts. This I set up with a view to gaining some donations for my writing, and also as a space for sharing what I am up to and learning from others.

Unfortunately, ko-fi hasn't garnered any donations/support for me yet, money wise at least, but I have found other creatives on there who have been kind enough to offer support in other ways (following my page, critiquing work in progress, etc.) which is very much appreciated.

Going forward, I have made something of a little promise to myself. I will, in the not too distant future, and at least once a month, donate to other creatives on the platform. It is pretty tricky to get support as creatives, and I have come to the conclusion that you gotta give, even if you don't get. If you're not getting, you know how hard it is, right? Give someone else that little boost!

Search engine optimisation

Okay. I am not going to talk about this one very much at all because . . . Well, because I don't know very much about how to make use of it, to be honest!

However, I am aware of it, and I am trying to learn more about it and how to make use of it. This because a better understanding of SEO can improve readership numbers, and at a certain point a desire to see your blog grow will kick in. So, search engine optimisation is something to be aware of and, if you're not sure of how to make use of it, research.

Again, the community on Twitter has been a great source of support in my pursuit of trying to better understand SEO. If you are just starting out as a book blogger, just search "#bookblogger" on Twitter, and immerse yourself into the wonderful world of the book blogging Twitterverse!


This piece can be taken as a bit of a "how to" guide to bookish blogging, but really all I can tell you is how I went about putting my blog together. However, maybe you hate the look of my blog (how could you!?), and you want to do something totally different. And, of course you do! You're you, and I'm me, and you should make the blog that you would want to read. Whatever you do, I hope you found this post useful, or at least enjoyable.

If you did like this post, or any others, perhaps you would consider following/supporting me on ko-fi. Ko-fi is a platform for creatives, and it's a great way to stay in touch with followers and supporters. Any and all donations/support are received gratefully and are very much appreciated!

Stay safe, and see you soon.

No Country For Old Men by Cormac McCarthy - an analysis and review

 


Disclaimer: should you make any purchases through links in this blog, I may earn a commission from the sellers, but this does not effect the cost to you as consumer, nor does it influence the content of this blog.


When I read No Country For Old Men by Cormac McCarthy, it felt like a book that should have been written a long time ago, a book that was a part of the world long before I ever came into it. A classic. It is so well written that I could only assume that the author belonged to another time and place, a time and place that I couldn't possibly be fortunate enough to inhabit. But, this book was published in 2007, and I share this planet, and this time, with its author, Cormac McCarthy.

The blurb description reads: Llewelyn Moss, hunting antelope near the Rio Grande, stumbles upon a transaction gone horribly wrong. Finding bullet-ridden bodies, several kilos of heroin, and a caseload of cash, he faces a choice - leave the scene as he found it, or cut the money and run. Choosing the latter, he knows, will change everything. And so begins a terrific chain of events, in which each participant seems determined to answer the question that one asks another: how does a man decide in what order to abandon his life?


Before I really get going with this post, I would like to give a special mention to Team Asthers whose Etsy shop is full to the brim with bookish treats and gifts. If you like bookish things, and of course you do, you should check them out. I'll wait . . .


Okay. Here we go . . .

Cormac McCarthy's novel contains within its pages a few central themes, including morality and ethics; fate, chance, and freewill; justice and the law; and how times change. This final theme is directly and explicitly referenced in the title of this novel.

Sheriff Bell, one of the book's protagonists, ponders very much upon how the times have changed as we follow him throughout the story, and how he fears that things have worsened. And, as he turns these things over in his mind, and in conversations, he does sometimes make a pretty good case for these fears being based in more than just an older mans romanticising of the past.

As Kirsty Wark is quoted as writing, for Observer Books of the Year, 'It is an intensely intimate story. It is also a warning.'


Sheriff Bell is a veteran of World War II, Llewellyn Moss, of the Vietnam war. And, when Moss stumbles across the drug money, deciding to take it for himself (His whole life was sitting there in front of him. Day after day from dawn till dark until he was dead. All of it cooked down into forty pounds of paper in a satchel.), Sheriff Bell ends up having to try and track Moss down. In part because Moss has Anton Chigurh on his tail.

Chigurh represents everything of which the Sheriff is afraid the world is becoming. He kills without feeling, without concern, and without fear. As one character in the novel puts it to Llewelyn, "Even if you gave him the money he'd still kill you. There's no one alive on this planet that's ever had even a cross word with him. They're all dead".

But, it isn't simply that Chigurh is an unfeeling killer, it is the way he moves throughout the story, seemingly untouched by events, visiting death on everyone he meets. He acts like fate, indeed makes reference himself a number of times to how he sees fate at work in his life, has put him where he is, and to do the things he does.

Chigurh is one of literatures most chilling characters. As I say, a representation of all that the Sheriff, so concerned with ethics and justice, fears for the way of the world.

This story is sparked by a moment of chance, when Llewelyn comes across the deal gone wrong, and from there we follow as these characters impact upon one another. How each of them makes decisions which impact upon the others, bringing, more often than not, violence and death to each other. Indeed, fate and freewill, moments of chance and the decisions made in those moments are a central theme of this story.


It is quite fitting, in my opinion, that the Coen brothers made the film adaptation (mentioned in another blog post here) because I did think the story, with it's everyday characters, and violent death, a tad Fargo-esque. Not wholly so. This book is more original than that. But, it seems a fair reference point to mention when trying to explain it to anyone who might not have read it yet. And, if you've seen the film adaptation, but not read the book, the film is pretty faithful to the book. So, if you enjoyed one, I expect you will enjoy the other. I did.

If you're intrigued, you can purchase No Country For Old Men here, from bookshop.org, who support independent UK bookshops.


I do hope you found this piece enjoyable and/or useful. If you did, perhaps you would consider following/supporting me on ko-fi. Ko-fi is a platform for all sorts of creatives, and it is a great way to follow/support and stay in touch with those whose work you enjoy.


Stay safe, and see you soon!



Good Films Based on Books

 


Disclaimer: If you make a purchase through links in this blog, I may earn a commission from the seller, however, that does not impact the cost to the consumer, nor does it influence the content of this blog.

This is a relatively simple post to follow. It's simply a brief list of films, ones that I think are worth a watch, that are based on books or short stories. Simples.

Okay, here we go . . .


The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Starring, and directed by, Ben Stiller, this film takes James Thurber's dreamer character and gives us a film about how good and beautiful life can be. How hopes don't just have to be something we carry around in our heads to get us through dull days.

Rotten Tomatoes gives the film a pretty average rating of 51%, and in parts it can feel a tad slow. But, if you're a bit of a dreamer like me, I think you will like following Walter on his adventures as he goes from a world of fantasy to embracing life real. There are some really beautiful moments in this film. But then, I think I might be a bit of a Walter Mitty myself.

You can purchase The Secret Life of Walter Mitty by James Thurber here from bookshop.org, who support independent bookshops.


No Country For Old Men

When this Academy award winning film came out in 2007, Javier Bardem's character, Anton Chigurh, became one of film's most chilling characters. A killer who kills without a second thought, and definitely without any feeling for his victims. And, when Llewelyn Moss stumbles across a drug deal gone wrong, and a whole lot of money, he finds Chigurh, amongst others, after him.

The Coen Brothers' film stayed pretty damn faithful to the book, so if you liked the book, I imagine you will like the film, and vice versa. I liked the film a lot, and I will be writing about the book in a future post here, on this blog.

You can purchase No Country For Old Men by Cormac McCarthy here from bookshop.org.


The Silence of the Lambs

And, speaking of chilling characters, they don't get much more chilling than Anthony Hopkins' Hannibal Lecter. In fact, Hannibal the Cannibal is one of those characters that has developed cultural reach beyond the books/films where we first met him. And, though Mads Mikkelsen gave him a run for his money, Hopkins' turn, in my opinion, is still the best portrayal of this charming monster.

Again, as with the previous entry, the film is pretty darn faithful to the book. Though, you will find bits in the book that are missing from the film, a little more texture to the characters. But, again, with this one, if you liked either the film or the book, I think you will probably like the other.

You can purchase the book behind the Oscar winning film here from bookshop.org.


The Shawshank Redemption

This film, which went pretty much unnoticed upon cinematic release back in 1994, is a hard watch in places but is ultimately beautiful. It's based on Stephen King's novella, Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption, and is, in my opinion, a must see. 

Andy Dufresne (played by Tim Robbins in the film) is a mild mannered banker who is found guilty of murdering his wife and her lover, a golf pro that she was having an affair with, and is sentenced to life imprisonment. He is taken to Shawshank Prison where, at first, he doesn't make any friends, and corruption is rife. Eventually, Andy's talents as a banker come to the attention of the warden . . .

You can purchase Different Seasons, a collection of stories by Stephen King in which Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption appears, here from bookshop.org.



Well, that's my brief list of films based on books or short stories. I think they're pretty good. What do you think? Seen them? Want to?

If you enjoyed this post, or found it interesting, please consider following/supporting me over at ko-fi. Ko-fi is a platform for all sorts of creatives, and it's a great way to keep in touch with followers. All support is welcomed and appreciated.


Thank you.

Dracula by Bram Stoker - an analysis and review

 


Disclaimer: If you should make a purchase through links in this blog, I may earn a commission from the sellers, however that does not effect the cost to the consumer and has no influence over the content of this blog.

Bram Stoker drew upon a visit to Whitby in 1890, stories told to him by Ármin Vámbéry, a Hungarian-Jewish writer, about the Carpathian mountains, and the mythology of vampires when he wrote his most famous novel, Dracula. However, he didn't depend purely on inspiration, and he spent several years researching locations, and the mythology of the vampire, making plenty of notes, before he began to write the novel proper.

What he created has endured, and Stoker gave the world one of its most well known monsters.

The structure of the novel is epistolary, made up of diary entries, newspaper cuttings, and notes made by the characters. In Stoker's work as newspaper writer, he would have been well acquainted with the practice of collecting together snippets of sources like this and collating them.

In this way, the world we are drawn into is always seen through the eyes of the characters within it. And so, we see the monster, Count Dracula, the King of Vampires, through the eyes of the characters too. We experience their fears, their apprehensions, anxieties, and hesitant hopes. In this way, that famous vampire is always shrouded in the fear and uneasiness the characters' feel because of him, so feeding the tension of the narrative. More so than if the novel had just been a straightforward telling from third person perspective.


The novel has inspired analysis regarding sex and sexuality. From the three female vampires in Dracula's castle, seductively trying to draw their intended victims unto them, and the slight homoerotic tones in Dracula's hold over the character of Jonathan Harker ("he has a fearful hold upon me"). These have, in part at least, been inspired by analyses of Stoker's own sexuality (he appears to have endured a passionless/sexless marriage, and he was associated with other gay figures from the Victorian literary world, such as Oscar Wilde, and a great admirer of Walt Whitman). 

On reading Dracula, the reader does notice that Stoker seemed to have had a preoccupation with what the role of men and women ought to be, how the gender roles ought to be played. There is much talk of admirable and good "brave men", and the character of Mina, Jonathan Harker's fiancé, is spoken of admiringly by the male characters in the novel for her support of their cause. It might not be too much of a stretch to draw the conclusion that Stoker, in his writing about sex and gender roles, was trying to exorcise some of his personal preoccupations and fears.

Dracula has also deals with the theme of illness, and the spread of disease. Again, something of which Stoker was personally acquainted, having been bedridden in his childhood with an unknown illness. Indeed, throughout the novel the reader finds imagery of sickness and descriptions of characters, such as Lucy Westenra, having to take to their beds with feelings of sickness. 

Dracula's taking of blood, and offering his blood to victims, his control of animals like bats and rats, thought dirty and carriers of disease, also suggest the writer's exploring the theme of disease, and how disease is spread. Dracula is even able to spread his condition of vampirism to other character's in the novel.



The character of a Dracula has since become a pop culture icon that can be found in comic books, cartoons, films, and even advertisements. But, Stoker's creation, the character that inspired them all, is a more complex monster than many of these two-dimensional renderings would have you believe.

This King of Vampires is centuries old and was once a military leader. However, by the time that we meet Dracula at the beginning of the novel we find that this is but a memory, though he is proud of his warrior past. We also learn that Dracula is very intelligent, and he is proud of his high ranking ancestry.

As an "Undead", and a scholar of black arts, Dracula possesses great strength and supernatural abilities. He is capable of changing form, controlling animals, and his appearance seems to change throughout the novel, especially as relates to his apparent age. He is also, however, bound by certain laws, some perhaps well known to you, like his aversion to daylight and garlic.

The plot of the novel stems from the Count's desire to move from his castle in Transylvania to London, England. To do so, he employs the solicitor, Jonathan Harker, which is where the story begins . . .


If you would like to purchase a copy of Dracula by Bram Stoker, you can do so here. Bookshop.org supports independent bookshops, and offsets carbon emissions from every delivery.

If you found this piece interesting or enjoyable, or hopefully both, please do consider following/supporting me over at ko-fi. Ko-fi is a platform for creatives and is a great way for them to keep in touch with their fans/supporters. All support is gratefully received and very much appreciated!

Thank you for reading, stay well, and see you soon!





How our beloved authors get paid

 


A recent piece in The Telegraph (16/05/2021) tells us that Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh is the most stolen book from UK bookshops, and apparently Welsh is fine with that because he still gets paid!

Our authors are earning less they did just nine or ten years ago. Far less. From writing alone, a writer would be living far below the minimum income standard, they'd probably take home just over £800 a month, which is why the vast majority of writers are never solely writers. 

So, after reading what Irvine Welsh had to say about how he feels about his books being stolen, and how he still gets paid anyway, I thought I would take a brief look at how our beloved authors get paid.


When books get stolen

We'll start here since it is what inspired this piece.

Well, according to Irvine Welsh, when his books are stolen he will still get paid royalties. So, he thinks it is brilliant!

We are told that when a book is stolen from a shop, the shop has to cover the cost of the loss to the publisher. The publisher will sell the books to retailers and distributors at a discount, often on a sale or return basis, and if the retail outlets have any losses they have to cover that with the publisher. From this, the author will earn a percentage. Which will be determined by their contract.


Sales

This is probably the most obvious one.

An author writes a book, a writer gets that book published, the author gets paid. Simples. Right?

Uh . . .

Well, firstly, it depends on how they have published their work; is it through a traditional publisher, or have they self published? If they have a publisher, then what they earn from sales will be determined by the contract they have been able to negotiate with that publisher. If they have self-published, what they earn will be determined by the terms set out by the retailer and distributors through whom they sell their work.

When you self publish it is a tad more straightforward than when you sell through a publisher. And, if you want to learn more about how authors get paid from their sales (it's a little more complicated than a brief overview like this allows space for, I'm afraid), you might want to a look at this page here from The Society of Authors - it goes into a little more detail about percentages and different ways in which authors can get paid from sales.

As consumers, the main take away from this might be that the more we pay for our books, from retailers and distributors, the more the author receives in turn. And, when authors really are earning dismal amounts for their work in most cases, that really is something to bear in mind.


Talks

There are, of course, literary festivals. But, there are also schools, where authors of children's books might go to read, speak, and give the children some fun activities to do which relate to the author's books.

There are universities, perhaps where the academic writer might speak, or give a lecture, to the students.

Authors who specialise in certain areas, on certain topics, might be able to find venues appropriate to that field. For example, if you have written extensively on the business world, there might very well be companies in need of your experience and insight.

And, not only can you get paid for these speaking gigs, they are an opportunity to sell your book!

Though, as someone who enjoys talking to an audience about as much as swimming in raw sewage, I can understand that this one is not for everyone. However, there are writers who earn more from speaking engagements than from sales!


Library lending

The Public Lending Right Act 1979 gave British authors a legal right to receive remuneration for the free loan of their books by public libraries. This is a right that British authors campaigned for for thirty years!

You can follow the PLR here, on Twitter to find out more and stay informed.

You can also learn more from The Society of Authors here, along with how they are continuing to lobby for PLR.

I am unsure whether or not there are similar schemes in other countries, but the brief research that I did for this article suggests that it is not something one might find in the US. Though, as I say, my research was brief and I may be wrong.

If you are in the UK, or another country with a similar scheme, this seems to be just one more reason to make use of those fantastic places we call libraries.


There may be other ways in which authors can make money. I haven't considered them all here. For example, I do believe there is another scheme, at least here in the UK, that authors can sign up to after they have had work published. This pays them a little something for their work possibly being used as a resource for learning and research. Though, if I am right about there being such a scheme, the name of it escapes me for now. Do pop the name of this scheme in the comments, if you know what it is!

As consumers, as readers of books, it is worth us considering these methods by which authors are paid because we, essentially, are their supporters. They, the vast majority of the time, are not earning very much for what they do. Especially, if you are like me, you consider the joy, hope, and insight that they have given us.


I do hope that you found this piece interesting or, at least, enjoyable. If you did, perhaps you'd consider following/supporting me on ko-fi, a platform for creative types.

Thank you for reading, and see you soon!



Those books that make you want to live - a (rambling) thought piece

 


When I read The Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out of a Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson for the first time I took from the book a sense of how odd, unpredictable, and full of colourful characters life can be. Or, some of the biographies and autobiographies that I've read, they have left me in wonder at what it is some people are capable of accomplishing. How fully people can live their lives.

I come to the end of these books a little sad, but also wanting to live my life a little more fully myself. 


I doubt that anyone will ever write any books about my life. If they did it would be a wholly uninspiring read and, I suspect, readers would trudge through the book like walkers through thick mud as far as they could before discarding the thing for something more fun. Like walking on hot coals, or having pins jabbed into their knees. Something like that.

But, our lives are our own. And the successes that we count might not be inspiring to others, or apparently worthy of note. But, if they mean something to you, you should take pride in them.

At least, I think so anyway.

I am proud of this blog. I am proud that I am a bookish, thirty-something guy with enough wherewithal to put this sort of thing together and, apparently, even attract a few readers! (Yeah, you! You've no idea how grateful I am you're here!).


I take a lot from the books I read. So much so that it almost feels unfair. For ten pounds or so, I get pleasure, hope, knowledge, inspiration, and more! 

That's quite a bit, I think it's fair to say. And, being the sort of person who has, now and then, taken a look at himself and his life, not liked what he has seen and felt completely uninspired, I am grateful to all those authors that have created those works. The books that have lifted me up. The books that have inspired me.


I don't know if I can say that I am a successful person, but I do think I can say that I am a good person. I have been awfully confused sometimes. But, yes, I think I can say that I am a good person. And, the books I have read have quite a bit to do with that. I hope this passion for books never dies . . .



Thank you for reading, especially if you read this far.

Happy reading!


If you enjoyed this piece, or any others, please do consider following/supporting me over at ko-fi. Ko-fi is a platform for creatives that makes it super easy for creatives and their fans/supporters to keep in touch.

Reading Challenges - Part 2

 



In my last post on reading challenges, I wrote about how I don't really bother with them because I don't feel the need to. I find inspiration in other places. Nor do I concern myself with my progress, in terms of how many books I have read per week/month/year. It doesn't really concern me.

There have been a couple of occasions when, on admitting my love for books and being the bookish sort of fella who always has a book with them, I have been asked how many books I read in the last month or year. And I find myself bemused by the question. I have no idea, none whatsoever. I don't read to keep count, and I definitely don't read to try and beat someone else's tally. I'm not into competitive reading!

The last post was inspired by a comment I saw online. This comment concerned the writer's "shame" over their not reading as much as others and how challenges and tallies she saw online made her feel this way. My last post was a reaction to that I suppose.

However, there are benefits to these challenges. 

I find a lot of inspiration for which books I am going to pick up next in interviews, articles, reviews, and other places. And, in the same way, challenges can introduce you to books that you might not otherwise have picked up, and reading broadly is, in my opinion, a good idea. So, it's not all bad. Just don't let them leave you feeling ashamed of your reading habits. If that's the case, let it go, it's not serving you any more.

And so, for balance, and just for a bit of fun . . .


A little list of reading challenges (or suggestions, if you'd prefer)

1. A book with a colour in the title

Whether it's Goldfinger by Ian Fleming, Black Beauty by Anna Sewell, or Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss, there are plenty of books out there with colourful titles. Colours can carry with them all sorts of different thoughts and feelings, and so using colours in the title can tell readers something of what's inside. Using colour is a great way to create an image in the reader's mind, and it shouldn't be too hard to find a book you'll like with a colour in the title.


2. A book with a number in the title

At the moment, I am rereading The Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out of a Window and Disappeared (which could also probably feature under the suggestion heading "Books with long titles"), and I would thoroughly recommend that one in this category. However, like colours, there are plenty of books out there with numbers in the title. Let's see, there's Catch-22 by Joseph Heller, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey, there's Slaughter-House Five by Kurt Vonnegut. Ooh, and there's Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. And, what about Around the Worl . . .

Well, I could go on and on.


3. A book that reminds you of summer

Now, this one is going to be much more personal to the reader. I could sit here and type out books and stories set during the summer time (To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, for example). But, it could be the case that the book that reminds you of summer is a book not set during the summer at all. Perhaps it's a book based on a film you saw with a loved one one summer some years ago. Or, perhaps it's a book you read as a teenager during those long and glorious summer days away from school. Whatever it is, why not pick up a book that makes you feel as though you are basking in sunshine?

4. A book that reminds you of someone you'd rather forget

I know, right? Why on earth would you want to undertake this one? Well, why not? If you find yourself reading a character and they remind you of someone unpleasant from your own life at least the character is stuck between the pages of a book! Besides, books, aside from being a source of joy and pleasure, can, like other pieces of art, help us to work through our emotions. And, the feelings that we have for people we'd rather forget are just as much in need of our attention, sometimes more so, than those that we have for the ones we love.

5. A poem that you can read aloud

This can be pretty much any poem. In fact, a piece of advice that I took on board a while ago was that when reading poetry it is a more pleasant experience if you do read aloud. To feel your mouth, and tongue, and lips working with the words, the sound they make, is a part of the pleasure. And take your time with it. Think of it like chocolate, or wine, as something to savour. I might recommend The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe, which I think is a pleasure to read aloud. Or, This Be The Verse by Philip Larkin. Though do be aware, reading poetry out loud can lead to odd looks from passersby. However, it can also lead to admiring looks. So, might as well just go for it, I say!

6. A book that makes you think

This one, like the suggestion for a book that reminds you of summer, is one that is going to be personal to the reader. The book that makes one reader stop and think, considering their views on life thus far, will bore the other reader stupid, wishing they could get a refund on the time and effort they invested. Personally, I have an interest in nature and wildlife, so I am intrigued by books on those topics and the issue of conservation. However, there are, thankfully, books on a plethora of topics. Not just is there books on environmental concerns, but social concerns, political, and so on. Seeking out those books that make you pause, consider life a while, are worth the seeking out, in my opinion. The world, I sometimes fear, could do with a few more people reading books that make them think a while.


Well, those are my suggestions for now. Not a challenge. Just suggestions. Do you have any suggestions/recommendations that might fir into the categories above? Why not leave a comment below? And please, give it a little share, if that's your thing!

If you didn't find this piece useful, I hope you at least found it enjoyable. If you did, perhaps you would consider following/supporting me over at ko-fi. Ko-fi is a platform for creatives, and all followers/supporters are very much appreciated!

Happy reading!

Reading Challenges

 


I have a confession to make.

I have never, in all the years that I have been alive, based my reading on any challenge, from the internet or otherwise. And, I think if, somehow, I found myself basing my reading on a reading challenge, I would abandon it sooner or later.

If you go to Google (or any search engine of your choice), and type the words "reading challenges" into the search bar, you will be presented with a list of book bloggers, GoodReads pieces, and more bloggers suggesting ways in which you can challenge yourself this year.

And, I don't get it.

Okay, that's not completely true. I do get it. It is a pretty great way to introduce yourself to new books, new genres, and keep you reading when you are tempted to say to yourself, "I don't have the time . . ." 

But, personally, I think these challenges would suck the joy out of reading. For me. Personally.

Just sayin'.

Now, I will take up book suggestions, and if I read an article in a magazine or online where a book is suggested by an author I admire, I will add it to my "Ooh, I must look into that book now!" list of potential purchases. I peruse the list of "Also by  . . ." list at the front/back of a book I have read and enjoyed. I read book blogs and . . . 

Well, you get the idea.

I find myself with plenty of ways in which to get intrigued by one book or another out there.

And, I don't think my bookshelves are dull and lacking in diversity because of it. If you take a look there, you will find crime and fantasy, historical fiction and historical fact, writers from different corners of the globe, popular science and poetry. 

I am not writing this to tear down reading challenges. I started writing this after reading somewhere, I forget by whom, in another bookish blog, I forget which one, that a blogger felt a little shame sometimes when they compared their progress with that of other readers.

When I read that it occurred to me that, when I have told fellow bookish people in the past that I love to read, I have found myself being asked, "Oh, how many books did you read last week/month/year?" To which I don't really know how to respond. I mean, I haven't been counting. I immerse my self in books for the pleasure, the joy, the experience, the time I get considering thoughts, feelings, and life experience from another's point of view.

I have nothing against reading challenges as fun inspiration for readers, a way to get you into books you might not otherwise have picked up, etc. But, if they leave you comparing your "progress" to that of others and feeling uneasy because of it, I say, don't worry about it.


What about you? Do you enjoy reading challenges? Are you undertaking a challenge right now? And, have you found a book that you might not otherwise have picked up because you took part in a reading challenge?

Let me know!


Thank you for reading. If you enjoyed this post, or any of the others, please consider following/supporting me on ko-fi. Ko-fi is a platform for creatives, making it easier to find supporters and stay in touch with readers/supporters/fans. All support is appreciated, thank you!