The Artistic Life of an Influential Poet, Painter, and Engraver who Wanted to See Infinity!

 

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If you have been paying attention, you'll know that the last few posts have been concerned with some of the poetry of William Blake. And here I would like to take a little look at the man himself, because I think he was a fascinating figure!

William Blake's efforts went mostly unnoticed during his lifetime (1757 - 1827), and many of those that did notice his work dismissed him as a radical and an eccentric. Indeed, for his time, Blake did have some radical ideas - he was critical of organised religion (though a devoted believer in God), he criticised marriage laws and advocated for unconventional relationships, he opposed slavery, and was  influenced by the American and French revolutions in how he formed his ideals. Blake believed in a common love that existed between people, and that people could make a better world through that love.

Blake worked with words and images, and used them as vehicles for his ideas. He explored the issues of his day, issues that can be considered relevant still. In the above image, Europe Supported by Africa and America, William Blake depicts each of these continents as three female figures. All three figures are equally beautiful, but Europe leans very much on the others. And, the gold bands on the figures of Africa and America? Those symbolise enslavement. I am not sure that Blake was wholly opposing slavery here, but his intention was definitely that the viewer question the practice of slavery, and how Europe was treating the people of Africa and America.

Blake seems a man, an artist, very much ahead of his time. And, he used his art, his poetry too, as he did in the example above, to shine a light on the wrongs of his world. He asks that the audience question what they might otherwise blindly accept.

If the doors of perception were cleansed everything would appear to man as it is, infinite.

When he asks his audience to question slavery, the way people of other places and races were treated, or when he is critical of organised religion, Blake is only doing what he can to cleanse those doors of perception. He strives to shine a light on a better way; a way that suggests no one repress their true selves, or take advantage of others, and instead build something based on the common love that exists between us all. When you read his poetry, that is the overwhelming message found within.

What a shame that Blake went unrecognised in his own lifetime, but, oh!, how right that his work endured and found recognition after he was gone!

You can read more about Blake's poetry in previous of my posts. Just click on "William Blake" under Labels, and you will find my analyses of some of his poems, which also include links to where you can buy collections of his work.

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Thank you.

Ah! Sun-flower by William Blake - an analysis and review

 

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Many scholars, people smarter than I could ever hope to be, have debated the themes and interpretations of this poem by Blake. Part of the problem being that Blake didn't use a consistent theme with his symbolism in his collection, Songs of Experience. This poem takes in themes of lost innocence, frustrated desires, and spiritual transformation; quite a lot for a poem of only two stanzas. But, with allusions to ancient Greek myth, there is more here than just a poem about a sunflower!

Where the Youth pined away with desire,

And the pale Virgin shrouded in snow,

Arise from their graves and aspire

Where my Sun-flower wishes to go.

As far as I am concerned, one of the great things about poetry is that it inspires further thought, it requires a little extra work on the part of the reader. It may be just a single stanza, it could be an epic, but it asks that the reader seek out more. When you read a poem by Blake - or Shakespeare, or Plath, or Poe - it requires that you understand the symbolism, the allusions to myth or current affairs. It spurs you on to find out those things. It does me, anyway.

So much can be said in only a few stanzas of poetry.

If you would like to read more Blake, you can find links to collections of his in previous of my pieces on Blake's poetry (here for instance). Links in my blog posts will take you to bookshop.org, who support independent bookshops.

If you enjoyed this piece, or any others, please do consider following/supporting me over at ko-fi, which is a platform specifically for creative types and the people who follow their work. All support is gratefully received and very much appreciated!

Thank you for reading. Stay safe. Stay well. And, read lots of good books!

Proverbs of Hell by William Blake - an analysis and review

 

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Blake's Devil is no diabolical fallen angel, but a rebel hero turning his back on a church that seeks to suppress the true nature and love of humanity. And, Blake's Hell is no place of punishment, but a place of freedom where people can be what they truly are. This poet and engraver was considered a radical and an eccentric in his own time, partly because of his beliefs about religious dogma and doctrines. He believed them to be harmful and detrimental to humanity, and he wrote often in support of turning away from organised religion. Instead, he proposed that humanity would do better to explore its true nature, rather than deny it for religious reasons.

Proverbs of Hell is written in imitation of biblical proverbs but, instead of laying out a dogma by which he believed readers should live by unquestioningly, his proverbs are meant to provoke and inspire thought. Again, Blake was seeking to unshackle his readers from the chains of organised religion, hoping that they might then be one step closer to reality. "If the doors of perception were cleansed every thing would appear to man as it is, Infinite. For man has closed himself up, till he sees all things thro' narrow chinks of his cavern."

- The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom.

- A fool sees not the same tree that a wise man sees.

- The busy bee has no time for sorrow.

- The pride of  the peacock is the glory of God.

- The nakedness of  woman is the work of God.

- One thought fills immensity.

Perhaps a few of those seem familiar, and perhaps you can see why Blake's ideas seemed radical; pride and nudity being natural and God's intention sits uncomfortably with a church that extols the virtues of restraint and modesty! These are but some of Blake's proverbs.

Again, I am glad that Blake's work has found its way onto my shelves. Though perhaps you are getting a little tired of my writing so much about it; I promise I am not proselytising, not trying to convince you, I just like talking about William Blake this much!

Having said that, ahem, if you would like to read more Blake, you can purchase The Marriage of Heaven & Hell here, or you can purchase the Vintage Classics' selection of his poetry here, from bookshop.org, who support independent bookshops.

If you enjoyed this piece, please do consider following/supporting me over at ko-fi, a platform specifically for creatives and their followers. All support is gratefully received, and very much appreciated!

Thank you for reading. Stay safe. Stay well. And, read lots of good books!

"And did those feet in ancient time" by William Blake - a review and analysis

 

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This poem of four stanzas is probably one of Blake's better known contributions to poetry. Here he considers the tale that Jesus might have visited England. However, rather than ponder the likelihood of Jesus ever having really set foot on English land, he considers the divinity that such a visit would have brought to England, and he compares that heavenly ideal with the "Satanic Mills" of the Industrial Revolution.

Much of Blake's work was concerned with humanity, and striving for good. If you read my earlier post on his poem, William Bond, you will know he considered the common love that can exist between people. And, in this poem, And did those feet in ancient time, one need not be particularly religious or a believer in Christ to appreciate its message; Blake has used the idea of Jesus visiting England to consider the problems of the Industrial Revolution (destruction of "green & pleasant Land" for a start) and how we might strive to make a better society for all.

Bring me my Bow of burning gold:

Bring me my Arrows of desire:

Bring me my Spear: O clouds unfold!

Bring me my Chariot of fire!

If you have been reading my posts recently, you will know that I am a bit stuck on Blake at the moment; in a good way though. And, that's because, to put it simply, his poetry speaks to me. I can't really put it any simpler - or more sickeningly corny - than that. He speaks of a desire for a better world, more love and understanding between people, striving for a better society, equality . . . His ideals sound almost like those of any modern person who is engaged, and aware of the ways of the world. But, Blake walked this world two centuries ago!

If you would like to read more of Blake's poetry, you can find links to a couple of his collections in previous of my blog posts here and here, from bookshop.org, who support independent bookshops.

If you enjoyed this post, or any others, please consider following/supporting me over on ko-fi, a platform specifically for creative types and the wonderful folk that follow them. All support is gratefully received and very much appreciated!

Thank you for reading. Stay safe. Stay well. Read lots of good books.

The Birds, from William Blake's notebook - a review and analysis

 

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The Birds is a flowing lyrical poem of five stanzas, each stanza consisting of four lines. The poem is an exchange between two birds, a male and a female; the poet having fancied a translation of the meaning behind the birdsong. As a lover of walks in the countryside, and at this time of year hearing plenty of birdsong where I go, I could imagine the birds of the title calling to each other, and that perhaps the song could be translated as Blake has done so here. His translation might be romanticising the birds' motives a little, but this is poetry, and I think we can allow ourselves a little romance.

In using two birds calling to each other, Blake is able to explore a theme of lovers uniting, or reuniting. Blake was something of a radical, and he was forward thinking with regard to many issues. But, in this poem, we find him tackling nothing weightier than the beautiful imagery of nature and love at its purest. Still, it could be argued, love and nature is what it all comes down to eventually.

Dost thou truly long for me?

And am I thus sweet to thee?

Sorrow now is at an End,

O My Lover & my Friend!

This little poem charmed me. It's gentle cascade as it comes forth from the readers lips is lyrical and songful. And, the imagery, of two small birds singing to each other, calling to each other for the sake of love and coming together in natural endeavour, is simple but effective. But, as a dreamy headed country boy, maybe that's just me!

In my last post, I recommended a copy of Penguin Classics' selected Blake poems, here I will recommend the Vintage Classics copy of Blake poems, here, from bookshop.org, which supports independent bookshops.

If you enjoyed this piece, perhaps you would consider following/supporting me over at ko-fi, which is a platform specifically for creatives and fans of their work. All support is gratefully received and very much appreciated!

Thank you for reading. Stay safe. Stay well. Read lots of good books.

William Bond by William Blake - a review and analysis

Disclaimer: should you make any purchases through links in this blog, I may earn a commission from the seller, however, that has no impact upon the cost to you as the consumer, nor does it influence the content of this blog.
 

William Bond is a poem of thirteen stanzas, each stanza made up of four lines, in which we follow William Bond, and his struggle between acting out of religious duty, following religious doctrine, or acting out of natural love for humanity. This love is not the love of romance, but the love that exists for and between us all, or, at least, the love the narrator of the poem hopes can exist between.

We follow the character to church on a May morning, where he is accompanied by fairies; symbols of love, imagination, hope - humanity. However, we are told, the fairies are driven away by "Angels of Providence", and that he returns home in misery. Religious dogma does not empower or embolden, rather it quashes and oppresses. 

He went not out to the Field nor Fold,

He went not out to the Village nor Town,

But he came home in a black black cloud,

And he took to his Bed, & there lay down.

This rhyming poem flows beautifully, and is a pleasure to read. And, I pass along advice that I once received - read your poetry aloud, taking your time with each word and how the syllables beat. This poem reads like a song, like lyrics and, as I say, flows well. Flows so well in fact that I felt a need to go back and read it again, more slowly, taking more time to take in the content of the poem. But, that is how poetry ought to be read really; with time and patience and care.

If you would like to read more of Blake's poetry, you can purchase a Penguin Classics copy of his selected poems here from bookshop.org, who support independent bookshops.

I hope you enjoyed this piece and, if you did, perhaps you would consider following and/or supporting me over at ko-fi where I update often on what's going on here, and what I am up to in other of my writerly endeavours! All support is gratefully received and very much appreciated!

Thank you for reading. Stay safe. Stay well. Read lots of books.

A Good Man in Africa by William Boyd - a review and analysis

 

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

In this novel, we follow the misadventures of Morgan Leafy, a First Secretary to the British Deputy High Commission in Western Africa. And indeed, part of the absurd humour in this novel is derived from the portrait of an Englishman in a foreign land; the Englishman engaged in a constant struggle with unbearable heat, with foreign customs and traditions.

However, the real central themes of this novel are love, and the difference between how things seem, and how they really are. From these themes is derived much of the comedy, and much of the tragedy, in this story. Morgan, the main character, has a number of affairs throughout the novel, and uses these, and the love he imagines that might flourish there, as a kind of crutch to get him through his days. Unfortunately, none of these affairs are exactly successful. But, when they fail, he still has alcohol!

And, these relationships do fail. Partly because Morgan is a bit of a bumbling fool. But, also because everyone in this novel seems to be dishonest, acting with ulterior motives, and cannot be trusted. However, as we find, there is a difference between how things seem and how things are. As we follow the story through the eyes of Morgan Leafy, we see that Morgan's perception of how things are has influenced much of his adventures, and if he had but taken the time to see how things really are, rather than drinking and shagging is way along, in between bouncing from one mess to another, he might have avoided many of his problems.

Morgan is not a particularly likeable character. He is unkind in his thoughts toward people, he is quite selfish, and he can be shallow and thoughtless. He careens from one mess to another - getting involved in wholesale bribery; pursuing his boss' daughter; one alcohol inspired bad decision after another. But, that's exactly the sort of character that Morgan needs to be for this novel to work. 

Morgan needs to be the unkind anti-hero that he is for this comic novel to produce wicked laughs. He fumbles his way through the novel as only he can. As mentioned, a lot of the comedy comes from his refusal to see things as they are, instead applying his own point of view to things. He looks at life through his own lens; it just happens to be a lens that is smeared and smudged by his foolishness, and, quite likely, either a drunken state or the inevitable hangover that follows.

Being Boyd's first novel, it has been said that he hadn't quite found his voice here yet. But, it was still much praised and won him the 1981 Whitbread Literary Award, and the 1982 Somerset Maugham Award. Indeed, the absurd characters and comic situations are memorable, and the novel is very well written. If you are looking for something funny, you can do a lot worse than pick up this novel.

You can get a copy of A Good Man in Africa here from bookshop.org, who support independent bookshops. Choose indie bookshops!

If you enjoyed this piece, please consider following/supporting me over at ko-fi which is a platform specifically for creatives and the people that follow them. All support is gratefully received and much appreciated!

Keep reading, be good, and see you soon!

How Does a Master Procrastinator Get Down to Creating Bookish Blog Content?

 

The central theme of this blog was always going to be books, books, books. But, when I started, I was unsure as to exactly what I wanted to say. I came to the conclusion that I would simply write about the books I read. It was a simple idea, but whoever said things had to be complex to work?

I did, however, eventually decide to diverge now and then. Hence why I describe this little space of mine as my "rather bookish blog", as opposed to a book blog. I don't always discuss books, but instead have opted to, now and then, discuss bookish things. And, that approach seems to have served me quite well - my last post on bookish interests had a larger readership than some posts in which I've reviewed, analysed, and discussed books!

Our passion for books extends along the full spectrum of bookish things! And, I love chatting with you all about other book blogs, and that Etsy shop that sells bookish themed products, and concerns around the books we love.

Looking back at earlier posts, it's plain to see that I lacked direction. The posts ramble along, aimlessly wandering, until they tire themselves out. And, I sometimes wonder if I ought to go back and alter them, improve upon them. Not to fix broken links, or update the images. Not in the interest of improving the readership of those posts. But, just to improve the writing, bring them up to standard.

However, I sort of like that they are there. A reminder that things have improved, that this blog has grown and matured. It's like markers on a doorframe, marking the growth of a child. Or, perhaps, marking the height of floodwaters past. Whichever seems most appropriate to you.

I now believe that this blog has direction, and I have ambitions as a writer that inform that direction. It is those ambitions that get me to my laptop, get me typing. Those ambitions, and my passion for books. I do hope that that shines through everything else. Before this blog is about me trying to convince you to follow a link, or recommend a purchase to you, it is about my love for books. And yours too I hope. Because that's another reason we write and read bookish blogs, right? For the community, the friendship, the engagement with others who share our passion.

I write this blog because it is the sort of content I would enjoy reading! I sometimes try to tackle weightier subjects, such as how authors are paid, and sometimes I discuss reading challenges, just for fun. And, sometimes, as I originally intended, I discuss books that I have read. Whatever it is, I hope that it is enjoyable and interesting, both for me and you.

If you have found this post, or any others, enjoyable and interesting, please do consider following/supporting me over on ko-fi. Ko-fi is a platform for creatives and their followers. It makes supporting those folks whose work you enjoy super easy. All support is gratefully received and very much appreciated.

Thank you, and see you soon!

You're a book lover? You need to see these!

 

We're all book lovers here and we love bookish things. Book blogs, bookish gifts and treats, bookish places, and, of course, books themselves! So, if a round-up of a few bookish things were to come your way, there may just be something within that that piqued your interest. But, where might such a round-up be found? Well, funny you should ask . . .

If you're into book blogs, you could do a lot worse than checking out Linda's Book Bag, which is really what my own blog wants to be when it grows up and stops all its nonsense! 

Linda's book blog is well written, and offers reviews on books from various genres, including crime, thrillers, romance, and children's books. You can tell the content is written with a passion for the subject, a passion which is present in every published post. But, the real reason I include Linda's blog here is simple; it is the blog that has inspired in me most often the desire to make another book purchase.

But, maybe your "to be read" pile is already straining your bookshelves. What then? Well, you could take that desire for another bookish purchase and go see Team Asthers! With bookish products like bookmarks, journals, and tote bags you are spoilt for choice!

They make great gifts (or a little treat for yourself) for the self described bibliophile. I love the designs on their cool classics bookmarks, and think their site is well worth the visit. You can also find them on Twitter and Instagram.

However, maybe you just cannot wait to get another book on your shelves. And, who could blame you? We, all of us here, buy books quicker than we can read them.

Well, if that's the case, I urge you to consider visiting your local independent bookshop. If you're in my part of the world, that might mean a visit to The Eagle Bookshop. Now that businesses are opening up again, our smaller independent bookshops need our help. And, if the booklovers aren't going to do their bit, who will?

Still, it isn't always possible to get to the shops. So, in that case, consider visiting Bookshop.org (which also has a site for American book buyers). Bookshop is a fantastic site that supports independent bookshops; 10% of what is spent by customers goes into an overall earnings pool and this is then, every six months, shared between the participating independent bookshops. And, during Indie Bookshop Week (19 - 26 June 2021), that 10% is going to increase to 20% - sounds like a good week to make book buys.

If Jeff Bezos can afford to get in to space, I don't think he and his ilk will miss your contribution to their coffers. But, the local bookshops sure might be grateful you dropped by - especially with how independent businesses have been impacted by the pandemic.

As for books themselves, I am currently reading The Accidental Further Adventures of the Hundred Year Old Man by Jonas Jonasson, which I am thoroughly enjoying thus far, with William Boyd's A Good Man in Africa on the side, to keep me on my toes. I will be discussing both in future posts, so keep your eyes peeled for that.

None of the links in this post will take you to anyone that is going to pay me for sending you to them. There are no commissions involved this time. I just really like what these people are doing, and maybe you will like them too.

If you like what I am doing, please consider following/supporting me over at ko-fi where I update followers on many of my writerly endeavours, including what's going on here at my rather bookish blog. Every donation makes a difference, but if you can't donate right now, please do consider a follow.

Thank you, and see you again soon!

Stories in the sun

 

It's June, and, here in south east England, the sun has been shining. So, just like every good English person under the slightest sliver of sunshine, I find myself in a summery mood! With that in mind, I am going to take a little look at a few novels, and one novella, that are set in the summer time.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since. And so begins this modern classic of American literature. Published in 1925, this short book (148 pages) tells the story of Jay Gatsby, through the eyes of Nick Carraway, and the characters around him. This is a story of decadence, longing, and tragedy. For, although Gatsby is a self-made man, known for his champagne-fuelled parties, he longs for Daisy Buchanan. And, in the telling of this story, we follow that longing to its tragic conclusion.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

This book first came into my life when I was at school, as a book assigned to the English class. And now, I have my own copy standing proudly on my shelves. Like the previous entry, this book is something of a modern American classic. It tells the story of a lawyer defending a black man, who is accused of the rape of a white girl, in the Deep South of the 1930's. Through the eyes of young Scout and Jem Finch, the novel explores themes of prejudice, violence, and hypocrisy - themes still all too relevant today, sixty-one years after the novel's publication. 

Apt Pupil by Stephen King

I was torn between including this title or The Body, both novellas by King and featuring in his collection, Different Seasons. However, I opted for Apt Pupil because I think the other title (upon which the film Stand By Me is based) is the better known, and I would prefer to look at the lesser known story. So, in this offering from King, we are told the tale of Todd Bowden, the pupil of the title. He is an all-American kid, but, in his neighbourhood, a familiar and human evil lurks. And, as his curiosity reawakens that evil, it might just end up corrupting him too.

The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro

I took a look at this novel in more detail in an earlier post (here), and would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone that hasn't read it yet. It is a beautiful book. As we follow Stevens, the ageing butler of Darlington Hall, on a road trip deep into the countryside of England in the summer of 1956, the story explores themes of lost causes and lost love. It is a novel that explores those things that go unsaid, those things that can't be undone. It is a sad but beautiful story, and this Booker Prize winning novel is worthy of every ounce of praise it has received.

If you enjoyed this post, please do consider following/supporting me over on ko-fi where I post an update each time I publish a new post here, and I offer up some of my other writerly endeavours for scrutiny. Ko-fi is a platform specifically for creatives and their followers, and all support is gratefully received - it makes a real difference.

A Few Banned Books

 

If you pursue bookish/writerly endeavours of your own, please do keep reading to the end of this piece . . . .

Even back when tweeting was just the sound a bird made, people felt awfully threatened by thoughts and words they didn't agree with. But, you can't block a book or its author, so, instead, some tried to ban the works instead. What follows are a few of the books from my shelves which, at one time, in some place, have been banned for various reasons.

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

Anyone that has visited my blog before, or perused previously published posts (do love a bit of alliteration), will know that I have a lot of time for Huxley. Huxley had the courage to critique the absurdities of politics and society as he saw them. In Brave New World, the author demonstrates how an ideal society might be created through the use of genetic engineering, brainwashing, recreational sex, and drug use; a dystopia presenting as utopia. The novel was banned in Ireland when it first appeared, in 1932, because they saw it as taking a stand against religion and the traditional family, but even just ten years ago a piece was published in The Guardian newspaper suggesting it was a book that many Americans took offence with (here is the article).

Animal Farm by George Orwell

Much like the author in the preceding entry, Orwell's fame stems from works that analyse and criticise political and social ills. Along with 1984, this novel secured George Orwell worldwide fame and recognition. However, not all of that recognition was favourable. Animal Farm is a veiled attack on Stalin and his brutal brand of communism. As you can imagine, the work was banned in the USSR. However, it is also, even today, banned in both Cuba and North Korea, both communist countries under a dictatorship. You might also be interested to learn that many countries in the Islamic world also have a ban on the novel. Why? Because it features talking pigs.

The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger

This book has been held up as a classic by its fans; a book that takes an honest look at the cares, fears, anxieties, and ennui of teenage life. Its protagonist, Holden Caulfield, is one of literature's defining moments in exploring adolescent angst. However, this novel was the subject of a ban in American schools almost since its publication. Being seen as a subversive text that included far too much sex, swearing, and violence for some to feel comfortable with (though, I don't think you are supposed to feel comfortable reading these books, that's kind of the point), one teacher in Tulsa, Oklahoma, was even fired in 1960 for assigning the book to his class. As an interesting aside, the novel popularised the slang term "screw up" - Boy, it really screws up my sex life something awful.

Lady Chatterley's Lover by D. H. Lawrence

Sex. We all have some relationship with it, many of us have had pleasant experiences because of it, and a lot of us want it. But, boy, that doesn't stop us from feeling pretty damn uncomfortable around it. This novel is erotically charged and explores adult relationships, and the gulf between classes. And so, of course, it was banned. The book was published in 1928, but it was banned in England, America, Canada, Australia, India, and Japan. It wasn't until 1960 that the novel was published, as an unexpurgated edition, in the United Kingdom, which resulted in an obscenity trial, under the Obscene Publications Act 1959. Penguin Books was found "not guilty" by the jury, and the publisher dedicated the second edition to the three women and nine men who made up that jury.

Thank you for reading this piece. In an upcoming post, I would love to promote others who pursue bookish/writerly endeavours. So, if you have an Etsy shop that sells bookish gifts, or you have a writerly/bookish blog, or anything else that's bookish/ writerly, all I want you to do is come and follow me on Twitter (here), and send me a message there, or a comment beneath my pinned tweet, with any links to websites or social media platforms you would want potential customers to know about!

I hope you enjoyed this piece. If you did, please consider following/supporting me on ko-fi - if everyone who read this piece donated just the minimum, it would be a huge boost, and it would be gratefully received. 

Thank you, and see you soon.

Why Does E=mc2? (and why should we care?) by Brian Cox & Jeff Forshaw - an analysis and review

 

Everything you need to know about the central theme of this book you will find in the title. The authors, Professors Cox and Forshaw, take on Albert Einstein's most famous equation. And, in doing so, they attempt to make understanding what the equation means accessible to the layperson. Though there is a little maths in the book, the authors do all they can to explain as simply as possible the notions of energy, mass, and light.

The professors tackle this equation because it towers over scientific understanding. Indeed, as the authors explain, within this equation lies how nature is structured. We travel from the big bang, to our own humble little planet, and beyond. Along the way, we meet questions that great minds have been able to answer, as well as those science hasn't tackled yet.

Something that really comes across in this book is Cox's and Forshaw's respect for scientific method; that it doesn't care how smart someone is, or how clever their hypotheses might sound, but that if it falls down at experiment then it is wrong.

In general we look for a new law by the following process. First we guess it. Then we compute the consequences of the guess to see what would be implied if this law that we guessed is right. Then we compare the result of the computation to Nature, with experiment or experience, compare it directly with observation, to see if it works. If it disagrees with experiment it is wrong. In that simple statement is the key to science. It does not make any difference how beautiful your guess is. It does not make any difference how smart you are, who made the guess, or what his name is - if it disagrees with experiment it is wrong. That's all there is to it.

- Richard Feynman, quote mentioned in the book

As well as a book about this most famous of equations, it is also a book that demonstrates a great love and respect for physics, and science in general. It's quite humbling really.

I enjoyed this book. If you've ever seen a Brian Cox documentary, you'll know that his passion for his subject is appealing, and that comes across in the book. As I say, there is some maths included, but it is not vital to the understanding of what the authors share with us. They strive to make the subject understandable. Personally, I can glaze over a little when equations are on the page, but I have still come away from the book better informed. And a little richer for the experience too.

This book is now about eleven years old and, as we know, scientific understanding is constantly evolving. For example, since this book was published, the Higgs boson has been found. So, if you want thoroughly up-to-date information, you might wish to supplement your reading of this book with more recent publications. However, in general, what is written here still stands. After all, Einstein's work has stood up against testing now, over half a century since the man left this world.

If you would like to purchase a copy of Why Does E=mc2? by Brian Cox & Jeff Forshaw, you can do so here; bookshop.org supports independent bookshops.

If you enjoyed this piece, please consider following/supporting me over at ko-fi where I update followers on blog posts here, and on other writerly endeavours. Ko-fi is a platform specifically for creatives, and all followers/supporters are very much appreciated.

Thank you, and see you soon.

A Few More Films Based on Rather Good Books

 

As well as the books I love, I also enjoy a good film, and the last post I published on films based on books I so thoroughly enjoyed writing that I thought I might do another one. It should be noted though, before we get into this piece proper, that where I mention streaming options for some of these films I am basing those details on what is available here, in the UK. Sorry, everyone else. I do still love you though.

Room (based on the novel by Emma Donoghue)

I've read the book, but not seen the film. However, with a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 93%, I am expecting the adaptation to be quite good. 

Brie Larson won an Academy Award and Golden Globe for her performance in this film. She plays Jack's mother, trying to give her five-year-old son as normal an upbringing as she possibly can. A tall order when Jack has spent the entirety of his life so far in one room! Having been held captive by her abductor for years, Jack's "Ma" decides they must try and escape. And so, Jack will be introduced to something greater than he has known so far - the world outside the room.

Room is currently available to stream on Netflix.

Rosemary's Baby (based on the novel by Ira Levin)

Ira Levin's novel was the bestselling horror novel of the 1960's, and the film is one of the best horror films ever made. With a wonderful performance from Mia Farrow as Rosemary, and an Oscar winning performance from Ruth Gordon as one of her odd neighbours, if you haven't seen this perfect horror, it might be time you did so. 

Rosemary's husband, an ambitious but, so far, unsuccessful actor, makes a pact with the devil. And, from that act, the horror unfolds.

Rosemary's Baby is currently available on Amazon Prime from £2.49

IT (based on the novel by Stephen King)

They don't come much creepier than killer clowns. And Pennywise is about as creepy a killer clown as they come. Partly, of course, because he is much more than a simple murderous clown.

If you've read the book, you'll know what a hefty thing it is (clocking in at over 1000 pages), and so, when it was adapted for the big screen a few years ago now, it might come as no surprise the story was split into two films.

I enjoyed the book, and I enjoyed the film. The book is well crafted, and if you're a Stephen King fan but you've not read this one, I don't think you'll be disappointed. Though, like I say, it is a biggun. Of course, films based on King books can be a bit hit and miss, but I think this film is enjoyable enough.

IT is currently available on Amazon Prime from £3.49

Joker (based on the Batman comics character, created by Bill Finger, Bob Kane, and Jerry Robinson)

From one murderous clown to another . . .

Anyone familiar with the Batman comics will know that this character is the Dark Knight's most dangerous adversary. Seemingly completely detached from reality, but intelligent and with a desire for destruction, the Joker is the character that keeps coming back. He is also the adversary that has most affected the hero of the comics.

When Todd Phillips' Joker was released in 2019, there were some questions raised as to the need for a film about this character (a murderous white man), but I don't think there's any denying that the performances are solid and the story is decently told. And, as for those objections, I don't think we ought to sympathise with the character, but understanding the descent of the character might be worth the time.

Joker is currently available on Amazon Prime from £13.99

Let The Right One In (based on the novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist)

There is a distinctly bloody and horrific theme running throughout these suggestions. Well, why break the habit now!?

However, Let The Right One In, like the novel it is based on, is not quite a straightforward vampire horror story. No, in this story you will find themes of what it is to be an outsider, and forging a friendship even when it might seem doomed. And, the vampire here is no cardboard cutout vampire, but a cursed and tormented character. It is also a beautiful portrait of adolescence. It is perhaps that more than it is a vampire film.

Let The Right One In is currently available on Amazon Prime.

American Psycho (based on the novel by Bret Easton Ellis)

It's another bloody one. Sheesh! I know!

Patrick Bateman is a monster that fits nicely into the 1980s world of greed, money, and shallow self service. He has very little interest in anything beyond maintaining a pleasing veneer, and exploring the dark and intensely violent urges he has. And, though he often fears that his mask of sanity is slipping, it seems as though the world in which he lives is one that does not recognise the monster he is. For, it seems, it is not only he that is only interested in superficial and selfish desires.

The book is not an easy read. The film is not an easy watch. There is much violence. And, as I say, Bateman is a monster.

American Psycho is currently available on Netflix.

I hope you enjoyed this piece. If you did, perhaps you would consider following/supporting me on ko-fi, a platform specifically for creatives, and a great place to keep up to date with what your favourite creatives are up to. All support is gratefully received.

Thank you, and see you soon.

Author earnings and other bookish concerns.

 

In a previous blog post, I visited the topic of how authors get paid. It wasn't, I think you'll agree, an in depth look at the topic, but it is something of interest to me. And, it should probably be a topic of interest to you, if you read books. And, if you're reading this blog, you probably do read books.

Unless you've taken a wrong turn somewhere out here in the vastness of the internet . . .

Authors, generally speaking, earn far less than the minimum income standard for their writing, and rarely is it the case that a writer is able to work solely as a writer, to be able to afford a decent standard of living. There are many instances of writers earning more from giving talks than they do from sales of books. Even then, being a writer is not the profession to opt for if you want to, you know, earn enough money to live off. It's a damn struggle.

When I came across this article in The Guardian (01/06/2021), about a new initiative to get authors earning royalties from the sale of secondhand books, it put a smile on my face. And, you do wonder, when you think about it, why it hadn't occurred to anyone before now.

Out of a necessity to budget, and my bank account being almost perpetually overdrawn, I have often opted for a secondhand book when drawn beyond my will to making another book purchase. And, being slightly aware of how authors earn royalties from sales, I have felt guilt because of that. Though, I shouldn't have to - no one should be priced out of access to books.

I fully support the initiative to get authors royalties from the sale of secondhand books. We need to support our authors as much as we can. Authors don't earn enough for the time and effort they put into their work, and they earn less, on average, than they did just ten years ago. As readers, we need to support them. Otherwise, you lose it.

As an aside, I also believe in supporting independent bookshops. I know the local Waterstones is convenient, and they have some nice little gifts too. I know that Amazon isn't going anywhere. But, we need more than that. We need bookshops whose identities are informed by the local community in which they have come to being, we need bookshops that support local economies, we need bookshops that are concerned with more than the company brand. 

I have allowed myself a link to the Waterstones site on this blog because I have shopped with them. But, it's just the one general link on the home page. Every link, in every book review blog post, that takes you to the specific book being discussed in that post, takes you to bookshop.org. It just sits better with me to recommend a site that supports local bookshops. Because, after all, Mr. Bezos and his ilk don't need any more money.

Though some of his employees could do with a little more . . .

As book readers, we are also consumers. We are supporters of those authors that line our bookshelves. Those authors who sacrificed house work, time with loved ones, and days out so they could get that work out of their head and onto the page, never really sure that anyone would ever read it. But, they persevered nonetheless, and they put hours, days, weeks, months, or maybe even years, into writing and editing. And, they can still end up getting paid a pittance.

I don't always shop as ethically as I could. But, I try, and being aware is a pretty good place to start.

If you enjoyed this piece, or even found it useful, please do consider following/supporting me on ko-fi. Ko-fi is a platform specifically for creatives, and it's a great way to keep up to date with what your favourite creatives are up to. All support is gratefully received.

Thank you, and see you soon.

Some reading challenge ideas

 

Reading challenges can be a great way of getting out of a reading rut, or just introducing something a little different to your TBR pile. Or, it can just be a little bit of fun . . .

A book published in the 1970's

I plucked this decade from thin air. There is no special reason as to why this decade need be the decade you use for this little challenge. In fact, if you want to expand on this little challenge, you could read a book published from every decade over the last century. That sounds like a fun little challenge, and perhaps a way to introduce new books to your shelves. It might also be fun to see how the art of writing has evolved. The great thing about this challenge is that you can pick any genre, any author. But, since I picked the 1970's, let me offer a few suggestions, such as, Carrie by Stephen King; Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut; Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson. There are plenty of other great titles to choose from this decade.

A book that features a wedding

Now, this one is a tad more specific, and might at first suggest a selection from the romance genre. And, though it does sometimes unfairly get looked down upon, it is a genre worth exploring. Whether it's Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger, or Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, there are plenty of romance novels to choose from. However, weddings aren't always an indication of love and happiness. The unsuccessful wedding of Miss Havisham, in Dickens' Great Expectations has much to do with the shaping of her character and, in turn, the events of the novel. And, in The Princess Bride by William Goldman, the plot is very much driven by the main character's desire to stop a wedding.

A book that has inspired music

Apparently, Katy Perry's song, Firework, was inspired by a passage in Jack Kerouac's On The Road. And, Kate Bush's Wuthering Heights shares its title with Emily Brontë's novel for the very simple reason that it was inspired by the book. In fact, there are a number of songs, in various genres of music, that have been inspired by literary works. If nineties grunge is more your thing, Kurt Cobain was influenced by Patrick Süskind's Perfume when he was writing lyrics for the songs on Nirvana's album, In Utero. Whatever, your favoured genres of music are, there are probably a few songs in your library that are influenced by novels. Why not get your hands on one of those books, and read it while you listen to the music? 

A classic

Chances are that there is a classic title you've had recommended to you, or seen discussed online, that you haven't got around to reading. And, sometimes, the pretentious can make you feel as though you are obliged to read these books. Otherwise, how can you say you're a real bibliophile, right? Well, don't let them put you off. The classics are just stories, just books like the modern ones we read. They come with a certain amount of respect and cultural weight because, after all, they have endured, sometimes for a century and more. Personally, I am a fan of Dickens. But, I would also recommend Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray, or Bram Stoker's Dracula (discussed in greater detail here). However, don't lert me tell you what to do. Go find a story you like the sound of, and find a classic for you.

A book you've been had recommended to you

If you're a book lover, and you have bookish friends, chances are, as mentioned above, you've had countless recommendations thrown your way. Reading a book is a very private thing a lot of the time, unless you to choose to read your book aloud to others. And, when we read a book that rocks our world, or one that we just really enjoy, we want to share it with anyone and everyone. Well, pick up one of those books you have been recommended. We follow enough algorithms and advertising in this world, we might be a little better off if we followed the recommendations of some of our living, breathing, loving fellow human beings a little more too.

A book published the year you were born

This one, a little like the first suggestion in this piece, is flexible in terms of genre. Only rule is that it be a book that was published the year you were born. For me, I might pick up Margaret Atwood's popular novel, The Handmaid's Tale. Or maybe The Accidental Tourist by Anne Tyler. What about you? What books were published the year you were born? Any of them look good?

(Extra points to you if you figured out the year I was born!)

Well, I hope you enjoyed this piece. If you did, perhaps you would consider following/supporting me on ko-fi. Ko-fi is a platform specifically for creatives, and is a great way to stay up-to-date with what they're up to. All support is very much appreciated!

Thank you, keep reading lots, and see you soon.