This poetry collection really affected me, and I found it hard to read. It’s so raw and open that at times I had to stop and run away from it. As someone who has been happily married for two years, reading about someone divorcing after twenty years of marriage scared and upset me. Her confusion,Continue reading “Stag’s Leap by Sharon Olds”
Tag Archives: masters course
Pale Fire by Vladimir Nabokov
In some ways I really liked this book, and in others I really struggled with it. I loved the poem, but found Kinbote a very irritating character in the foreword and commentary. Despite that I was intrigued by his identity, and whether he was the king. Personally part of me wants to think he is,Continue reading “Pale Fire by Vladimir Nabokov”
Dart/Memorial by Alice Oswald
I found it hard at first to get into Dart, but then I stopped and went back to read the acknowledgement at the front. It explained the indications in the margins are to show the change in voice. Knowing this, I understood the poem better and started to enjoy it. Hearing the different point ofContinue reading “Dart/Memorial by Alice Oswald”
Engleby by Sebastian Faulks
Although this book was interesting, I did not like Mike’s character. He was very arrogant and conceited. Sometimes I felt sorry for him, but his overall personality made him unlikeable. I imagine this was intentional because it made me question him as a reliable narrator, and I suspected immediately he had killed Jenny. The intriguingContinue reading “Engleby by Sebastian Faulks”
The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters
Before lecture It took me a while, about a quarter-way into the book, to realise Sarah Waters was also the author of Fingersmith. I’m ashamed to say I haven’t read it, but I did see the mini-series drama based on the book and loved it. The story was dark but intriguing, the characters complex andContinue reading “The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters”
The Bees by Carol Ann Duffy
The Bees by Carol Ann Duffy Like with Simon Armitage I was lucky enough to attend a poetry reading Carol Ann Duffy was part of when I was studying at GCSE level. Duffy doesn’t instantly grip me the way Armitage does, but I usually find a few of her poems I love. This collection isContinue reading “The Bees by Carol Ann Duffy”
Seeing Stars by Simon Armitage
Seeing Stars by Simon Armitage A poetry collection where the poems are structured like short stories, containing dark humour with a hidden meaning. They have a dream-like quality to them, everyday moments with extraordinary circumstances to them. I’ve always liked Armitage’s work ever since studying him at GCSE level. I was lucky enough toContinue reading “Seeing Stars by Simon Armitage”
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold: Final thoughts/opinions
Present day opinions/thoughts: I can safely say my opinions from my first reading were completely wrong due to not remembering details correctly. Susie didn’t force herself into Ruth, Ruth forced Susie in. Ray was very aware who he was having sex with and the experience helped him move on. It’s a bittersweet tale thatContinue reading “The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold: Final thoughts/opinions”
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold: Summary
Summary: Susie Salmon is recounting how she was murdered on December 6th, 1973. She was walking home from school in the cornfields when a man from her neighbourhood, Mr.Harvey, invites her to see the shelter/secret underground den he’s built. He then rapes and kills her. She was fourteen. Susie has her own heaven whichContinue reading “The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold: Summary”
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold: Thoughts from previous read
Thoughts/opinions from previous read: There’s only two books I’ve previously read from the reading list, one being The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. I want to express my opinions of what I remember about it before I reread it. I read the book before the movie came out. I remember being shocked at the rape/murderContinue reading “The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold: Thoughts from previous read”
Scribbled Thoughts 