The Vulgar Eclectic

Tag: reading

  • A Conversation

    I read the chapter titled ‘Mutiny’ in The Brothers Karamazov yesterday morning. It reminded me greatly of the story The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas by Ursula K. Le Guin; so much so that it seems to be an answer, in the form of fiction, to the question posed by Ivan: “And are you…

  • Some short stories, a list

    I decided to make a list of some short stories I’ve either really enjoyed or found memorable. Some authors have multiple stories that come to mind but, for this particular list, I thought I’d include only one story per writer.

  • Hiero’s Journey

    I just finished reading Hiero’s Journey by Sterling E. Lanier (1973). The tale is set in the distant future, thousands of years after nuclear and biological warfare nearly destroyed humanity. It’s an adventure story of travel, discovery, and conflict and is well-told. Some of the character interactions, especially around gender, I found annoying and trite.…

  • The Suppliant Women

    I finished reading The Suppliant Women by Euripides (first performed in 423 BC), translated by Philip Vellacott. The events of this play occur shortly after Polyneices’ attempt to wrest the throne from his brother Eteocles, as told by Aeschylus in Seven Against Thebes. Besides being another fantastically written play by Euripides, The Suppliant Women explores…

  • My Ántonia

    I finished reading My Ántonia by Willa Cather (1918). I loved it! It was one of the best reading experiences I’ve had recently. The novel is told through the eyes of Jim, who grows up on the plains of Nebraska in the late 1800s. A new immigrant family from Bohemia moves to the area to…