The literary world of the Long Nineteenth Century, c.1789 – 1914
Book review – The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas (1844) “Hatred is blind; rage carries you away; and he who pours out vengeance runs the risk of tasting a bitter draught.” The Count of Monte Cristo is a 1250 page adventure novel by French author Alexandre Dumas (working with a collaborator), originally serialised… Continue reading Book review: The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
Book review – Bodysnatchers by Suzie Lennox (2016). Digging up the untold stories of Britain's Resurrection Men This was my Christmas read, and one of the most enjoyable non-fiction books I've read for some time. A bit surprising given the subject matter; corpses, the desecration of graves and dissection of cadavers in Georgian era Britain.… Continue reading Book review: Bodysnatchers by Suzie Lennox
The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn by Colin Dexter (1977) No human action happens by pure chance unconnected with other happenings, none is incapable of explanation. Warning - this review contains spoilers INTRODUCTION: Colin Dexter and Inspector Morse had a lot in common, I expect they would have enjoyed sharing a few pints of Old… Continue reading Book review: The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn by Colin Dexter [Inspector Morse]
Book review – Murder on the Orient Express – Agatha Christie [pub. 1934] [Dont worry, I won't be giving away the book's ending in this review] This is a rambling review of the first and only Agatha Christie that I have read, Murder on the Orient Express (1934) [I later reviewed 4.50 from Paddington]. Like a… Continue reading Book review: Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
Book review – When the World Screamed by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Professor Challenger #4). 1928. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is famous for his Sherlock Holmes stories, but did you know that he created a series of stories for another eccentric genius, Professor George Edward Challenger? There are five Challenger stories in total, this is… Continue reading Book review: When the World Screamed by Arthur Conan Doyle (1928)
Book review - Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe (1958) I have just read a fascinating book, Things Fall Apart* by Chinua Achebe. It was published in 1958, but is set in the 1890s. The book was given to me by a friend: "I think you might enjoy this". As usual on these occasions my… Continue reading Book review: Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
Book review – The Disintegration Machine by Arthur Conan Doyle (Professor Challenger #5). 1929. Regular readers of The Long Victorian blog will have observed that I am an enthusiastic reader of thumping good yarns. Not only does this sort of writing bring happiness to many, they are much harder to write than most suppose. Try… Continue reading Book review: The Disintegration Machine by Arthur Conan Doyle
Book review - The Poison Belt: Being An Account of Another Amazing Adventure of Professor Challenger by Arthur Conan Doyle. Today is the anniversary of the birth of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859 - 1930). So it seems fitting to post a review of one of his stories: The Poison Belt. One of my favourite… Continue reading REVIEW: The Poison Belt, Arthur Conan Doyle (1913)
Stripped of fine motives and pious words we are left with the raw human condition.
Ripping yarn of scary beasts & iconic characters at pleasingly manic pace
The Long Victorian 