The world of books and art, 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 – 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 →
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 – 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 – 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 - 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 – 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 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 →
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 