that no one can hear the whispers
they’ve lit the world so bright
that no one can see in the dark
they’ve told so many lies
that no one knows the truth now
they’ve ruined all of nature
and told us to play in the park
Little Red Riding Hood — Brothers Grimm
Along with Perrault’s version, this was background reading for Christina Henry’s book: The Girl in Red.
While i don’t mind a bit of plagiarising, i do expect that when one does so that they have the ability to improve over the original. The Grimm’s don’t manage that.
Sadly, this is the version that most people in UK know, and most think it’s the original.
Brothers Grimm’s Page
#fairytale #brothersgrimm
Little Red Riding Hood — Charles Perrault
When i found out that Christina Henry was writing The Girl In Red, i did my usual with Christina’s books and went back to the past where her stories have their roots: this time it’s Little Red Riding Hood’s turn.
While most people have heard the Brothers Grimm version of this tale, most don’t realise that they plagiarised the whole thing from this book, which was written long, long before the Grimms were even born.
What’s striking about Perrault’s version is the very obvious metaphorical warning to young maidens about men who only have one thing in mind and how they will seek to mislead them to get what they want.
Shorter than the Grimm version, but much better. Recommended for anyone interested in the tale being told properly.
Charles’ Page
#fairytale #charlesperrault
Island of Doom — Arthur Slade
And so this quite entertaining series comes to an end. It was fun, kept on moving along at a good pace, well written and edited.
The only downside was the ending went a bit down hill. Like Hyde has created and unleashed the fraken-creatures-from-hell-that-can’t-be-stopped-because-they’re-already-dead and then …
… well i won’t spoil it. But it was rather silly to say the least.
So yeah, i was expecting a much more rip-roaring ending, but it all ended well in the end so i won’t labour the point.
To sum up all four books: it’s a great adventure if you’re not looking for something to take too seriously. If you’re feeling in the need for some far fetched silly then this might be the series for you. I certainly enjoyed reading it as i like a bit of far-fetched silly now and again. I’d put it on the bookshelf next to Magnificent Devices, as that’s enjoyable, far-fetched silly in much the same way.
Arthur’s Page
#steampunk #arthurslade
Empire of Ruins — Arthur Slade
This time the Verne flavour is Five Weeks in a Balloon, but instead of flying over Africa, Modo and the crew go flying over Australia in search of a strange and ancient artefact.
Of course, to keep with the main story line of this tetralogy, and also to keep things exciting, the Clockwork Guild is back and also flying in a balloon over Australia searching for the same artefact.
And, once again, the same caveat applies, don’t apply 21st century thinking and science to anything and don’t take it too seriously and you’ll find it a rather enjoyable yarn that’ll pass the time nicely.
And so i dive straight into the fourth and final chapter: Island of Doom
Arthur’s Page
#steampunk #arthurslade
Black Dog — Neil Gaiman
The third book in the American Gods series.
Another good little novella, very much in the similar to The Monarch of the Glen, with Shadow getting himself caught up in things uncanny and folklore-ish once again.
Yes folks, it’s just more of that really good Neil Gaiman writing.
Neil’s Page
#fantasy #neilgaiman
How to Draw Absolutely Anything Activity Book — ILYA
Not anything like i was expecting.
I bought this because i’ve just gotten back into drawing after nearly 30 years of not doing any and i thought it might help a little. I was expecting a book about how to draw, literally, but this isn’t really about that.
This book is more about working on your expectations and why you draw in the first place. It’s more about drawing as just something you should do and what it should mean when it becomes as normal to living as eating and drinking. What’s the point in drawing if you don’t know why you’re drawing?
What are you drawing for? What do you really want to draw and why?
These are a few questions that the book made think about without directly asking them.
So don’t expect a book that tells you how to hold your pencil properly or what lead you should use on what paper, expect a book about your expectations and then go and draw something, anything, it doesn’t matter, just draw.
To sum this book up nicely would be this quote from the last few pages:
DON’T SAY “I can’t draw” especially when what you mean is, “I don’t draw.” DON’T SAY that either.
ILYA’s Page
#art #ilya
The Dark Deeps — Arthur Slade
More of Modo and the Permanent Association with a very enjoable 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea flavour to it.
This time the Clockwork Guild have created an invisible man to liven it all up for us readers.
And a French secret agent joins in the fun.
Same caveat applies as in the first book of this series, and in Jules Verne’s books also: just don’t think too hard about the science. Put your 21st century scientific judgement aside, simply enjoy the tale being told and let Modo and the rest take you on a journey to the bottom of the Ocean.
Well written and very enjoyable.
So now i’m going to dive straight into book 3: Empire of Ruins
Arthur’s Page
#steampunk #arthurslade
Zombieland: Double Tap
Normally i wouldn’t be seen dead watching a zombie film 
but the Zombieland films are just so fucking good.
Yes folks, finally someone who treats the whole zombie thing with the level of respect that it deserves: pure comedy. Because, after all, the whole zombie thing is just fucking stupid and has been done to fucking death already — literally.
So yeah, our wonderful protagonists are back from the 1st instalment, all having plenty of fun again; and there’s even a whole bunch of new, non-zombied humans they meet/pick-up/fuck/kill along the way.
Personally, i’m very much looking forward the zombie apocalypse if it’s going to be this much fun.
And especially looking forward to Zombieland 3.
#5t4n5 #tvandfilm #zombieland #doubletap
Mr. Robot — Season 4
And so it finally comes to the end.
One of the best TV programs ever has just finished its fourth and final season. And what a finale. Best wishes, Elliot!
It was about time for a TV program to explore mental health issues — especially dissociative identity disorder — in the depth that Mr. Robot did. It took us on the most incredible magic carpet ride through Elliot’s mind.
Rami Malek and Sam Esmail are rumoured to be working on something new and i shall definitely give anything the two of them make a good watch.
Basically, if you ain’t seen Mr. Robot then you need to go back and give it a good watching. It really is . . .
#5t4n5 #tvandfilm #mrrobot
Watchmen — Season 1
That was very, very good television.
It’s worth watching the 2009 film first so you know — kind of — what’s happening.
Enjoy!
And after you’ve finished watching it, do give Will I Live to See My Utopia? a read: a lot of food for thought about it all.
#5t4n5 #watchmen #tv
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