pickThis is my first time actually reading the text of Endgame, after seeing a stunning filmed version some years ago. It's as violently claustrophobic and funny as I remember. And I feel comforted by it this time. Endgame doesn't need some grand gesture or epiphany to send to its audience, it's content to just stare into the void and invite us to stare alongside it. Not behind it, though, that'd give it the shivers.
Went to the woods for Shakespeare on the Green's sunset production of The Tempest last night. Fireflies danced around out feet and bats contributed to the chatter. We filled up on kettlecorn. The vibes were healing. ✨️
so-soFranzen‘s translation. While Franzen picked the musical apart, I‘m a huge fan of the Broadway adaptation, and I‘m sure it‘s not half as wordy or long winded as Franzen‘s interpretation was.
I don't know why I haven't properly dived into Beckett before. Oh well. I have the complete dramatic works now and I'm reading them. And I'm really enjoying it so far, after taking a moment to acclimate to theatre writing for the first time in I don't know how many years. Reminds me a lot of early 20th century French absurdism, which I suppose Beckett would have known well, wouldn't he?
#royalty #bookmood @Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
Picked up three Sidney Sheldon conspiracy suspense recently thrifting and secondhand; in the mood for the theme/genre/author because of other books and media I'm consuming, but haven't been able to decide which to begin with (chronologically, switch themes?). Currently in a financial/investment crime conspiracy kick, or the alternative BBB---badder business bureau (more accurate, right?).
pickWhen the going gets tough, the tough ride a dung beetle to heaven in order to gain a formal meeting with the gods, apparently. Thus begins this utterly madcap comedy that has a farmer who's tired of war finding an ingenious method (or a totally batshit one, depending on your POV) to find peace (which involves freeing Peace from being buried in a cave--long story). It ends with a feast, song, & dance to celebrate a wedding. It was a wild ride.
"The clitoris is pure in purpose. It is the only organ in the body designed purely for pleasure. The clitoris is simply a bundle of nerve: 8,000 nerve fibres to be precise. That's a higher concentration of nerve fibres than is found anywhere else in the body, including the fingertips, lips, and tongue, and it is twice...twice...twice the number in the penis. Who needs a handgun when you've got a semiautomatic.
pick(Background shows the joys of getting new floors installed)
Mad world! Mad Kings! WS‘s least popular history rewards attention. Ok, King John‘s nephew comes to an awkward end. But the play looks at political expediency, a desperate king of iffy legitimacy invaded by the French. And, in place of a wise fool we have the Bastard, the perfect king if only. And he can express himself…and he‘s got a pretty good speech writer. #shakespearereadalong
pickCollected here are Alcestis, Medea, Children of Heracles, and Hippolytus. I thoroughly enjoyed reading all of them. Euripides has a style that is very accessible and his skill at exploring the motives of actions shines, particularly in Medea. Even if you don‘t agree with the final actions of characters, it is easy to see how they feel forced to act the way they do. The plots were a bit too convenient at times, but that is true to the genre.
