Before I picked this up, I knew nothing about who James Wood is; having now finished it, I can tell with absolute certainty, he is one of contemporary criticism's most gifted and steadfast voices, a lover of literature through and through. How Fiction Works is among the finest examples of that particular branch of non-fiction... Continue Reading →
My Favourite Fantasy Novel of 2020 | THE BURNING GOD BY R. F. Kuang
Egad! I have entered the great and mighty labyrinth that is #BOOKTUBE! https://youtu.be/Q_O1mrqOzGY 2020 delivered in one important way--it was chock-full of excellent fantasy novels. I read scores of new releases over the year forever known as "the worst plague year" and while many of them were phenomenal, none reached the heights "The Burning God"... Continue Reading →
The History of Sexuality: Volume I by Michel Foucault
The notion of Victorian bourgeois society as sexually repressed weighs heavy on the general understanding modern society has of that by-gone time. Michel Foucault, in his History of Sexuality, seeks to dispell this unimaginative notion. Rather, he envisions the very notion of sexuality as a bourgeois invention, meant to negotiate between "power and knowledge," between... Continue Reading →
Wayward Vol. 01 “String Theory” by Jim Zub and Steve Cummings—Graphic Novel Review
While browsing my local library last week, I came across a series I'd never seen, never even heard of before: Wayward, written by Jim Zub and with art by Steve Cummings. What caught my eye were the covers of the trade paperback--what I'm using as a feature image is excellent, but some of the others... Continue Reading →
Sunday Comics: Giant Days Vol. 03
It is a fool who pushes his favourite new mania to the side, only to return and review it six months later! Yes, I did it, and I accept my guilt with a bowed head. Whatever the circumstances of 2020--and aren't they a thrill?--mine is a sin not to be underestimated. I've ignored my sacred duty to spread the word about John Alison's wonderful Giant Days too long...
Sunday Star Wars: Thrawn (Graphic Novel) by Jody Houser
Is this a good adaptation of Timothy Zahn's 2016 Thrawn novel? Yes. Should you read it if you haven't read the novel first? I wouldn't. Jody Houser, Luke Ross and Paul Renaud do a fine job of adapting this work but it's inevitable that some elements of Zahn's novel will be lost in the translation;... Continue Reading →
Star Wars: Target Vader by Robbie Thompson and a Legion of Artists — Graphic Novel Review
Previous||Next Target Vader is another one of those comic books I checked out of my local library in search of a topic to write about as part of this weekly column. I love Darth Vader (who doesn't?) and the premise of him being hunted, while a fixed conclusion, can provide for plenty of entertainment, if... Continue Reading →
Stoner by John Williams — Book Review
Stoner is one of the two books I've decided to write my thesis on, come next term. It's that rare thing, a work that perfectly encompases the full strengths of the novel as a form. It's worth deeper study. So, then, this will be a short review -- I'd hate to be caught plagiarising my... Continue Reading →
Sunday Star Wars: Doctor Aphra Vol. 06 by Simon Spurrier and Many, Many Artists
Previous || Next Joy to the world, I'm but a step away from the seventh and last volume of Doctor Aphra's first run. Between you and me, dear reader, I loved this volume. Loved it. Remember how I told you not to get used to the consistent art style and direction of the previous volume?... Continue Reading →
Saturday Star Wars: Doctor Aphra Vol. 05 by Simon Spurrier and Emilio Laiso—Graphic Novel Review
Previous || Next The good Doctor is back, and running for her life with her dearest pal, the homicidal protocol droid Triple-Zero. The two frenemies are in quite the bind--as soon as they grow further than 20 metres apart, the explosives implanted in their necks will arm, and go ka-BLOOEY! Grizzly, but what's a little... Continue Reading →