Category: Victorian

The Turn of the Screw by Henry James

To begin, I’m not much a fan of Henry James’s writing. He’s verbose, long-winded, and indulgent in a way that irks me. This is not especially unusual in Victorian fiction, to be fair. I often have to remind my students, when we’re reading classic… Continue Reading “The Turn of the Screw by Henry James”

The House of the Vampire by G.S. Viereck

George Sylvester Viereck published The House of the Vampire in 1907. It is one of the first “psychic vampire” novels ever written, but what makes it even more interesting is the romance at its center is a homosexual one (in fact, a homosexual love… Continue Reading “The House of the Vampire by G.S. Viereck”

Thoughts: Sodom on the Thames by Morris B. Kaplan

Sodom on the Thames: Sex, Love, and Scandal in Wilde Times by Morris B. Kaplan Final Verdict: 3.5 out of 4.0 YTD: 20 Sodom on the Thames is a descriptive and argumentative essay divided into four chapters, each of which focuses on one element… Continue Reading “Thoughts: Sodom on the Thames by Morris B. Kaplan”

Thoughts: Mansfield Park by Jane Austen

Mansfield Park by Jane Austen Final Verdict: 3.75 out of 4.0 YTD: 10 Jane Austen is perched on a curious point in the literary timeline, caught somewhat between the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, both of which influenced her work. She greatly admires Samuel Johnson… Continue Reading “Thoughts: Mansfield Park by Jane Austen”

Review: The Warden by Anthony Trollope

The Warden by Anthony Trollope Final Verdict: 3.25 out of 4.0 YTD: 27 Plot/Story: 3 – Plot/Story is interesting & believable The Warden is a little book with a big story.  It tells the tale of Mr. Harding, a clergyman and Warden of an… Continue Reading “Review: The Warden by Anthony Trollope”