#Literary treasure

[blueheartbookclub]

"The Clouds: A Timeless Satirical Masterpiece"

Aristophanes, through his timeless play "The Clouds," brings forth a riveting blend of humor, wit, and social commentary that transcends the boundaries of time and culture. William James Hickie's translation beautifully captures the essence of Aristophanes' original Greek comedy, allowing readers to revel in the satire and thought-provoking insights that remain relevant to this day.

"The Clouds" is a bold and imaginative critique of the intellectual and moral climate of ancient Athens, presented through the lens of the eccentric Socrates and the establishment of the "Thinkery." As readers embark on this comedic journey, they are treated to a sharp exploration of the conflict between tradition and innovation, philosophy and practicality.

The play unfolds with Strepsiades, a debt-ridden farmer seeking refuge from his financial woes, enrolling in the Thinkery to acquire the skill of persuasive argumentation. Here, Socrates, brilliantly portrayed as an airy intellectual consumed by abstract ideas, takes center stage. The ensuing dialogue between Strepsiades and Socrates is a testament to Aristophanes' genius in blending humor with intellectual depth.

Hickie's translation preserves the linguistic nuances and comedic elements, allowing readers to appreciate the clever wordplay, puns, and innuendos that make Aristophanes' work a literary treasure. The humor is sharp, and the satire biting, as Aristophanes fearlessly mocks the intellectual elite and challenges the societal norms of his time.

Beyond its comedic brilliance, "The Clouds" serves as a mirror reflecting the perennial tension between the pursuit of knowledge and the practicalities of daily life. Aristophanes raises thought-provoking questions about the responsibilities of intellectuals, the consequences of unchecked innovation, and the delicate balance between tradition and progress.

In the hands of Hickie, Aristophanes' wit shines through, making this translation an accessible and enjoyable experience for contemporary readers. The characters come to life with vividness, and the dialogues resonate with relevance, inviting readers to reflect on the timeless themes presented.

"The Clouds" is more than a mere comedy; it is a literary gem that challenges societal norms, questions authority, and invites introspection. Aristophanes' bold satire, combined with Hickie's adept translation, ensures that this play remains a captivating and enduring piece of literature that transcends the ages.

"The Clouds," of Aristophanes skillfully translated byWilliam James Hickie is available in Amazon in paperback 10.99$ and hardcover 18.99$ editions.

Number of pages: 105

Language: English

Rating: 8/10                                           

Link of the book!

Review By: King's Cat

[blueheartbooks]

"The Clouds: A Timeless Satirical Masterpiece"

Aristophanes, through his timeless play "The Clouds," brings forth a riveting blend of humor, wit, and social commentary that transcends the boundaries of time and culture. William James Hickie's translation beautifully captures the essence of Aristophanes' original Greek comedy, allowing readers to revel in the satire and thought-provoking insights that remain relevant to this day.

"The Clouds" is a bold and imaginative critique of the intellectual and moral climate of ancient Athens, presented through the lens of the eccentric Socrates and the establishment of the "Thinkery." As readers embark on this comedic journey, they are treated to a sharp exploration of the conflict between tradition and innovation, philosophy and practicality.

The play unfolds with Strepsiades, a debt-ridden farmer seeking refuge from his financial woes, enrolling in the Thinkery to acquire the skill of persuasive argumentation. Here, Socrates, brilliantly portrayed as an airy intellectual consumed by abstract ideas, takes center stage. The ensuing dialogue between Strepsiades and Socrates is a testament to Aristophanes' genius in blending humor with intellectual depth.

Hickie's translation preserves the linguistic nuances and comedic elements, allowing readers to appreciate the clever wordplay, puns, and innuendos that make Aristophanes' work a literary treasure. The humor is sharp, and the satire biting, as Aristophanes fearlessly mocks the intellectual elite and challenges the societal norms of his time.

Beyond its comedic brilliance, "The Clouds" serves as a mirror reflecting the perennial tension between the pursuit of knowledge and the practicalities of daily life. Aristophanes raises thought-provoking questions about the responsibilities of intellectuals, the consequences of unchecked innovation, and the delicate balance between tradition and progress.

In the hands of Hickie, Aristophanes' wit shines through, making this translation an accessible and enjoyable experience for contemporary readers. The characters come to life with vividness, and the dialogues resonate with relevance, inviting readers to reflect on the timeless themes presented.

"The Clouds" is more than a mere comedy; it is a literary gem that challenges societal norms, questions authority, and invites introspection. Aristophanes' bold satire, combined with Hickie's adept translation, ensures that this play remains a captivating and enduring piece of literature that transcends the ages.

"The Clouds," of Aristophanes skillfully translated byWilliam James Hickie is available in Amazon in paperback 10.99$ and hardcover 18.99$ editions.

Number of pages: 105

Language: English

Rating: 8/10                                           

Link of the book!

Review By: King's Cat

[kaurwreck]

I'm certain now that bsd!Sigma is Yukio Mishima. (Although, that his character design parallels Shibusawa's was reason enough.)

In math, sigma is the symbol Σ, which indicates the summation of numbers. The kanji in Yukio Mishima's (三島 由紀夫) name translates literally to three islands + cause/reason for, chronicle/record, man.

Sigma, who has only three years of memories, chose his reason for existing to be the sky casino, a floating island. He's also lonely, an island unto himself, with only three years of memories. In other words, Sigma is the base sum of his parts.

(Of course, Sigma wasn't born three years ago because, aside from being nonsense, Dazai can touch him, and Dazai hinted at the absurdity when he teased Sigma. Never mind that it doesn't make sense with reality narratively, thus violating the "rules" of the Page, and that Fyodor has performed lobotomies before, with Ivan.)

[heycarrots]

Black Sails Nation! Happy 10 Year Anniversary!

In honor of the 10th anniversary of the best show ever, the 10th Episode of Reading Between the Lines Podcast has just dropped!

This month, I’m featuring Professor of English Literature, Dr. Alex Tankard.

Dr. Tankard and I had an amazing and lengthy discussion about all things Black Sails, but in particular, as Flint relates to Luciferian lore in literary texts like Paradise Lost. In discussing Flint’s “darkness” they touched on the themes of “otherness” and the demonization of neurodivergence in Colonial Literature, as it relates to Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness and Robert Louis Stephenson’s The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Additionally, we talk about gender and sexuality in the 18th century and how Black Sails gets it SO historically RIGHT!

Dr. Tankard is no fan of John Silver, so if you don’t want to hear criticism of his character and his choices, this may not be the episode for you, however, you’d be missing some amazing insights from a truly engaging lecturer. Fortune favors the brave!

Additionally, I want to again thank @tiofrean for her absolutely incredible cover art, generously donated to the podcast. This piece is truly stunning!

And if you prefer to listen on Apple Podcasts…

[renaultphile]

Literary References in The Charioteer: Treasure Island

It features in Sandy's party scene, and while Laurie is reading it, someone comes up and asks him if it is a 'Queer Book'. Laurie says 'no', he walks away and Laurie continues reading.

If I had to summarise the theme, it would be a book about something being found that was thought to be lost 👀👀 And the pain that follows. The descriptions of the sea that Mary quotes are beautiful:

"Soon cool draughts of air began to reach me; and a few steps farther I came forth into the open borders of the grove, and saw the sea lying blue and sunny to the horizon, and the surf tumbling and tossing its foam along the beach. I have never seen the sea quiet round Treasure Island. The sun might blaze overhead, the air be without a breath, the surface smooth and blue, but still those great rollers would be running along all the external coast, thundering and thundering by day and night; and I scarce believe there is one spot in the island where a man would be out of earshot of their noise."

Laurie is interrupted by Harry and his 'ratings' arriving and being ejected; Ralph and Alec arguing about it; Ralph assuming Laurie has guessed they were ex's (!); Laurie says 'You would have missed the sea' and Ralph says 'I'll need to get used to that'.

That line about never being out of earshot of the waves is ringing in my ears at this point.

Then:

"Alec formed the opinion that I took too much on myself." A rush of old memories went through Laurie like a pain. "I've never noticed," he said, "that the competition to take things on was as killing as all that."

Ralph picks up the book, says "Oh, Spuddy," laughing and looking away, and gets up quickly to get more drinks. Laurie feels a fool.

Oh God, "Laughing and looking away".

I always thought that was Ralph laughing involuntarily and then not wanting Laurie to think he was being unkind. Now I wonder if he is having a little 'moment'. It's such a beautiful choice of book to evoke all kinds of resonances without explicitly saying anything.......

[frannyzooey]

girl just saw your reblog of sundown by bageldaddy and jesus christ. i’m glad i’m not the only person that has been in a chokehold by this fic 🧎🏻

oh god yea, anything @bageldaddy writes has me in a chokehold

I wish her Joel would put me in a chokehold fr 😭

[apieters]

“Pirates” vs. Pirates

So I’m currently reading The Republic of Pirates by Colin Woodard and it’s a fascinating history about the very small world of the Golden Age of Piracy. Apparently, all the famous pirates of the age—Samuel “Black Sam” Bellamy, Charles Vane, Henry Jennings, Benjamin Hornigold, and Edward “Blackbeard” Teach/Thatch—all knew each other. Their real-life stories are fascinating, truly worthy of a series all their own (Yes, I know Black Sails exists. No, its portrayals of these real historical figures according to its wiki are not historically accurate in the slightest—you don’t need to change anything to make their stories interesting).

We all “know,” cognitively, that real piracy is very different from the movies, but I started thinking of how exactly it was different, and trying to identify what my childhood fantasies of “piracy” actually were. And I’ve come to the conclusion that I never actually wanted to be a pirate—I wanted to be Jim Hawkins from Treasure Island.

I’ll explain (because that’s what we do on Tumblr).

Real piracy, from Woodard’s description, was basically getting mugged on a boat. The pirates would show up, maybe fire a cannon or two, but usually not even that—they’d sail up to you or find you gathering fresh water and fruit on a tropical beach, be bristling with weapons, point them at you and say, “Empty your pockets ships holds.” And the poor merchant vessels (disproportionately Spanish for historical geopolitical reasons) being targeted usually did what you’re supposed to do in a mugging—give up their wallet cargo and get away with their lives, and like most muggers the pirates were more than willing to let those people go, taking the money and running.

And whatever I had in mind when I thought of pirates, I wasn’t thinking about the nautical equivalent of a guy in a black leather jacket and beanie hiding in an alley and then drawing a knife saying, “Give me your wallet!” (Yes, that’s my image of a mugger—thankfully, I’ve never been mugged).

The most pirate-y pirate I’ve seen on-screen is Captain Jack Sparrow of Pirates of the Caribbean fame—he is actually portrayed doing sketchy things like picking pockets and stealing boats, and lying to/manipulating people for his own personal gain. But here’s the thing—he never mugs anyone. In fact, he only steals from an “innocent” person’s pocket once, when he steals the bribable dockmaster’s purse off his desk in the first movie. What Jack Sparrow actually does—what all the pirates spend most of their screen time doing in the PotC franchise—is hunting for Maguffins magic treasures. They’re not pirates—they’re treasure hunters. And according to the PotC wiki, this is true in the prequel books, too—all the stories are about treasure hunting, not mugging merchant vessels. Jack Sparrow was never a real pirate—he was and is an edgier, funnier Jim Hawkins, the 12-year-old main character of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island.

We shouldn’t be too surprised—Treasure Island is the Trope Codifier for pirate stories, and it’s all about, well, looking for treasure on a tropical island. No merchant vessels were harmed in the making of that story. In fact, there is only one ship—the Hispaniola—that appears in the story at all. So of course the big “pirate” movie franchise is going to portray “pirates” doing what “pirates” do in stories—looking for treasure.

Yeah, it’s sanitized and romaticized, but comparing the fiction to Woodard’s more historical book, an early-18th century treasure-hunting story really does have all the benefits of real piracy without the drawbacks: real piracy really was lucrative, and if a pirate wanted to quit while they were ahead and make some wise spending choices they could go from being a literal beggar to being upper middle-class literally overnight. Treasure-hunting gets you, as a character, the same rags-to-riches prize to drives the story, but without the inconvenience of, you know, shoving a flintlock pistol in anyone’s face (sometimes you have to for self-defense, but never to get the treasure itself). Plus, in a treasure-hunting story you get to be on a boat, wear cool/funny cloths, say “Arrrgh!” And hang out in the Bahamas, without the messiness of scurvy, weevil-infested ship’s biscuits, hurricanes, and the threat of getting arrested by the local governor and executed (unless the author decides to make any of those things a plot point. Authors are just mean like that). Also, the original owners of the treasure are never looking for it, unlike the historical European powers who considered the loss of a treasure galleon a Really Big Deal. And if you ever get into a fight, it’s always because someone else who wants the treasure too is saying “I’ll fight you for it”—in a certain twisted way, the violence in “pirate” stories is more like a sporting event than anything else, a competition between teams for a common prize. Even the “bad guys” of “pirate” stories aren’t thieves.

So do I fancy being a mugger and intimidating people to give up their wealth, even if I don’t actually kill anyone (many real pirates were surprisingly merciful to their victims)? Not really. I realize that as a kid (and, let’s be honest, we still dream of this every so often as an adult) I really just wanted to go on a pleasure cruise in the Bahamas in funny clothes, dig in the sand, and find a whole bunch of gold, silver, and jewels in a wooden chest. That’s the premise of Treasure Island and Pirates of the Caribbean. I don’t like imagining myself as Blackbeard or Sam Bellamy. I want to just be Jim Hawkins.

Thanks for reading—here’s a picture of my character Chris Carnovo, who started off both in-universe and in my imagination as a “pirate.”

[cappurrccino]

starting treasure island and immediately feeling validated by my own use of commas and dashes bc the first paragraph is all one sentence

[changelingchangewing]

I love revisiting beloved books from my childhood. I’m rereading The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe currently and it is an absolute delight.

[cheesey-rice]

I think I'm becoming the kind of guy who waits for archaeology updates like it's a new episode of a serial or smthn

[booksandteaandstuff]

Love is such a priceless treasure that you can buy the whole world with it, and redeem not only your own but other people's sins.

Fyodor Dostoevsky, The Brothers Karamazov

https://bookshop.org/a/12010/9780140449242

[narumippi]

❝ They always say "tell the truth," and when you do, they don't believe you. What's the point? ❞

　　　ー　Sadie ·͙ Chapter 3、Page 35 [ The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan ]

[digitalartuadesign]

Adventurous Tales: 10 Digital Bookmarks for Young Readers

You can buy digital bookmarks in my Etsy shop here:

Embark on a journey through imagination with our collection of 10 vibrant digital bookmarks, each featuring a unique and enchanting character ready to inspire young minds. From culinary adventures with Whiskers the tabby cat to underwater odysseys with Squishy the jellyfish, these whimsical bookmarks are perfect companions for young readers aged 8 to 12. Let Rusty the robotic dog, Pixel the digital sprite, and their friends ignite your child's imagination and accompany them on countless adventures through the pages of their favorite books. Delightful illustrations, captivating quotes, and colorful designs make these bookmarks the perfect addition to any young explorer's reading collection. Download now and let the adventures begin!

[gennsoup]

All the years of wanting you have softened me up have made me sensitive to the moments we are together so that I treat each one like a treasure

Michael O'Leary, He waiatanui kia Aroha

[patfurstenberg]

Unraveling New Found Literary Treasures through Book Reviews

Join me as we explore recent releases and lesser-known works that have captured my heart as we travel through the world of literature and book reviews.

Readers hungry for new novels should look no further than these literary treasures and their book reviews. Use this book list as a go-to resource for exploring the world of enthralling books and thought-provoking stories. Join me as we explore recent releases, and lesser-known works that have captured my heart as we travel through the world of literature. Continue reading Untitled

[joncronshawauthor]

How to Write a Review for a Fantasy Book: A Comprehensive Guide for Aspiring Critics

Fantasy fiction is a delightfully varied genre, transporting readers to enchanted lands of mystery and adventure. As an avid reader, you’ve likely stumbled upon countless tomes that have stirred or frustrated you. If you’re keen to share your musings on your latest fantasy read, writing a review is a great way to do so that helps readers and authors alike. In this guide, you’ll discover the…