Like many readers of a certain disposition, I love Alex Garland. The fact that he is responsible for a stunningly high percentage of my nightmares does not make me love him less, but more. I have just re-read The Beach. I vividly remember the first time I read it, as a skinny teenager who hungContinue reading “On the Glorious Alex Garland”
Category Archives: Literature
Speaking of Horror: Trailer for “The Ruins” Is Up!
You can see it here. I read the book, by Scott Smith (in case you don’t know who he is, “A Simple Plan” might sound familiar), on a long flight from JFK to Kiev Borispol last year. I have to say, my reaction to the trailer, at this point, is mixed. It seems promising, butContinue reading “Speaking of Horror: Trailer for “The Ruins” Is Up!”
The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon
A lot of people who talk about Stephen King tend to qualify their statements with a “well, it’s not real literature or anything, but at least it’s entertaining.” There is something very self-conscious about this. It’s like saying, “I’m not a pig-faced consumer of mass media like them other folk, or anything, but they wereContinue reading “The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon”
Christopher Pike
I started learning English in earnest with the books of R. L. Stine. I started learning about myself when I, at thirteen years old, picked up Christopher Pike. The first book I read by him was Road to Nowhere. It had a garish cover – my mother was aghast. She had raised me reading PushkinContinue reading “Christopher Pike”
7 Points About Writing
Inspired by LitLove. 1. I absolutely hate people who excuse writerly misdeeds by pointing out “but s/he’s an artist!” So bloody what? So because you’re an “artist,” as opposed to, say, a plumber, it’s OK to be perpetually drunk and pretentious and annoying? No! Doesn’t mean I’m never drunk or pretentious or annoying – butContinue reading “7 Points About Writing”
Natalia A. 