Reading – David Peach

I read old books

I read old books because I would rather learn from those who built civilization than those who tore it down.

The House on the Strand

My first book of 2021. An interesting take on the idea of time travel.

Selected Quotes

I remembered that the tide had been out, the stretches of flat sand exposed, the row of bathing-huts, lined like denture in an open mouth, forming a solid background to the golden expanse.
from The House on the Strand — Chapter One

The small, pane-less windows gave little light, the aperture tight closed by oiled parchment, while the lighted candles standing on the trestle table at the bed’s foot threw monstrous shadows on ochre-coloured walls.
from The House on the Strand — Chapter Six

Dracula by Bram Stoker

Then came another rush of sea-fog, greater than any hitherto — a mass of dank mist, which seemed to close on all things like a grey pall…

Selected Quotes

Then came another rush of sea-fog, greater than any hitherto — a mass of dank mist, which seemed to close on all things like a grey pall, and left available to men only the organ of hearing, for the roar of the tempest, and the crash of thunder, and the booming of the mighty billows came through the damp oblivion even louder than before.
from Chapter 7 — cutting from the dailygraph

Animal Farm by George Orwell

The story of Manor Farm and the animals who revolt after being inspired to fight for a better life.

All animals are equal. But some animals are more equal than others.
A single commandment

The story of Manor Farm and the animals who revolt after being inspired to fight for a better life. But those who assume command inevitably become the enemy of the society they are trying to create.

Animal Farm is a story that I was already aware of before reading — like many other people no doubt. I was aware of the rough idea of the animals taking over Manor Farm and eventually becoming a particular type of society. But even knowing this, I still enjoyed the book so much that I read it in two sittings pretty much.

The language of the book was pretty simple and to-the-point — language that is too fancy and, dare I say it, flamboyant, tends to throw me off the story sometimes. But yes, Animal Farm delivered it’s message in a straight-forward and to-the-point way.

I’m not sure if it was Orwell’s intention, or whether it was just my imagination working over it, but my internal pictures of the farm become more and more lacking in colour as it moved towards its conclusion. I pictured the farm and it’s inhabitants in a darkened black and white as they toiled over their labours towards the end.

The pigs in the manor house, however, I pictured in full colour as the other animals watched on on that final scene from the window.

I found some similar themes as I remember from Nineteen Eighty Four too. Namely the idea of rewriting history to suit the narrative being created by the ruling class. And then those under the boot just believe that they themselves must have been mistaken when originally reading their seven commandments.

I knew that there was a reason this book was regarded as a classic. Now I understand why.

Other book covers

Here’s a collection of cool covers for Animal Farm that I’ve found. These could get added to over time if I stumble over some more.

Pink Floyd’s Animals

Animals by Pink Floyd is one of my favourite albums ever made. Definitely in my top 10. Until I read Animal Farm I hadn’t made the connection between it and that album. I mean how could I miss out on the giant inflatable pig and not link that with the pig in power from the book?

Roger Waters, in his recent tours with his own solo band, has kept the spirit of this pig alive with warnings and messages to the people watching. Messages such as “Fear Builds Walls” and “Religions Divide Us“. Roger is one of my favourite artists from both his Pink Floyd-penned albums and his excellent solo material. I must write up my thoughts on his stuff soon.

There is a decent article here that discusses some of the similar themes between the album and the book. It is written better that I could attempt right now.

Started reading The Drawing of the Three (The Dark Tower 2) by Stephen King

Only yesterday I started on IT, but have decided to keep my concentration on The Dark Tower series. I really wanna see where this series goes.

Started reading IT by Stephen King

Decided I’d finally give this gargantuan book a read.

One of the earliest films I remember seeing was the 2-part mini-series of Stephen King’s IT. IT scared the undying crap out of me when I was about 6 or 7.

Now, many years later, I have decided to actually read the novel before part 2 of the new 2-part films is out.

HERE GOES…

…TIME TO FLOAT…

Edit: After reading 50 pages, although enjoying it, I have decided to concentrate on The Dark Tower series for a while.

The Gunslinger – The Dark Tower part 1

Some thoughts of mine after finishing the first book of Stephen King’s epic series ‘The Dark Tower’.

(Image by Michael Whelan.)

It took me to my second attempt to actually read this book to completion. And although it started off as a bit of a chore, by about a third in I found myself drawn in to the Gunslinger and his pursue of the Man in Black.

I found the story to be a slow burn — an ongoing pursuit interspersed with necessary backstory of the titular character. And I mean that in a good way. I have the feeling that this is going to be a build up over a long time — especially knowing that how many books there are now in this series.

I found it really intriguing how the Gunslinger and the boy he finds, Jake, interact. Their relationship seemed to be building into an interesting one and really hope that it can somehow be explored further. Somehow.

And Jake’s history too. His origin that spoke of New York in some other world, or that’s what I presumed. Yet the world in which we follow the Gunslinger seems to be in some post-war-ravaged, desolate future of the very same Earth.

Whatever ends up happening, and however this crossing at the nexus of realities is explored, I’m looking forward to the ride it brings.

Started reading The Dark Tower series

I started reading The Gunslinger about a year ago but only got about half way through.

After someone at work mentioned The Dark Tower series today, I was inspired to pick it back up and try again.

Here goes…

Snow White adaptation by Junji Ito

Most people probably know the story of Snow White — the seven dwarfs; the poison apple; the prince. But I bet not many know of this version by acclaimed horror Mangaka Junji Ito.