REVIEW – ‘The Woman Destroyed’ by Simone de Beauvoir

Simone de Beauvoir is a sort of hero of mine. More than just the partner of Jean-Paul Sartre, she was an existentialist philosopher on the same level as him despite his declaration that she wasn't. Now, to be fair, she didn't exactly produce a philosophical treatise of the like of Sartre, however she did write…

‘The Passion of New Eve’: America, gender, and ideology

America. A country that had its own mythology, cultures, and religions, and that, since the time of the European settlers, has forever been involved in a battle of facts. From the creation of the first State archives in the early 20th century where slavery records were deemed 'unessential' to the regional history of Mississippi state,…

REVIEW – ‘The Road Through the Wall’ by Shirley Jackson

If you know anything about the personal life of Shirley Jackson, you'll know that her childhood and adulthood were marred with the expectation of her to fit into typical mid-century American society; grow up in a functional family, then grow up and create one of your own. Jackson never really fit into this groove, even…

REVIEW: ‘Rubyfruit Jungle’ by Rita Mae Brown

If you haven't seen my story regarding this novel, know that this book after about 20 pages became a contender for my favourite read of the year so far. Another 50 pages in and it was no longer a contender, but confirmed. Its profound message about Self-sufficiency (see what I did there?) is perfectly wed…

REVIEW: ‘The Haunting of Hill House’ by Shirley Jackson

It has been a jolly old while since I've posted anything, and for that I can only say: soz! I've been plenty active enough on my instagram page (@jimmy_eat_book) just because my busy schedule best fits the ease and comparative convenience of a social media post. Moving on, here is my review of 'The Haunting…

FLASHBOOK FRIDAY: ‘Wise Children’ by Angela Carter

Here's a late Flashbook Friday for you all, by one of my top 5 authors ever, the inimitable Angela Carter. This Flashbook Friday is dedicated to Angela Carter's final novel 'Wise Children' published in 1991. The novel focuses on the twins Nora and Dora Chance, two of the many illegitimate children of Melchior Hazard, a…

REVIEW: ‘Rebecca’ by Daphne du Maurier

So, this is a pretty big book to review eh? It has been aaaaall over booksagram this last month and with good reason! This book is pretty fantastic. The mystery, the treachery, the character growth, the gothicism... brilliant. I don’t think I’m in the minority when I say that this is one of the most…

Housekeeping

Hi guys! I'm sorry it's been so long since I've posted, but a bout of illness as well as going on holiday to Chicago temporarily suspended my activity, but I'm now back in it! So, to come soon are: - Review of 'Rebecca' by Daphne du Maurier (wow) - Flashbook Friday I would have written…

REVIEW: H.P. Lovecraft short stories

It's been a while since I have posted but do rest assured that I have been reading and writing things in my notebook, I'm just on holiday at the moment in Chicago and the lack of data, my reliance on wifi, and my busy schedule has kept me from writing. I'm now sitting in a…

FLASHBOOK FRIDAY: ‘Frankenstein’ by Mary Shelley

Hi all! Sorry this is a late post again, I've been preparing for my holiday to Chicago this monday! To kick off this month of Spoopy tales, I thought it would be best to have a look at one of the seminal pieces of gothic / horror / science fiction that has inspired countless conversations…