#review september

[world-of-wales]

─ •✧ CATHERINE'S YEAR IN REVIEW : SEPTEMBER ✧• ─

8 SEPTEMBER - Catherine and William undertook engagements in St. David's and were received by His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Dyfed (Ms. Sara Edwards). They attended a Memorial Service for Queen Elizabeth II in St. David's Cathedral and afterwards met members of the local community. Later, they visited Câr-y-Môr Seaweed Farm. Subsequently, they met volunteers from the RNLI at the RNLI St. David's Lifeboat Station. 9 SEPTEMBER - Catherine joined William and Princess Anne for an episode of 'The Good, The Bad and The Rugby' Podcast. In the evening, she was received by Mr. Theo Rycroft (Deputy Head of Mission, British Embassy in Paris) at the England Vs Argentina Rugby World Cup Pool Match in Marseille. 12 SEPTEMBER - Catherine was received by His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey (Mr. Michael More-Molyneux) at HMP High Down. 13 SEPTEMBER - Catherine held an Early Years Meeting. 14 SEPTEMBER - Catherine and William visited Stirling Lines in Hereford. Afterwards, they were received by Mr. Patrick Wrixon (Deputy Lieutenant of Herefordshire) at Madley Primary School's Forest School. Subsequently, met Members of We Are Farming Minds at Kings Pitt Farm. 18 SEPTEMBER - Catherine visited Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in her role as Commodore-in-Chief, Fleet Air Arm. 19 SEPTEMBER - Catherine was received by His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London (Sir Kenneth Olisa) as she visited Streets of Growth. She took part in a podcast during her visit. 20 SEPTEMBER - Catherine held a Meeting at Windsor Castle. 21 SEPTEMBER - She held an Early Years Meeting. 22 SEPTEMBER - Catherine and William were spotted at Prince George's Football Game. 26 SEPTEMBER - Catherine visited A. W. Hainsworth and Sons Limited in Leeds was received by His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire (Mr. Edmund Anderson). Later, she visited Leeds West University. Subsequently, Catherine was received by Mrs. Christine Kirk (Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Lancashire) at Standfast and Barracks in Lancaster. 27 SEPTEMBER- Catherine was received by His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Kent (the Lady Colgrain) at The Orchards Centre. Afterwards, William and her hosted a Charities Forum in London. 28 SEPTEMBER - Catherine and William received Mr. Timothy Cook (Chief Executive Officer, Apple Incorporated) at Windsor Castle. 29 SEPTEMBER - Catherine held a Meeting at Windsor Castle.

[hsboo03]

Yesterday I saw Robot Dreams, it was a beautiful experience, it simply portrays something as beautiful as first love, loss, grief, overcoming and the ability to love again without losing the memories of the one we once loved, simply beautiful. With you a little drawing of the real couple. Rascal is the standard. 🍓🏵️🌺🌷

My thoughts are with you ☀️

Holding hands with your heart to see you ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹

Only blue talk and love 💫

Remember, how we knew love was here to stay 🪼🌸🌷🌺

[caliphoria17]

The Continental | 1x01 Screening

x | x

[lunarharp]

figured i'd do this again..bit early i guess..

[anelaxoxo]

September books review :

Ninth house ☆☆☆☆: Everything was great, from the characters to the plot.

The scarlett letter ☆☆: Not for me. The story is good but the writing style is terrible, it took me forever to finish.

Pride & prejudice ☆☆☆☆ : never thought I'd say this but i enjoyed the movie much better, it's still a great book though don't get me wrong, it's just i could've gone living without reading it. One of my least favorite jane austen books (controversial, i know)

A room of one's own ☆☆☆☆☆ : a book every woman should read in my opinion.

White nights ☆☆☆☆☆ : a short romantic novela. I think it's less of a love story and more of a depiction of lonliness. Finished it in a couple of hours.

An ideal husband ☆☆☆☆ : a comedic play by oscar wilde,short & easy to read, i enjoyed it.

[daisiesonafield-blog]

Venice anon here! I was at the premiere just for the beginning and the end and it was, in my colleague’s opinion, “the most awkward one we’ve ever worked”, and we probably worked more than 200 between the two of us. The cast walked in without much fanfare while guests were still being seated, which is unusual. There was an award being given to the costume designer and the side of the gallery where crew was seated was louder for that than for the film. The costume designer gave a very nice thank you speech to Olivia and it seemed like things were going to go well for her but by the time we came back the vibe in the room was very different. It was one of the shortest applause we’ve ever seen, with the fact that Florence just started to walk away about 2 minutes in being the complete kiss of death. I am flabbergasted that a room full of fans and crew was so cold when it came to the end, like that is THE most forgiving room you’ll ever screen your film for. I guess they were picking up on the awkwardness of the cast vibes which was palpable. My colleague called it the “cringe mist”.

As far as Holivia interactions go, the one where they briefly whisper behind Chris’ back was literally the only one before and after the film. I was standing where I could see her directly and my girl was trying but Harry was literally saying hello to anyone who would look his way rather than locking eyes with her. I saw them standing before the screening and they were in separate groups, I’m sure they must have interacted but it definitely was not date night lol. Some of the Italian girls working as ushers there were saying “we should try, he’s obviously single” or something like that.

Re the Nick kiss, they did that because in the opening scene the characters joke kiss in the same way. We all know he would have picked Chris, cmon. Who, btw, was high as a fucking kite.

In general, this film is the talk of the town but the old motto of Olivia’s namesake about all press being good press doesn’t really apply here. She made such a spectacle of this and the film doesn’t nearly hold up, and all everyone’s talking about is how insane this rollout have been. Her and Harry are the ones that are coming out of this worse, and I’m so happy he has My Policeman coming out soon because otherwise I fear his acting career might not have the longevity we all hoped.

Dear Venice anon,

Thanks for coming back! I love your details!

Trust me, the “cringe mist” was felt all the way over here. I was dying of second hand embarrassment for H. I think everyone with eyes and a working brain could see and feel the awkward and cringe vibes. And everyone ignoring Olivia, especially Florence and Harry, was abundantly obvious!

I just hope that whatever they're doing, this marks the start of the "are they still together?" press that inevitably ends in breakup articles everywhere when the movie drops.

Olivia's got what was coming for her. She greedily lapped up every single ounce of Harry Styles' fame for herself for the past two years, and inserted herself in every single tabloid and narrative to sell this movie. Her team must SUCK, because evidently they're a bunch of yes-people, bc no way a good team would have advised her to do this knowing full well her movie doesn't hold up. Heck, the entire fandom has been saying this for years - so that's evidence enough.

I kind of love that Harry kissed Nick after the movie was shown. Everyone in attendance obviously knew his joke - but to literally the rest of the world who hasn't seen the movie yet, to them and the press, it's Harry Styles excitedly kissing his male co-star after ignoring his alleged girlfriend during her own movie premiere. THAT speaks volumes tbh.

I agree, I am SO GLAD that H has My Policeman coming bc all the press he's gotten from DWD and his interviews, paired with the film's terrible reviews would have meant certain death to his acting career otherwise. "Just another singer who thinks they can act". I'm VERY hopeful that his name and acting career are redeemed thru My Policeman. The film, and Harry's Tom, have gotten nothing but praise so far. And the fact that the whole cast has already won an award is so telling.

I knewwwww Chris was high as kite kauhgdkasjhd he looked it. Damn he had a lot on his shoulders: promoting a movie he doesn't want to be associated with, with a director he doesn't like, for a film he knows is shit, AND he was the designated Holivia buffer all day, having to sit and stand between them or next to Olivia all day long so that H could be as far from her as possible. GOD - I too would like to not be sober for that.

I'm sad for Harry that Olivia's greed, unprofessionalism and lack of directing talent affected his performance in this movie so terribly. he got no time to rehearse, as he jumped on the project merely a few weeks before filming. Had no time to work thru things with a dialect coach, flesh out scenes or receive good direction for the final takes.

Glad your friend realizes his queerness. Sad it had to be this way tho. It does remind me of when we got those god awful holivia yacht kissing pap pics - and everyone was like "ewwww Harry Styles must be terrible in bed! He has no sex appeal or knows how to touch that woman!".......which....well....self explanatory. I hope Harry gets to redeem his acting skills in a new movie where he can show that with a proper director, professional environment and adequate time for rehearsals he too can convey sexual chemistry and passion with a woman on screen. Real life tho....better step away from the stunts for a while.

[daffi-990]

Fic Writing Review 2023

Words and Fics

43, 372 words published to ao3

1 fandom (9-1-1)

Most recent drop: I’ve been sleeping so long in a 20 year dark night (now I’m wide awake) [Buddie | 5K]

Longest Fic: remember to remember me [Buddie | 31K | Explicit]

Top Fic by Kudos

remember to remember me [Buddie | 31K | Explicit]

come close, let me be home [Buddie | 2.5K]

you’re everything that I want, but I didn’t think I’d find [Buddie | 2.6K]

I’ve been sleeping so long in a 20 year dark night (now I’m wide awake) [Buddie | 5K]

Upcoming Projects for 2024

stuck now so long, we just got the start wrong aka Rival Firefighters 🚒 (recent snippet here)

3 fics for the Daylight series .. including an Eddie POV from I’ve been sleeping so long in a 20 year dark night (now I’m wide awake)

awkward Buckley Parents dinner for the I guess I’m in love series

Fantasy AU (most recent snippet here) - I’ll be working on it next year but no idea if I’ll finish it

Rules and Tags below

Rules: Feel free to show whatever stats you have. Only want to show Ao3 stats? Rock on. Want to include some quantitative info instead of stats? Please do this. Want to change how yours is presented? Absolutely do that. Would rather eat glass than do this? Please don’t eat glass but don’t feel like you have to do this either.

Tagged by @exhuastedpigeon @hippolotamus @devirnis @spotsandsocks @thewolvesof1998 @steadfastsaturnsrings @jamespearce9-1-1 @jesuisici33 @wikiangela @theotherbuckley (if you tagged me and I missed you I’m sorry!)

No pressure tagging: @watchyourbuck @eddiebabygirldiaz @lover-of-mine @loserdiaz @try-set-me-on-fire @rainbow-nerdss @hoodie-buck @honestlydarkprincess @disasterbuckdiaz @callmenewbie @jeeyuns

[libraryleopard]

Further volumes in the horror comic series about a secret society that hunts monsters who feed on fear, especially children's fear

Flashbacks to the origin story of monster hunter, Erica Slaughter, in volume four

[princessofmanyfaces]

September Wrap-Up

🗓️ I've read 15 books in September 2023

⭐ My reading experience was an average of 3.6 stars

📝Most prominent author was –

📚 Books read in 2023: 92/52 - 176%

[starplanes]

A review of Compound Fracture, by Andrew Joseph White (releasing 9/3/24)!

As a big fan of Andrew Joseph White's other books, I had high expectations for Compound Fracture. It lived up to all of them and more! This book is angry, raw, tough, and visceral. It's got a few things in common with Hell Followed With Us and The Spirit Bears Its Teeth, but also feels very different. Mind the content warnings though, because Compound Fracture goes a lot harder in a few significant ways.

On the night Miles Abernathy—sixteen-year-old socialist and proud West Virginian—comes out as trans to his parents, he sneaks off to a party, carrying evidence that may finally turn the tide of the blood feud plaguing Twist Creek: Photos that prove the county’s Sheriff Davies was responsible for the so-called “accident” that injured his dad, killed others, and crushed their grassroots efforts to unseat him. Miles becomes the feud’s latest victim as the sheriff’s son and his friends sniff out the evidence, follow him through the woods, and beat him nearly to death.

Miles recovers, but at what cost? He becomes torn between the need for his family's safety and his desire to fight the system. Everything gets more complicated when he starts seeing the ghost of his great-great-grandfather, killed by law enforcement after a miner's rebelli0n. It all spirals out of control from there.

Compound Fracture explores the relationship between power and safety, the strength of community, and the lengths one will go to get all three. It questions who is complicit in matters of injustice and how far you're allowed to go to protect what you love. It makes for a tense, thrilling read. I could hardly put the book down once I started. I thought I was going to end up with nightmares because it's all so scary and feels so real. The violence and gore is truly present, but not gratuitous.

The Trans rep was fantastic. I especially enjoyed the reactions of Miles' friends and family to his coming out - mixed and messy, but very realistic. Miles as a character was very fun to read. He makes stupid decisions, but you can understand why. I also adored the anger shining through in every page. As much as this story is a love letter to Appalachia, it's a hate letter to the corrupt systems thriving in America, and makes for a cathartic read.

ps. If you're worried about the dog on the cover and all the violence I talked about, I promise she doesn't die!

[world-of-wales]

─ •✧ WILLIAM'S YEAR IN REVIEW : SEPTEMBER ✧• ─

7 SEPTEMBER - William visited Pret a Manger in Bournemouth. Afterwards he was received on arrival by His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset (Mr. Angus Campbell) AFC Bournemouth. 8 SEPTEMBER - William and Catherine undertook engagements in St. David's and were received by His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Dyfed (Ms. Sara Edwards). They attended a Memorial Service for Queen Elizabeth II in St. David's Cathedral and afterwards met members of the local community. Later, they visited Câr-y-Môr Seaweed Farm. Subsequently, they met volunteers from the RNLI at the RNLI St. David's Lifeboat Station. William wrote a letter to Mr. Gear about the memorial of her grandfather who was a WWII veteran. 9 SEPTEMBER - William joined Catherine and Princess Anne for an episode of 'The Good, The Bad and The Rugby' Podcast. 10 SEPTEMBER- William attended the Wales Vs Fiji Rugby World Cup pool match in Bordeaux and was received upon arrival by His Majesty's Ambassador to the French Republic (Dame Menna Rawlings). 13 SEPTEMBER- William was received by Colonel Jane Davis (Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London) as he visited Mates in Mind at a construction site. 14 SEPTEMBER - William and Catherine visited Stirling Lines in Hereford. Afterwards, they were received by Mr. Patrick Wrixon (Deputy Lieutenant of Herefordshire) at Madley Primary School's Forest School. Subsequently, met Members of We Are Farming Minds at Kings Pitt Farm. 18 SEPTEMBER - William departed from Heathrow Airport for USA and was received upon arrival at Newark Liberty International Airport by His Majesty's Consul-General for New York (Ms. Emma Wade-Smith) as he kicked off his Trip to New York. He visited the Billion Oyster Project at Governor's Island and met schoolchildren at the Brooklyn Bridge Park. Afterwards he called upon Mr. António Guterres (Secretary-General of the United Nations) at the UN Headquarters. 19 SEPTEMBER - On his second day in New York, William held and audience with The President of the Republic of Ecuador. Afterwards, he attended the Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit. Later, he visited FDNY Firehouse Ten and was received by His Majesty's Ambassador to the United States of America (Dame Karen Pierce). Finally he attended a Dinner for the Earthshot Prize at Tavern on the Green and later departed NY from John F. Kennedy International Airport for the UK. 20 SEPTEMBER - William arrived at Heathrow Airport, London, from the United States of America. 21 SEPTEMBER - William wrote the Foreword to London Air Ambulance Charity's bereavement booklet. 22 SEPTEMBER - William and Catherine were spotted at Prince George's Football Game. 27 SEPTEMBER- William and Catherine hosted a Charities Forum in London. 28 SEPTEMBER - William and Catherine received Mr. Timothy Cook (Chief Executive Officer, Apple Incorporated) at Windsor Castle. 29 SEPTEMBER - He was received by Mrs. Clare Garrett (Deputy Lieutenant of Wiltshire) as he visited BEST - Be A Better You in Swindon.

[lonestarbattleship]

USS Oregon (BB-3) served as flagship of President Woodrow Wilson for his review of the Pacific Fleet in Elliott Bay, Seattle, Washington.

The men standing next to the President is Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels and Captain Ivan O. Mettengel, CO of USS Oregon. "Oregon was used as the flagship of the fleet review and this was the first time a president had flown his flag in Seattle. Before arriving on USS Oregon the launch that the president was in, nearly capsized and then collided with a U.S. Navy whaleboat when casting off from the pier, none of the president's party were injured."

Photographed on September 12, 1919.

UWL: 40301

Photos from the collection of Electrician 1st Class James Cornelius, U.S.N.: link

[ofliterarynature]

DECEMBER 2023 WRAP UP

[loved liked ok no thanks (reread) book club*]

Mixed Magics • Chalice • To Shape a Dragon's Breath • The Haunting Season • Hither Page • The Henchmen of Zenda • System Collapse • The Phantom of the Opera • An Unexpected Peril • A Minor Chorus* • The September House • (The Dream Thieves) • The Fragile Threads of Power • The Pinhoe Egg • (Network Effect) • Some Desperate Glory

total: 16 (audiobook: 12 / ebook: 4)

Happy New Year booklr! Here's to actually getting my last monthly wrap-up post of 2023 out in decent time for once.

Some Desperate Glory - I'm getting myself off to a bad start here because I don't actually remember much from the book and I didn't write a review at the time. oops. But I do remember that once things got going I was hooked, and I couldn't wait to pick the audiobook back up. Definitely some content warnings to look out for, but an incredible read. I definitely need to go back and check out the author's other work.

Network Effect - the last book of my Murderbot reread, still great, glad to have finally read this in a text format! Also better suited to be read *after* Fugitive Telemetry, I wish I'd known to read them in chronological order the first time.

The Pinhoe Egg - a nice wrap up to the main Chrestomanci series! Though if anyone can tell me why on eARTH the 'recommended' reading order is like *that*, please explain it to me. I'd forgotten so many things by the time we got back to Cat, if I ever reread I'm going chronologically.

The Fragile Threads of Power - lord help me, I could do a whole rant. A quick summary of my relationship to this series: loved Shades of Magic when it first came out, did not love/was very annoyed by most of it when I reread them in 2023. Also have not really liked any of Schwab's other work. BUT. I was under the impression that this spinoff would have new main characters, and the old ones would be present but not in the center. If I didn't just make this up, it was LIES. The original MC's still dominate probably at least 60% of the book, and you'd think 7 years in-book and more experience on behalf of the writer would mature them, but a) no, and b) so many goddamn flashbacks. And Kel's assasin-sona was so cringe I wanted to cry. I did actually like the new main character which really is the biggest shame of all. If you see me contemplating the next book please stop me.

The Dream Thieves - I don't know that I have much to add yet to my thoughts about TRB in my Nov post, but I've been having a very strange experience where when I'm actively reading these, I'm having an incredibly good time; when I'm not I completely forget I was reading it. lol?

The September House - this is possibly the closest to my ideal horror book that I've ever found??!!? I have a weird relationship with horror, wherein I am not uninterested, but I almost never enjoy the ones I read (I think it has to do with my irl anxiety, idk). But THIS one. It's such an INCREDIBLE blend of like, mundane horrors and dark humor? I loved it. The "you can live with the horrors if you just follow the rules" is very much my vibe, and the way the author chose to have it integrate with the main character's experiences of domestic abuse was very smart. Deeply enjoyed, but probably won't be a favorite.

A Minor Chorus - this month's book club pick! I really really wish I'd liked this, and I'm torn between "thank god it was short," and "oh I wish this was longer." It's about a queer Indigenous doctoral student in Canada who's somewhat lost his way on his dissertation and is instead writing a novel (maybe), inspired by the stories of people in his community. On one hand, the writing was sometimes very beautiful and the different stories were interesting! On the other, my academic-speak abilities are limited, and the narrator did not hold back. He even explicitly states at one point, oh I can't describe my book this way to [character] because he won't understand my academic language. And...yeah. My brain got a little overwhelmed and I skimmed a lot of those parts. The hopeful part of me thinks if that if the book had been longer maybe I would have had time to "get it," but idk.

An Unexpected Peril - Veronica Speedwell is as Veronica Speedwell does. Had a good time with this even though it's proving to not be the most memorable. Mostly I remember intensely panicking over whether or not V had practiced forging the princess's signature, lol.

The Phantom of the Opera - this was a last minute sub for my classics challenge; I've never seen any of the adaptations, but I happened to see the book on tumblr when I was scrambling for a replacement and thought it might be fun. And it was! Quite ridiculous and dramatic, and I had a good time reading it. I was surprised by the outsider POV on the story, but it was good, just a shame that it didn't allow Christine to tell her own story. If anyone has a Christine-centered retelling I should read, let me know! And are there any adaptations I should watch?

System Collapse - new Murderbot! I was so excited for this, I'm irritated that my brain and work schedule didn't want to cooperate and let me read my nice pretty hardcover; I ended up getting the audiobook from the library instead. I had an incredible time, because it's Murderbot, how could I not? But it's also interesting, because Network Effect felt quite cohesive and contained on its own, but this feels very much like an in-between story (almost like Fugitive Telemetry), rather than a continuation of the same thread. I'll be interested to see where Martha takes us from here.

The Henchmen of Zenda - my last KJ Charles of the year! I did mean to get through all of her books, but things slipped by me these last few months so I still have a couple, but managed to fit this standalone in! It's not the only time she's pulled characters from works of classic fiction, and I admit, I'm now very curious and kind of want to read the original Prisoner of Zenda? Definitely this version had an exciting plot that was fun to read, though I don't think it'll be my favorite of her works (yay for a non-traditional relationship structure tho :)

Hither, Page - I don't think I've read Cat Sebastian before, but I've had this one recommended and it sounds right up my ally - historical/cozy myster/spy shenanigans/gay romance! And it was an incredibly pleasant read, would recommend, but I do think it could have been better as both a mystery and a romance.

The Haunting Season - I almost picked this up in October for spooky season, but put if off for Dec since it's meant to be wintery ghost stories - and only just remembered it in time! I almost wish I hadn't. The first two stories were so meh for me that I almost DNF'd it, I just didn't want the fuss of having to find a new audiobook for work the last day before Christmas break. Luckily Natasha Pulley showed up next with a good story (I really ought to read her books) and there was a good run of 4 stories with another 2 meh to round things out. It wasn't a total loss, but I wouldn't really recommend.

To Shape a Dragon's Breath - If you've seen people singing the praises of this book, they're not wrong! It's a very good if sometimes heavy read, and this is definitely the closest I've gotten to liking a boarding school story since Protector of the Small (I got burned out on them very quickly, lol). It does sometimes read like the debut it is, it's not perfect (lots of infodump speeches, lord save me from the technicalities of alchemy/chemistry, and I would have liked to see more done in her relationship with her dragon), but it's also doing some incredible and unique things that really make me want to see more books in this series and whatever else the author writes.

Chalice - I've read Robin Mckinley before and I've found her work ok, but this one has been repeatedly recommended in the HOTE discord server - I figured it would be a good one to wrap up the year with! And surprise surprise, the fealty-coded discord loves a book about... fealty XD and good stewardship, and magic bees, etc. It's incredibly on brand, and I had a lovely time with this fairy-tale of a book.

Mixed Magics - a collection of Chrestomanci short stories; I actually read one of the stories a few months ago due to the recommended reading order (bleh), and thought it would be fairly simple to finish it off before the end of the year, now that I'd finished the rest of the series. All fun, if not equally interesting, and a nice end to the year. Now I just need to find a new Diana Wynne Jones series to try (not on audiobook, alas, my library is all out of those).

(I did almost consider then binging the Hither, Page sequel on new year's eve, just so I wouldn't split the series, but decided against it :D)

[chicago-geniza]

There are many reasons for my "in 2024 Stefania would probably be bisexual" hypothesis and not least among them is the way she writes about Joan Crawford and Katharine Hepburn lmfao

[edensliterarydiaries]

The Secret History by Donna Tartt. The dangerous pursuit of climbing the social ladder.

The Secret History (SH) is an account of a murder in Hampden College, New England, through the eyes of outsider Richard Papen. A academic life that is similar to Tartt’s own, this novel artistically blends the rational with romantic ideals. However, after reading this stunning narrative, I have to address the title, so many say, it ‘truly deserves’: A Modern Classic. SH can plausibly be classified as a psychological crime novel that is derivative of other writings before it. From Crime and Punishment to Sigmund Freud’s essays, Tartt transforms the ideals of college life and academic study into one of morose horror. The knowledge of characters is greatly outweighed by the clear obsession with academia. From a first person account, we never get to know Papen’s fellow classmates, or the teacher Julian Morrow, on any other level beyond physical appearance. Instead, we become familiar with their love of Greek stories and rituals (only to kill a local man in the process, oops 😬😯).

SH is ‘devoid of character but has plenty of personality… there is nothing good beneath the heavy surface of academia’. -J.Wary, Michigan Daily

The influences of psychology in SH are evident in the difficulty these characters face outside the walls of academia. Papen, seeing hope for a better life in attending Hampden, only comes to observe that his ‘existence was tainted’ in the process and after. Yes, the death of his friend Bunny may have been the catalyst for such a perspective to be drawn. But, can the fact that Morrow insisted that his students have him as their only teacher be the cause for such an outlook too? (You had it coming as soon as you switched your tutor to Morrow as well Papen, we all saw it coming!)

We can see that his ‘morbid longing for the picturesque’ (NY Times) is a parallel to how private colleges are perceived by the common folk. As a ‘idyllic’ as it was on the brochure As the outsider, Papen’s, opportunity to escape the dull reality of Californian life is only met by the Dickensian tradition of financial and societal desperation; a long way from the better life he once dreamed of when coming to Hampden.

The opportunity to entrench yourself in the worlds created by classic literature is something our original five Greek students do persistently. With lots of money behind them, it is easy to get captivated by the romantic fantasy without feeling the consequence. The richest of the five, Henry, states that ‘Death is the mother of beauty… and what is beauty (without) Terror?’. The ideas behind Henry’s speech links back to the passage read by Camilla in the first class together.

In a ‘harsh and low and lovely’ voice, she reads about the ‘dark red and violent-driven rain of bitter savoured blood (that makes the character) glad’.

The repetition of ‘and’ both lengthens the sentence and makes Camilla’s speech creepily seductive. Yet, finishing the passage with a character that is ‘glad’ could be Tartt alluding to the murder later on in the novel. In the mean time, the excitement and vigour stemming from both Henry and Camilla’s imagery is plausibly seen as escapism away from the ‘monkish bare’ windows and ‘whitewashed walls’ of Hampden.

As a former student of the said ‘elite’ school life, time between those tall walls can be reminiscent of prison. Pursuing the idea rehabilitation was in the form of etiquette (often indirectly) and hazing Saturday matches and army training. All of which spat you out into the world with your school plastered on your psyche.

To be a Modern Classic, SH had to focus individuals personal morals and ethical behaviours both in their daily lives and in unusual situations (such as a murder). As a first person account, Tartt avoids this. She only lets us know Papen’s opinion on their physical appearance and any actions they commit. This alone, speeds up the pace of the novel. As Tartt does not stop to give us any background information of these students, especially Henry and Bunny, whose interaction is quite intriguing to Papen.

In contrast to the world of Greek literature, Papen’s description of his fellow students is reminiscent of the contents of a photo album. We see the images of people and know about what they did in life. But, we don’t know them beyond their physical appearance, what they like and dislike for instance.

The replacement of character development with the obsession with Dionysian madness, distances Papen (us as readers), from the original five Greek students. Under the spell of Dionysus’ words, it is plausibly easy for the students to be captivated by the colourful imagery displayed in such books. Especially in the black and white surroundings of Hampden, the classical world created connotes a Baroque undertone that is both captivating and sinister; the latter is more prominent to us than the former.

Can we plausibly see that Tartt is suggesting that literature was a way to escape the daily grind of academic life?

In the end though, it is difficult to see how SH can be a Modern Classic. Yes, Greek literature and elite university settings are visuals that are associated with the adjective ‘classic’. But, the limited character development does make Papen’s account of the events ,leading up to the murder, dry; no conflicting emotions or true feelings about certain events (beyond Papen) revealed in any way. Furthermore, being publishing in the early 90s, SH was released into a world that was in love with murder mysteries and psychological thrillers both in the book and on screen.

It is a product of its time, not a Modern Classic. The latter is used on a piece of work that is going to last and resonate with everyone over centuries. To state it’s a modern Classic would be to compare it against the works of authors from the early to mid 20th century.

Lady Chatterley’s Lover (1928), for instance, uses letter writing and indirect and direct dialogues to convey Constance’s character development to us. Through letter writing and talking to specific ‘trusted friends’, we know how difficult her life was becoming with Clifford (the plausible predecessor of Richard Papen!). The main point to take away is that the character development aided the progression of the narrative. It did not lead the reader to express doubts or question anyone’s motives and inner beliefs and it certainly did not leave us to speculate what lead up to certain events.

Anyway, coming back to SH, I can say that it is a psychological crime novel. Tartt does suggest to us that there is more that meets the eye when it comes to elite colleges and the academic world. She also draws a dark shadow over feelings of temptation and ambition, especially in the case of outsiders like Papen.

I would definitely recommend this book for anyone seeking something to read under the bed covers this autumn. If you grow to love it and form opinions about it (like I have) and fancy something more- then watch some crime movies from the 90s! (A good place to start would be The Good Shepherd (2006) and The Skulls 3 (2004).

Hoped you enjoyed this post as much as I did writing it!

See you in the next one!

Yours sincerely,

Eden xxx

[llondonfog]

i have not forgotten about diasomnia month i promiseeeee