These are posts in which I’ve compared similar passages in different books, with an emphasis on authors who may never have read each other’s writings. Most are connections I have made myself, so perhaps they will be new to you too.
My favorite read of 2025 was actually my re-read of George Eliot's "Middlemarch". But sticking to new works as usual: I read 38 works of fiction and nonfiction for the first time in '25, and of those I've picked out again my favorite ten. This year I went somewhat dark, for me. I took in … Continue reading My favorite reads of 2025
second Death Starsecond world warsecond atomic bombsecond frontsecond blitzsecond tower second wonderSecond Templesecond sitesecond kingssecond princesecond armysecond populationsecond citizenssecond history second looksecond chancesecond surgerysecond opinionsecond principlesecond explanationsecond introductionsecond sightsecond beautysecond homesecond cropsecond firesecond stormsecond snowseconds to go second birthsecond thoughtsecond soundsecond tracksecond timesecond lifetimesecond attachmentsecond proposalsecond polesecond noonsecond startsecond sidesecond handsecond choicesecond bestsecond bestiesecond voice … Continue reading on the second hand
Frodo's wrenching cry of "No" at the Bridge of Khazad-dûm opens up a montage I put together of similar cries in movies. Until almost the end, the video features persons who are powerless, except to say No. Near the end I've included a few ironic No's, however, from persons who merely think they are out … Continue reading When All You Have Is Your No
My favorite read of 2024 was actually my re-read of The Lord of the Rings. But sticking to new works as usual: I read 28 works of fiction and nonfiction for the first time in '24, and of those I've picked out again my favorite ten. For each book, I've listed some excerpts, not necessarily … Continue reading My favorite reads of 2024
At one point in Frank Capra's "It's A Wonderful Life," George Bailey tells Mr. Potter, "the meanest and richest man in town," what he really thinks of him. You sit around here and you spin your little webs and you think the whole world revolves around you and your money. Well, it doesn't, Mr. Potter. … Continue reading It’s A Wonderful Life
Very near the end of the "Divine Comedy", Dante and his beloved Beatrice leave behind the planets of our solar system and enter what was known as the sphere of the Fixed Stars. "Before you enter further here," Beatrice tells Dante, "look down and see how vast a universe / I have put beneath your … Continue reading Dante’s Pale Blue Dot
Recently I rewatched the entire "Lord of the Rings" trilogy with my kids, in the extended editions. That's over 12 hours of movies, but my kids were not bored for a minute. After “Fellowship” my son was gushing about how clearly the story was told; and about how the music made him feel, particularly the … Continue reading Rewatching the Lord of the Rings
For all that has been said about Milton creating a relatively sympathetic Satan in "Paradise Lost," there is no question that Satan becomes less sympathetic as the poem progresses. In short, we have less sympathy for him as we get to know him. His lies become more transparent, for one thing. And he does his … Continue reading Adam and Eve’s undiscovered country
If I knew little about "Paradise Lost" before reading it this past summer, I knew nothing about "Paradise Regained". I guessed that it would deal with the Second Coming, but I was off by at least two thousand years. "In the Wilderness," artwork by Ron DiCianni "Paradise Regained" is a short retelling of Jesus' temptation … Continue reading Paradise Regained
Some thirty-three years ago, the Voyager 1 spacecraft attempted to photograph all of the known planets in our solar system in a single "family portrait." But it couldn't see all of them. Some planets were too small, or too close to the Sun. The Earth, as is now well-known, turned up as a mere smudge … Continue reading Satan’s Pale Blue Dot
