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Showing posts from September, 2020

A Wild Sheep Chase (6) Kwaidan (5) Uzumaki (6)

I am very familiar with Junji Ito's work, especially Uzumaki, this being the third time I have read it. A Wild Sheep Chase feels very different than the other two. Kwaidan is quite clearly the original text for many yokai. Uzumaki Junji Ito's work is not only driven by his wonderous and creepy plots but also his art style. If the manga were only in written form, it would not have the same impact. The plot is centered around spirals, which on their own don't seem like something horrifying. Junji plays with the idea of infinity, and trying to grasp what infinite truly means. Trying to understand the vastness of endless is like trying understand the bounds of the universe. It can compare to someone having an existential crisis. We are reminded of the madness that "omniscience" brings (like the Nazi woman in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, bad reference I know). I will mention this again but, all of the "monsters" of Uzumaki are either ha

Interview with a Vampire (6 points)

My recreational reading has been limited to fantasy and sci-fi youth novels. At the point which I would have started reading "adult" books I became less interested in books. However, Ann Rice's Interview with a Vampire made me regret not getting into literature. The way she writes is enthralling, and even though I would have never thought a story like this to be interesting, I couldn't put it down.  Love/Lust In the 1970's I am not sure exactly how much gay love was accepted. Ann Rice pushed so many taboo boundaries, but she made them so interesting you almost forgot. Necrophilia, pedophilia, gay love, murder, desecration, anti-christian, unmoral in ever sense. But this does not defile the book. Louis has many experiences that cannot be described by the author. His bond with Lestat being the main one. Their relationship can best be described by enthrallment. Louis feels he cannot abandon Lestat, is this honour? fear? love? The way he reacts when Claudia attacks Le

Frankenstein (6 points)

These blogs will be organised in sections of my thoughts. Basically, topics that I want to talk about and are meaningful to me. This helps me make sure I hit every point equally, and that I actually get to them. Etymology of Prometheus Prometheus is a well known mythological character, the giver of Fire to man. But have you heard of his brother Epimetheus? While he is not as important in the myths, their names are related. Prometheus translates to "before thought" meaning the capability of foresight, thinking before doing. Epimetheus translates to "after thought", so only learning after you have done something. I believe this has almost a ironic relation to "The Modern Prometheus". Though Dr. Frankenstein is meant to represent Prometheus (taking power, ei. life/fire, from the gods) he does not follow Prometheus' meaning. Victor instead only realises the error he has made after the monster is brought to life. This idea is also portrayed in the well know