Monthly Archives: September 2019

A is for Anarchism

Posted on September 20, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

I recently had the chance to finally watch the New American Masters PBS documentary on the late science fiction writer Ursula K. Le Guin. For the most part, it was a good exploration of her life and career. Maybe if … Continue reading →

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Another Metamorphosis

Posted on September 19, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

I am embarrassed to admit that I had never heard of Argentine artist and book illustrator Luis Scafati until recently. His take on Franz Kafka’s classic The Metamorphosis is creepy, but spot on. I have since discovered that Scafati has illustrated many … Continue reading →

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Science Fiction Inspires Science IRL

Posted on September 18, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

News of scientist Giovanni Aldini’s electric reanimation experiments on corpses in 1803 reached author Mary Shelley before the publication of her  iconic science fiction book Frankenstein. It was an instance of science informing fiction. In turn, Shelley’s masterpiece would eventually … Continue reading →

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Resistance Is Not Futile

Posted on September 17, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

In response to my post last week on the 10th anniversary of the American publication of Hans Fallada’s heartbreaking novel Every Man Dies Alone, TBTP reader Lincoln S. reminded me about the real life story of brother and sister Hans and Sophie … Continue reading →

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Personal Demons

Posted on September 16, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

While cataloging a medieval manuscript the Centre for Research Collections at the University of Edinburgh encountered a curious text amid various alchemy recipes and treatises: precise instructions on how to summon a demon called Baron, graph included. Very little is … Continue reading →

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Weekend Reading

Posted on September 15, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Reading Two Books 1971 Postcard, William Wegman

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Your Bookshop Needs You

Posted on September 14, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

It can be quite depressing reading bookselling blogs and discovering that yet another favorite bookshop has gone out of business. Like most people, I have succumbed to the convenience of ebooks and buy fewer print copies these days. Although I … Continue reading →

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Literature Is An Invention

Posted on September 13, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Adagia Sara Nicholson Literature is an invention; it was Written by men to praise war. Economy is tragic; the economy Comedy. What the heart feigns The mind rehearses, circles A river on the map, as if to say “Voilà! Now the … Continue reading →

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From New Zealand With Love

Posted on September 12, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

I’m currently in the middle of trip planning for a three week visit to New Zealand, so I have been reading lots of local media and blogs. In the process, I stumbled upon this heartwarming story about the generosity of … Continue reading →

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Writing Is Hard Work

Posted on September 11, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

 

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