Reviews and Comments

Some major quidditch/Triwizard Tournament vibes in the first chapter

Wellesley's examination of manuscripts is fascinating on every page of this book. In the second half of this chapter on Patrons, she shows the many ways that Henry VIII equated his life with David in the Hebrew bible.

"Intersection" is an evocative glimpse of an afternoon in Hong Kong, in the early 70s. This short story follows the thoughts and dreams of two strangers as they move throughout the city and have a chance meeting.

Text note: I do not have a copy of the book. "Intersection" is in the DVD booklet of In the Mood for Love (Criterion, 2002) and must have inspired the director Wong Kar-wai. It was translated by Nanci Li in the 1988 issue of Renditions (a "Chinese-English Translation Magazine"). Many out-of-print volumes of the magazine are available for free on the publisher's website.

An impressive "graphic memoir." One of the few comic-book-style memoirs I've ever read, and one that I couldn't put down. I'm a slow reader and it only took me an hour or two to get through it. The illustrations are top-notch and the writing is engaging, as well. An important work that everyone should read and learn from.

Personal note on the research mentioned: Touching a Nerve, by Patricia S. Churchland.

Armitage/Wallace audiobook review. I did not realize that this had both the Armitage and original-language versions of the audiobook. I saw the 2021 film last week and was inspired to read the book. As Gawain was in the green chapel, I kept wondering what else could happen in the story, being less than halfway through. And then it concluded and Bill Wallace started the 2nd half of the book in an incomprehensible tongue - I did not finish that half, since it would require some language training.

As for the story, it was more straightforward than the film. There was a lot of hunting in the middle of the story that did not interest me, but the overall quest and poetry was enjoyable to hear.

A valuable document of early cinema. Completed in 1978, the book is full of photos and statements from the original filmmakers. Brownlow tracked down many of the films and journeyed far and wide to give us a book than no one else could write.