reading (The Indiscretions of Archie)

I finished "The Indiscretions of Archie" yesterday evening. I enjoyed the character of Archie and the way the story was developed. The individual chapters read a lot like modern sitcom episodes, with the exception that they play out better. There was only one chapter in which I was groaning at the standard romantic comedy plot and tension and Wodehouse redeemed himself by quick and non-standard resolution.

A very fun book.

11. P. G. Wodehouse "The Indiscretions of Archie"

reading (War of the Worlds)

I just finished reading "War of the Worlds". Being home sick from work I finished it off in just under 24 hours. I had never read the book before although I do have the the Jeff Wayne musical memorized, I have heard parts of the original radio broadcasts, and have seen the 1953 movie several times (no I have not seen the Tom Cruise one!).

It was an easier read than "The Time Machine." The story moves along quite well and I think Wells' descriptions really shine using the familiar territory of England of his time. His use of noise and silence is marked. Social criticism, like the red weed, grows everywhere it can get a foothold. No adaptation I've heard of has dared go as far as Wells' Artilleryman's rant and I doubt any will.

The words and the attitudes are a great cheap trip on a time machine back to Victorian England. Great stuff.

"Look, man is born in freedom but he soon becomes a slave
In cages of convention from the cradle to the grave
The weak fall by the wayside but the strong will be saved" - Brave New World from the musical

12. H. G. Wells "War of the Worlds"