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Book Reviews From The Bookbag (view source)
Revision as of 13:13, 29 March 2014
, 13:13, 29 March 2014no edit summary
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{{newreview
|title=Wilkie Collins: A Life of Sensation
|author=Andrew Lycett
|rating=4
|genre=Biography
|summary=Wilkie Collins has come down to us as the chief exponent of the Victorian ‘sensation novel’. This was the genre of story written specifically to expose deep-rooted domestic or family secrets, uncovering illegitimacy, bigamy or other irregular activities by supposedly respectable citizens leading outwardly normal, uneventful lives. There were mysteries, deceptions, betrayals, evil characters and good innocent ones. Measured by these standards, he led a ‘sensational’ life himself. When not writing novels, short stories, plays or articles for journals in order to earn a living, this apparently fine upstanding bachelor maintained two households, two mistresses, and children at the same time – and managed to keep them a secret from the public who would doubtless have been scandalized to know the truth.
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0099557347</amazonuk>
}}
{{newreview
|title=The Burning Dark
|summary=If you ask people what they fear most in any social situation most will tell you that it's not knowing how to behave. They'll be fine about the basics, but it's those little niceties - how to introduce yourself, what to ask for as an aperitif, how to address someone, for instance which can suddenly reveal you as a parvenu. William Hanson gives us a quick trip through the essentials in a book which is very readable and - in places - hilariously funny.
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1909937002</amazonuk>
}}