Around the Web: Re-imagining Frankenstein, Earthsea, and The Iliad, plus YA Podcasts and Moving a B
Happy Friday and happy November, everyone! I hope those of you celebrating Halloween had a fantastic time and that those of you doing NaNoWriMo are off to a good start!
As always, I have scoured the internet for interesting and fun stories to share. Read on to see what I found!
Responding to the Letters in Frankenstein
Frankenstein, which celebrates its 200th year of publication this year, is an epistolary novel. Though most of the text recounts Victor Frankenstein’s tale of creating a monster, it is actually told by Captain Robert Walton who is writing to his sister, Margaret.
Alexandra Petri imagined Margaret's responses to the Frankenstein letters for the Washington post. These notes poke fun at the epistolary format and definitely give an alternative view of Mary Shelley’s classic novel.
On the Earthsea Cycle
Ursula K. Le Guin’s A Wizard of Earthsea is also experiencing an anniversary this year. It’s been 50 years since the wizard Ged appeared in print and to celebrate, Tor is sharing different looks at Earthsea all week. I quite like Jenn Lyons’ piece on how The Tombs of Atuan taught her to write imperfect women.
YA Podcasts
Any podcast listeners out there? Podcasts are great entertainment that often allow you to learn new things or see different perspectives. If you haven’t tried any, or you’re looking for a few more to subscribe to, may I suggest taking a look at Barnes and Noble’s list of podcasts for YA fans?
Homer Writes to the Staff of The Iliad Season 2
I’m kind of on board for these imaginary responses to classic literature. I hope you are too, ‘cause here’s one from McSweeny’s in which The Iliad is re-imagined as a hit television drama and Homer as a show runner writing to his staff about season two. Fan of Homer’s epics and tv fans should get a chuckle out of show runner Homer’s message.
Moving a Bookstore by Human Chain
And finally, here’s a wholesome story to end the list with. A Southampton bookstore about to change locations needed to move its entire stock without spending lots of money or closing for long, so it turned to community for help. October Books put a call out for people to act as a human conveyor belt to transport books and had over 200 people show up to help “lift and shift” all the store’s books to its new location.
What have you been reading lately? Please let us know in the comments!