Joseph Sciuto's Blog: A Curious View: A Compilation of Short Stories by Joseph Sciuto, page 44

Agatha Christie’s “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd.”

Simply another wonderful novel by Ms. Christie. As I have written numerous times, any inspiring mystery novelist should pick up her books and study her techniques: Character development, plot structure, atmosphere, etc… “The Murder Of Roger Ackroyd” would be a perfect place to start. Simply marvelous.

Thomas Mann’s “Death in Venice”

Thomas Mann’s “Death in Venice” is as brilliant as advertised. Undoubtable, a literary masterpiece. One needs to make sure of the translation. The Dover edition which I read, was translated by Stanley Appelbaum and it was one of the best translations of this masterpiece I have read. The second chapter was a little difficult, but then there is a reason it is considered “the nightmare chapter” by most translators. Also, you might want to catch up on your Greek mythology before reading this book. It is everywhere in the book. Amazing work of art.

W. Somerset Maugham’s’s “Cakes and Ale.”

I could easily say that W. Somerset Maugham’s “Cakes and Ale” is not the powerhouse novel that was “Of Human Bondage” or “The Magician” or “The Razor’s Edge” and I feel quite sure that quite a few readers might agree with me and, to a large extent, it is not but it has a character, Rosie Driffield, who is so unique, so seductive, enchanting, and mysterious that she carries this book to the heights of the previously mentioned novels by Mr. Maugham. That a writer could create such a truly fascinating character is a tribute to the author. Even when she is not mentioned during parts of the book, her presence hangs over the book like beautiful California sunshine. She is a gem that shines everlasting.

The book is about writers and the real and fake legacies they leave behind depending on the likes and dislikes of the time and place they are being discussed, but if there is one thing that is true it is that despite the period “Rosie” transcends both space and time and she makes this a magnificent book.

Alexander Kennedy’s “Newton: Secrets of the Universe.”

Alexander Kennedy’s “Newton: Secrets of the Universe” is a GEM of a book, especially if one is hesitant to pick of anything dealing with science, physics, and mathematics. Mr. Kennedy’s analysis and descriptions of Sir Isaac Newton’s theories are so easy to understand that even a fifth grader would easily comprehend and understand the genius behind one of the world’s greatest scientist. I strongly recommend this book to everyone. Genius of this magnitude should be known and appreciated by all people and never has science and math been so easy to understand.

Graham Greene’s “The Comedians.”

Graham Greene’s “The Comedians” is a enthralling, gripping, and cryptic novel. It ranks, for me, as one of the best novels I have read by this amazing author, alongside “The Quiet American” and “Our Man in Havana.”

Mr Greene uses historical backgrounds, such a pre -US. involvement in Vietnam, Post World War 2 Germany, and in “The Comedians” the Haitian takeover by Papa Doc as well as any novelists.

The characters in “The Comedians” are so fascinating and mysterious that they almost remind one of Hemingway characters. Mr. Greene gives you just enough to keep you searching and searching. Like Hemingway, he teases his reader and never under estimates the knowledge of his audience. His writing is superb and I highly, highly, recommend “The Comedians.” A MARVELOUS PIECE OF WRITING!

Agatha Christie’s “The Mysterious Affair At Styles.”

Agatha Christie’s, “The Mysterious Affair at Styles,” is the first in the Hercule Poirot series and like all the rest that followed it is absolutely fabulous. Wonderful story structure, beautifully written, and a wonderful cast of characters. Delightful!

Thomas Mann’s “Confessions of Felix Krull, Confidence Man.”

Thomas Mann’s “Confessions of Felix Krull, Confidence Man” is an extremely witty, funny, and entertaining novel. In the three main characteristics that I use to judge a novel, story/plot, writing, and characters, it exceeds profusely. The story is as imaginative as one could hope for and it’s as funny as any book I have read. It’s Woody Allen to the extreme, times 10. The writing is sublime, descriptive, and inspiring. The translation by Denver Lindley is nothing short of superb. The characters are unforgettable, right down to the smallest and inconsequential characters. And the character of “Felix Krull” is so remarkable and memorable that he already ranks as one of favorite literary characters of all time. Felix, blessed with alarming good looks, and a wish to be seen as an aristocrat leads the reader through a series of insane seductions and situations that are both hilarious and unforgettable. This is truly a marvelous piece of literature, absolutely brilliant.

Einstein: “Relativity: The Special and General Theory.”

After reading Walter Isaacson’s brilliant biography, “Einstein” and finally coming away with an understanding of Einstein’s theories, I felt I could make the leap and actually attempt to read something written by the most famous genius of the twentieth century whose theories would transform science and the world.

I chose Einstein’s, “Relativity: The Special and General Theory.” The book was written by Einstein so that the average person, who was not a physicist or mathematician, but was interested in his “theory of relativity” could easily understand it in layman’s terms. Well, except for the portions of the book that used mundane objects such as a train, an embankment, Times Square or a clock to describe the most famous theory of all time, the rest of the book (a good 60 percent) was incomprehensible to me. It could have just as well been written in Latin.

I strongly recommend that unless you have a scientific background, you should not start off by reading this book if you are at all interested in understanding the mind and theories of this, undeniable, genius. I recommend the Isaacson’s book I mentioned above as a good starting point.

Not to be deter, I will nevertheless continue my interest in physics and when I have the time and patience I will start reading books about Galileo and Newton’s theories, so much seems to have originated from their work. They are constantly mentioned throughout by Einstein.

Graham Greene’s, “The Third Man.”

Graham Greene’s, “The Third Man” is a wonderful mystery (thriller) set in post war Vienna with the legendary character of Harry Lime; a notorious racketeer selling poisoned penicillin to children’s hospitals and doctors, at exorbitant prices, resulting in the death and disabling of innocent victims.

Mr. Graham originally wrote this as a screenplay which was made into the legendary movie “The Third Man” starring the great Orson Welles and Joseph Cotton. He later wrote the book, which is slightly different than movie, but just as great.

I recommend the book and the movie. You will not be disappointed.

Charlotte Bronte’s, “The Professor.”

Charlotte Bronte’s, “The Professor” is a distasteful novel. In truth, it just might be the most unpleasant and objectionable novel I have read from such a distinguished and brilliant writer. The book reeks of anti-Catholic sentiment, British nationalism, it disparages other nations such as France, Germany, Italy, and Russia. And yet what is most striking is its anti-female sentiment that runs throughout this book like a tidal wave. Considering Ms. Bronte’s gender, it is hard to fathom.

William Crimsworth, the main character, narrator, and British exile, teaches at a French bordering school for girls, along with teaching at a boys school. In describing the girls, who are mainly Catholic, you would think that all girls from the ages of fifteen to the day they die are unworthy, selfish, and despicable creatures. Mr Crimsworth, considers himself a God loving Protestant, a moralist, and a man of superior intellect. In short, he is an obnoxious and rude character who this reader had absolutely no sympathy for and wishes he never has to encounter such a main character so deplorable, and self righteous, ever again.

In respect to authors and their works, I always try to put them in perspective to the time they are living and writing in. This was Ms. Bronte’s first book and it was repeatedly rejected by publishers. It was not until after she died that this novel was published. The Victorian ideals put forward in this book are truly off the wall and thankfully in her later novels this subject is handled in a most discreet and brilliant way and the struggle and abuse of women in Victorian days is highlighted and its cruelty revealed in such great works as “Jane Eyre” and “Villette.”