Arthur Chappell's Blog
May 16, 2019
My Goodreads Shelves
With 203 book reviews and additions by me, I was way overdue to create shelves and genre categories for my contributions. It was fun going through the books I have listed, with many more to go) and my listings to date threw up a few surprises for me.
Preston Pubs
My love of science fiction means I expect that shelf to have lots of books, and it has 23 so far. There are 102 books about pubs on the list though, (one of them is linked in here), 24 on beer, and only 10 fantasy works. Four books containing my own writings are added too (with more to follow).
These stats will change as I add more books from readings over five decades. In many cases, blogs and reviews will be added too.
Arthur Chappell
Preston Pubs
My love of science fiction means I expect that shelf to have lots of books, and it has 23 so far. There are 102 books about pubs on the list though, (one of them is linked in here), 24 on beer, and only 10 fantasy works. Four books containing my own writings are added too (with more to follow).
These stats will change as I add more books from readings over five decades. In many cases, blogs and reviews will be added too.
Arthur Chappell
May 15, 2019
Book Review Honoré De Balzac’s The Atheists Mass
Book Review Honoré De Balzac’s The Atheist’s Mass
The Atheist's Mass
1838 Penguin Classics.
Spoiler alerts
Beautifully written satirical but poignant little parable in a convenient short story presentation. Balzac was an atheist himself, who often proved highly critical of religious sensibilities.
In the Atheist’s Mass the hero, Desplain, a wealthy French Surgeon and a socially notorious outspoken atheist is spotted sneaking into a church every now and then by his inquisitive valet, who sees him actually saying what to all intents and purposes look like prayers. Suspecting hypocrisy and deception on the grand scale, the servant follows his master, and eventually confronts his master and discovers the truth.
Desplain has not abandoned his principles at all. Though he remained an ardent practicing atheist, and true to his Humanism, he was going to mass as a promise to his ailing father who had lived ‘the simple faith of a charcoal burner’. The father had never criticised or condemned Despain’s atheism, but Desplain had made sure that his Father did have a mass said for him every day, knowing that the simple man took comfort in a faith Desplain despaired of.
Upon his father’s death, Desplain realized how indebted he was to his only benefactor, his father. He decided to reward the good man the only way he would probably accept it, by having a mass said for him specially four times a year, at his favorite church.
It would take a supreme act of Humanism to say prayers and attend masses in a faith you don’t believe, and here it is done from love of a good father.
The story shows that non-believers are as capable of goodness and moral decision making as anyone who has a strong religious foundation for their sense of right and wrong. Wonderful stuff.
Arthur Chappell
The Atheist's Mass
1838 Penguin Classics.
Spoiler alerts
Beautifully written satirical but poignant little parable in a convenient short story presentation. Balzac was an atheist himself, who often proved highly critical of religious sensibilities.
In the Atheist’s Mass the hero, Desplain, a wealthy French Surgeon and a socially notorious outspoken atheist is spotted sneaking into a church every now and then by his inquisitive valet, who sees him actually saying what to all intents and purposes look like prayers. Suspecting hypocrisy and deception on the grand scale, the servant follows his master, and eventually confronts his master and discovers the truth.
Desplain has not abandoned his principles at all. Though he remained an ardent practicing atheist, and true to his Humanism, he was going to mass as a promise to his ailing father who had lived ‘the simple faith of a charcoal burner’. The father had never criticised or condemned Despain’s atheism, but Desplain had made sure that his Father did have a mass said for him every day, knowing that the simple man took comfort in a faith Desplain despaired of.
Upon his father’s death, Desplain realized how indebted he was to his only benefactor, his father. He decided to reward the good man the only way he would probably accept it, by having a mass said for him specially four times a year, at his favorite church.
It would take a supreme act of Humanism to say prayers and attend masses in a faith you don’t believe, and here it is done from love of a good father.
The story shows that non-believers are as capable of goodness and moral decision making as anyone who has a strong religious foundation for their sense of right and wrong. Wonderful stuff.
Arthur Chappell
May 14, 2019
Never Read It But Reviewing It Anyway Steinbecks The Grapes Of Wrath
Why should not having read a book stop us reviewing it? It should be easy to work out what a book is about from the title, pictures on the cover and our own warped imaginations.
To prove the theory, here is my review of John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath
When fragments of a drunken comet hit a French vineyard, the irradiated grapes become sentient. They realize that they are to be squashed, sometimes by people standing on them in bare feet. They are to be boiled, fermented and poured in Chardonneys and Prosecco.
The grapes are livid and take their wrath out on the wine-loving citizens of the world. See giant angry grapes crushing wine snobs, and blood running like claret. See giant grapes drinking people and talking about the great vintage a thirty-three year old librarian really is.
Scary stuff, guarenteed to drive you to drink, but watch it doesn't drink you first. Beware The Grapes Of Wrath!
Arthur Chappell
To prove the theory, here is my review of John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath
When fragments of a drunken comet hit a French vineyard, the irradiated grapes become sentient. They realize that they are to be squashed, sometimes by people standing on them in bare feet. They are to be boiled, fermented and poured in Chardonneys and Prosecco.
The grapes are livid and take their wrath out on the wine-loving citizens of the world. See giant angry grapes crushing wine snobs, and blood running like claret. See giant grapes drinking people and talking about the great vintage a thirty-three year old librarian really is.
Scary stuff, guarenteed to drive you to drink, but watch it doesn't drink you first. Beware The Grapes Of Wrath!
Arthur Chappell
My First Listopia List
I have created my first list for Listopia, non-fiction pubs relating to beer, pubs and inn signs and breweries, etc. Feel free to get involved. https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
May 13, 2019
Why Summer Reading On Goodreads?
I never choose what I read according to the seasons. I know a lot of readers like a big book to take on holiday to read on the beach, or in their hotel, but my holidays tend to involve a lotof activity, touring, taking photos, seeing shows, taking part in things. I do not tend to sit around in hotels or on beaches. I do take books with me but usually fairly lightweight paperbacks so I don't over-burden my bag. I mainly then read on the bus or train journey.
To me any book has to be perenial and timeless. I will read a book set in a heatwave in either a heatwave or a blizzard. Therefore the Goodreads Summer Reading promotions don't do anything for me. No doubt many will appreciatethem though and I hope whatever you are reading or going to read, you enjoy it, whatever the season.
Arthur Chappell
To me any book has to be perenial and timeless. I will read a book set in a heatwave in either a heatwave or a blizzard. Therefore the Goodreads Summer Reading promotions don't do anything for me. No doubt many will appreciatethem though and I hope whatever you are reading or going to read, you enjoy it, whatever the season.
Arthur Chappell
Notes On My Book Titles
You will currently see four books listed as written by my good self at present.
The first, Watch The Signs! Watch The Signs! Arthur Chappell is authored by myself, with photo-contributions from several acknowledged sources (including me). The book is a non-fiction look at inn signs in the UK with a science fiction, fantasy and horror connection. It is published by Shoreline Of Infinity. It was originally a talk I gave at a science fiction convention in Birmingham in 2017. My publisher was in the audience and commissioned me to turn the presentation into the book.
2/. The 13th Mammoth Book Of The Best Erotica Of The Year is an anthology that contains a story by me, The Too Beautiful Boy, a dark horror tale with some sexual angles. It is an adults only work. (The other books are all open to any readers).
The other two books listed contain short stories and poems by myself (among many other writers) with a Christmas and Valentine's Day theme.
Enjoy, Arthur Chappell
The first, Watch The Signs! Watch The Signs! Arthur Chappell is authored by myself, with photo-contributions from several acknowledged sources (including me). The book is a non-fiction look at inn signs in the UK with a science fiction, fantasy and horror connection. It is published by Shoreline Of Infinity. It was originally a talk I gave at a science fiction convention in Birmingham in 2017. My publisher was in the audience and commissioned me to turn the presentation into the book.
2/. The 13th Mammoth Book Of The Best Erotica Of The Year is an anthology that contains a story by me, The Too Beautiful Boy, a dark horror tale with some sexual angles. It is an adults only work. (The other books are all open to any readers).
The other two books listed contain short stories and poems by myself (among many other writers) with a Christmas and Valentine's Day theme.
Enjoy, Arthur Chappell
May 12, 2019
My First GoodReads Blog
Hi, welcome to my Goodreads Blog. This is just a quick introduction, and a thank you for those kind enough to look in here.
My pub signs related to science fiction book is doing well, and you'll get to see my progress as an author here. Expect writings relating to Heraldry, cults, art, my day to day life in Preston, Lancashire, my voluntary work with the mental health, social work, medical and pharmacy teams at the University Of Central Lancashire (UCLan), and much more.
You can find more of my writings on Mylot too.
Arthur Chappell
My pub signs related to science fiction book is doing well, and you'll get to see my progress as an author here. Expect writings relating to Heraldry, cults, art, my day to day life in Preston, Lancashire, my voluntary work with the mental health, social work, medical and pharmacy teams at the University Of Central Lancashire (UCLan), and much more.
You can find more of my writings on Mylot too.
Arthur Chappell
