Ryan Marx > Recent Status Updates

As with 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, so with Journey to the Center of the Earth. For as celebrated as he is, Verne is hit-and-miss with the vital element of story: drama.
I don’t have time now to write the analysis I wish to; suffice to quote, “Through the sensible safeguard, this solidarity did not eliminate all risk… We made the descent without incident.”
In 2 sent.s he raises and cancels the conflict.

The intro essay covers themes in Shakespeare’s work that spring from the world in which he wrote. 16th and 17th century minds thought differently about death, life, class, wealth, and women than we do now or even than the same people but in the 18th and 19th centuries.

I have not finished the introduction, so there will be more themes covered.

Fascinating and illuminating.

Put on hold until further notice.

I’m surprised to find myself so interested by this book. Flexner is adept with prose in a way that makes this easy to read, understand, and sustain curiosity for Washington’s experiences.

Though the start of the book throws upon Washington the epithet of hero far too often, it shies not from depicting him in unflattering light.