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I finished the next two short stories and one only remains. I knew reading will come easy if I just let the old spark speak, instead of planning.

Tatarin was sensual. The rituals reminded me of the crazed that got into the heads of the stranded kids in Lord of the Flies. Men proclaiming slaves under their adoration of women.

I wonder at the Fathers and Sons. Could there really be that kind of family in the 1900s

Finished The Portrait of the Artist As A Filipino: 09/08/24

I want to go there, at Intramuros, and see the Old Manila for myself. The one that is buried in the memories and remembered in the songs of Bitoy. When they talked about the portrait being their punishment, I immediately thought of The Picture of Oscar Wilde. But I'm glad that the author released them from their bondage.

I wish you salvation, Tony Javier.

Part 1: Labyrinth 1

Although there is some truth to what the bluffer said about not having time to reread books when new books appear unceasingly and a quota is needed to be met in order for him to build up the man that he wants to become, reading books is not all about the quantity. That is why writers themselves take time to craft it. It needs proper thought, time and process. If you read a book without relish, yo

I am afraid to make any conjectures, to continue the sentence of which Matilda, the narrator of the story, is taking her time to finish. I am afraid that what I will say is the result of a corrupt and disgusting (find the right adjective) . I will listen to the advice of the best listeners of the world, and will shut my mind's mouth, stare at the pages and let the flow of her experience bring to life my blank slate.

It is such a pain to read David Cooperfield because of all the insults Davy's been getting from the Murdstones. It takes everything for me to continue reading because it is such a classic buildup of childhood trauma. Urgh

Moby Dick is divided into two contents: the plot and a cetology textbook. Granted, it seems thoughtful that he should provide us with background knowledge of whaling, but goodness, Mr. Melville, the plot! The plot! I need pictures of these types of whales, kinds of boats, and things needed on the ship. I find the book exhaustive. If not for the now-and-then humor of Ishmael

Aww. Our Paul doesn't want to fall in love. He hates that his emotions betray him and his "naturalness" that he is starting to hate the cause; his love, Miriam.

There's a continuous theme in the book. The men has a love and hate relationship with the women they fell in love with. Could it be because of the situation of their parents' marriage growing up?

I am very excited to read this. I hope I achieve the author's original intention and may it help me grow not only deeper in my understanding of God and my faith, but also of my relationship with my Creator.

She fell first because of his looks. Then his letters came, and they were all too exquisite; Very romantic and witty. She fell harder. But it was all a farce. Because the face and the letters are two different entities. The face is one she loved and the letters are written by the one who stands on the side, quietly adoring her. Valuing her friendship, he was content to be the ghostwriter of the man she loves.

It's a fun read. But my goodness, the amount of insult Eliza gets from Higgins is enough to shocn the whold world. It's good that we have Pickering

Menticide. To kill the mind.

No matter how resilient a person is, they will break under the condition of constant humiliation, hunger, brutality— causing them to lose hope, and finding that death is better. However, even this is under the power of the enemy.

"They saw him in the days of his triumph, without taking the trouble to investigate the cause of his success." (pertaining to Edward C Barnes)

"Those who would win in any undertaking must be willing to burn their ships and cut all sources of retreat."

Only a hundred or so pages left and I'm still tiptoeing my way through this book because i fear for all their lives.

I keep begging God to save them, i forget that the god of this book is Gaskell. Tsk, tsk.

As if one trouble is not enough, you let them go down like dominoes.

Why should you be so cruel, Mrs. Gaskell?

Are you another Thomas Hardy that you should embitter our hearts with injustice and death, Mrs. Gaskell?

I need a Charles Dickens right now.


That, in modern times, can be translated as 'i need a drink'

Errands of mercy — errands of sin — did you ever think where all the thousands of people you daily meet are bound?
- Mary Barton, E. Gaskell, page 102, Chapter VI, Penguin Classics

He thought they all looked joyous, and he was angry with them. But he could not, you cannot, read the lot of those who daily pass you by in the street. How do you know the wild romances of their lives; the trials, the temptations they are even now enduring, resisting, sinking under?
- Mary Barton, E. Gaskell, page 101, Chapter VI, Penguin Classics

Jem Wilson said nothing, but loved on and on, ever more fondly; he hoped against hope; he would not give up, for it seemed like giving up life to give up thought of Mary. He did not dare to look to any end of all this; the present, so that he saw her, touched the hem of her garment, was enough. Surely, in time, such deep love would beget love.
- Mary Barton, E. Gaskell, page 80, Chapter V, Penguin Classics

"People admire talent and talk about their admiration. But thet value common sense without talking about it, and often without knowing it."

"Margaret had the great charm of possessing good strong common sense, and do you not perceive how involuntary this is valued? It is so pleasant to have a friend who possesses the power of setting a difficult question in a clear light; whose judgement can tell which is best to be done; and who is convinced of what is the 'wisest, best', that in consideration of the end, all difficulties in the way diminish.