Tag: book blog
A fun and interesting read on the English languages with many facets covered in short page long paragraphs to be like the radio show and its format.
At times entertaining and at others a bit boring and longwinded it felt.
A beautiful, powerful, potent poem. Very moving and easily to see how it stirred the soul back in the 19th Century. Shame on you Lord Elgin! Defacing the Acropolis.
Took me over a year to read this short book. It was interesting in parts and foused on the theft of the Marbles and the damage done to the Acropolis and Greece as a nation, lots have been written about the ‘theft’ or ‘rescue’ depending on how you see it.
As someone mentioned in another review the author sees herself as a classicist but really comes across as a classist with her views on the poverty of previous generations and her father. She really spoiled her own book to me.
A lot of time spend on Lord Elgin, who is the main villain but depending on the truth of the matter (nobody has any evidence of the Firman issued beyond a translated Italian version) the interpretion of the Firman could be varied depending on whos eyes read it. And if not Elgin and England had procured the Marbles then surely they would be in Paris or elsewhere.
I do think they should be returned home, but I dont see it happening any time soon.
I am glad to finally be done with this book from my reading pile.
An excellent follow up to Night Walking and more of the same, which is not a bad thing.
Wonderful adventures in the dark and including different locations like the Lake District, coastal Wales and along the Thames.
It does inspire one to want to go for night walks and see a different side to British nature we miss out on because the wonders come alive when we are tucked up in bed, and there is more to nocturnal wildlife than owls and badgers.
Valley Reviews 