Gilead by Marilynne Robinson: The Finest Novel So Far This Century
A literary masterpiece is not only well-written and has complex characters, but engages with the reader by offering them a unique and rewarding experience through philosophy, history, faith and a national language. This is the reason why I acclaim Dostoevsky’s Crime...
The Apocalypse In The 21st Century
Apocalyptic thinking has dominated the 21st century. But it’s not a new phenomenon. Concerns and fears of the end times have shaped much of human history, whether one looks at the Norse prophecy of Ragnarök, a Mayan calendar or manuscript culture around 1000 A.D....
Why The Harry Potter Fandom Is So Creative
The Harry Potter fandom is one of the most noteworthy aspects of the Wizarding world. This isn’t always positive – one can only look at how some fans have treated J.K Rowling for voicing sensible views on women’s spaces. However, this is one aspect and not every...
Yes, You Should Reread Novels
It’s a fantastic idea to re-read novels. I’m currently revisiting Elizabeth Kostova’s The Historian, a vampire thriller. The story is excellent: from the references to Vlad The Impaler to the depiction of Istanbul as well as the historical commentary on the Byzantium...
What Makes A Novel Beautiful? Here Are Six Criteria For Great Literature
It is easy to label a song, building or painting as ‘beautiful.’ The same applies for sculpture, fashion, poetry and cinema. Unfortunately, novels receive little mention in discussions about art and beauty. When the topic arises, the discussion is limited to ‘pretty...
Are You Mature Enough To Write And Publish?
One interesting observation of writing communities is the insecurity regarding age. On forums like Reddit, many teenagers and young adults enquire whether they should publish or even write at all. Most answers are encouraging. However, there is a need to convey that...
Mind-Magic: Creative Non-Fiction
My father and I walk along the caves where water awaits. Our suburb, Lane Cove, is home to Riverview. There, you’ll discover an elite Jesuit all boys school named St. Ignatius College. It covers vast amounts of space and former farmland, where cars and trucks must...
The Moral Duty of Novelists: Excellence And Truth
The conflation between an artist and their moral responsibility is a controversial topic. On one hand, you have a libertarian approach, where a novelist has free reign and no moral duties to society, literature or to themselves. Yet the alternative is also...
The Cathars Posed A Serious Threat To Medieval Christendom
Ideological warfare dominates our past, present and future. As empires rise and fall among the many civilisations known to mankind, we must understand the role of ideology. As Aristotle points out, we are ‘political animals’ prone to ideology and emotion. The concept...Welcome To Snowy Fictions
Frequent essays on literature, history & culture. Dedicated to liberty.
