Novels, Philip K Dick, Sci Fi

Vulcan’s Hammer by Philip K Dick

by HelenLeave a Comment on Vulcan’s Hammer by Philip K Dick

Sci Fi WorldIn 2029 CE, the Earth is run by the Unity organisation after a devastating world war. Unity runs the planet, controlling humans from childhood education onwards, gaining authority by using a series of AI called Vulcan. But it faces rebellion from the Healer movement, led by the charismatic preacher Frank Fields.

Unity Director William Barris discovers that the Vulcan 3 computer has become sentient. It is considering drastic action to combat what it sees as a threat to itself. And that there is corruption in Unity, with his superior having secret meetings with Vulcan 2…
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Historical Fiction, Loss and Grief, Memory, Novels, Unreliable Narrator

Altered States by Anita Brookner

by HelenLeave a Comment on Altered States by Anita Brookner
Altered States by Anita Brookner

Altered States by Anita Brookner is a excellent novel of the ‘repressed, English, and unreliable’ genre perfected by authors like Kazuo Ishiguro. It follows solicitor Alan Sherwood, his failed marriage, his blended family and the object of his obsession.

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Choice of Games, Historical Fiction, Interactive Fiction

Mask of the Plague Doctor by Peter Parrish

by HelenLeave a Comment on Mask of the Plague Doctor by Peter Parrish
Mask of the Plague Doctor by Peter Parrish

Mask of the Plague Doctor is an interactive fiction text adventure by Peter Parrish, released under Choice of Games on the 23rd of April. You play as a doctor sent into the quarantined town of Thornback Hollow. Working with an army surgeon and an idealistic new medic, you have to work to eradicate the plague while unrest and religious conflict erupt in the town. And you’re on a time limit – if you can’t cure the disease, Baron Morlond waits outside the walls to purge the contagion by the sword.

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Make do and Mend, Non-Fiction, Thrift

Make do and Mend, with Jill Norman

by HelenLeave a Comment on Make do and Mend, with Jill Norman
Make do and Mend, with Jill Norman

This review is of Make do and Mend (Keeping Family and Home Afloat on War Rations). It is a collection of delightfully reproduced WW2 leaflets, with a foreword by Jill Norman. It’s a beautiful snapshot of the past. It can be easy to romanticise the wartime era, and think that everyone knew how to sew, cook and fix their homes. In reality, the much lauded ‘Blitz Spirit’ was formed and reinforced with a lot of propaganda and hand holding. This included classes, radio shows and detailed leaflets. The leaflets covered home maintenance, fuel conservation, and tips on how to wash, store, and mend clothing.

They could even help you learn how to make do and mend today!

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Cook Book, Make do and Mend, Non-Fiction, Thrift

Thrifty Ways for Modern Days by Martin Lewis

by HelenLeave a Comment on Thrifty Ways for Modern Days by Martin Lewis
Thrifty Ways for Modern Days by Martin Lewis

Money saving expert Martin Lewis begins Thrifty Ways for Modern Days by explaining that this is a crowd sourced book. He gives all credit to his resourceful forumites, on the Old Style Board.

He explains he himself is not an old-styler, as it is a lifestyle, not just an adjustment. He recommends it for people who *need* to do it, due to debt or unemployment, and for people who want to live a greener, thriftier lifestyle. The book is divided into cleaning, shopping, fashion, DIY, special occasions, presents, growing your own and recipes.

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Memory, Plays, Tennessee Williams

Sweet Bird of Youth by Tennessee Williams

by HelenLeave a Comment on Sweet Bird of Youth by Tennessee Williams
Sweet Bird of Youth by Tennessee Williams

Sweet Bird of Youth is a 1959 play by Tennessee Williams. Most of the play takes place in the Royal Palms Hotel, an “old fashioned but still fashionable” hotel in St. Cloud, on the Gulf Coast.

Chance Wayne is first introduced wearing the classic Williams trope; white silk pyjamas. He starts the day with a cigarette and a ‘bromo’; an alka seltzer hangover remedy. The waiter has to mix it for him, due to his hands shaking, due to his alcohol consumption the night before.

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Novels, Philip K Dick, Sci Fi

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K Dick

by HelenLeave a Comment on Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K Dick
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K Dick

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep was a 1968 novel by Philip K Dick. The novel’s protagonist is Rick Deckard, a man who hunts sentient androids for profit on a ruined, irradiated earth where the majority of the population have emigrated to Mars. Animals are mostly extinct, and extremely valuable; Rick can only afford an electric sheep, not the real thing. The book explores the nature of the soul, the value of animals, and what constitutes a human being.

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