About Rob

Rob, a self-confessed bibliophile, is without any hope of rehabilitation. He gets unnaturally excited over anything book-shaped, and if book sniffing were a crime then he would have been locked up years ago (which wouldn't bother him in the slightest provided his cell was lined with books)

Chekhov Shorts: The Beggar

Title: The Beggar Date Read: 11th June 2013 Briefly: Mad that the beggar Lushkov would lie to him to try and gain a handout, the lawyer Skvortsov insists that he earns money chopping wood for him. The plan works, and in no time Skvortsov notices a … [Read more...]

Chekhov Shorts: Frost

Title: Frost Date Read: 11th June 2013 Briefly: The town has organised a fete to coincide with the Feast of Epiphany. And while it may be 31 degrees below zero, the townsfolk are determined that it will still go ahead. Afterthoughts: … [Read more...]

Devouring De Maupassant: Discovery

Title: Discovery Date Read: 10th June 2013 Available Online?: YES. Briefly: The narrator boards a steamer for a short trip from Havre to Trouville. While onboard he bumps into his old friend Henri Sidoine, who explains why he hates the English … [Read more...]

Devouring De Maupassant: The Accursed Bread

Title: The Accursed Bread Date Read: 10th June 2013 Available Online?: YES. Briefly: It's Rose's wedding, and at the reception relations between the two families are a little awkward to say the least. The bridegroom is encouraged to perform a … [Read more...]

Totally Fitzgerald: Retyping The Great Gatsby

Well, today sees the UK cinema launch of Baz Luhrmann’s adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. For weeks now we’ve been bombarded with all of the hype, the interviews, the shiny pictures and video footage of the film, and unless … [Read more...]

Introducing ‘Totally Fitzgerald’

Back in February/March you barely heard a peep from me, and for good reason. You see I had become totally absorbed with an author. I go through stages like this in my life, when I hook onto something - not always literature-related - and become so … [Read more...]

Bookshelf of the Week: Real Gabinete Português de Leitura

Built between 1880-1887 and occupying a site in downtown Rio de Janiero, the subject for this edition of BookShelf of the Week is the Real Gabinete Português de Leitura (Royal Portuguese Reading Room). The stunning image of the Real Gabinete … [Read more...]

Short Story Review: ‘Faithful Wife’ by Morley Callaghan

Story Title: Faithful Wife by Morley Callaghan Collection/Anthology?: Read from the New Yorker archive, issue dated December 28, 1929 (subscription required). Briefly: George is working his final week on the lunch counter at the station restaurant. … [Read more...]

Introducing ‘Totally Callaghan’

You know when you read something by an author that you’ve never read before and everything just feels right? You connect with his/her writing immediately. You find yourself hanging on every word that's set before you. You feel as though you and the … [Read more...]

Tasting the Edge Hill Short Story Prize 2013: Part 1

Wishing to do more around the Edge Hill Short Story Prize than simply report on it, I hit upon the idea of sampling each of the collections on this year's longlist. I do so to not only shine much needed light on an under featured prize, but also to … [Read more...]