Category Archives: Book Review

Scarlet Pimpernel – A Fun Read

Posted on January 18, 2021 by Joel D. Hirst

We do love England. Stuffy sometimes and royalist to the core; the fog-laden wind blowing the opposite direction bucking trends in politics or culture product of the good-humoured orneriness of the Britt. Safe, quiet vales and hollows away from the … Continue reading →

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Agent Sonya – A Book Review

Posted on January 13, 2021 by Joel D. Hirst

Its easy to think of Europe as we know it today. Boring and dull. Sticky cheese and over-priced wine; but oh so comfortable. Old and nostalgic. Its that way on purpose, because the first half of the 20th century was … Continue reading →

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Resurrection

Posted on January 3, 2021 by Joel D. Hirst

Towards the end of his life, and after more than 25 years of silence, Leo Tolstoy returned. He had something, one last thing perhaps to say. “Resurrection” was Tolstoy’s reflections upon a long life in Tsarist Russia. The book is … Continue reading →

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Apples of Immortality

Posted on January 2, 2021 by Joel D. Hirst

For those who love medieval literature – Chaucer or the Brothers Grim – for those who love faerie tales from Ireland – you will love Apples of Immortality. Stories that come from the olden Armenian traditions, handed down from father … Continue reading →

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A Short Story Worth Dying For

Posted on November 27, 2020 by Joel D. Hirst

Sometimes you stumble across something that is majestic. That’s what happened with “Farewell Aylis”, by Azeri novelist Akram Aylisli. Specifically, of this “Non-Traditional Novel”, the second short story – Stone Dreams. Stone Dreams is a story of an Azeri man … Continue reading →

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3 Books To Change The Way You Think

Posted on November 22, 2020 by Joel D. Hirst

One of the things about a pandemic, of which I hope you are taking advantage (as I am) is the ‘free time’ to read. Without our long commutes, with workloads somewhat reduced (so much of my job is meetings and … Continue reading →

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“Apocalypse Never” – A Must Read

Posted on November 17, 2020 by Joel D. Hirst

Does the sight of a dolphin make you sad? Does the gentle lapping of the sea only make you think of the plastic water-bottle in your hand? Does a sunset fill you with fear and panic? Do you look at … Continue reading →

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To Be Burned Twice

Posted on November 13, 2020 by Joel D. Hirst

“For, to be burned twice in one’s lifetime, is, after all, a rare distinction.” I recently finished reading Arthur Koestler’s two-part auto-biography, P1 “Arrow in the Blue” and P2 “The Invisible Writing”. Finished when he was only thirty-five years old … Continue reading →

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Discovering A Great Voice

Posted on September 17, 2020 by Joel D. Hirst

There is nothing more extraordinary, more exhilarating than the discovery of a great voice. A singular talent tucked away and unsung except for those who know, and those who search to fill that space within their souls that only is … Continue reading →

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Soviet Short Stories

Posted on September 7, 2020 by Joel D. Hirst

There are few like the great Russian masters. Perhaps its the harsh winters that encourage contemplation; maybe its the beauty of the Russian language itself, with its depth of tenses and tremendous descriptive power that encourages people to put ideas, … Continue reading →

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