Reader's Advisory: Historical Fiction

Do you like your fiction with a dash (or even a lot) of historical accuracy? If so, you've come to the right place. I recently read The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory and it got me to thinking if there were other authors who have as much historical accuracy in their novels as she does. And the answer is, yes.

What exactly is historical fiction? As defined by Joyce G. Saricks in The Readers' Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction,  it is "a novel set in the past, before the author's lifetime or experience." This can apply to many different types of fiction, including mystery, thriller or adventure. Usually, though, fans of those types of novels don't read them for the historical accuracy.

An historical novel usually examines the life of a real person or a real event. There may not be a lot of information about this person or time, so the author tries to fill in the gaps using their research and their imagination. Fans of this type of fiction are usually interested in history, but don't want to sit down and read a history text book.

So, if you are interested in trying a new genre or are looking for a few new options, take a look at these authors.


-- Margaret George

Margaret George's books have told the lives of many different historical figures, often through the lens of an "autobiography." Her lengthy, yet accessible stories, cover many areas of history. She has written about Henry VIII, Mary Magdalene, Cleopatra and Helen of Troy. Be ready to be totally immersed in the subject's life and their times.

Suggested start: The Autobiography of Henry VIII (1986)



-- Philippa Gregory

The author of over 20 novels, Phillipa Gregory made her mark with The Other Boleyn Girl in 2001. This was the first in a series of books about the Tudor dynasty. It took a look at Mary Boleyn, Anne's sister. While history has recorded much about Anne, there wasn't a lot of information about Mary. Gregory solved that by doing meticulous research into the time period and the Boleyn family and creating an interesting and fascinating life for the "other" Boleyn sister. She continued this success with a series of books about the Plantagenets, an earlier English royal family.

Suggested start: The Other Boleyn Girl (2001)

-- John Jakes

For sweeping sagas about the early years of the United States, you're not going to find a better author than John Jakes. His two most famous series are the Kent Family Chronicles and the North and South Trilogy. The Kent Family Chronicles is an eight book series that follows the lives of the Kent family from before the start of the American Revolution through to the late 19th century. The North and South Trilogy focuses on two families tied by a long friendship that is torn apart because of the Civil War. 

Suggested start: The Bastard (1974).

-- Jeff Shaara

The son of famous Civil War author, Michael Shaara, Jeff Shaara has continued his father's dedication to telling engaging and richly detailed stories of American history. His first book, Gods and Generals, is a prequel to his father's The Killer Angels. Shaara also wrote a sequel to it, The Last Full Measure. This prolific writer has branched out to include series about the American Revolution and World Wars I and II. 

Suggested start: Rise to Rebellion (2001)

-- Irving Stone

Another author who mastered the biographical novel is Irving Stone. These long and leisurely paced novels cover the well known and the not so well known. Stone focused on historical figures he felt had been given an unfair reputation. In these stories he tries to redeem them. His subjects include Vincent Van Gogh, Sigmund Freud, John and Abigail Adams and Charles Darwin. 

Suggested start: The Agony and The Ecstasy: A Biographical Novel of Michelangelo (1961)

-- Alison Weir

In a similar vein to Philippa Gregory, Weir focuses on historical royal figures. Her biographical novels are very character driven with a simple, direct style. Her subjects have included Lady Jane Grey, Queen Elizabeth I and Eleanor of Aquitaine. Before writing historical novels, Weir was known for her historical biographies. She has said that she found it very freeing to not have to stick to just the facts while writing fiction. Weir continues to write both types of books.

Suggested start: Innocent Traitor (2006)

-- Post by Tracy

A Suspicious Character

On the morning of August 31, 1888, the body of Mary Ann "Polly" Nichols was discovered in the district of London known as Whitechapel. Suffering from alcoholism, Nichols was estranged from her husband and had been supporting herself through employment at workhouses as well as through prostitution. Her brutal murder remains unsolved to this day.

Yet despite that, you've heard of her killer: Nichols is considered the first victim of the infamous Jack the Ripper.

For having so utterly captured the attention and imagination of so many historians, writers, investigators, actors, and audience members worldwide, there's little we really know about Jack the Ripper. Four other victims were ascribed to the Ripper -- Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes, and Mary Jane Kelly, all impoverished prostitutes -- whose murders occurred over a three-month period. (There may have been other victims as well, a possibility historians still debate to this day.) 

The press referred to the killer as "Leather Apron," until a letter was sent to the police that described details only the murderer would be aware of. The letter was signed "Jack the Ripper."

Jack the Ripper horrified London with his brutal mutilating of his victims' bodies after their deaths. The apparent inability of the police to do anything about him fueled the city's panic (while the newspapers filled their headlines with revulsion and horror). The killings eventually stopped, but the identity of the Ripper was never discovered. (It hasn't stopped people from trying to guess; there are over 100 theories about the Ripper's real identity.)

For better or worse, Jack the Ripper remains an iconic figure in history -- and in the public's imagination -- to this day. Countless history books have been written about the Ripper, as well as fictionalized accounts in novels, television shows, films, and even graphic novels.

Here are five of the most noteworthy works about Jack the Ripper:

 

1. Dust and Shadow: An Account of the Ripper Killings by Dr. John H. Watson by Lyndsay Faye [historical fiction]

There are hundreds of fictionalized novels about Jack the Ripper. Perhaps it's unsurprising that, of those hundreds, dozens of them are devoted to an irresistible idea for fans of the Victorian era: what if you combined history's most infamous serial killer with the world's most famous fictional detective?

Though Sherlock Holmes creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle never pitted his fictional character against the real-life murderer Jack the Ripper, it hasn't stopped dozens of later authors from doing just that. I've read a fair few Holmes-vs.-the-Ripper stories and novels, and I can tell you that Lyndsay Faye's offering, while one of the most recent attempts, is also easily the best.

Thoroughly researching both the known facts behind Jack the Ripper -- as well as keeping her Sherlock Holmes canon straight -- Faye delivers a historical mystery that perfectly blends the factual with the fictional. As Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson face off against a darker evil than any they've encountered before, Faye infuses her story with wit, horror, honor, and friendship. (Just what any Sherlockian fan hopes for in a Holmes pastiche!) Faye even delivers a truly plausible theory on who the Ripper might have been.

Also try:

* A Study in Terror - a 1965 thriller film pitting Holmes against the Ripper.
* Murder by Decree - starring Christopher Plummer as Sherlock Holmes and James Mason as Dr. Watson.

2. From Hell: Being a Melodrama in Sixteen Parts by Alan Moore, Eddie Campbell, and Pete Mullins [graphic novel]

Alongside such names as Neil Gaiman and Grant Morrison, Alan Moore is considered by comic book aficionados to be one of the all-time great comics authors. And while Moore has written plenty of superhero stories, he also has written comic miniseries and graphic novels that blend aspects of classic literature and historical fiction.

Here, Moore delves into Victorian London with his own take on the Jake the Ripper legend. Published in the early 90s, the graphic novel takes its title from one of the letters sent by Jack the Ripper to the authorities. The series itself takes the tack that the Ripper murders actually had a sinister political motive behind them, and that a member of the Royal Family was even involved. (Moore did point out that he did not think this was factually likely; rather, it made for an intriguing story to tell.) Moore's writing is usually, to put it mildly, dark and gritty -- and the violence and gore of From Hell is no exception.

Despite being historically unlikely in terms of the Ripper's identity, Moore and artist Campbell still did their research to try to get the details as accurate as possible. There are also "cameos" from a variety of Victorian and Edwardian celebrities, from Oscar Wilde and Aleister Crowley to William Morris and Joseph Merrick (the Elephant Man).

Also try:

* From Hell -- the 2001 film adaptation starring Johnny Depp.

3. Portrait of a Killer: Jack the Ripper, Case Closed by Patricia Cornwell [non-fiction]

Patricia Cornwell is best known for her Kay Scarpetta mystery novels. But in 2002, Cornwell -- a former computer analyst at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Richmond, Virginia -- embarked on a different sort of project. Self-financing her efforts, Cornwell went out to research, examine, and uncover the identity of Jack the Ripper.

Familiar as she was with forensic techniques, Cornwell's intentions were to solve the 19th-century case using 21st-century methods. She gained access to original evidence (including the letters sent by the Ripper to the police), as well as documents and records from the time. She included scientific and law-enforcement experts in her efforts, contacting FBI profilers and forensic scientists, and cumulated her search with an attempt to recover DNA samples from the Ripper himself.

Her conclusion as to the identity of the killer is compelling, though not conclusive enough to stop the endless debates on how accurate her theory may be. Regardless, her study and resultant theory make for a compelling read -- and offer a new possibility as to the Ripper's identity.

Also try:

* The Complete History of Jack the Ripper - by Philip Sugden
* Jack the Ripper: The Definitive History - by Paul Begg
* The Complete Jack the Ripper - by Donald Rumbelow

4. Ripper Street [BBC series]

Set in London's East End six months after the last of the Ripper murders, this BBC television series follows two detectives who are still trying to uncover some answers.

Though it's been six months since the Ripper's last appearance, the killings appear to have started again. Detective Inspector Edmund Reid and Detective Sergeant Bennet Drake join forces with Homer Jackson (a former surgeon and Pinkerton agent) in their quest to find Jack the Ripper and bring him to justice once and for all. Meanwhile, they must deal with the crime and dark secrets of Victorian London.

While each episode of the series features a stand-alone mystery to be solved, there are long-running story arcs that keep the characters' lives -- professional and personal -- tied together. There will be a second season of the show, making now a great time to catch up on what you've missed so far.

Also try:

* The New Exhibit - An episode of The Twilight Zone.
* Wolf in the Fold - An episode of Star Trek: The Original Series.
* Comes the Inquisitor - An episode of Babylon 5.

5. The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog [silent film]

While Hitchcock will always be remembered primarily for his talkies, his early silent films should not be overlooked. This 1927 film, directed by Hitchcock, was based on the work of Marie Belloc Lowndes, who wrote the original story (and later co-authored the play adapted from it).

While the villain of the title is not Jack the Ripper, the character was certainly inspired by him. Known as "the Avenger," the killer targets young blonde women as his victims. While the newspapers are awash with the latest news about the Avenger, the killer himself seems impossible to track down.

The blonde-haired Daisy finds her friends' fears laughable (she decides, for instance, not to wear one of the wigs that her friends are using to camouflage their hair color). Then a mysterious new tenant shows up at Daisy's parents', with his unusual mannerisms and quirks all pointing to an undeniable warning sign. But when Daisy fails to see the danger, those around her become determined to protect her.

It all sounds fairly predictable -- but this is Hitchcock, after all. Things are not all as they seem to be, and the ending is bittersweet and sweet. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled during the newsroom scene for Hitchcock's classic director's cameo.

Also try:

* The Lodger - a similar film released in 1944, directed by John Brahm.



-- Post by Ms. B

Captains and Crews

This past August 19th would have been Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry's 92nd birthday. For two sci-fi geeks like us, that's all the excuse we need to talk a little Trek!

In honor of the occasion, we're presenting you with our highly-subjective list of the Top 10 Greatest Trek Characters. (Feel free to weigh in at the comments with the names we missed!)

-- Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Star Trek: The Next Generation)

 "It is possible to commit no mistakes and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is *life*."

TRACY: When Star Trek: The Next Generation debuted in 1987, Gene Roddenberry was looking to have a very different crew than the one on Star Trek. And that started with the Captain. While there is no disputing the allure and charm of Captain Kirk, Jean-Luc Picard is a much different character. Picard is an intelligent, thoughtful leader. Where Kirk often was ready to jump into any adventure, Picard likes to think about his options first. He is a first-class negotiator who will follow the Prime Directive (no interference with developing alien civilizations) at almost any cost.

Some people have stated that Picard is a cold fish, but I believe that is the farthest thing from the truth. He may keep his emotions more hidden than many, but he is devoted to the well-being and safety of all those aboard the Enterprise. As seen in many episodes of The Next Generation, his crew is just as devoted to him and will risk their lives for him. This is most evident when Picard is assimilated by the Borg, a hostile alien race, in Season 3. This experience will also shape Picard and will haunt him for a very long time.

-- Captain James T. Kirk (Star Trek -- 2009 Film Series)

"There's greatness in you, but there's not an ounce of humility."

MS. B: I know, I know. Chris Pine's turn as Captain Kirk in the rebooted Star Trek films series will never hold a candle to the actor who created the role in the original series. But hear me out.

Jim Kirk has always been the kind of guy who bends the rules as needed and is likely to favor action over words. But the new film franchise has given movie-goers a chance to see how Kirk became the character as they've always known him to be. Pine's Kirk starts out brash and hot-headed, but as his story progresses, he's placed into situations where learning humility and responsibility are necessary -- not just to make him less insufferable, but to ensure the safety of the crew that depends on him. The fact that he's willing to learn these lessons for the sake of his crew, more than for the sake of himself, results in a character that truly earns the title of "captain."

With added layers of depth, and a true character arc, Pine's Captain Kirk is both fun to watch and utterly relatable. The result is a character that has become one of my very favorite Trek captains. 

(Just don't tell William Shatner.)

-- Chief Engineer Montgomery "Scotty" Scott (Star Trek -- 2009 Film Series)

"I like this ship!  It's *exciting*!"

TRACY: As a fan of the original Star Trek series, I was a little hesitant to see the reboot in 2009 by J.J. Abrams. However, I was quickly won over by all of the characters, but most especially by Scotty. In the film, Scotty is not an original member of the Enterprise. Kirk finds Scotty and his alien friend Keenser at a Starfleet base on a snow-covered planet, where Scotty has been "exiled" for his attempt to beam an admiral's prized beagle to an unknown location. 

Scotty's start in the reboot might be a bit different from his origin story in the original series, but he's just as resourceful an engineer. Through his transwarp-beaming theories, he's able to beam Kirk and himself onto the Enterprise and, therefore, help save the day. Scotty has always had to be resourceful, but in Star Trek: Into Darkness, we also get to see a man who stands up for what he thinks is right, and who also gets to have a wee bit more adventure than his Original Series character ever did. 

-- Dr. Julian Bashir (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine)

"The eternal optimist."

"Guilty as charged."

MS. B: Deep Space Nine has long been regarded as the black sheep of the Trek family. With its darker themes and shades-of-gray characterizations, it's a somewhat unusual series in a franchise whose focus has always been on celebrating the best aspects of humanity. Which is precisely what made Julian Bashir such a beloved character of mine.

At the start of the show, Dr. Bashir is a newly graduated doctor whose bright-eyed enthusiasm and cheerful audacity grates at the nerves of more than a few of his co-workers. Some of his never-say-die optimism is a result of his naivety -- and, indeed, over the seasons, Bashir has his deepest morals and convictions challenged time and time again. But despite his experiences, Bashir never loses sight of his belief in the best of people, always keeping his "Starfleet ideals" firmly intact.

-- First Officer Spock (Star Trek and Star Trek -- 2009 Film Series)

"I have been, and always shall be, your friend."

TRACY: Okay, I have two Spocks here. But I couldn't pick between the two! I find them both so fascinating!

As first officer to James Kirk, Spock (from the original series) is a balance to Kirk's more devil-may-care attitude. But he is also Kirk's must trusted friend and advisor. Spock can always be relied upon to provide the most logical answer to any question or situation. Spock and Kirk, in the reboot, have a rocky start to their friendship. But this too turns into a trusted friendship, after some advice to reboot Spock from original series Spock. Throughout the original series/films and the new series of films, that friendship is at the heart of these stories.

Spock is the son of Sarek, a Vulcan dignitary, and Amanda, a human. This dichotomy of cultures is a struggle that Spock faces on a constant basis. Vulcans are a logical species who suppress their emotions -- while humans are an emotional and, often times, volatile species. Spock seems to want to deny the part of him that is human, the part that does not always suppress his emotions. But when faced with the loss of people very dear to him, we see Spock let his emotions get the better of him, like many humans would do in the same situation. 

-- Lieutenant Commander Data (Star Trek: The Next Generation)

"Do you consider yourself superior to humans?" 

"I am superior, sir, in many ways. But I would gladly give it up to be human." 

MS. B: Partly inspired by the writings of sci-fi author Isaac Asmiov, Data would quickly develop into a wholly original character. An officer on the Enterprise, Data is an android -- a robot that appears to be human, but who is tougher, stronger, and faster than any human could ever be. With a computer for a brain, Data's also got the ability to make calculations that are always immediate and accurate, although it also leaves him unable to master the more subtle intricacies of human behavior and emotion.

For all his superior abilities, Data's fondest wish remains to be human. Throughout the seven-season run (and four feature films) of The Next Generation, Data never ceases striving towards what may be an unreachable goal. Still, it is his unfailing determination to rise to such challenges that reminds viewers of what being human is all about.

-- Guinan (Star Trek: The Next Generation)

"I've told you what you must do. You have only your trust in me to help you decide to do it."

TRACY: Guinan is one of the most interesting and compelling characters in all of the Star Trek universe. When Guinan joins the Enterprise, she is already over 600 years old. She comes from a race of listeners, which helps her in her capacity as hostess/bartender of the ship's lounge, Ten Forward. 

She is also an old and very special friend of Captain Picard's. Actually, they both say that their relationship goes beyond friendship. Picard trusts her advice, like he trusts no other. Many times he has taken her advice when it seemed to go against his better judgment. But, in the end, Guinan's intuition usually is right. 

-- Garak (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine)

"The truth is usually just an excuse for a lack of imagination."

MS. B: Originally intended as a spear carrier on Deep Space Nine, Garak would evolve to become one of the most complex and intriguing characters in the history of Trek. A shop owner on the DS9 space station, Garak is trapped on the station after being exiled from his home planet. Precisely why he is in exile, however, is a mystery. So is his previous occupation, in which he was probably a spy, despite his insistence that he's never been more than a "plain, simple tailor." 

Tailor or spy, there's no denying that Garak always knows more than he's telling -- especially since he's not about to tell the truth when a lie will do. And as layers of his past are gradually revealed, the audience is still not always sure exactly whose side Garak is on. Mysterious, complex, and with an unbeatable sense of humor, Garak remains a favored character of many Deep Space Nine fans.

-- Lt. Commander Worf (Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine)

"Sir, I protest! I am not a merry man!"

TRACY: As a Klingon, Worf would never have been able to serve upon the Enterprise of the original series. In the 23rd century, humans and Klingons were enemies. But a century later, there was a fragile peace that allowed Worf to become a member of Starfleet. Worf is a complex character that struggles with his upbringing on Earth by humans who adopted him as a child, his place as an officer on the Enterprise, and his natural intensity as a Klingon. 

Despite what seems like his great annoyance with humans, he develops very strong and meaningful relationships with many of his crew mates. One of those was with Security Officer Natasha Yar, who was somewhat of a role model for him when he unexpectedly had to take on her position after her untimely death. His friendship with Counselor Deanna Troi also has a profound affect on him throughout the years, as she gives him a calm and reassuring person to turn to.

-- Major Kira Nerys (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine)

"Your faith seems to have led you to something of a contradiction."

"I don't see it as a contradiction."

MS. B: The second-in-command on Starfleet's Deep Space Nine space station, Major Kira Nerys is a Bajoran -- a people who have just come out of a forty-year period of being occupied by an alien race. Kira herself had a rough childhood, growing up in a refugee camp and losing both her parents at a young age. When we meet her on the station, she is tough, guarded, and very, very angry.

Over the course of the series, Kira works away at the anger, sadness, and fear left in her from her days as a Resistance fighter, gradually overcoming her pain with help from both her friends and her strong religious faith. The definite character arc and development that Kira is given makes her one of the most complex and compelling figures in the series -- an honor afforded to few other female Trek characters.




-- Post by Tracy and Ms. B

Bad to the Bone

There was a little girl 
Who had a little curl
Right in the middle of her forehead.
When she was good,
She was very, very good --
But when she was bad, she was horrid.

Okay, it's kind of a silly way to describe a kid. But if we were talking instead about the art of writing poetry, those last three lines are right on target.

Writing poetry is hard. After all, poetry is the art of using the imagery and melody of words to convey the deepest of human emotions. It is, to put it mildly, a tricky balance act to get just right.

So it really shouldn't come as much of a surprise when it sometimes goes so, so wrong.

It's not that kind of "apology," but you can still appreciate the sentiment.

I took several poetry classes in college, and I came away with a deeper appreciation of poetry than I'd had before. I also came away with a strong love of bad poetry, because -- well, as you'll see, the bad poems can have a charm all their own. (I'm not alone in feeling this way: August 18 is the semi-official holiday of Bad Poetry Day.)

Bad poetry doesn't always happen accidentally, of course. Some of the best examples are poems written by their authors to be deliberately bad, either to serve a story or simply to entertain the audience. Gordon R. Dickson, a classic sci-fi writer, had the hero of his novel The Dragon and the George compose the following ode to the boredom of long trips:


An hour, an hour ... another hour ... 
Without a difference I can see, 
Like faceless children on a wall 
That stretches to eternity ...


It's not the best simile, maybe, but I'll give it that the image sticks with you.

The Internet is quite good at producing intentionally-bad poetry.

Then there was humorist Dave Barry, who was invited to write a poem by a "publishing company" who was soliciting some 3,000 other poems for publication in an anthology, which they would then sell to their 3,000 poets at the steal-away price of $49.95. Barry seemed to sense some funny business about the whole enterprise, and so he may not have been taking himself overly seriously when he wrote his entry for the project, simply titled Love. Here's a sample:


Love is what made Lassie the farm dog run back to the farmhouse to alert little Timmy's farm family whenever little Timmy fell into a dangerous farm pit;
Love is a feeling that will not go away, like a fungus in your armpit;
So the bottom line is that there will always be lovers
Wishing to express their love in an heirloom quality book with imported French marbleized covers;
Which, at $49.95 a pop multiplied by 3,000 poets
Works out to gross literary revenues of roughly $150,000, so it's
A good bet that whoever thought up the idea of publishing this book
Doesn't care whether this last line rhymes.


It wouldn't be Barry's final poetry-writing efforts, I'm happy to say.

Of course, the poems that are written in genuine earnestness -- but don't turn out to be quite as awe-inspiring as their authors intended -- are probably the most fun. Take this quatrain by John Close, a nineteenth-century poet whose output might be considered by critics to be inversely proportional to his talent:


Around the gods, each seated on a throne,
The poets, crowned like royal kings they sat.
Around their heads a dazzling halo shone,
No needs of mortal robes, or any hat.


Hats aside, I'm sensing a little hubris here anyway.

The Vogon aliens in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy torture their prisoners by reading terrible Vogon poetry to them. 

Sometimes bad poetry presents itself in the most unexpected of places. Poor Elisha Woodruff wasn't even a poet, but may be doomed to remembrance at the hands of Bad Poetry. Born in 1746, he would grow up to oversee the construction of two saw-mills in Vermont. He kept both in operation until 1816, when he was killed in an accident by his own merchandise. The epitaph on his tombstone mostly speaks fondly of Woodruff, as a husband, father, and friend, but the inscription begins with these verses:


How shocking to the human mind
The log did him to powder grind.


At least he'll be remembered.

There are times when bad poetry is unexpected because it's written by a poet who should know better. Eulalie might be the best example of this phenomenon, being written by Edgar Allan Poe, who is generally known as, y'know, a rather talented guy. Here's an exert from this particular masterpiece:


I dwelt alone
In a world of moan,
And my soul was a stagnant tide,
Till the fair and gentle Eulalie became my blushing bride ...


That the vapor can make
With the moon-tints of purple and pearl,
Can vie with the modest Eulalie's most unregarded curl --
Can compare with the bright-eyed Eulalie's most humble and careless curl.


This was most likely written the same year as Poe's poetry magnum opus The Raven. Apparently, he either wrote The Raven first and used up all his efforts for the year doing so, or he wrote Eulalie first and was saving his strength for more important works later.

In the hit show Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the fearsome vampire Spike was previously known as William the Bloody because ... he wrote bloody awful poetry.

Poe wasn't alone in his ability to be a great writer who, like all human (and therefore fallible) artists, could still occasionally drop the ball. William Wordsworth, who is notable for writing my personal favorite poem, I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud, was also the "artist" behind The Thorn:


This heap of earth o’ergrown with moss,
Which close beside the Thorn you see,
So fresh in all its beauteous dyes,
Is like an infant’s grave in size,
As like as like can be:
But never, never any where,
An infant’s grave was half so fair.


I suppose we can't argue with that.

I'd be remiss in this entry if I didn't mention William McGonagall. He was a nineteenth-century poet who, much like director Ed Wood, has developed a cult following out of sheer admiration for the level of bad he was able to achieve. A weaver by trade, McGonagall found himself one summer morning suddenly inspired to write. His first effort was a tribute to his friend, the Reverend George Gilfallan, which began:


Rev. George Gilfallan of Dundee, there is none can you excel;
You have boldly rejected the Confession of Faith, and defended your cause quite well.
The first time I heard him speak, 'twas in Kinnaird Hall,
Lecturing on the Garibaldi movement, as loud as he could bawl.


Although my personal favorite is a tribute he wrote in honor of Sir John Ogilvy, a politician:


He was a public benefactor in many ways.
Especially in erecting an asylum for imbecile children to spend their days.


(You can read lots more of McGonagall's poetry here.)

Ross, of Friends fame, has been known to perform what he refers to as "wordless sound poems." Whether they're truly poetry or music, their ... quality remains unaffected.

It might surprise you to know (or perhaps not), but there is actually a contender for the Worst Poem Ever Written. It was composed by Theophilus Marzials, and is entitled A Tragedy. You can read the whole thing here, if you dare, but here's a sampling:


My thought is running out of my head;
My love is running out of my heart,
My soul runs after, and leaves me as dead,
For my life runs after to catch them -- and fled
They all are every one! -- and I stand, and start,
At the water that oozes up, plop and plop,
On the barges that flop
And dizzy me dead. 
I might reel and drop.
Plop.
Dead.                                            


It's not really any worse than My Heart Will Go On, if you ask me.

In the end, we probably shouldn't judge our less-talented poets too harshly. As Oscar Wilde observed, "All bad poetry springs from genuine feeling." It may be fun to laugh at the more unusual poetic offerings -- but it leaves me a little appreciative of poets from all levels of talent. Bad or good, their writings do, indeed, inspire emotion in their readers.

It just may not always be the emotion they intended.

-- Post by Ms. B 

Seventies Television Shows

Being a kid in the seventies meant watching a lot of television in my house. Probably too much, but I don't feel it was wasted. We had a lot less channels to choose from, but sometimes less is more. There were some bad television shows back then, just like there are now. But there were also quite a few groundbreaking, well made and entertaining shows as well. Today's blog is going to take a look at a few of those.


-- All In The Family (1971-1979)

This CBS show debuted in January 1971 and ran for 9 seasons. It followed the lives of the Bunker family of Queens, New York. Archie, a World War Two veteran and his lovable wife Edith along with their daughter Gloria and her husband Mike make up the center of the show. Archie is a well-meaning but opinionated and bigoted man who misses the days when people just like him ran things. But with the cultural changes of the 60s, Archie's world is out of whack. Based on an English comedy, Till Death Due Us Part, the show became one of the most successful shows in American television history (and spawned two successful spinoffs -- The Jeffersons and Maude) . What made it so successful was that people could identify with these characters' struggles and that they also dealt with such real life issues as racism, women's liberation, the Vietnam War, abortion and rape.


-- Good Times (1974-1979)

This show, about life in the inner city projects of Chicago, ran for  six seasons. It follows the lives of the Evans family lead by father James, Sr. (John Amos) and mother, Florida (Esther Rolle). Their three children live with them as they struggle to make ends meet. They are a loving and supportive family. While there had been shows before Good Times that focused on African American families, this was the first time a show dealt with the lives of poor inner city people. The original intention of the show was to deal with serious issues in a comedic way. However, with the popularity of Jimmie Walker's character J.J. and his catch phrase "Dyn-o-mite", the show took a different turn. Amos and Rolle were not happy about the change and Amos was fired after the 3rd season. The show ran for three more seasons, but it never recovered. Another little tidbit - this was a spinoff of Maude!


-- The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970-1977)

Another groundbreaking show from the Seventies, was The Mary Tyler Moore Show starring Mary Tyler Moore as Mary Richards a young, single, career woman living on her own in Minneapolis. As the show starts Mary has recently broken off an engagement and is looking for work. She ends up as the associate producer for  a local television news broadcast. Her co-workers and her neighbors become her closest friends. Never before had a show had a single woman who was not dependent on a man for support as it's lead. Her again, was a show that dealt with many serious issues with a humorous angle.
The show ran for seven seasons and is considered by many to be one of the best shows in U.S. television history. And this is another show that produced spinoffs -- Rhoda (1974-1978) and Phyllis (1975-1977).

-- M*A*S*H (1972-1983)

M*A*S*H was one of the longest running shows in television history (it lasted longer than the Korean Conflict where the show was set!). It was based on the film MASH released in 1972. The show and the movie were an allegory for the Vietnam war, although that lessened through its eleven year run. It followed the lives of doctors, nurses and other army personnel in a surgical facility near the front lines of the Korean War. There were many laughs, but the show also dealt with many real life issues, especially concerning these soldiers dealing with being in a war zone and far away from their loved ones. The series finale, "Goodbye, Farewell and Amen" was the most watched episode of television at the time it aired February 28, 1983 with 125 million viewers.

-- The Waltons (1971-1981)

Set during the depression and World War II, The Waltons, followed this large, extended family as it struggled to survive in a small Virginia mountain town. It was based on Earl Hammer's book "Spencer's Mountain" and a 1963 film of the same name. John and Olivia Walton, along with their seven children and John's parents offered a warm and familiar place for viewers in the Seventies. The stories are told through the eyes of the now middle-aged John Jr., or John-boy as he was known to everyone. Unlike some shows of the time, the Walton children grew up, married and moved away. This leant a very believable quality to the show. Americans laughed and cried right along with the Waltons for nine seasons and several made-for-TV movies. One of the most well known, and often parodied, parts of the show was the ending when several of the characters would comment, through voice over, on the events in that episode as they would all bid each other good night.


-- Post by Tracy

Animated Animals

Odie, from the Garfield comic strip

I love my superhero comic books, but I also love a good comic strip -- those laugh-out-loud stories told through text and art that appear in the pages of the newspapers (and, increasingly, online).

In honor of the anniversary of Odie (who first appeared in newspaper pages on August 8, 1978), I thought I'd take a look at five of the most famous, influential, and unforgettable cartoon creatures to grace the pages of the funny pages:



5. Pogo Possum

He's served as inspiration to a generation of comic artist heavy hitters -- and found time to become the official "state 'possum" of Georgia. The star of the comic strip Pogo, this 'possum is the creation of cartoonist Walt Kelly, whose strip ran in newspapers for nearly 30 years.

Kelly, who was both strongly interested in politics and liberal, often wove his political philosophies into the fabric of his strip, using wit and humor to lighten the results. (Pogo's picture popped up on buttons during the 1952 presidential election, along with the motto, "I go Pogo.")

Pogo Possum lives in the marshes, along with such friends and neighbors as Albert the Alligator, Howland Owl, and Porky Pine. Amiable and good-natured -- and desiring to stay out of trouble -- Pogo's pals often get him into trouble for him, not in the least in continually pestering him to run for president. (Hey, it's an allegory.)

Never heard of the strip before?  You probably know one of the quotes. In 1970, Kelly designed a Pogo poster for Earth Day. It read, "We have met the enemy -- and he is us."

-- Read some sample strips here

-- Request collections of Pogo



4. Snowy 

Created in 1929, The Adventures of Tintin is the work of a Belgian artist who went by the pen name Hergé. The artist modeled Tintin on a previous character he'd created (Totor, an adventurous Boy Scout, who had been the subject of his own comic strip when Hergé was in high school). A former reporter, Tintin is a detective who is something of an Indiana Jones -- touring the globe to foil criminals, recover treasure and artifacts, and occasionally save the world. Many of Tintin's adventures were based on real-world events (like space exploration and international politics).

While Tintin is surrounded by a large cast, his most faithful companion is Snowy, a fox terrier dog. Smart, heroic, and definitely still doglike, Snowy accompanies his master on all of his adventures, and saves Tintin's life on more than one occasion. (He's only got one real fear: spiders!)  And, like many comic strip animal creations, Snowy can talk -- though often he only speaks to Tintin.

The character was named after Hergé's first girlfriend (her nickname was "Milou," which was Snowy's name in the original French versions of the comic).

-- Read more about Tintin at the official website

-- Request collections of The Adventures of Tintin

-- Request The Adventures of Tintin animated series on DVD

-- Request Stephen Spielberg's animated film The Adventures of Tintin on DVD or Blu-ray



3. Hobbes

If this were a more subjective list, Hobbes would've claimed the Number One spot on this list for me!  Named for the seventeenth-century philosopher Thomas Hobbes, this talking tiger is one half of the duo that make up Bill Watterson's wholly-awesome comic strip, Calvin and Hobbes. Premiering in 1985 and running for ten years, the strip gained a devoted fan following for its stories about childhood, friendship, and the magic of the imagination.

Hobbes himself is a plush toy, owned by six-year-old Calvin. When Calvin and Hobbes are on their own, Hobbes is drawn as a walking, talking tiger; when other characters enter the room, however, Hobbes is drawn as an ordinary plush toy. The nature of exactly what Hobbes is, is something the strip is always careful not to resolve. As explained by Watterson: Calvin sees his stuffed toy one way, and the rest of the world sees Hobbes another way. Hobbes's nature is, plainly put, a subjective look at reality.

Hobbes himself -- as seen by Calvin -- is smart, sharp, witty, and terribly proud of not being human. (He's decidedly a "wild animal," with one of his favorite activities being sneaking up on Calvin and pouncing on him.) With his wry, quiet wisdom, he's also a good compliment to Calvin's zany and mischievous personality -- making him the best friend and tiger a kid could hope for.

Hobbes: As seen by Calvin, and by the rest of the world

-- Request collections of Calvin and Hobbes

-- Request the book Looking for Calvin and Hobbes: The Unconventional Story of Bill Watterson and His Revolutionary Comic Strip by Nevin Martell



2. Garfield

He's lazy, hates Mondays, and loves lasagna. You don't have to read Jim Davis's comic strip to know about Garfield, the fat and lazy orange cat belonging to one Jon Arbuckle.

First appearing in 1978, the strip has been in circulation ever since. The strip was a quick success, going on to become the most syndicated strip in the world (appearing in over 2,500 newspapers across the world). Inspiring Saturday morning cartoon series and even movies, Garfield also reigns supreme in merchandizing, appearing on everything from notebooks and t-shirts to coffee mugs and plush toys hanging in car windows. Not bad for a "lazy" cat!

(You can also check out the truly unusual website Garfield Minus Garfield, which offers a unique, post-modern take on the comic strip -- and the weirdly philosophical misadventures of Jon Arbuckle.)

-- Request collections of Garfield

-- Request Garfield the animated series on DVD

-- Request the live-action/animated films Garfield starring Bill Murray on DVD or Blu-ray



1. Snoopy

We've talked before about the appeal of Charles Schulz's Peanuts strip, and no where is that more evident than in the strip's most popular character: Snoopy. A beagle dog owned by the hapless Charlie Brown, Snoopy has a love for writing, his bird-pal Woodstock, and, most of all, dinnertime.

While not as "talkative" as Snowy, Snoopy -- like Garfield -- speaks at least to the audience, courtesy of some handy thought bubbles. (Woodstock seems to be able to understand him most of the time, too.) Of course, this authorial canine doesn't really need the spoken word to communicate: parading up to Charlie Brown with his own dinner bowl in his teeth seems to get the message across pretty clearly.

The character was inspired, in part, by Schulz's childhood dog, Spike (which happens to be the name of Snoopy's brother). Like Hobbes and Calvin, Snoopy serves as a good counterpart to his anxious, somewhat sad owner, with Snoopy always cheerful, confident, and ready to enjoy life -- particularly when snoozing atop his red dog house.

-- Request collections of Peanuts

-- Request Peanuts cartoons on DVD



-- Post by Ms. B