Better Than Friday - 113 (Patreon)

The Shadow of the Mantis. 

Not a bad title for a noir detective novel eh? 

Have a great weekend ya'll, thanks for the support. 

I'm considering doing multi-part reviews to go more in-depth with larger books, starting with this one coming soon-ish...

1. Currently reading - The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov 

A terrific gift from Nicholas C - Thanks man! 

It's been a long time since I've read this, looking forward to reacquainting myself.

I had no idea, but according to Wikipedia, Mick Jagger was inspired by the book to write 'Sympathy for the Devil'. 

Apparently Will Self wrote a foreword for one, I can't find it online but if someone comes across it, please leave it in the comments and I'd be very grateful, thank you. 

I'm hoping to read more Russian literature this Fall/Winter. 

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Nothing in the whole of literature compares with The Master and Margarita. One spring afternoon, the Devil, trailing fire and chaos in his wake, weaves himself out of the shadows and into Moscow. Mikhail Bulgakov’s fantastical, funny, and devastating satire of Soviet life combines two distinct yet interwoven parts, one set in contemporary Moscow, the other in ancient Jerusalem, each brimming with historical, imaginary, frightful, and wonderful characters. Written during the darkest days of Stalin’s reign, and finally published in 1966 and 1967, The Master and Margarita became a literary phenomenon, signaling artistic and spiritual freedom for Russians everywhere.

- Amazon

2. The Shinning 

"Hmmm...That's odd...Usually the blood gets off at the 2nd floor."

Classic. One of my favorites when I was a kid.  

I wish this were the whole episode.

3. The World’s Oldest Author

Had this question pop into my head the other day. "Who is the world's first known author?"

Turns out it was a Mesopotamian princess, and priestess, named Enheduanna.

4. Summer Wine

Gotta love Lee Hazlewood and Nancy Sinatra. 

String arrangements and live performances with no lip-synching. Outstanding. 

5. William Buckley interviews Jorge Luis Borges

Borges was the consummate charming gentleman. 

Probably one of the greatest writers of the last few centuries and he's totally down to earth. 

"...they tell me there are some 300 books that have been written about me. But I think the writers should choose a better subject."