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  • the text "a painful case written by james joyce" written next to the portrait of james joyce

    A Painful Case by James Joyce: Summary and Review

    July 5, 2022 by

    Friendship between man and woman is impossible because there must be sexual intercourse. If you thought this was straight from the Meg Ryan-movie When Harry met Sally, you are as wrong as I was. This is a quote from a short story A Painful Case by famed Irish author James Joyce.  This was featured in his short story… Read more

  • the cover of the book 'three men in a boat'

    Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K Jerome: Summary and Review

    June 28, 2022 by

    Three Men in a Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog) is a humorous account by the renowned British author Jerome K Jerome, detailing a boating holiday spanning a couple of weeks.  Funnily enough, the book was initially meant to be written as a serious travel guide, but the comic element in the presentation ended up… Read more

  • betty bought a bit of butter

    Sorry, what did Betty buy again?

    June 14, 2022 by

    For some reason, someone decided that the best way for a person to perfect English pronunciation was to hone their skill in tongue twisters.  After all, what other way to royally mark your rite of passage to the world of fluent native speakers than: Being able to give a perfect account of a lady selling… Read more

  • a stick figure kicks open a door

    How in the world do movie-people kick doors open so easily?!

    June 7, 2022 by

    I have been watching a lot of crime/investigation shows lately, and it has been messing with me.  No, it’s not the rampant gore that gets to me, thanks to my palms-to-eye coordination. Those babies are always on standby, deployed efficiently, at the slightest cue from the suspenseful background score. It’s the doors.  Yes, you read… Read more

  • three men sitting in a boat with a black dog

    Satiety or Sobriety: What would you choose?

    May 27, 2022 by

    Time and again, I find myself returning to the age-old humor classic Jerome K Jerome’s Three Men in a Boat. I have sometimes wondered why that might be but have not pursued that train of thought for long in a desperate attempt to avoid paying any cognitive taxes.  I must admit that it has been life-transforming.… Read more

  • a maroon vintage car

    The Vintage Man – How Well Do You Know Your Cars?

    May 3, 2022 by

    Now and then, I would have an urge to figure out my IQ, driven mainly by ubiquitous android or iOS Logo quiz apps on every website I am on. They claim to tell you your IQ based on your performance on their quizzes. Guess the company names by looking at their logos- what better way… Read more

  • two caucasian infant girls talking

    What’s with your accent?

    April 26, 2022 by

    It happens to be dinner time, and I am eating AND watching this TV series. In one of the scenes, this guy is going about telling people that he is a cop/a Fed/a spy, whichever is convenient in the situation.  At best, people throw a confused look, and at worst, they exclaim, “Oh yeah? What’s… Read more

  • a scene of the show Seinfeld showing Kramer in the foreground

    Do You “Speak Easy”?

    April 19, 2022 by

    I love the sitcom Seinfeld very much, at least the first few seasons. A lot of wisdom in my life comes straight from the TV show.  The Contest aside (the most famous episode of Seinfeld), there are lots of things worth remembering from that show, but one that hit home was the one from Seinfeld’s comic… Read more

  • poster of sheldon cooper saying "bazinga!"

    Have You Ever Had Yourself a Bazinga! Moment?

    April 12, 2022 by

    There is a good chance that you would have heard about Big Bang Theory, and I don’t mean the scientific phenomenon that formed our universe, but the famous American TV series. You probably would have seen it too.  And if you have, you either loved it or hated it immensely. For some reason, there are… Read more

  • the cover of the book 'three men in a boat'

    Why Take a Chance?

    April 5, 2022 by

    There is a good chance you have come across either of the following cliches :  No gain without pain Success comes with sacrifice I think the idea behind these thoughts being so commonplace is that we all tend to see at least some value in them. After all, who wouldn’t describe practicing WWE moves at… Read more

  • the cover of the book "the lottery" next to text that says "maria edgeworth the lottery book summary and review"

    The Lottery by Maria Edgeworth: Summary and Review

    March 29, 2022 by

    Did you know they had lotteries back in the 1800s? I didn’t.  So I was intrigued when I laid my eyes on The Lottery, written by Maria Edgeworth.  And thus began my 48-page journey into the exploration of lottery and its perception amongst the masses – then and now. The Lottery by Maria Edgeworth: Summary and… Read more

  • lazy man lying across the sofa

    Do you take a break from doing ‘Nothing’? I do!

    March 22, 2022 by

    Every now and then, I indulge my mind’s whims. Let it run wild. Not that you don’t know it already if you are a working individual, but Monday blues are the worst! Unless you are one of the unicorns that love the work they do, in which case, I hate you. But this is about… Read more

  • dicaprio yelling and punching

    Shit , Shit, Shittttt!!!!!

    March 15, 2022 by

    You probably imagine something went (horribly) wrong when I say this. It’s only natural to use expletives to let the frustration out. Isn’t it?  And you would be right in drawing that conclusion. 99% of the time. Just not this once. Fast forward, or rewind if you please, to the scene in the movie Aviator, where… Read more

  • are you watching closely christian bale the prestige

    Are you watching closely?

    March 8, 2022 by

    I call myself a Nolan fan, mostly of his earlier works (to be clear, I fully comprehend what went down in Interstellar and Tenet. wink, wink). The Prestige happens to be my favorite Christopher Nolan movie of all time. I must have seen it more than five times. And given how obsessed I am with it, that number… Read more

  • the text "ladies written by anton chekhov" written next to the portrait of anton chekhov

    Ladies by Anton Chekhov: Summary and Review

    March 1, 2022 by

    Let’s consider the following two statements: I’m surprised I didn’t think of it sooner! Listen, here’s what I can offer you.. Next week the clerk at our orphanage is going to retire.If you like, you can take his post! There you are! I have no post for you! None, none! Leave me alone! Don’t torment… Read more

  • the text "before the wedding written by anton chekhov" written next to the portrait of anton chekhov

    Before the Wedding by Anton Chekhov: Summary and Review

    February 22, 2022 by

    Unmarried girls are crazy to get married, but they are the only ones, because it is no good at all. I’m married, I should know. Give it time; you’ll see for yourself. If you are interested in reading plenty of (good) advice like the one above, you should pick up Anton Chekhov’s short story called Before… Read more

  • the text "a little joke written by anton chekhov" written next to the portrait of anton chekhov

    A Little Joke by Anton Chekhov: Summary and Analysis

    February 14, 2022 by

    This is the time of the year when love is everywhere, absolutely everywhere!  You just can’t miss the red roses, the greeting cards lining up the aisles everywhere you go. You might also be getting those subtle hints from your partner, your love interest, in anticipation of the gifts they are expecting, come the 14th… Read more

  • the text "grisha written by anton chekhov" written next to the portrait of anton chekhov

    Grisha by Anton Chekhov: Summary and Review

    February 8, 2022 by

    Chekhov’s short story Grisha explores the innocent and colorful world of a toddler. The heartwarming story is one of his earlier works, published in 1886. It is also available as part of a short story collection called Fifty Two stories published by Alfred A Knopf, translated by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky. Grisha: Summary and Plot Analysis The story… Read more

  • the text "reading written by anton chekhov" written next to the portrait of anton chekhov

    Reading by Anton Chekhov: Summary and Review

    February 2, 2022 by

    Reading means a lot! A whole lot! Read, and you’ll see at once how sharply your horizons change. And you can get hold of books anywhere. This excerpt from Chekhov’s short story Reading is a hilarious take on reading and people’s perception about this habit. The story is one of his earlier works, published in 1884. It… Read more

  • the text "spring written by anton chekhov" written next to the portrait of anton chekhov

    Spring by Anton Chekhov: Review and Analysis

    January 28, 2022 by

    Gustav Mahler, the famous Austro-Bohemian romantic composer, once said: “Spring won’t let me stay in the house any longer. I must get out and breathe the air deeply again.” I see myself nodding at this; I bet you do, too, in all likelihood. But not Chekhov’s protagonist from his short story called the Spring. This excerpt… Read more

  • the text "anguish written by anton chekhov" written next to the portrait of anton chekhov

    Anguish by Anton Chekhov: Summary and Review

    January 12, 2022 by

    My son’s dead, but I’m alive…It’s a wonder, death mixed up the doors, instead of coming to me, she went to my son… This excerpt from Chekhov’s short story Anguish explores the themes of grief, loneliness, and poverty in an indifferent society. The story is one of his earlier works published in 1886. It is also available… Read more

  • mexican restaurant picture

    “And How Do You Make That?”

    January 6, 2022 by

    Do you happen to have a friend that defies all logic, all natural laws of human sustenance, and dare I add, all sanity? The bond between their couches (or beds) and their bodies are so strong that nothing other than an immediate threat to their life will cause them to break it.  Unless you are… Read more

  • the text "a slip-up written by anton chekhov" written next to the portrait of anton chekhov

    A Slip-Up by Anton Chekhov: Summary and Analysis

    December 30, 2021 by

    Be happy, my dears! Oh! You are taking from me my only treasure! Love my daughter, be good to her! Something you would expect to be said in a marriage ceremony. And it almost was. Welcome to another Chekhov short story with a twist. This excerpt from Chekhov’s short story A Slip Up is a hilarious take… Read more

  • the text "an educated blockhead written by anton chekhov" written next to the portrait of anton chekhov

    An Educated Blockhead by Anton Chekhov: Summary and Analysis

    December 24, 2021 by

    I don’t know about you, but I have had the privilege of seeing many of these creatures over the years—more than I would like.  Having said that, I think I have the full potential to be one, too; I have proven to myself on occasions that I might be worthy of the crown. Hopefully, that… Read more

  • the text "exclamation mark written by anton chekhov" written next to the portrait of anton chekhov

    The Exclamation Mark by Anton Chekhov: Summary and Analysis

    December 15, 2021 by

    In the closed eyes of a dozing Perekladin, a fiery comma flew like a meteor. The golden commas spun around and raced off to one side. They were replaced by fiery periods. This excerpt is from Chekhov’s short story Exclamation Point and is one of his earlier works, published way back in 1885. It is also available… Read more

  • the text "in a foreign land written by anton chekhov" written next to the portrait of anton chekhov

    In a Foreign Land By Anton Chekhov: Summary and Review

    December 8, 2021 by

    You are talking to a friend from a different country. And suddenly, he mentions something about your country that makes your jaw drop.  Your friend seems sensible enough in all other areas of his life. You wonder to yourself: maybe just this one time, I would let it slip.  Some days pass, you meet again,… Read more

  • the text "the cook gets married by anton chekhov" written next to the portrait of anton chekhov

    The Cook Gets Married by Anton Chekhov: Summary and Review

    November 30, 2021 by

    Why do you want to get everyone married? What business is it of yours? Let them get married as they like. This might sound familiar from a sitcom, or a movie, or a drama.  This excerpt from Chekhov’s short story ‘The Cook Gets Married’, a.k.a ‘The Cook’s Wedding’, is a hilarious take on marriages in general and arranged… Read more

  • the text "fat and skinny by anton chekhov" written next to the portrait of anton chekhov

    Fat and Skinny by Anton Chekhov: Summary and Analysis

    November 24, 2021 by

    Every now and then, I would see some images being circulated in the media, beginning with ‘Happiness is..’ so and so. Eating, drinking, sleeping, talking, you name it.  All of those apply to me, by the way. Occasionally, all at the same time. Aside from that, maybe, meeting an old friend I haven’t seen in a… Read more

  • the text "joy by anton chekhov" written next to the portrait of anton chekhov

    Joy by Anton Chekhov: Summary, Analysis and Review

    November 18, 2021 by

    If I say imagine ‘trading room’, what images come to mind? Every time someone says the words, if you ask me, a very consistent set of images appear before my eyes. Phones ringing everywhere, some papers stacked at desks and some flying around, everyone stressed, clocks displaying times from all major time zones, someone going… Read more

  • the text "in a train car by anton chekhov" written next to the portrait of anton chekhov

    In a Train Car by Anton Chekhov: Summary and Review

    November 5, 2021 by

    Travel is so delightful. You get to know people so quickly and so well. So intimately, when you travel. I just adore travel! Being a colossal travel freak, I found myself nodding like crazy when I read this, and it is never a dull ride with Chekhov on the side! ( Sorry, bad rhymes! I… Read more

  • the text "A Letter to a Learned Neighbor by anton chekhov" written next to the portrait of anton chekhov

    A Letter to a Learned Neighbor By Anton Chekhov: Summary and Review

    October 27, 2021 by

    For if man, the ruler of the world, the smartest of all breathing creatures, descended from the stupid and ignorant ape, then we would have a tail and a beastly voice. It sounds like something an innocent kid might ask before having been introduced to evolution. Or probably a very, very older person, whom you… Read more

  • the words "temperaments by anton chekhov" written next to the portrait of anton chekhov

    Temperaments by Anton Chekhov: Summary and Review

    October 20, 2021 by

    Scamps, Ramp Scallions and ne’er-do-wells are all of sanguine temperament. It is not recommended to sleep in the same room with anyone who is a sanguine: He’ll tell you jokes all night, and if he does not know any jokes, he will criticize his relatives or else tell lies. He will die of a disease… Read more

  • the words "a sinner from toledo" written next to the portrait of anton chekhov

    A Sinner from Toledo by Anton Chekhov: Review and Analysis

    October 13, 2021 by

    A Sinner from Toledo, the short story from Anton Chekhov, was first published in late 1881 in an illustrated literary, art and humor magazine called the Spectator. It is now available as part of a short story collection called Prank published by The New York Review books translated by Maria Bloshteyn. A Sinner from Toledo: Summary and Plot… Read more

  • the words "chase two rabbits catch none" written next to the portrait of anton chekhov

    Chase Two Rabbits, Catch None by Anton Chekhov: Summary and Analysis

    October 2, 2021 by

    No, this is not a treatise on efficient goal-setting. Or is it? Chase Two Rabbits, Catch None is a short story by Anton Chekhov that was first published in May 1880 in a magazine called Dragonfly. It is available as part of a short story collection published by New York Review books translated by Maria Bloshteyn.… Read more

  • the words "st peter's day by anton chekhov short story plot summary analysis and review" written next to the portrait of anton chekhov

    St. Peter’s Day by Anton Chekhov: Summary and Review

    September 24, 2021 by

    The story St. Peter’s day was published in June 1881. He initially called it 29th of June and very playfully dedicated it to hunters that don’t shoot well and the ones that don’t shoot.  This story from Chekhov’s early writing days is part of a short story collection called ‘The Prank.’ For those of you curious ones out there,… Read more

  • the words "papa by anton chekhov short story plot summary analysis and review" written next to the portrait of anton chekhov

    Papa by Anton Chekhov: Summary and Review

    September 15, 2021 by

    No dumpling, not a word about punishment, this is not our boy’s fault. They are all out to get him. I don’t mean to brag here, but I can’t thank my stars enough for having a mother who specializes in overlooking all my faults. This excerpt from Chekhov’s story Papa is such a pleasant reminder of that.… Read more

  • the words "artists' wives by anton chekhov short story plot summary analysis and review" written next to the portrait of anton chekhov

    Artists’ Wives by Anton Chekhov: Summary and Review

    September 10, 2021 by

    You know what single girls and young widows? Don’t you go marry an artist. “May tarnation strike them,” As the Ukrainians say. This is Chekhov’s closing advice from Artists’ Wives. This short story, first published in late 1880 in St. Petersburg daily paper, was written under the pseudonym “Don Antonio Chekhonte,”  The story, sometimes assumed… Read more

  • the words "dreams anton chekhov short story plot summary analysis and review" written next to the portrait of anton chekhov

    Dreams by Anton Chekhov: Summary, Analysis and Review

    September 2, 2021 by

    “The peasants called up a picture of a free life such as they had never lived; whether they vaguely recalled the images of stories heard long ago or whether notions of a free life had been handed down to them with their flesh and blood from far-off free ancestors, God knows!” Isn’t it funny that… Read more

  • the word "the post anton chekhov short story plot summary analysis and review" written next to the portrait of anton chekhov

    The Post by Anton Chekhov: Summary and Review

    August 19, 2021 by

    Have you ever been in a one-sided conversation with someone? You might have been the enthusiastic participant or the disinterested one. I apologize in advance if it brought back memories of such a misfortune striking you on a date night! Let me grab my scattered thoughts and try to paint a better picture for you.… Read more

  • the word "peasant wives anton chekhov short story plot summary analysis and review" written next to the portrait of anton chekhov

    Peasant Wives by Anton Chekhov: Summary and Analysis

    August 12, 2021 by

    “I took him for my soul’s salvation” –  Matvey Savitch tells Drudya, in Chekhov’s Peasant Wives. You might read such a thing and your first guess would probably be that the character must be a highly conscientious person.  Aren’t you in for a surprise! Peasant Wives, is a short story by Anton Chekhov, that was… Read more

  • the word "the witch anton chekhov short story plot summary analysis and review" written next to the portrait of anton chekhov

    The Witch by Anton Chekhov: Summary and Review

    August 1, 2021 by

    “A witch is a witch” – Savely, the Sexton says to his wife Raissa, in Chekhov’s ‘The Witch’. Husband calling the wife a witch, is nothing we haven’t heard before. What’s new and refreshing, is a little Chekhov spin on it. “The Witch” (Vedma) was first published in March 1886 in Novoye Vremya (Issue No.… Read more

  • the text "No Act of Kindness, No Matter How Small, is Ever Wasted aesop" written on a yellow solid background

    No Act of Kindness, No Matter How Small, is Ever Wasted: Aesop

    July 19, 2021 by

    Growing up, Aesop’s fables were my constant companion- in and out of school. The very first illustrated copy that I owned was an abridged version for kids that contained a dozen short stories. The Hare and the Tortoise, Crow and the Pitcher, Bell and the cat were some of the predominant few that are probably… Read more

  • the text "yellow wallpaper by Charlotte Gilman summary plot analysis review" next to the portrait of Charlotte Gilman

    The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Gilman: Summary and Review

    May 5, 2021 by

    Imagine a room. Now imagine living there for a long time without having anything to do. For those of you who are millennials – Imagine a world without phones or any electronic devices. If you are one of those very social people – your knee-jerk reaction would be, “No way in hell am I going… Read more

  • the text "model millionaire by oscar wilde summary plot analysis review" written next to a portrait of oscar wilde

    The Model Millionaire by Oscar Wilde: Summary and Review

    May 2, 2021 by

    Has it ever happened to you that you tipped someone you shouldn’t have tipped in the first place, or that you asked a saleswoman for help who you thought was one, but was actually a shopper like you? Do you remember the look on their faces when you did that? It’s likely that they stared… Read more

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