The Writer's Thesaurus
By Dr Oliver Tearle
Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) is one of the most influential writers of the nineteenth century. He had a hand in the development of the detective story and science fiction, both genres which were in their infancy during his lifetime. And he also, of course, made an indelible mark on Gothic horror literature, as well as pioneering the new form of the short story. Continue reading “19 of the Most Curious and Interesting Facts about Edgar Allan Poe”
By Dr Oliver Tearle
The English writer Hector Hugh Munro (1870-1916), who is better known under his pen name Saki, was a master of the short comic story and, in some ways, a missing link between Oscar Wilde and P. G. Wodehouse. What’s more, Saki was that rare writer who could write humorously, for an adult audience, about children without being twee or sentimental. Continue reading “‘The Story-Teller’ by Saki: Summary and Analysis”
By Dr Oliver Tearle
‘The Fly’ is not one of the best-known short stories of the New Zealand-born writer Katherine Mansfield (1888-1923), but it is significant for being one of her few stories which deals directly with the First World War. In the story, a man is reminded of the death of his young son in the war, only to become distracted by a fly which has fallen into the inkpot on his desk. Continue reading “‘The Fly’ by Katherine Mansfield: Summary and Analysis”