No comments about Shakespeare: An Anthology of Criticism and Theory 1945-2000.

1 comments about Brady Bunch Book.

1. I bought this book years ago. I still enjoy it today. It is a fantastic book filled with trivia and tibdits about all the episodes, the cast and characters, and more.

No comments about Noel Coward Collected Verse.

No comments about Devising Theatre: A Practical and Theoretical Handbook.

1 comments about Divine Sarah: A Life of Sarah Bernhardt.

1. When one ones to know the degry of celebrity an artist has earned over the years following her death,just check out the numerous biographies published about the person.SARAH BERNHARDT is the most famous actress of her time;she played many roles of the repertoire ,and she also created many like ROSTAND's L'AIGLON and DUMAS's LA DAME AUX CAMÉLIAS.Like many actresses,she had an eccentric life and she actually made her name with her talent,not her beauty.This book allows you to encounter many important figures like VICTOR HUGO,ALEXANDRE DUMAS,EDMOND ROSTAND and OSCAR WILDE who were part of her life.The book is filled with pictures of the different decades of her life.If you want to read one book about her,this one can satisfy you.Beware of SARAH's memoirs,because it is a well known fact that she enjoyed the art of lying.After reading this,i had this thought.Would SARAH have managed to make the career she had in today's world?My answer is yes,even if in the process,she probably would have cut a few throats of repulsive columnists.

1 comments about Television: The Critical View.

1. I was assigned this book in a college course on television as popular culture. I seriously struggled with the text at first, but luckily I didn't sell it back. After rereading it again, it has completely smashed the myth that nothing on television is culturally viable. Do not fall into the trap of believing there is no culture left in America. This book will teach how to engage your television in a way that is as mentally stimulating as anything I can imagine. Do yourself a favor and get this book! It might take you a couple reads, but it's well worth it. Enjoy. (I took points off for density, but I have the 5th ed.)

2 comments about The Cambridge Companion to George Bernard Shaw (Cambridge Companions to Literature).

1. A great companion to reading the works of George Bernard Shaw. It helps to understand the literary techniques singular to the author, the socio-political background of his writings and the themetic structure prevalent throughout all his works. This is truly a necessary companion to reading his work.



2. A great companion to reading the works of George Bernarnd Shaw. It helps to understand the literary techniques singular to the author, the socio-political background of his writings and the themetic structure prevalent throughout all his works. This is truly a necessary companion to reading his work.

5 comments about The Acid House.

1. Though I had never read an Irvine Welsh book from beginning to end I love the movie of The Acid House and I'm forever quoting it. Being from Scotland and knowing some of the rascals portrayed so convincingly on screen I found it hilarious. I came across the book about 8 years ago and read some of the short stories, but I had never read it all until now.
   
   The Granton Star Cause, A Soft Touch and The Acid House were all dramatized for the movie but there are a few others that have enough merit to be made into live-action dramas. Eurotrash, for example, is a darkly repugnant story with a macabre twist ending. Snuff, the darkest of all stories, would have been amusing. And Snowman Building Parts For Rico The Squirrel seems like something straight out of David Lynch's dreams.
   
   There are a couple of duds though. A Blockage In The System goes nowhere fast and Wayne Foster is just plain confusing. The novella at the end however, A Smart C**t, is a truly grotty affair told from the point of view of the least likable man in history. It's a depressing experience filled with far too many characters with stupid names that have no personality outside of stereotypes, if that. I was thankful when it was over.
   
   Judging by the opinions of others this novella is similar to Trainspotting only not as vile. Well, I can assure you I will be staying well clear of THAT one. When I was in high school Trainspotting was the book of choice for all the idiots who didn't read but wanted something that they could relate to for their English exam. Most of those guys turned into alcoholics and junkies themselves.
   
   Sad fact that.



2. Although the European drug scene is not necessarily my usual choice of reading material, Welsh's nouveau writing style draws the reader in through its uniqueness alone. Welsh is experimental, not only through his inventive use of the Scottish dialect, but also through the syntax of his work.
   
   Acid House is a conglomeration of short stories, an unfortuntely small collection of poems, as well as a creativly written novela. Many of the story plots may seem redundant; however, with a closer read one can find deeper words than a simply tale of excess and depression. My personal favorite story deals with a down and out pub rat and his strangely enlightening discussion with a disillusioned God.
   
   Indeed, Welsh has been quite prolific in the last ten years, having a number of books converted to screen, including Acid House. It is nice to see an author taking a gamble and creating something new.



3. I just wanted to say to the woman who bought this for her son...what were you thinking? the book is called the acid house...that should have been your first clue..

   anyway...i found it delightful, yeah delightfunl, in a twisted sort of way. I enjoy Welsh's writting, though yes, it is a bit hard for us Americans to understand...i love the psychological twists




4. I bought this book as a Christmas gift for my 13 year old son, who is an avid reader. I guess I didn't pay enough attention to the info available, because this book is NOT appropriate for a young teen. Thankfully, I decided to 'peruse' the book prior to allowing my son to read it. It was so graphic in language and content that I didn't even want to read it. I managed to skim through two stories before I decided it was just too explicit for me.



5. For just the end story, "A Smart C***", The Acid House is worthwhile. Welsh is often super morbid and seriously wickedly wacky in these short stories, most of which play out a lot more like bad dreams than pristine vignettes. The closing aforementioned novella, however, is diferent. It's a surprisingly moving character study of a guy who seems to completely lack character. The guy is so totally caught up with analyzing everything surrounding him that he forgets to live. This seems to be subject matter close to Welsh's heart, and he gives it a surprisingly sympathetic treatment. The other stories range all over the place, but have enough energy to make up for a lack of direction. Gotta love Irv. You just gotta.

No comments about Dance Education Tips from the Trenches.

No comments about The Cambridge Companion to Medieval English Theatre (Cambridge Companions to Literature).