My sister bought me this book called ‘Gothic Short Stories’ a couple of years ago. It’s a collection of old mysteries and ghost stories written by legendary storytellers such as Edgar Allan Poe and Robert Louis Stevenson.
I pick the book up now and then, and yesterday I dove into A Madman’s Manuscript which was written by one of my favorite authors Charles Dickens.
The way Dickens creates worlds and characters is just mesmerizing. Every little word, every little detail seems to have a backstory and deep meaning to it. It’s like he has a language of his own. I strongly recommend reading Great Expectations, another classic my sister has bought me.
If that’s too challenging – you might struggle with the old-timey English – why not get started with A Madman’s Manuscript, a short story where the main character tells how he hid his madness from a woman who was forced to marry him, and how the relationship ended in violence. Here’s an excerpt from Dicken’s atmospheric writing:
It was a fine struggle that; for he was a tall strong man, fighting for his life; and I, a powerful madman, thirsting to destroy him. I knew no strength could equal mine, and I was right. Right again, though a madman! His struggles grew fainter. I knelt upon his chest, and clasped his brawny throat firmly with both hands. His face grew purple; his eyes were starting from his head, and with protruded tongue, he seemed to mock me. I squeezed the tighter.”
Maybe concentrating on Dickens, putting some finishing touches on a new song, and thinking about a show I’m planning for Radio Reaktori will help me get over the cold I caught a couple of days ago. After that phlegmy Friday, I’ve been getting better. Don’t know where I caught it though. Maybe at Hullut Päivät.
I’ve been thinking about my upcoming birthday a lot. No age crisis, but lots of options: what to do & especially where? All I want is to find a place where I can invite all my friends, classmates, and colleagues.
At the moment I’m leaning towards a club in Helsinki called REDRUM. It’s conveniently located and looks stylish (judging by the pictures I’ve seen). The reviews of the club I’ve heard are mostly positive, and I’ve wanted to check the place out for a long time. Updates of birthday plans coming soon.
I hosted two AATU RETURNS screenings at school this week, and am proud & glad to say the action thriller was well received. People seemed to enjoy the whole thing – the jokes, the effects – and they recognized how much work went into making the film. I must dedicate all this praise to WP, our visionary director and ambitious editor!
Other school-related notes
The first meeting for next spring’s Radio Reaktori is coming up.
Everyone seems excited about starting to plan our very own radio station. Vesa, Jussi, and I should start shooting the alcohol documentary in a couple of weeks; meanwhile, it’s all about arranging schedules, refining the script, and producing the score.
Another segue, or what Finns call a “donkey bridge”; I stumbled onto a great song some time ago – The Creeps (Gauzz Remix) by Camille Jones. After just announcing my official Summer Song of 2007, this one’s been the sound of the autumn season.
Enjoy the video! Bye Bye!
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