2025/125: The Corn King and the Spring Queen — Naomi Mitchison

2025/125: The Corn King and the Spring Queen — Naomi Mitchison

All I can say is that this is a very strange country, and that one has evidence of things occurring here which would certainly be against all the laws of Nature at home. [p. 412]

Reread, with perhaps a better understanding now of the Greek elements: I thought I'd read it quite recently, but it turns out that was in 2015 (review here).

I'd forgotten a great deal: just how murderous Erif and Tarrik are; the snake that protects Kleomenes; the death of Harn Der. And this time around, more interested in the Greek (and especially the Spartan) elements, I found Kleomenes' story fascinating. ( Read more... )

2025/126: A Haunting on the Hill — Elizabeth Hand

2025/126: A Haunting on the Hill — Elizabeth Hand

“If you’re scared, channel that into Tomasin.”
“He’s a demon. He doesn’t get scared.”
“So tap into that. You’re a demon in a big spooky house—you should feel right at home.”
“I do...That’s what scares me.” [p. 176]

This isn't exactly a sequel to The Haunting of Hill House: it's more of a tribute, with a rather different ambience. ( Read more... )

Monthly culture, July 2025

03JUL25: Lost in Starlight (Han Ji-won, 2025) -- Netflix
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04JUL25: Classical Pride: Voices of Joy and Sorrow -- Barbican/a>
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05JUL25: Stereophonic (Adjmi) -- Duke of York's Theatre
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07JUL25: Jurassic World: Rebirth (Edwards, 2025) -- Greenwich Picturehouse
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10JUL25: We Live in Time (Crowley, 2024) -- Netflix
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11JUL25: Superman (Gunn, 2025) -- Greenwich Picturehouse
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17JUL25: Home Sweet Loan (Kalangi, 2024) -- Netflix
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24JUL25: KPop Demon Hunters (Appelhans / Kang, 2025) -- Netflix
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25JUL25: Twelfth Night (Trans What You Will Theatre) -- the Space
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26JUL25: The Fantastic Four: First Steps (Shakman, 2025) -- Greenwich Picturehouse
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31JUL25: Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl (Crossingham / Park, 2024) -- Netflix
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