Questioning the Canon: William Shakespeare and Thomas Middleton

Questioning the Canon is a new feature in which I hope to bring to light lesser-known books about a certain issue, which can be read alongside or instead of infamous 'classics'. People are starting to discuss whether the authors we hold up as cultural icons - Shakespeare, Dickens, Wordsworth - should be accompanied by previously marginalised writers. Our idea of what constitutes 'great literature' is becoming broader.  This can only be a good thing, as it means more diversity and social representation in what we read!

Archive Nostalgia: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Yesterday marked the birthday of Mary Shelley and the perfect time to bring her classic gothic tale, Frankenstein, back into the light... Victor Frankenstein is a scientist obsessed with the miracle of life. In an intricate but ghastly experiment, he endeavours to discover the nature of life itself by resurrecting a cobbled human corpse. The resulting creation haunts him from the secluded Scottish coastline to the breath-taking lakes of Switzerland, causing us to question the very nature of humanity.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Victor Frankenstein is a scientist obsessed with the miracle of life. In an intricate but ghastly experiment, he endeavours to discover the nature of life itself by resurrecting a cobbled human corpse. The resulting creation haunts him from the secluded Scottish coastline to the breath-taking lakes of Switzerland, causing us to question the very nature of humanity…

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

The Count of Monte Cristo is set in Europe in the early 1800’s, after the fall of Napoleon’s empire. Edmond Dantes seems to have it all. He is young, athletic and has a promising career as a sailor in front of him, not to mention a betrothal to his beautiful sweetheart Mercedes. However, betrayal by some of those closest to him rips this enviable life out from under Dantes’ feet, leading to one of literature’s most epic stories of revenge...