DaneCobain.com | Reviews

Title: The Chimes

Author: Charles Dickens

Type: Fiction

Page Count/Review Word Count: 116

Rating: 4/5

Now we’re talking!

The Chimes is a Dickens novella that has shades of A Christmas Carol but with a Hogmanay twist and the lesson that there’s no such thing as inherent evil, but rather that poverty, crime and other human horrors are all created by human beings.

The device of the bells that underscores the action is a masterstroke, giving it an almost Lovecraftian cosmic horror vibe. I find that Dickens is at his best when he’s being a little spooky, and this often overlooked novella is a great example of that. It’s definitely a must-read.

Learn more about The Chimes.

Title: The Bridge on the River Kwai

Author: Pierre Boulle

Type: Fiction

Page Count/Review Word Count: 200

Rating: 4/5

It blew my mind when I read Planet of the Apes, thought it was fantastic, and then learned that the guy who wrote it was also the author of The Bridge on the River Kwai. I’ve seen the movie, but not for a good few years, but I know a decent amount about World War II history and about the forced labour that was used to build railways in the Far East.

Boulle is a masterful writer and I’m keen to read everything else that he’s written, and I was particularly impressed by the way that he was able to capture the British attitude towards foreigners and the whole “stiff upper lip” thing. He was French, but he knows what it means to be British more than any British author I’ve come across.

All in all, it was a cracking read and one that I’d definitely recommend. It’s also a lot funnier than I was expecting, making it a well-rounded tale about the Second World War that won’t leave you feeling depressed.

Learn more about The Bridge on the River Kwai.