RKS Literature: The Americanization of a Swiss Resort Town in June (Henry James)

“In this region, in the month of June, American travellers are extremely numerous; it may be said, indeed, that Vevey assumes at this period some of the characteristics of an American watering place. There are sights and sounds which evoke a vision, an echo, of Newport and Saratoga. There is a flitting hither and thitherContinue reading “RKS Literature: The Americanization of a Swiss Resort Town in June (Henry James)”

RKS Literature: Whites as the Devil in Maabar (Marco Polo)

“The fact is that when a child is born here they anoint him once a week with sesame oil, and this turns him a great deal darker than when he was born. For let me tell you that the blackest men here are held in highest regard and considered superior to those who are notContinue reading “RKS Literature: Whites as the Devil in Maabar (Marco Polo)”

RKS Literature: A Final Warning to Ahab Against His Frenzied Chase of Moby Dick (Herman Melville)

 “Great God! But for one single instant show thyself,” cried Starbuck; never, never wilt thou capture him, old man-In Jesus’ name no more of this, that’s worse than the devil’s madness. Two days chased; twice stove to splinters; thy very leg once more snatched from under thee; thy evil shadow gone-all good angels mobbing theeContinue reading “RKS Literature: A Final Warning to Ahab Against His Frenzied Chase of Moby Dick (Herman Melville)”

RKS Literature: The Frenzied Chase of Moby Dick (Herman Melville)

 “The frenzies of the chase had by this time worked them bubblingly up, like old wine worked anew. Whatever pale fears and forebodings some of them may have felt before; these were now not only now kept out of sight through the growing awe of Ahab, but they were broken up, and on all sidesContinue reading “RKS Literature: The Frenzied Chase of Moby Dick (Herman Melville)”

RKS Literature: The Saintly Earth of Maabar (Marco Polo)

“You should also know that a marvel such as I will describe happens here. Now let me tell you that the Christians who come here on pilgrimage gather some of the earth from the place where the saint was killed and take it back to their own country. If anyone falls ill with a quartanContinue reading “RKS Literature: The Saintly Earth of Maabar (Marco Polo)”

RKS Literature: The Big Sneeze in Maabar (Marco Polo)

“They pay more attention to omens than any other people in the world, and they are better than others in telling good omens from bad. For let me tell you that when a man sets out for some destination and happens along the way to hear someone sneeze, he immediately sits down on the roadContinue reading “RKS Literature: The Big Sneeze in Maabar (Marco Polo)”

RKS Literature: Suicidal Execution in Maabar (Marco Polo)

“When a man has committed a crime that warrants the death sentence and the king has decreed his execution. The condemned man declares he wishes to kill himself in honour and adoration of such-and-such idol. The king replies that he approves of this. Then all the relatives and friends of the man who must killContinue reading “RKS Literature: Suicidal Execution in Maabar (Marco Polo)”

RKS Literature: Warmest Climes Nurse Cruellest Fangs (Herman Melville)

 “Warmest climes but nurse the cruellest fangs: the tiger of Bengal crouches in spiced groves of ceaseless verdure. Skies the most effulgent but basket the deadliest thunders. Cuba knows tornadoes that never swept tame northern lands. So, too, it is. That in these resplendent Japanese seas the mariner encounters the direst of all storms, theContinue reading “RKS Literature: Warmest Climes Nurse Cruellest Fangs (Herman Melville)”

“Lost in Puppydom: Rory Dylan Stephen’s Puppydom”: RORY D. STEPHEN’S OWNER ARRIVES IN HONG KONG: IS THERE A MOVIE ROLE FOR FORMER MISS HONG KONG?

RORY D. STEPHEN’S OWNER ARRIVES IN HONG KONG: IS THERE A MOVIE ROLE FOR FORMER MISS HONG KONG? NEW TERRITORIES POST DAILY Bob, owner of recently liberated Rory D. Stephen, currently residing with Singaporean Prime Minister Wong in Singapore, after a daring rescue arrived at Hong Kong International Airport from Toronto connecting to Singapore. TheContinue reading ““Lost in Puppydom: Rory Dylan Stephen’s Puppydom”: RORY D. STEPHEN’S OWNER ARRIVES IN HONG KONG: IS THERE A MOVIE ROLE FOR FORMER MISS HONG KONG?”

RKS Literature: The Fate of a Whale Boat Jumper (Part One): (Herman Melville)

 “Stubb suddenly dropped all advice, and concluded with a peremptory command, ‘Stick to the boat Pip, or by the Lord, I won’t pick you up if you jump; mind that. We can’t afford to lose whales by the like of you; a whale would sell for thirty times what you would in Alabama. Bear thatContinue reading “RKS Literature: The Fate of a Whale Boat Jumper (Part One): (Herman Melville)”