Wordless Wednesday: Schönbrunn Palace

There's a hill behind the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna
that gives a gorgeous view of the city.

More Wordless Wednesday here.

Photo by moi.

Book Luggage

Years ago I found a NY Times article of the most unique piece of luggage I've ever seen. Author Tom Stoppard owns this special book toting case, which ensures he always has a reliable way to tote his library on his travels. I've wanted one ever since.


Isn't that brilliant? Do you guys have any special suitcases or bags that go everywhere with you? My Victorinox has been to a dozen countries with me and every time I get home I sew on a patch of the country's flag.

Stoppard photo from here.

Bag photo by moi.

Book Reviews: The Longest Journey

The Longest Journey
by E.M. Forster
★★★

Rickie Elliott is a Cambridge student and a struggling writer. After becoming infatuated with an engaged young woman, Agnes Pembroke, his quiet life is changed forever. The two end up married and Rickie takes a position as a schoolmaster. Soon Rickie learns Agnes' true nature, which is drastically different from his own.

The Longest Journey feels like an author's early work, full of idealistic young men and good concepts, but characters that sometimes fall flat. It was the second book Forster published and though his talent is still plainly obvious, it certainly improved with time. The characters feel more like ideas of people than individuals with complex interests and flaws. Forster also has a tendency to kill characters with little fanfare. If someone is going to die in one of his books there is never much warning or fuss about it.

I love the writing style, but I wouldn't recommend it for those new to Forster. If you're already a fan, pick it up, but Howard's End and A Room With a View are both better introductions to the author.