Author Chad Schimke : February 2012

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Kindle edition for PICKER is available today … check out my new book!

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

GHOST STORIES BY EDITH WHARTON

The Ghost Stories of Edith Wharton by Edith Wharton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

GHOST STORIES BY EDITH WHARTON - The Ghost Stories of Edith Wharton is a collection of short stories. Wharton begins each with an everyday scenario, followed by foreshadowing to imbue subtle horror. Don’t look for over the top knife wielding gore. Think along the lines of ghosts that influence psychology, mind and emotion. One of my personal favorites is The Lady's Maid's Bell. A new maid is employed by an invalid in a gloomy Hudson Valley mansion. As she gets to know the house staff, she is bothered by several odd circumstances. She is replacing the position of a former maid that was recently deceased. Several other attempted replacements didn’t stay in the gloomy mansion for longer than a few days. Further foreshadowing reveals an odd locked room and her employer’s insistence to refrain from ringing the maid’s bell.

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Saturday, February 18, 2012

WHARTON’s 150th BIRTHDAY

WHARTON’s 150^th BIRTHDAY - This post is dedicated to Edith Wharton, who was recently honored on her 150th birthday. Topics this writer studied often centered around upper-class old New York society near the turn of the century.

She wrote numerous short stories, but most notably collected works titled, The Ghost Stories, featuring The Lady's Maid's Bell. Her best novels include:

1. Ethan Frome (my favorite)

2. The House of Mirth

3. The Age of Innocence

Sunday, February 12, 2012

CHINESE NEW YEAR

CHINESE NEW YEAR – This is San Francisco’s world famous Chinese New Year celebration. The street fair and parade date back to gold rush days; with elaborate floats, folk dancers, marching bands, stilt walkers, acrobats and a 250 foot long Golden Dragon or Gum Lung. You’ll find the city has the largest Chinatown neighborhood and parade, outside Asia. The year of the dragon is the fifth of twelve animals on the zodiac; for generosity, confidence and romance. A visit to Chinatown is an interesting and inexpensive day trip any time of year. Check it out; but forget about finding a parking space. Park south of Market Street (I like the Fifth and Mission garage) near Union Square; then walk to main gate at Bush and Grant.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

DICKENS BIRTHDAY

DICKENS BIRTHDAY - This post is in honor of Charles Dickens, on his 200^th birthday. There’s a great article on the author, in the current issue of Smithsonian (smithsonian.com/dickens). Years later, he’s an author as popular as ever. Did you know about Dickens World, a theme park in Chatham England? It’s purported to be an “1800’s immersion experience”. A film version of Great Expectations is currently in production. It’s scheduled for fall release, starring Ralph Fiennes and Helena Bonham Carter. There are events around the world, notably the NYC Morgan Library’s offering, titled Charles Dickens at 200. Dickens captured the squalid misery of Victorian London with masterfully turned phrases and visceral reactions. It was a world of urchin pickpockets, bloody butchers, prisoners of debt and seedy tenements. Since all of his writing is public domain, why not spend a little time, read this author and transport yourself into his world. Here is a list of some of his literary highlights.

1. OLIVER TWIST

2. DAVID COPPERFIELD

3. BLEAK HOUSE

4. A TALE OF TWO CITIES

5. GREAT EXPECTATIONS

6. CHRISTMAS CAROL