The Great Gatsby, written in 1925, is one of the greatest American novels. Yet its author, F.Scott Fitzgerald, died in 1940 believing himself a failure. The Great Gatsby has been among my top favourites ever since I first read it, for my Contemporary American Literature course at university. Two days ago I saw the latest movieContinue reading “The Great Gatsby – a Capacity for Hopefulness, Sparkling Decadence, and Tragedy That Touches Us All”
Category Archives: SC Skillman
Controlling Women in History and Life: Bess of Hardwick and Tudor England
Controlling women are a recurring theme in my life. Add to this a love of history. And so when I found the book Bess of Hardwick: First Lady of Chatsworth by Mary S. Lovell, I felt impelled to read it. It is said that only when a lesson is learned, does an issue stop recurringContinue reading “Controlling Women in History and Life: Bess of Hardwick and Tudor England”
The Enduring Appeal of ‘A Kid With Spots’ in Fiction, TV, Movies & YouTube
There’s a character we love, in all forms of media. Is he the exciting hero? Is he clever, bold, handsome, courageous? No. He’s a bit downbeat and low-key. A bit dumb. He drifts around in the background looking vacant. And he’s the one we find most endearing. He’s Rory Williams in Doctor Who Series 5-7.Continue reading “The Enduring Appeal of ‘A Kid With Spots’ in Fiction, TV, Movies & YouTube”
Mystical Circles Romance and Psychological Suspense Free Promotion Bonanza!
Mystical Circles is on free giveaway to Goodreads members for the next month! Five copies of the paperback second edition are on offer. Goodreads Members, get on over there and sign up for the giveaway! Mystical Circles is also FREE ON KINDLE FOR 5 DAYS STARTING NOW! ROMANCE AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SUSPENSE IN THE HEART OFContinue reading “Mystical Circles Romance and Psychological Suspense Free Promotion Bonanza!”
The Curious Tale of a Rediscovered King, a DNA Trail and What It Tells Us of the Nature of Truth
“There were a lot of nasty rumours spread about me,” says Horrible Histories actor Jim Howick in his hilarious portrayal of King Richard III. “Tudor propaganda, it’s all absurd. Time to tell the truth about Richard III.” Who was he? “That King they found in the car park in Leicester”. This will have been theContinue reading “The Curious Tale of a Rediscovered King, a DNA Trail and What It Tells Us of the Nature of Truth”
Youth, Time and Soul – Old Photographs & Memories: Coloured Rags or Treasures?
Birthdays and old photographs. How they arouse our emotions! So many words have been written about time, and our attitude to it. Memory is a crazy woman that hoards colored rags and throws away food said Austin O’Malley. How much is concentrated in this deceptively simple remark: far more than a comment on human fallibility, Continue reading “Youth, Time and Soul – Old Photographs & Memories: Coloured Rags or Treasures?”
Shakespeare’s Wronged Women: A Reflection In The Light Of International Women’s Day
The other day I went to a see a production given by Playbox Theatre, held at their local headquarters, Dream Factory, Warwick. There we saw members of the Shakespeare Young Company present to us “Shakespeare’s Wronged Women”. In the words of Stewart McGill & Mary King, the Artistic Directors of this company, “Having explored withContinue reading “Shakespeare’s Wronged Women: A Reflection In The Light Of International Women’s Day”
International Women’s Day 2013 in Leamington Spa – Women and Girls, Come and Support the Cause!
I shall be selling signed copies of “Mystical Circles” at the International Women’s Day event at The Sydni Centre, Leamington Spa, this afternoon (Friday 8 March 2013). You can find The Sydni Centre here. This is a Women and girls only event, held at the SYDNI centre – ALL WELCOME 0-90 – bring your daughtersContinue reading “International Women’s Day 2013 in Leamington Spa – Women and Girls, Come and Support the Cause!”
Jennifer Lawrence, Young Success, and The Gift of The Present Moment
Picture this. A 22-year old actress who has won an Oscar, is asked at her press conference: “You’re awfully young to have so much success so far. Do you feel it’s a good thing? You’re not worried about peaking too soon?” What can she do, but smile, give a baffled grimace and say, “Well, nowContinue reading “Jennifer Lawrence, Young Success, and The Gift of The Present Moment”
The Lovely Bones Film – New Insight Onto a Terrifying Subject
What could be worse than losing someone you love through untimely death? And what could be even worse than that? Losing them through murder. And then worse than that? Just imagine – the person you love, who is murdered, is a child, with all life and hope ahead of them. This is the nightmare scenarioContinue reading “The Lovely Bones Film – New Insight Onto a Terrifying Subject”
scskillman.com 