February reading wrap-up ...

... and what I plan to read in March

Another reading month has passed, and although a short month, I read nine books in various genres.

1. Chillon, A Literary Guide edited by Patrick Vincent

2. Dumb Witness by Agatha Christie

3. The Code of Hammurabi

4. The History of England by Jane Austen

5. Makurells i Wadköping by Hjalmar Bergman

6. The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

7. Deliberate Cruelty by Roseanne Montillo

8. Animal Farm by George Orwell

9. The Shadow over Innsmouth by H.P. LovecraftChillon, A Literary Guide edited by Patrick Vincent

Read in February

Two were nonfiction: Chillon and Deliberate Cruelty (review to come). Only one Agatha Christie this month. Although a Hercule Poirot story, it was rather different than her other ones, and also difficult to guess who the culprit was. From Marianne at Let’s Read I got a tip of an Austen I had not read. It turns out to be her earliest try, although it was not published until after her death. It is a short novel on the history of England. Quite initiated it is as well.

The Markurells of Wadköping (published in 2016 by Cambria Press, New York) is a classic Swedish novel by Hjalmar Bergman (1883–1931), first published in 1919 and widely regarded as one of his most important works. The novel takes place in one day — June 6, 1913 — in the fictional small town of Wadköping, a setting created by Bergman that appears in several of his works.

The innkeeper Markurell is a social climber in the town’s hierarchy, and he is desperate to ensure that his son Johan passes his final secondary-school examinations, by any means possible. In his determination to help his son, Markurell attempts to influence the town’s authorities, which gradually reveals both family secrets and the complex social dynamics of the community.

The novel is a blend of humor, social satire, and psychological insight, and exploring themes such as class conflict, identity, ambition, and the hypocrisy of small-town society. The novel became Bergman’s major breakthrough and remains one of the most significant works of early 20th-century Swedish literature.

My own memory of this story comes from the television series in 1968. It was very popular at the time and featured some of Sweden’s most well-known actors. I recently found the book in a second-hand shop and decided to read it as well.

At first, it felt a little slow, but the story gradually picks up. I also feel that life in a small town — almost anywhere — might be more or less the same today.

The Housemaid (a short review under link) is a popular books these days, and an easy read. However, I think there would be much to discuss for a book club. Especially, on the ethic questions.

Since I was not able to read A Clockwork Orange (could not stand the language) I went for Animal Farm by George Orwell instead. A classic novel which just shows that people, or animals, does not change. Such a telling story of human actions.

Another book for my Sci-Fi reading was The Shadow over Innsmouth by H.P. Lovecraft. A newly acquired book from the sale, I was eager to read something by Lovecraft. His name turns up regularly in the reading community. I think it is considered both horror, sci-fi, and maybe fantasy. It was an interesting story with a twist at the end. I will surely read more by Lovecraft. Can you recommend something else by him?

My curriculum reading

It has been rather slow on this front. I did read The Code of Hammurabi which is an interesting look into an ancient, legal world. It is one of the world’s oldest surviving legal codes, created around 1754 BCE by King Hammurabi of Babylon. The text was carved into large stone stele and written in cuneiform script. It contains nearly 300 laws that governed daily life in Mesopotamia.

The laws cover a wide range of topics, including trade, property, marriage, family, labor, and criminal justice. One of its most famous principles is the idea of retributive justice—often summarized as “an eye for an eye.” Punishments were strict and varied depending on social class, showing a society structured by hierarchy. I was struck by the fact that the code also covered very private areas of family life. They seemed rather harsh at times.

One cannot help being impressed by the lawmaking, even if the laws were divinely guided, and that the king only, was responsible for maintaining justice. However, it reveals how early civilisations sought order, fairness, and accountability. Today, the Code stands as a landmark in legal history, offering insight into the values, social structure, and governance of ancient Babylonian society. Certainly, some of the codes have gone down in history and is valid even today. Although the punishments would be rather less sever.

Otherwise, I am still reading Library of Greek Mythology by Apollodorus. It is long, and detailed, and list most of the Gods. It is from here that the myths of the gods originate. You even get all the family history, so a lot of names, relatives and juicy bits of the lives of the Gods.

Simultaneously, I am reading the play Ajax by Sophocles.

Planning to read in March

I start with my monthly list of genres, but I expect, and hope, to read a few more books.

Classics: The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells

Sci-Fi: Dawn by Octavia E. Butler’s

Nonfiction: Walker, Matthew - Why we sleep - unlocking the power of sleep and dreams (continue) and to finish Vermeer’s Hat by Timothy Brook

New author: Calasso, Roberto - The Marriage of Cadmus and Harmony

New country: Vargas Llosa, Mario - Den stygga flickans rackartyg (The Bad Girl)

That should keep me busy for a while. Have you read any of the books? If so, let me know what you think. Recommendations are also appreciated.