The Farce of Master Pierre Patelin

The character also goes by the name Pierre Pathelin.  This was an anonymous medieval farce discussing honesty, a characteristic that the people of this play lack. The plot concerns a lawyer who figures out a way to get fabric for free.  The draper, who sells low-quality merchandise, wants justice for the fabric.  He was also robbed previously by a shepherd. At the trial, the draper tries to explain both dilemmas at the trial only the judge gets confused.  The lawyer though gets what's coming to him. It was short but funny.

Everyman

Everyman is a medieval play.  I had to read it for my theatre history class and I enjoyed it.  Everyman sets on his journey to meet God in the afterlife.  His strength and beauty leave him. Other companions desert him as well. The only thing that he has left with him are his good deeds.  The play is short but it gets to the point.  I wonder why it was left as anonymous.  If I wrote it I would watch my name attached to it.  It's a nice moral play.  

Young Torless

This book was disturbing.  I read it at 19 and it stayed with me.  I didn't read it again until recently.  It's about a boarding school where a gang of boys mentally and physically abuse one of their classmates.  At the beginning, Torless is just like them but then he gradually gains a conscience.  The book also explores philosophical thought and mathematics.  The author was later to seek exile in Switzerland because of World War II.  This isn't his biggest achievement.  It's a massive book called The Man without Qualities which someday I will read.  I also need to rewatch the movie which made it into the Criterion collection.  

Medea

I liked Euripides tale of a strong female character destined to get revenge.  None of the characters are likable but the plot is riveting enough to get your attention the whole way through.  Jason abandons Medea for a richer woman.  Medea decides to destroy her husband in the worst possible way, by killing their children and his new wife.  This is compelling theatre at its best.  It was first performed at 431 BC but it is still a timeless play. I've got to read more Greek plays.

Memoirs of a Midget

This was a unique book by Walter de la Mare.  It's about a midget and her friendship with a beautiful girl named Fanny who calls her Midgetina.  Fanny is cold though and brings about the downfall of a man who idolizes her Mr. Crimble.  Then there is Mrs. Monnerie who treats her like she is a doll for display.  Eventually, Midgetina has a love interest with an angry dwarf Mr. Anon.  The book is around 500 pages but I don't really mind the length of a book anymore as long as there's something to capture my interest.  There's a whimsical quaintness about this book. I read it fourteen years ago and it was still pretty good.  I've got to read the short story book I've owned for a while by Walter de la Mare some time.  With writers like Angela Carter giving their recommendations to the book, well you know you are in for something special.