Nothing in particular

[puddleshark]

Finished my re-read of The Small House at Allington. It hasn't always been my favourite of the Chronicles of Barsetshire, perhaps because I have always wanted a perfect happy ending for Lily Dale, but I begin to like it better each time I go back to it. Adolphus Crosbie is such an interesting character. At the start of the novel: the golden boy, a charming social chameleon, at home in any company. But he has no moral compass of his own. His morals perfectly fit whoever he happens to be with. How could he ever hope to escape the Venus fly-trap that is the De Courcy family?

Crosbie is not vile. He is weak. And seeing where his weakness leads him, cosmic justice is served. (Why could Dickens not have done something similar to Henry Gowan in Little Dorrit? It has always upset me that Henry Gowan escapes cosmic justice. Dickens likes his villains too well).

Now starting a re-read of The Last Chronicle of Barset.

Also reading Wendy Cope's Collected Poems. Her parody sonnets have had me laughing out loud.

How like a sprinter you have turned and run
From me, who'd loved you almost half a year.
The world's become a fridge, there is no sun,
I hardly have the stomach for a beer...

***

Television:

When the Phone Rings. Korean romance/melodrama. I was enjoying all the Terrible Family Secrets so much, right up until the end of episode 11, when the writer forced the characters to do something really stupid, so that the male lead could learn the Most Terrible Family Secret of them All. And episode 12 was just so painful (Noble idiocy! Civil war in unrealistic imaginary country!) I had to fast-forward through it.

Love Scout. Korean office romance. Lee Jun-hyuk in killer suits! *fans self* Have been enjoying the role reversal of cold-hearted female CEO and gentle male secretary. But by episode 3, the romantic elements are already starting to seem a bit forced. We'll see.

When the Stars Gossip. Korean sci-fi romance. Dropped after ten minutes. Gynaecologist in space? You what? I have considerable powers of suspension of disbelief once I become invested in the characters of a drama. But if you do not take the time to get me invested in those characters, I bale at the first plot hole.

Blossom. Chinese costume drama. I started watching again, after I learnt it had a happy ending. And after the rather saggy middle, it did pick up nicely at the end. It wasn't amazing, but it was watchable, unlike 99.999% of Chinese costume dramas made last year.

Binge-watched the first eight episodes of Chinese costume drama Flourished Peony. Enjoying the relationship between the clever & sympathetic female lead, and the weaselly & corrupt courtier (who is of course not at all what he seems). Stylistically, it's gorgeous. But it's early days yet. Must try not to get my hopes up that the writing will stay this good.

Comments

[sartorias]

Where are you seeing Flourished Peony?

[puddleshark]

It's on Viki here.

[sartorias]

Ah! It went live here, too, I hope it doesn't crash and burn the way too many have, last year...

[puddleshark]

Yes. After last year, I'm not holding out too much hope.