Edmund Rostand

Advantages: Wonderful dialogue, characters, and ideals in the ultimate romantic tragedy
Disadvantages: I can never get through this with dry eyes!

..., I am deeply moved by this excellent work from Edmond Rostand every time I experience it! Not only will you find some of the most moving words ever penned on the subject of love, but Cyrano is also ripe with humor, droll observations on self and society and impassioned words on honor and individuality. Cyrano is a hero with many facets, all of which shine with his unique inner light. This is romantic tragedy! Cyrano himself buys into society's obession with appearances, and dooms himself to loving in obscurity. For all his great heart is capable of, he will never to know the joys of love more intimately than his tears upon his letters being touched by the fingers of Roxanne in wonderment, and she believes both the tears and the words written come from someone else entirely. If that were not enough, when Christian becomes a martyr... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Great stroy, great characters, uplifting story of the triumph of good over evil
Disadvantages: None

...The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is the second of the seven books which make up the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis, although it was actually the first one written. It is by far the best known of the stories, and even more so following the very successful film dramatisation of 2005. It is the story with the clearest Christian allegory, while at the same time maintaining a great tempo in the story. PLOT SUMMARY It is the second World War, and the four Pevensie children – Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy – are evacuated out to the countryside to avoid the bombings of London. Their destination is a very large country house belonging to the elderly Professor Kirke, who has a formidable housekeeper, Mrs Macready who believes children should be neither seen nor heard. One afternoon when the rain keeps the children inside, they play... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: it is unpredictable and the characters are very interesting and original
Disadvantages: Some people might find boring because it is written in shakespearean language

...of providing for the family while women were expected to be motherly passive and obedient to their husbands. The plot The play kicks off with the court gossip in the kingdom and instantly we realise that this play is going to be amounted with conflict after conflict. King Lear abdicates his responsibilities by dividing his kingdom between his three daughter (Goneril,Regan and Cordelia). He does this by a love test and decides who gets thebiggest part of the kingom. Cordelia's humbleness causes her fuming father to disinherit her. We also see the goodhearted Kent ,get banished by the King Lear when he is the most loyal and fathful person to him. The subplot is very dynamic and important in shaping the main themes of the play. Gloucestor, Edgar and the machiavellian Edmund are central as they show how dishonesty, greed and anger cause Edmund... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful