A Reimagining of a Classic: Infernal Falls by Bryan Mitchell

Books, Reviews

Let’s talk about my favourite read of November ‘Infernal Fall’ by Bryan Timothy Mitchell a great reimagining of Dante’s inferno.

This book is incredibly written and I felt immersed into the world he created which was a dark imagining of hell and found myself connecting with the main character Daniel almost instantly. I couldn’t put it down wanting to see where Daniel’s journey took him next.

Synopsis:

Daniel Strong is a troubled young man with only one bright spot in his life—his girlfriend, Kristine. He hopes to propose to her on a hike in the mountains, but a mysterious artifact in a dark cavern ruins his plan. Things quickly go downhill—literally—as handling the ‘keystone’ causes Daniel to fall straight into Hell, leaving Kristine behind.

A soul-harvesting demon tells him the only way out is through, that he must go to Satan and bargain for his freedom. But the shadow-man responsible for leaving the keystone behind tries to show him there’s another way out. Against his better judgment, Daniel finds himself listening to the demon’s claims that appealing to the Master of the Underworld himself is his only choice.

As the unlikely group traverses the many levels of Hell, hurt, anger, and fear hound Daniel, reminding him how hopeless his efforts truly are. All Daniel can do is push forward in hopes of making it back to Kristine. Will Daniel heed Kristine’s words to choose life? Or will he succumb to the lies pulling him down with every step?

I can’t recommend this book enough to those who love classic and ancient literature and are looking for their next modernised version.

Study Club: Classics

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I am often asked over on my Instagram and TikTok about studying Ancient Greek and Roman mythology, literature and history so I have compiled a master list of all of my favourite FREE resources. This list will include my favourite short courses, podcasts and free translations to help inspire your learning.

The Texts

The Iliad – Homer The Odyssey – Homer The Aeneid – Virgil The Metamorphoses – Ovid

The Iliad – Ancient Greek The Odyssey – Ancient Greek The Aeneid – Latin The Metamorphoses – Latin

Alternatively, you can often find the texts for free on Kindle and Apple Books apps.

The Courses

I have taken part in all of these suggested courses over the years and, have found them to be extremely helpful, within my classics journey.

Open Learn Courses: These are free short and introductory courses from the Open University.

Introducing Homers Iliad– Intermediate Introducing Virgil’s Aeneid – Intermediate Introducing the Classical World – Intermediate Discovering Ancient Greek and Latin – Intermediate Continuing Classical Latin– Intermediate Health and Wellbeing in the Ancient World – Intermediate Icarus: Entering the World of Myth – Intermediate Hadrian’s Rome – Advanced Library of Alexandria – Advanced The Body in Antiquity – Advanced

edx: Offers free courses via the auditing track or you can choose to pay for the verified track where you receive a certificate at the end. These courses last for a few months and go more in-depth with the material compared to the Open Learn ones.

The Ancient Greek Hero – Harvard Greeks at War – Colgate University Was Alexander Great? The Life, Leadership, and Legacies of History’s Greatest Warrior – Wellesley Western Civilization: Ancient and Medieval Europe – Arizona State University

Coursera: Offers free course with the option to upgrade to a paid course where you will receive a certificate at the end.

Greek and Roman Mythology: University of Pennsylvania Ancient Philosophy Aristotle and His Successors – University of Pennsylvania Ancient Philosophy Plato and His Predecessors – University of Pennsylvania The Ancient Greeks: Wesleyan University The Changing Landscape of Ancient Rome. Archaeology and History of the Palatine Hill – Sapienza University

Podcasts

Lectures: I find these lectures to be a great way of learning more about a topic and are all very easy to dip in and out of.

Open Yale Courses: Introduction to Ancient Greek History University of London: Institute of Classical Studies University of Oxford: Reimagining Ancient Greece and Rome University of Cambridge: Faculty of Classics

General: I love these as they are a bit more fun than listening to lectures and are great for understanding more about myths and history.

Ancient Greece Declassified Let’s Talk About Myths Baby! In Our Time: Culture Natalie Haynes Stands Up For The Classics

Audiobooks: I like to listen to the audiobooks of a lot of ancient texts, especially for learning the correct pronunciation of names. I use Loyalbooks.com who offer a massive range of free downloadable audiobooks.

The Iliad – Homer The Odyssey – Homer The Aeneid – Virgil Antigone – Sophocles

Honourable Mention: I didn’t know where to categorize my favourite Youtube channel which has videos on how to learn Ancient Greek as well as text readings and interviews.

The Center for Hellenic Studies

Christmas Gift Guide 2020

Books, Style

I can’t believe it’s December already! I’m a little behind on my Christmas shopping this year, especially for those hard to buy people in my life.

These are the gifts that are on my Wishlist this Christmas:

1) Special edition books

My favourite edition of The Iliad & The Odyssey

Whenever I share a picture featuring one of my Barnes and Noble Leatherbound classical editions people go mad for them. So why not gift one of these pretty classics this year.

From £20

2) Signed Editions

Pandora’s Jar was an amazing read

A signed edition from your friends’ favourite author can make an extra special gift this Christmas. I bought myself an early Christmas present of a signed copy of Neil Gaiman’s ’The Ocean at the End of the Lane’ you can find the latest signed copies from most bookstores but my two favourites are:

The West End Lane bookstore:

Foyles

3) Candles

Relax with your favourite book

I’m obsessed with Orbiting Pluto’s candles which feature books, films and characters! I currently own The Secret History and Persephone, which both smell beautiful. You can also request a custom candle to make an even more special gift.

From £8

4) Book Gift Box

The Literary Emporium is filled with lovely gifts but their gift box is perfect for any classic literature nerd! There are plenty of books that you can choose from including: Virginia Woolf, Macbeth and Sappho It comes with a copy of the book, t-shirt and pin badge and comes pre-wrapped marking it easy to send to a long-distance friend.

From £32

5) Bookish Accessories

Matching accessories

Another favourite brand of mine is the Well Read Company who specialise in bags, purses and pouches styled as books.

From £10

6) Stylish Leather Accessories

Keeping my notes neat

Azurina is another love of mine and they have a range of gifts perfect for all budgets. From monogrammed notebooks to help you jot down your inner ramblings. To personalised bags and pouches.

From £15

This bag can fit so many books!

My other favourite purchase from Azurina is the Stockholm tote which is perfect for lugging around my laptop and books to meetings and class.

The Stockholm £95

7) A Classic Watch

*gifted item

I was gifted a watch from Holzken, and I’m just so in love with it! A good watch is a timeless classic, and this one allows you to take a little piece of nature with you wherever you go.

The Calina: £249 (Use code alibooks to get 13% off until the 21st December)

8) Jewellery

I’m never seen without this necklace1

For those who love A Dead Poets Society and the Dark Academia aesthetic, the Carpe Diem necklace and signet ring from Bohomoon is the perfect gift. Made from stainless steel both pieces promise to stay tarnish-free (I’ve been wearing mine since June and it still looks perfect).

From £22

9) Beverages

I’m obsessed with Offblak tea flavours! My favourite being Orange and Ginger which feels so Christmassy.

From: £9.99

Get festive with a bottle of Shiraz from Babe Wine! Perfect for late-night reading or to destress after class or work.

£12 per bottle

10) Subscription Box

August’s Reposed Box

Give them a gift every month with a book subscription box. There are lots on the market from YA, Thriller, to Female Empowerment there is something for every type of reader. Here are two of my favourites:

Reposed is the perfect box for those looking for a range of fiction and non-fiction books delivered to their door every month. Also included in the box is a hot beverage, snack and other treats such as skin products, flower seeds and notebooks.

Just £12 a month

Prudence and The Crow gives you a vintage paperback every month along with a book sleeve, library card and other treats every month. You can pick your genre or keep it a surprise.

Just £15 per box

What’s on your Christmas wishlist?

5 Dark Academia Inspired Outfits For Fall/Winter

Style

With fall around the corner, I’ve been pulling out my winter wardrobe, which just screams dark academia vibes.

I’m obsessed with the aesthetic and hope to give you some inspo with these 5 outfits perfect for class, work or running around museums.

Cardigan: Boohoo £12

1) The 90’s Throwback

The perfect WFH staple is the cardigan worn as a shirt! This dogtooth short-sleeved one gives me geek chic vibes and can be worn with skinny jeans, layered necklaces, and a statement belt.

Shirt: Nasty Gal £12
Cardigan: Monki £35

2) Chunky Knits and White Shirts

The weather is definitely fickle at the moment so I’m still wearing my little white shirts from summer but instead of shorts, I’m now pairing them with skinny jeans and a chunky autumnal coloured knit. This outfit makes me want to take long walks through freshly fallen leaves while drinking a pumpkin spiced latte.

Trousers: Next £32

3) Prince of Wales Checked Trousers

A timeless outfit perfect for classes, the office, or for browsing galleries and museums. Checked trousers can be worn with a plain turtleneck for a casual look or with a crisp white shirt for a smarter feel. Pair with heels or a chunky pair of kickers and a satchel to maximise the dark academia potential.

4) To Suit or Not To Suit?

I bought a suit ready for interviews and professional events but it’s not often I wear both pieces together. I love this brown-toned one I wear the blazer over dresses and with jeans to smarten up an outfit instantly. I frequently wear the suit trousers with a black turtleneck and trainers to relax my look.

Jumper: Gap £35
Trousers: Uniqlo £24.90

5) Toned Neutrals

A caramel turtleneck is the perfect piece to carry you through autumn into winter. Wear it with checked trousers for an office chic look or, with blue jeans and a blazer for a more casual look

Book Club: The Secret History

Books, Reviews

💛💛💛💛💛

The Blurb: ‘Under the influence of their charismatic classics professor, a group of clever, eccentric misfits at an elite New England college discover a way of thinking and living that is a world away from the humdrum existence of their contemporaries. But when they go beyond the boundaries of normal morality they slip gradually from obsession to corruption and betrayal, and at last – inexorably – into evil.

“Does such a thing as ‘the fatal flaw,’ that showy dark crack running down the middle of a life, exist outside literature? I used to think it didn’t. Now I think it does. And I think that mine is this: a morbid longing for the picturesque at all costs.”

Donna Tartt, The Secret History

Word of warning this book is not for you if you need to a. Relate to the characters and b. If you don’t like arsehole main characters. Despite all that I do have a fondness for most of the characters.

We find out in the prologue that Richard and four members of the group murder one of their fellow students to who they are close too which creates tension while reading the book as you know where its inevitable conclusion lies. The story is told in two parts, the first describes the events leading up to the death and, the second describes the aftermath. This creates a slow build towards the murder and then picks up pace once the deed has been committed.

Donna Tartt’s ability to write characters who are deeply unlikeable in a way that makes you care and sympathise with them is a true talent. I don’t think I have ever read a book that has stuck with mean even after three or four reads before and, I don’t think I will again. There is just something so hypnotic about The Secret History that draws you in and won’t let go.

I think the reason why The Secret History has been a favourite for many since its release is due to its ability to connect to our human insecurities when talking about friendships. Richard has a yearning to be accepted into a group of peers that he admires and, once he is in with the group, he is willing to sacrifice everything to stay there. It also touches on what it feels like to lose a great friendship and how loneliness and disconnect can have you longing for the most toxic people. 

The book plays out like a Greek tragedy with the groups horrifying crime and their downward spiral in the aftermath which, forever changes them. This is not the story for the faint of heart with mentions of murder, incest, substance abuse and lots of twenty years olds angst.