Book of the Week

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Recommended by George Singellos

Frankenstein is at heart a story that tackles many moral and philosophical ideas as well as expressing its take on those issues through the revelations of Victor Frankenstein, from his desire to his disgust, the reaction of the townspeople and the consequences they have for his creation. 

On the surface, the novel is a dramatic and thrilling horror story, filled with tragedy, murder and despair, all of which make it both exciting and chilling when reading.

Director's Notes on My Fair Lady

Mr Anthony

Gabriel Pascal, the film producer originally responsible for adapting Pygmalion for the screen, first met George Bernard Shaw in the nude.

Sometime in the 1920s, Pascal was swimming without trunks on the French Riviera when he saw a skinny, naked man with a long white beard holding on to a buoy. Shaw commented on the golden brown of Pascal’s buttocks and Pascal asked, as a struggling film producer, if he might produce an adaptation of one of Shaw’s plays. Shaw replied that he would only grant such a favour if one day Pascal were 'utterly broke'.

Book of the Week

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
Recommended by Henry Drewitt-Jones

Before I consider this book, I feel it is my duty to tell you that I am a 14 year old.  I am far from emotional maturity and yet this novel brought me to tears.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz is a stunningly written portrayal of the true story of Lale Sokolov.  It follows his path into Auschwitz and eventually, luckily for him, out of it.  Lale's story is a near impossible one to summarise - in my copy it took the author 267 pages to explain it fully: to explain it, I must delve into the character of the protagonist, which Heather Morris does so brilliantly.  Lale's character takes the best-seller through a tale of heroism and strength, horrifying deeds and pain, but also survival: it really shows you an individual war. 

Book of the Week

The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli
Recommended by Alexandre Vecchioli

Authored by Niccolo Machiavelli at a time of significant political upheaval, The Prince sought to address the political and ethical dilemmas faced by Renaissance rulers.

Machiavelli saw a need to advise leaders of Italian states, by mean of a political treatise, in the effective application of political policy and in the process delivered one of the most significant milestones in the history of political thought.  In pre-Machiavellian thought, ethics and politics converge.  Plato's Republic, for instance, propounded the view that these two ideals were inseparably connected.  The separation of these two subjects created a less philosophical and more pragmatic approach to political science.

Classic Ghost Stories for Hallowe'en ...

If the Strictly Halloween Special and Eastenders Halloween Week are the wrong kind of scary for you, here’s an alternative: some classic ghost stories to set your spine tingling and make your hair stand on end.  No lurid John Landis makeovers or psychotic stallholders - just simple stories to make you shiver …

And the (SPS) Booker Prize Winner is ...

At last night's Predict the Booker Prize evening in the Kayton Library, four Pauline advocates - Sebastian Rodgers, Conor Sinnott, Rufus Law, Will Reith - and the school's librarian, Ms Cummings, put the case for their chosen book from the Booker shortlist.  With Mr Hollands acting as compère, each speaker introduced their novel, and gave a critical overview of its strengths and themes, before reading an extract and fielding questions from the audience.

Predict the Booker Prize-Winner!

Miss McLaughlin

Last week the short list for the Man Booker Prize 2018 was announced. To mark this annual event, this year at St Paul’s we are launching a shadowing event where six boys in the 8th form will be taking on one book each, reading them and then coming together to make a case as to whether their book should be the winner of this prestigious award.

Their debate will be held in the Kayton Library on 11th October at 6pm. Students, staff and parents are invited to join the event, whether or not they have read all, or indeed any, of the shortlist.

Keen to get involved? Last week on the Book Blog, Mr Hager offered some comment on each of the shortlisted texts. It would be great to have students (and staff and parents) at the event who have read some of the texts in contention. You can buy all six at TheBookPeople’s website or pop in to the library to borrow a copy (we have a limited supply- they are selling out!).

Following the debate and discussion we will have a vote on which book we think will win the prize. The real winner will be announced the following week and we will see if we were correct.  Join us in the Kayton Library on 11 October at 6pm - RSVP using the link provided - https://www.trybooking.co.uk/GGD

Hope to see you there!