Jordan

Bruna Guedes

Husain Kothari

FRNK

Uendi Prifti

Abdul Hasib

Loughlin Sullivan

Delaney Knopp

Auriel W

Blake Molmen

Dani Shahar

Luis Javier Campos nieto

I was quite hopeful when I started White Lotus, that Libbie Hawker had really hit her stride as an author. Since her debut novel it has seemed to me that Hawker has shown a lot of promise, particularly in linguistics and writing style, but as a reader I keep getting frustrated by poor characterisations or simplistic, nonsensical plotting that is just unsatisfying. Her trilogy on the Amarna period was positively tantalising because I thought the first book was very good, the flair and fluidity in the writing sweeping me along, but then I found the second and third books to be disappointing, mostly because of the plot breaking my suspension of disbelief and too many easy clichés thrown in. White Lotus picked up my enthusiasm straight away, again because of the practised writing style drawing me in, and since this trilogy is among Libbie’s more recent works, I had high hopes that maybe this time she’d hit the nail squarely on the head.Well, while there was a lot to like, I did also have a few criticisms. Interestingly, I notice that a lot of reviews criticise the story as a simple Cinderella tale, but that isn’t one of my complaints. The ancient folk tale of Rhodopis is in fact a strong candidate for the original story that later developed into Cinderella. Hawker’s intent, to follow the story of the legendary Rhodopis, can hardly be faulted for being a Cinderella tale therefore when it inspired Cinderella and predates it by almost two thousand years.I found Hawker's use of Planudes (a source writing some two thousand years later and based on a fantasy, fictional rendering of Aesop's life to begin with) for her portrayal of Aesop to be puzzling given that she was clearly trying to make her depiction of Rhodopis as grounded in history as possible. It just seemed like an inconsistent approach, and I prefer books based on legends and myth to either go all out fantasy or be as rooted in realism as possible. I also found Doricha's catchphrase "I reckon" to be incredibly irritating. I don't like catchphrases, they all too often become stand-ins for characterisation. She was raised in poverty; I get it. Perhaps the worst thing about it was that everytime those words passed her lips I was wrenched from classical era Egypt and abruptly dropped right into the deep south of the United States. That's not a good thing in a historical novel. I want to be in the time and place I'm supposed to be in, and forget the modern world. There were also a few typos here and there in the Kindle version.Criticisms large and small aside, I admit I mostly enjoyed the book. The subject matter – the life and training of a hetaira – is one I’m particularly interested in. Information on how hetairas trained is very scant, and it is difficult to build up a picture without it being coloured by more modern examples. What really caught my attention were the rich and lively descriptions throughout. It’s no secret that I love effective and evocative imagery in writing, especially inventive and unexpected expressions which show creative flair. It keeps my mind engaged as a reader and lends a certain quality and sophistication to the text.I haven’t really talked about the plot, mostly because it neither stood out nor did I find fault with it. Doricha is a very young girl right at the beginning of her career. I fully expected the first novel in the trilogy to do a lot of set up of what was to come, and it was no surprise to me that I did not particularly identify with Doricha’s juvenile outlook and inexperience. But I did not dislike her either – aside from her ‘reckoning’ all the time. Her plight is at least empathetic and understandable enough to keep me open to her as the main character, and Hawker very adroitly avoids tugging on her readers’ heartstrings too much and making it feel like an overdone sob story. There is some female-on-female catfighting here – something which I’ve really disliked in her previous novels – but here Hawker gets it right. It’s kept to a minimum, happens only when absolutely necessary to the plot, and is much less bitchy and infantile and much more cold and calculating. In fact, you’ll find more time devoted to female friendship than conflict. I am so glad that the pages are not saturated and dripping with inane squabbling. It’s a mercy, and the story feels more mature for it.8 out of 10

Jerry Seinfeld stars in this television comedy series as himself, a comedian. The premise of this sitcom is Jerry and his friends going through everyday life, discussing various quirky situations, to which we can all relate (especially if we live in New York City). The eccentric personalities of the offbeat characters who make up Jerry's social circle contribute to the fun.

An innovative look at the life of fictional Mafia Capo Tony Soprano, this serial is presented largely first person, but additional perspective is conveyed by the intimate conversations Tony has with his psychotherapist. We see Tony at work, at home, and in therapy. Moments of black comedy intersperse this aggressive, adult drama, with adult language, and extreme violence.

Ted Mosby sits down with his kids, to tell them the story of how he met their mother. The story is told through memories of his friends Marshall, Lily, Robin, and Barney Stinson. All legendary 9 seasons lead up to the moment of Ted's final encounter with "the one."

This is an animated sitcom about the antics of a dysfunctional family. Homer is the oafish unhealthy beer loving father, Marge is the hardworking homemaker wife, Bart is the perpetual ten-year-old underachiever (and proud of it), Lisa is the unappreciated eight-year-old genius, and Maggie is the cute, pacifier loving silent infant.

American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening

Comedian Dave Chappelle hosts this sketch-comedy show that parodies many of the nuances of race and culture.

The curious, adventure-seeking, fourth grade group of 10 year old boys, Stan, Kyle, Cartman, and Kenny, all join in in buffoonish adventures that sometimes evolve nothing. Sometimes something that was simple at the start, turns out to get out of control. Everything is odd in the small mountain town, South Park, and the boys always find something to do with it.

Louie is a stand-up comedian and divorced father of two girls. This series follows him through his everyday life, as he meets various characters, struggles with his love life and pursues humor.

He's got it all: a loving wife, good friends, a successful career, a great home...what could possibly go wrong for Larry David? Seinfeld co-creator Larry David stars as himself in this hilarious, off-kilter comedy series that presents an unflinching, self-deprecating depiction of his life.

After starring in the popular sitcom "Horsin' Around" in the late 80s and early 90s, BoJack Horseman struggles with his deteriorating popularity, depression, addiction, and maintaining the relationships with those he cares about, but can't seem to stop hurting, all while living in the satirical, pun-filled city of Hollywood, California.

Set in a tropical resort, it follows the exploits of various guests and employees over the span of a week.

American satire comedy-drama television series from 2021's HBO

A mediocre paper company in the hands of Scranton, PA branch manager Michael Scott. This mockumentary follows the everyday lives of the manager and the employees he "manages." The crew follows the employees around 24/7 and captures their quite humorous and bizarre encounters as they will do what it takes to keep the company thriving.

A dry-witted woman, known only as Fleabag, has no filter as she navigates life and love in London while trying to cope with tragedy. The angry, grief-riddled woman tries to heal while rejecting anyone who tries to help her, but Fleabag continues to keep up her bravado through it all. Comic actress Phoebe Waller-Bridge stars as the titular character on the series, which is based on Waller-Bridge's 2013 one-woman show of the same name.

Meet the wildly dysfunctional Bluth family. This family was once at the height of real estate development in Orange County, California. But when the family business - the Bluth Company - goes bust, they're suddenly found penniless with their assets frozen. They move into their last remaining asset - the model home left over from their latest housing tract. Their luxury vehicles are replaced with a reminder of the family's former wealth: 'the stair car that accompanied their private jet'. The patriarch of the family is George Bluth - he's now in prison, and loving every minute of it. His wife Lucille and daughter Lindsay are spoiled socialites who can't handle getting kicked out of family restaurants. His son Buster is in his mid 30's and lives at home. His son George Oscar Bluth is a magician who started a group to get magicians to be taken seriously, and gets kicked out when his own tricks are revealed. Lindsay is married to a man named Tobias Funke, once a psychiatrist, who decides to become an actor. The only sane member of the family: Michael Bluth, along with his son George Michael, want nothing to do with the family business. But one bizarre circumstance after another keeps Michael and George Michael from leaving their eccentric family.

Reimagining the anthology from visionary Steven Spielberg, "Amazing Stories," executive produced by Spielberg, will transport the audience to worlds of wonder through the lens of today's most imaginative filmmakers, directors, and writers.

2020 American anthology television series

In the mythical continent of Westeros, several powerful families fight for control of the Seven Kingdoms. As conflict erupts in the kingdoms of men, an ancient enemy rises once again to threaten them all. Meanwhile, the last heirs of a recently usurped dynasty plot to take back their homeland from across the Narrow Sea.

When filthy-rich video store magnate Johnny Rose and his family suddenly find themselves broke, they are forced to leave their pampered lives to regroup and rebuild their empire from within the rural city limits of their only remaining asset - Schitt's Creek, an armpit of a town they once bought as a joke.

Each show, Pee-Wee Herman comes to his wonderful playhouse where anything can happen. Whether it be screaming at the secret word, entertaining friends like Cowboy Curtis and Ms. Yvonne, or enjoying animation clips presented by the King of Cartoons or the stories of the claymation girl, Penny; there's always lots of fun things to do.

In a small town where everyone knows everyone, a peculiar incident starts a chain of events that leads to the disappearance of a child, which begins to tear at the fabric of an otherwise peaceful community. Dark government agencies and seemingly malevolent supernatural forces converge on the town, while a few of the locals begin to understand that there's more going on than meets the eye.

American science fiction horror Netflix series

The Twilight Zone is a place that exists at any moment of time, of space or of mind....but always when you least expect it. When you find yourself in this realm of unlimited possibility, be careful what you say or do. The right decisions may help you find your way back out....sometimes with greater happiness and wealth. The wrong decisions often lead to madness and death, or an eternity trapped in this dimension. Tread warily past the sign post ahead that says you've entered, The Twilight Zone

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