Essay Review - Rocking Horse Winner

Rocking Horse Winner

DH Lawrence

published 1926

I just recently finished Finders Keepers, by Stephen King and this essay was mentioned several times.

It is about a young boy, Paul, who is acutely aware of his parents continuous need for more money, and the reason his mother gives for their lack of financial stability is bad luck. We as the reader are aware it is not "bad luck" but a luxurious lifestyle that is well beyond their financial means, for the sake of appearances that drains their bank. The boy begins to have premonitions of who will be the winner in horse races, involving first his gardener Basset and later his Uncle to bet for him and with him, he keeps this talent a secret from his parents. No matter how much money he wins (that is given to his parents via his uncle) it is never enough. in fact it has the reverse affect from his intention; the more money his parents receive, the more they spend foolishly and extravagantly.
And while the parents do not realize it the money comes at a cost, it is physically and mentally hard on Paul divining the winners and he eventually dies from his efforts. To which we the readers are left wondering if they will mourn the loss of their son or the loss of profit.

Greedy to the detriment of yourself

Essay Review - The Open Window

The Open Window

Saki

published in 1914

This is another school reread for me, and one of my favourites.
Our narrator, a shy man with tremendous social anxiety. Has recently moved into a new area where he knows few people. To assist him in socializing (which he would rather not do) his sister has sent him a list of her friends with whom he should pay a social call  to be polite). He pays a call to Mrs. Sappleton; where he is informed by her niece, that he has chosen the anniversary of her husband, and brother's disappearance to visit. That since the
vanishing her aunt has become mentally infirm and often forgets that her brothers and husband will never return again. Leaving the window open so that she may watch for them. Mrs. Sappleton arrives, appearing well and not grieved in anyway (thus it seems confirming her mental fracture with reality) and after a few minutes of conversation goes to the window. Were her husband and brothers can be seen returning from a hunting trip...

This is harder to attach book recommendations too, a manipulative main character that is not our protagonist. Is the main theme I have gone with.

Essay Review - The Door in the Wall

The Door in the Wall 

HG Wells

Published in 1911

A written account of a man's encounters with an enchanted door throughout his life - as told by his friend, whom he confided. Wallace is 5 years old the first time he encounters the  green door, it is also the only time he enters the door. Finding within the door an enchanted garden; filled with animals and playmates, it is a perfect world. After a single magical day he is sent home. Over the course of his life the door returns multiple times, always requiring he sacrifice some importance of the "grey" world to enter the green door. The speakers attempt to explain and our narrators attempt to understand are what really brought me to this piece. I first read it in 2012. It is part of : Adventures in English Literature - Athena Addition, a textbook that I got in high-school.

The novels along the margin fallow this theme of not just a doorway to another world or realm but having to choose between the two. If you can think of more novels please comment below.