A Tale of Two Cities – Charles Dickens

Rating: 5/5

Lost References:

This book shares a title with a Jack episode. The title, according to a podcast by Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse, refers to the two main Island settlements – of the Losties and the Others. Also, Desmond’s read it.

Thoughts:

Unrequited, sacrificial love and mindless, bloody hatred. This novel touches on some pretty big themes and does so with dignity and style.

Bluebeard – Charles Perrault

Rating: 4/5

Lost References:

Sawyer refers to Tom as Bluebeard.

Thoughts:

I like how fairy tales used to be grim (pun intended). The imagery is darkly beautiful and the message poignant. One of the messages anyway. At the end of the story, Bluebeard’s terrorized (eighth) wife manages to find real love and forget her pain. However, I disagree with the other moral, the one more explicitly stated at the end, that the woman’s near-death experience was her own fault. Yes, she broke a promise out of curiosity, and that’s a breach of trust. But it’s not worthy of death (or any other physical harm). Besides, her snooping turned out to be justified. Shout-out to all the ladies: if your husband other has a roomful of corpses (especially if they’re former wives), get out of there and get some answers.