Macbeth – William Shakespeare

Rating: 4/5

Lost References:

Question 36 of Locke’s Swan crossword is “Macbeth’s place.” He answers “Iona.” This confused me when I saw it, because I assumed his place was Elsinore (the castle named in the play). Locke’s answer could still be correct, I learned through some research, since Mac Bethad mac Findlaích, king of Scotland, is buried there and Shakespeare’s Macbeth was inspired by him.

Thoughts:

It’s near Halloween, so it’s time for a good ghost story, and this is one of the great ones, filled with ambition, revenge, witches, and plenty of blood and death. It may bother some people, as it does me, that both main characters are killed offstage, but there are reasons for this. For Macbeth’s death, at least, we have to accept the limitations of the stage. He’s beheaded, after all, and this would be technically difficult to carry out. And the play has enough going for it to overlook this point (and the bit where Shakespeare sucks up to King James by implying that he’s descended from Banquo). Macbeth’s as thoughtful as Shakespeare gets but short enough to hold even a modern audience’s attention (it’s his shortest tragedy). And enough of that time is taken up with fighting and with the supernatural that most people should be satisfied. I know I am.

Fans of the mysterious will also love this play because it carries its own superstitions. Never mention the name “Macbeth” inside a theater, unless you want a load of folks mad at you. Supposedly, it brings bad luck and accidents. (Try saying “the Scottish play” or another indirect reference instead.) So, HAPPY HALLOWEEN, And a parting quotation:

Double, double toil and trouble;

Fire burn, and cauldron bubble.

The Langoliers – Stephen King

Rating: 4/5

Lost References:

Some passengers disappear from a plane, like in Left Behind, but this book has circumstances much closer to Lost. They disappear due to time travel. Also, Damon Lindelof said that this book was an influence on Lost.

Thoughts:

This is one of four novellas in Stephen King’s Four Past Midnight collection, one of the ones I enjoyed. The Sun Dog was equally compelling. Secret Window, Secret Garden was good, too, if slightly forgettable. The Library Policeman, which I originally read the collection for, was a complete waste of time. High on squick, short on plot. I’m not here to review these, but if anyone wants more details, just ask.

As for The Langoliers, it’s classic Stephen King. There are plenty of weird people, including a villain who’s clinically insane and quite pathetic. The monsters are stranger than usual – little fuzzy balls with too many mouths that eat time (and everything else).

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.

Carrie – Stephen King

Rating: 2/5

Lost References:

Juliet chooses this book (her favorite) for the Others’ book club, even though Ben doesn’t like it. (Oddly, when Ben is later captured by the Losties, he asks Locke for Stephen King to read. Of course, this may have been part of his cover.) Juliet’s sister, Rachel, also has a copy of the book.

Fun Fact: Emilie de Ravin (Claire on Lost) played Chris Hargensen in the 2002 TV movie version of Carrie.

Thoughts:

Carrie is a disturbed, repressed girl with a supernatural gift. Since she’s a high schooler, she naturally uses it to get back at bullies. Low points: Carrie and her mother (both pretty crazy and unlovable), the ending (rushed, despite the novel being Stephen King’s usual doorstop length). High points: Stephen King (whose masterful control of the English language makes up for a lot), the Prom Scene (it’s a classic for a reason).