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What was the case where Sherlock answers Watson's private thoughts?
I recall a Sherlock Holmes mystery where the detective and his assistant are in their apartment and Watson is working over some decision that he has to make. Suddenly Holmes pipes in to give his opinion on the matter, which utterly confounds Watson,…
ArcaneLight
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Why is London 'the town which Brutus sought by dreams'?
In his short poem which begins 'Tagus, farewell', the English poet Sir Thomas Wyatt wrote of his longing to return to an unnamed city. For anyone familiar with the rudiments of either Wyatt's biography or English geography, this city is…
Tom Hosker
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In 1984 why does the Newspeak dictionary have numbered editions?
A major theme in 1984 is that the Party is never wrong and commonly changes all past references to reflect this. Why would the Party have numbered editions of their Newspeak dictionary, as opposed to creating a new version and claiming that this had…
Winston
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Young adult fantasy book about a girl with gray eyes and powers related to metal
I read this book about 10 years ago in either late elementary/middle school. It was a light fantasy novel (perhaps YA) and I'll try to summarize all the main points I remember.
The main character was a girl named Petra and she had gray eyes (which…
soup bar
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Do clergymen usually use spades?
In "The Quick One" in The Scandal of Father Brown by G. K. Chesterton, the author was describing two strange men entered a hotel with beach, saying:
Two quaintly assorted figures did, indeed, enter that quiet hotel on that sunny afternoon; one…
Ahmed Samir
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In Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, what is the purpose of this character's resurrection?
(Massive spoilers on the book follow).
Toward the end of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, a nameless character appears before Childermass and performs various feats of magic, including bringing Vinculus back to life. He then vanishes and is not…
Matt Thrower
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11
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Meaning of "C.P." footnote
The book I'm currently reading has a "C.P. - (number)" footnote every 20 pages. What does C.P. mean, and what is the purpose of this marking?
corsel
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Why did Tarzan write his name as "Tarzan"?
In chapter 13 of Tarzan of the Apes (His Own Kind), the notice posted by Tarzan reads:
THIS IS THE HOUSE OF TARZAN, THE KILLER OF BEASTS AND MANY BLACK MEN.
DO NOT HARM THE THINGS WHICH ARE TARZAN'S. TARZAN WATCHES. TARZAN OF
THE…
muru
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Was CS Lewis referencing the uncanny valley?
I recently learned about the concept of the uncanny valley, and it immediately reminded me of the following passage from The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Chapter 8 (emphasis mine):
"No, no, there isn't a drop of real human blood in the…
Rand al'Thor
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Was Artemis Fowl based on any specific prodigy?
Artemis Fowl, (anti)hero of the eponymous novel series by Eoin Colfer, is a self-described criminal genius and prodigy. He is known to have broken numerous age records, perhaps most notably that of youngest person ever to steal the Fairy Thief…
Rand al'Thor
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Was Shakespeare a religious fanatic?
In the play The Merchant of Venice, Shylock is pretty much disdained and humiliated only because he was a Jew. His thirst for revenge against Antonio is fuelled by the fact that Antonio constantly humiliates Shylock in front of his fellow…
Sid
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What is the process to be nominated for the Man Booker Prize?
The Man Booker Prize is often cited as one of the most prestigious awards for English literature. The selection process is supposed to be highly rigorous.
But what's the process to be nominated for the prize. Surely, no one can just submit a…
Zizouz212
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Why does Shakespeare sometimes use "do" with the verbs in his plays?
Sometimes Shakespeare uses "do" with a verb even though it isn't necessary. For example, in Macbeth, Act One, Scene 2, line 10, the captain states, "As two spent swimmers that do cling together". Why doesn't he say "As two spent swimmers that cling…
Boilingblacksea
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Nineteen Eighty Four - the chocolate ration demonstrations
After the chocolate ration is reduced from 30 grammes per week to 20, the Ministry of Truth puts out the claim that it has been increased to 20 grammes (its supposed previous level is not stated).
Later on, Winston hears a reporter/newsreader on the…
Astrid_Redfern
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Why is "pensión" left untranslated in "The Shadow of the Wind"?
In The Shadow of The Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón, they attempt to find a place to live for Fermín Romero de Torres, a former street beggar with a great mind, who they hire to help them find the books that their customers request.
In the English…
Benjamin
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