Frankie Boyle

Written in 1729, 'A Modest Proposal' is a Juvenalian satirical essay that critiques the harsh treatment of the Irish by the English and the social and economic conditions of Ireland. Swift suggests, in a hyperbolic and ironic manner, that poor Irish families could sell their children as food to wealthy English landowners. The essay is a scathing critique of the heartless attitudes towards the poor, British policy towards Ireland, and the incompetence of Irish politicians. It uses sustained irony and rhetorical devices to expose the absurdity of quick-fix solutions to social problems and to highlight the dire state of Ireland under British rule.

This book is the result of twenty years of meticulous research by Tom O'Neill, who questions the Helter Skelter scenario presented by Vincent Bugliosi. O'Neill's investigation delves into police carelessness, legal misconduct, and potential surveillance by intelligence agents. The book explores the connections between Charles Manson, Hollywood figures, and the CIA's mind-control experiments, presenting a complex and alternative view of the Manson murders and their place in American history.

Set in a dim, nondescript room, 'Endgame' revolves around four characters: Hamm, a blind and paralyzed man; Clov, his servant who cannot sit; and Nagg and Nell, Hamm's parents living in dustbins. The play delves into the bleak and absurd lives of these characters, highlighting their physical and emotional disabilities. Hamm, dependent on Clov for all his needs, engages in bitter and acrimonious dialogue, while Clov longs for something more but lacks the initiative to change. The play is a metaphorical exploration of the endgame in chess, symbolizing the final stages of life and the inevitability of death. Beckett's work challenges the audience to confront the meaninglessness and despair that can characterize human existence.