When a new novel is published rarely does it polarise opinion as much as Kasuo Ishiguro's "The Unconsoled". For many it was a masterpiece, unlike anything else ever written - for others it was simply not very good and roundly vilified. There seemed to be no middle ground. My own reaction when I started to … Continue reading “The Unconsoled”
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“The Lying Life of Adults”
Having read positive reviews of Elena Ferrante's "My Brilliant Friend', when I saw her more recent "The Lying Life of Adults" in the bookshop I didn't hesitate to buy it - it was, I was told, also 'astonishing', 'irresistible', 'intense'. Well, I'm afraid the word that kept popping into my head was 'dull'. More than … Continue reading “The Lying Life of Adults”
Sound body, sound mind – an update
Since my original post (appended below) I have now completed 12 stages of my journey since 'leaving' Land's End, cycling some 330km. In a virtual sense, I have now reached Cheddar. Nearly out of the West Country! I have decided to cycle the length of the UK - Land's End to John o'Groats - on … Continue reading Sound body, sound mind – an update
Always happy to read
I have always enjoyed reading my work aloud ever since my first experience of doing so when I was in my early twenties. Historically, being able to read to an audience usually requires an 'event' of some kind - such as a book festival - and then an invitation to do so. One of things … Continue reading Always happy to read
Watching Simon Armitage read…
Yesterday evening I attended the marque event of Ripon's fourth Poetry Festival, a reading by the Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage. Being slightly ambivalent to Armitage's work, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. Without any introduction, Armitage started by reading "Thank you for waiting" - and immediately had the audience in fits of laughter. The … Continue reading Watching Simon Armitage read…
A quick look in the rear-view mirror…
Although it was not that long ago I reflected on the challenge of having 'too much free time' to work on literary projects (see my 'dreams' post), it has been a while since I offered any kind of update on what I'm actually writing. It's odd how your perspective can change week-to-week; how one day … Continue reading A quick look in the rear-view mirror…
Another new project…
...and nothing to do with writing! We have just embarked on a crusade to rescue an ailing allotment. In time-honoured fashion, we are trying to keep a weekly photographic log of our progress. You can see full photos of the challenge we are faced with - and our progress - here. In places the weeds, … Continue reading Another new project…
“Sandettie Light Vessel Automatic”
Simon's Armitage's collection "Sandettie Light Vessel Automatic" is something of a smorgasbord in terms of theme, style, even seriousness. It could easily offer 'something for everybody', as the saying goes. What struck me most of all was a sense that I wasn't reading poetry as much as reviewing 'product'. Everything in this collection was commissioned, … Continue reading “Sandettie Light Vessel Automatic”
“Mayflies”
Andrew O'Hagan's "Mayflies" is unrelenting. During the first half of the book where we see a group of Scottish lads on 'the lash' in Manchester, he immerses us in their over-the-top hedonistic experience of drink, drugs and music without giving us a chance to come up for air. Then, in the second half of the … Continue reading “Mayflies”
A written plea for the next…
I'm currently reading Simon Armitage's Sandettie Light Vessel Automatic and I came across this: each new poem never anything lessthan a written plea for the next.from "Émigré" This is, of course, spot on. For those of us blessed - or plagued (you choose!) - with the compulsion to write, there is always this sense of … Continue reading A written plea for the next…
Ian Gouge - Writer 