My thoughts about books, writing, life and so many other things….Judy Leigh/ Elena Collins.
Uzodinma Iweala's novel Beasts of no Nation is a brutal story about a boy who is forced to become a soldier. I read it in an hour and it has real impact. It's written in the present continuous tense, which gives it a sense of immediacy and the voice of the character is omnipresent, youthful and naive,. His language …
Continue reading Beasts of no Nation: a novel about a boy and a gun
It's not often Beckett comes to Devon. I have seen brilliant Becketts in our big cities but the Cygnet's version of Krapp's Last Tape in Exeter, starring James Elston, is definitely worth catching. It runs until June 11th. I am a real Beckett fan and I have been fortunate to see master actors on stage performing …
The referendum vote on June 23rd is one of the most important political decisions in our lifetime and, I have to admit, at the beginning I didn't think the Leave campaign was likely to win. I spent some time in Europe last month and I had lunch with some French and Belgian people who told me they were …
Continue reading On the E.U. vote: wars, words and perceptions of truth.
I have just finished reading 'Shakespeare's Wife' by Germaine Greer. It is the most superb read. I love the way Greer becomes a voice in your head when you're reading this book: you can hear her firmness, the way she is sure of her facts and how she isn't afraid to proffer an opinion. And this …
Continue reading Laddish literature? Not in Germaine Greer’s book.
I thought I'd share a Youtube song with an animated film, which made me feel really happy when I saw it. Happy weekend time. It is Gogol Bordello's Pala Tute. Directed by Aliaksei Tserakhau, the video is a mixed media collage which blends stop-motion animation and live action, with a lot of green screen work. The story …
Today as the sun was shining in the South of merry England, a postman dropped a brown envelope through my letterbox and walked away, whistling a catchy tune. I was busy writing so I left the post for later, which made the contents of the envelope a real treat when I finally ripped the paper …
In a recent episode of Coronation Street, Cathy proposed marriage to widower Roy Cropper, who was so focused on Carla's post-wedding problems and the need to collect her in his car, that he brushed the would-be bride's pleas to one side. As Cathy moaned to her nephew Alex about what had happened, he tried to console her: …
A few days ago, I began reading a book which didn't immediately grab my attention. Like all readers, I encounter novels which work for me and some which don't. Even among novelists whose work I love, there are books which don't do it for me. Donna Tartt is a great example- I loved The Goldfinch and The …
Continue reading When to stop and when to read on until the bitter end?
I'd just been out with friends to The Star, my local pub, for a very lively evening and we came back home and chose a movie. What better than to settle down and watch 'Third Star'? We were all in the mood for a strong plot, with an actor who always delivers a fine performance, and the film has …
Continue reading Cumberbatch’s ‘Third Star’ left me startled
Last night, for about 45 minutes, Liverpool FC looked like they might just win the Europa League final against Sevilla after a world-class goal by Daniel Sturridge put them ahead. Then, as soon as the second half started, Sevilla came back with a real intention to make the game theirs and scored. The Liverpool players' …
That quintessence of dust 