Gloucester Crescent

Me, my Dad and other Grown-ups, the sub-title for the book, Gloucester Crescent, provides an accurate indication of the subject matter of this book.  Gloucester Crescent is situated in Camden Town, a London suburb and is on the border of Primrose Hill. In this area, when William Miller was growing up, lived a large number of residents involved with the arts - books, plays, films and television.

William's father, Jonathan Miller, studied medicine but largely worked as an actor, author, a director of plays and operas as well as writing for television. His work on the television show, Beyond the Fringe, made him famous. The television series, The Body in Question, was another of his projects. William's family had a number of friends who stayed at the house or regularly called in for a meal.

Across the road lived Alan Bennett, playwright, author, actor and screenwriter who was a constant visitor at the Miller house. The Lady in the Van (of book and film fame) took up residence in Gloucester Crescent, finally locating the van in Alan Bennett's driveway.

This is the environment in which young William grew up. He tells his story of growing up in Gloucester Crescent in three time frames - age 11, age 16 and age 18, largely as he is attending different schools. The final section is when he looks back on the effects of his upbringing as an adult.

The book provides an interesting inside view of the sometimes claustrophobic lifestyle in this small part of London in the 1970s and 1980s. William and his friend, Conrad, were often bullied at the secondary school they attended and William spent much of his adolescence learning to make his own decisions rather than doing as directed by his father. William finally discovers his own identity and independence from his family.

Bridge of Clay

Markus Zusak's new novel is Bridge of Clay. His famous novel, The Book Thief, was published in 2005 so readers have long been anticipating this novel.

Bridge of Clay is set in New South Wales and is the story of a family, particularly of the five Dunbar boys, Matthew, Rory, Henry, Clay and Tommy, as they try to survive in difficult circumstances. Their mother, Penny, has died after a protracted illness and their father, Michael, has left them to fend for themselves. The boys share the family home with a mule (Archilles), a dog (Rosy), a cat (Hector), a pigeon (Telemachus) and a fish (Agamemnon).

The book is narrated by Matthew, the oldest of the Dunbar boys, as he types the family story on an old typewriter. The story fluctuates between the present and the past as the events affecting this family are gradually revealed. The physical activity and rough and tumble activity of the boys is contrasted with the presence of their mother, although she is no longer there. There are constant references throughout the novel of how stories in books and music and art can influence memories and relationships.

Much of the novel involves the boys challenging themselves to the limit. The need to run and tackle until exhaustion in order to be stronger and face future challenges. Then one day Michael returns requesting the assistance of the boys to build a bridge across a river on the property where he now lives. The boys have always stood together to face challenges and when Clay is the only one to eventually agree to help his father relationships between Clay and his brothers become strained. The bridge becomes a symbol of not just a physical crossing from A to B but a means to mend relationships between family members.

This is a family saga. It is about life and death. It is about relationships and about finding oneself after tragedy. It is definitely a book worth reading.

Bridge of Clay review - Michael McGirr - Sydney Morning Herald 12 October 2018

The Teeger that Cam for his Tea

At Knox Library on Friday Aiden discovered on the shelves a picture book that he recognised but it did not look quite the same. The title was The Teeger who cam for his tea.  We decided to borrow it to have a closer look.

It is fifty years since Judith Kerr wrote and illustrated the picture book, The Tiger who came to Tea. I have a well used copy of the picture book which my children and, more recently, my grandchildren have enjoyed reading. The copy of the book with the strange title is a recent publication translated into Scots by Susan Kelpie. The illustrations and the story remain the same - it is just written in Scots.

Consequently 'Once there was a little girl called Sophie, and she was having tea with her mummy in the kitchen. Suddenly there was a ring at the door.' becomes 'There wis ainse a wee lassie cried Sophie, an ae day she was takkin her tea in the kitchen wi her mum. On a sudden there wis a chap at the door.' And so the story continues.

Having recently enjoyed reading a number of crime books by Scots author Denzil Meyrick where the speech of many of the characters is written in the Scots dialect, it was interesting to come across this well known story also in the Scots dialect.

For those who have difficuty ready the Scots dialect there is a reading of the book on YouTube - The Teeger that Cam for his Tea - You Tube. There are also a number of readings of the original version of the book on YouTube -  StorytimeAnytime - Wendy Stafford - LOL LOL (the condition of the book in this version on YouTube looks rather like our copy at home - well used and loved).

The Tiger who came to tea has also been turned into a play. In January 2015 Abby (then 4) and I went into the city on a train to to see the play at The Playhouse. The play was produced by an English Theatre Comany and the children present were thoroughly entertained with much audience participation. A great introduction to the theatre. When we left the theatre Abby informed me that the play was very funny. She later assured her grandfather that the tiger was just pretend.

When searching online I also discovered reference to a spoof on the Tiger who came to tea - this time, The teenager who came to tea by Emlyn Rees and Josie Lloyd, illustrated by Gillian Johnson and published in 2015. A line from this book indicates the flavour - 'But the teenager didn't take just one Pringle. He took a selfie of himself pouring a whole tube of them into his mouth, before sending it to his best mate, along with the letters LOL!'

Another adult spoof of the book appeared on the English television program, 8 out of 10 cats does Countdown when Sean Locke read his version - The tiger who came for a pint. Channel Four put this clip on Facebook in August 2016.

The tiger who came to tea was published in 1968 and was the author's first book for children. She has written many books since then but the Tiger remains a firm favourite with readers, young and old, throughout the world, not just in England.

Interview: Judith Kerr - Tiger! Tiger! Burning bright - The Guardian 29 November 2008
Book Series in Order - Judith Kerr

Words are my matter: writings about life and books 2000-2016

Ursula Le Guin (1929-2018) was largely an author of science fiction and fantasy books for children and adults. A Wizard of Earthsea was one of a series of fantasy novels written for children. One of her adult science fiction novels is The Dispossessed.

Words are my matter is a series of talks, introductions to books and book reviews that Ursula Le Guin wrote over a sixteen year period. The book is divided into sections containing these groups of material.

The section containing introductions to books and notes on authors is arranged by the surname of the writer. Many of the introductions were written for books published in new editions and therefore include classics such as H G Wells, The Time Machine and Pasternak's Dr Zhivago. The book review section is arranged by author of the book reviewed. However the collection of talks is arranged chronologically by the date the talk was presented. In a number of these talks Ursula Le Guin discusses the opinions about the possible demise of physical books by e-books, genre books considered inferior literature by organisations presenting literary awards and the perception that books written by female authors are considered inferior to those written by male authors.

The reviews include books written by Margaret Atwood, J G Ballard, Roberto Bolano, T C Boyle, Geraldine Brooks, Italo Calvino, Carol Emshwiller, Margaret Drabble, Alan Garner, Kent Haruf, Tove Jansson, Barbara Kingsolver, Chanf-Rae Lee, Donna Leon, Doris Lessing, Yann Martel, China Mieville, David Mitchell, Jan Morris, Julie Otsuka, Salman Rushdie, Jose Sarmago, Sylvia Townsend Warner, Jeanette Winterson and Stefan Zweig.

An interesting collection of articles about reading, books and their authors. This is a book that you can dip into and choose which section to read as the mood takes you.

The French perfumer

It is the mid 1950s and Iris Turner has worked in the British Civil Service for seventeen years. She desperately needs a change. Therefore when she sees an advertisement for an English speaking secretary prepared to work in the south of France she takes a breath and applies. Her new employer is Hammond Brooke who, as he is losing his eyesight, requires assistance in sorting a lifetime of papers and his collection of materials relating to his career as a perfumer. Brooke is also losing his sense of smell so, when she gains his trust, Iris also acts a guide describing the sights and aromas they encounter on their walks.

Unfortunately Iris also has to contend with the owner of the private hotel where she is staying - Vivian Brooke who introduces herself as Brooke's sister. Iris also encounters a number of eccentric guests staying at the hotel. It is soon obvious that all is not what it seems.

Over time Iris learns a little about the perfume industry, the Brooke family's involvement in World War II and who she can and cannot trust as a new life gradually evolves for her.

This is Amanda Hampson's third novel.