Michael Palin – Python, actor, TV travel writer, novelist - is terribly famous and I have never met him. I’ve seen him on TV and film screens all my life, however, so, like millions of others I have the illusion that I know what he’s like, and thus might be able to have a conversation … Continue reading Don’t take Michael Palin to bed, he’ll keep you up all night
Month: January 2015
now posting on Vulpes Libris: Zulmira Ribeiro Tavares’ Family Heirlooms
Read a review by me on Vulpes Libris of a novella by the stupendous Brazilian author Zulmira Ribeiro Tavares, all rubies and secrets in the afternoon.
now posting on Vulpes Libris: Noi Don Magnifico
Read a short piece by me in Vulpes Libris in which I witter on with happy bubbles about Rossini's La Cerenentola. (Like I know anything about opera.)
John Buchan’s The Three Hostages
This podcast script was written for a miniseries on Thrillers for Gentlemen. I was looking at the thriller or spy novel that was masculine without being brutal; written about, and possibly also for, men of a certain generation who understood the ethos of the gentleman’s club, and worked within its rules. I’m not saying that way … Continue reading John Buchan’s The Three Hostages
the great Brontë slapdown
It's here, it's alive. The long argument about the Brontës that Vulpes Libris conducted behind closed doors in a secret boxing ring somewhere in the ethersphere has been posted on Vulpes Libris, and its a zinger. If you'd like a long read about why Moira and I hate and love our respective Brontës, and feel … Continue reading the great Brontë slapdown
On indexing a reading diary
I’ve kept a reading diary since 2008. I’ve filled four fat notebooks so far, each taking from eighteen months to two years to fill, with about a page apiece of notes on the books I’ve finished. The entries are mostly about the books I read for pleasure: not the critical reading I do for work, … Continue reading On indexing a reading diary
early warning: Brontë slapdown coming this Friday
BookFox Moira and I had a bit of a barney before Christmas in the Vulpes Libris chat space: Charlotte, or Emily? The results of the Brontë slapdown get posted on Friday over at Vulpes Libris. Never have literary sisters squabbled so violently in the wrestling ring.
Peter O’Donnell’s Modesty Blaise
(Forgetfully and foolishly I wrote this pod script up twice: here in January 2015, and here in Sept 2015. They're mostly the same, but there will be slight differences. Sorry about that.) This podcast was written for the letter O, the classic 1960s cartoon strip writer, Peter O’Donnell. He is most famous for his creation of … Continue reading Peter O’Donnell’s Modesty Blaise
Noel Langley’s There’s A Porpoise Close Behind Us
Noel Langley was a South African playwright, a screenwriter, and a comic novelist of the London theatre. I say 'comic', because that's how the very sparse online references describe his few novels. Possibly this is because his most famous novel, The Land of Green Ginger, was delightfully enjoyable, as were his screenplays: The Wizard of Oz … Continue reading Noel Langley’s There’s A Porpoise Close Behind Us
Rachel Ferguson’s Celebrated Sequels
I posted a blog on Rachel Ferguson's 1934 book of parodies, Celebrated Sequels, on Vulpes Libris. Those pilloried and adored by the superb writer of The Brontes Went to Woolworths include E F Benson, Elizabeth Von Arnim, H G Wells, Sinclair Lewis, Mrs Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch, Louisa M Alcott, Beverley Nichols and E … Continue reading Rachel Ferguson’s Celebrated Sequels
Kate Macdonald 