Random burblings since 1999
Today is an anniversary of sorts, nothing major, but the type of thing my beloved wife remembers (but then she can recall the birthdays of virtually all the people in her YEAR at school).
See if you can guess what it is; 16 years ago today Louise and I first _________ .
In case you missed it, my Mum posted the following comment:
“Wee pops and ickle mums would like to thank you all for your good wishes. He is being a good boy and doing exactly what the doctor (or the cute wee nurse in the blue uniform actually) told him. His nurse in hospital was called Gordon so was that a good omen or what. (No he wasn’t the one in the cute blue uniform…..) Wee pops little legs will now do 4000 steps a day – 2000 x 2 and we are aiming for 10,000 in about 5 weeks time, angiogram in September and – all fingers crossed -previously booked hotel in Fuerteventura at the end of that month. Thanks again.”
Not sure if my Dad likes being referred to as “wee pops” mind you…
The Electric Michelangelo by Sarah Hall
I’ll happily admit that I bought this book on the strength of the cover (and the title) and I’ll also admit that I was happily surprised by this story. It tells the tale of Cy, a young lad from Morecambe who somehow ends up an apprentice to the town tattooist, and tracks his life through the deaths of his mother and his mentor, his life in Coney Island, his love of an eccentric beauty called Grace and the final circle of his days.
The personalities in the book are mostly larger than life but never seems so in the context of the novel, each one slotting into place and bringing insights when required. The story is more of how easily a life can slip by without noticing, and that despite the wonders around us we rarely seem to notice them until something extraordinary happens. It urges us to take a chance, act on desire and not to be haunted by the past. Simple enough psychology for sure but it aids the flow of the narrative well yet never descends to be yet another maudlin tale of a life wasted, instead you revel in the wonders around Cy, the very things he takes for granted.
There is one choice in this book that I’d question, Grace is a bit too enigmatic to really allow you to become attached to her but maybe that’s the point, her eccentricity keeping both reader and lead character at arms length.
I don’t think this will be for everyone, but don’t let the topics involved put you off. Ohh and if you have read Sarah Hall’s previous novel it’ll be a change from that (so don’t let that put you off either).
The third of David Mitchell’s books that I’ve read and again it’s different from the last one. The book is split across several different interlinking stories, cleverly worked together to ensure that, whether you are reading a story within a story, reading a myth recanted, or reading the mis-adventures of some of the characters you are always engrossed. And that to me is the key to Mitchell’s writing.
From the opening stanza to the final page you are pulled into the worlds he creates effortlessly, and you soon forget the previous part of the story as you are pulled rapidly into the new one. This is not to say that the book feels like it’s made of parts, or in anyway spoils the flow of the novel (aside from the unsettling mid-sentence ending of the first section), but once you settle into the style it enhances it and as you progress it makes continually more sense.
The easiest way to describe this book, rather than cover each story within, is to imagine a set of novels split in two. The opening section and final section are comprised of the diary of an American lawyer in the Pacific, the next and penultimate sections deal with a rogue genius composer… and so on, with each story being opened and closed and “book ending” the novel. Clever and well worked, which is just as well as occasionally it does feel like it’s a tad too concocted to make the pieces fit.
It’s a fairly unique piece of work, if you enjoyed his novel Ghostwritten you’ll enjoy this, but if you’ve never read any of his work then give it a bash.
Movie info from IMDB
Movie reviews from Metacritic
Well, well, well. There’s life in the old bat yet!
I have to admit that I had fairly high hopes for this being a fan of both the director, Christopher Nolan, and the lead, Christian Bale, and I’ll happily admit that they delivered a solid movie. The descent of Bruce Wayne into misery and his re-birth as Batman is excellently handled, and as I’d managed to stay away from all reviews and coverage there was even a gentle plot twist (telegraphed somewhat but I hadn’t heard about it) near the end.
The movie is quite nicely paced, with no section feeling overly long or too rushed, the actors deliver good enough performances – although Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman could’ve done it in their sleep – and the whole thing was very slickly put together with just enough dirty and grime to make sure we realise Gotham is a city in decay. From what I know of the comics it’s a much more accurate portrayal of the Dark Knight as well.
In fact the worst criticism I can muster is the woeful under-use of Gary Oldman, but maybe the sequel will offer him something a little meatier to chew on, not that any of the recognisable cast had much to stretch their abilities.
The big question is, when’s the sequel out!!
Clair has been recalling all the concerts she’s been to, so you can blame her for this.
One habit I’ve always had is to keep the tickets for all the concerts I’ve ever attended (not in chronological order).
And I’m done… I think…
Most of the concerts took place between 1989 and 1998, not managed as many since getting married but slowly getting back into it. Next concert is… Bjorn Again (again!).
There is definitely something about live music, and not just the volume. A good live band knows how to work a crowd and there is nothing better than hearing a new spin on a favourite song – Massive Attack nailed Safe from Harm at T in the Park last year, sending shivers down my spine.