Greengates has just arrived from the depths of the Oxfordshire library store and I’m looking forward to it. Ordered after reading Sheriff’s autobiography No Leading Lady, which was fascinating not just for his unlikely transformation into Hollywood screenwriter but for his total devotion to his mother, seemingly at the expense of any other close companionship.
Lots of lovely things to do follow up - I love the Sound of Greengates, which I have, but has been waiting quietly. I must read Anita Brookner again and recently watched the play with Anna Massey, which was a wonderful reminder. I think I will give the Richard Isman film a miss - I don't think I can be doing! I enjoyed the first book like you, but didn't the second and gave up. A lovely read, June, thank you.
Greengates is a slow burn, but very satisfying. I’m reading Alice Thomas Ellis at the moment - The Summerhouse. Another writer that I never got around to earlier.
Great review of TTMC. I broadly agree, though I quite enjoyed it all the same: it’s easy viewing. May I add another stereotype, and this one is down to Osman, not Columbus: making a Polish male character a builder is stereotype-central. I always say: we (Eastern Europeans) will know we’ve truly arrived when we are CEOs, fashion designers, artists etc, rather than builders, baristas, au-pairs or hospitality workers. And you might have seen my note criticising the use of Polish - I wish they didn’t.
Yes indeed. Yeah, I wouldn't have stayed with if I wasn't enjoying it on some level, but a bit of a wasted opportunity. Or maybe some stories just need to stay on the page?
I haven't read those Osman novels although I take my hat off to him, but from what I've read this film sounds such a wasted opportunity. Going all Hollywood on it is surely exactly what not to do.
Intrigued that you didn't like Denholm Elliott as Mr N.... but the whole thing is glorious, I do agree. Googie Withers!!!!
Julia Mackenzie, so perfectly, cringingly awful! Denholm Elliott felt to me a little ‘ordinary’. I would have preferred someone a little more dashing, a little more mysterious. Perhaps Jeremy Brett when he was on form…
Also it’s the best ending of a book ever, that change to the telegram from ‘Coming home’ to ‘Returning’. So Edith, so decided. Perfect.
Yes. A wonderful novel. Almost frighteningly honest. That's interesting about Mr Neville, I now see what you mean... have just remembered Irene Handl, and the divine Patricia Hodge - oh my goodness,, in fact I may have to watch it again. Thank you for the reminder!
Damn, why can't I post a photo to a note? I tried and lost a very long note I'd written. This is version2. You've read some great books this month..and I enjoyed the film of TTMC, although I agree it wasn't as subtle or funny as the book. I thought Mirren was great and I don't always like her. But in my mind Ron has always been an actor called Ron Cook, this guy
I went to hear Patrick Grant speak about his book at the Cambridge Literary Festival last year although didn’t buy the book for reasons you have confirmed. However he was very eloquent and charming and made an excellent case for buying less but better quality. He was also very humble when someone pointed out that not everyone can afford to buy better and admitted he didn’t really have an answer to that.
After hearing him I bought a lightweight canvas jacket from Community Clothing which is a timeless design and well made and I’m sure it will last me a very long time…. Probably outlive me knowing how long I keep clothes!
I can recommend not buying anything new for a year. I did it a few years ago and it has changed my shopping habits. I buy very little new each year now.
Disappointing to hear that about the Thursday Murder Club film!
Greengates has just arrived from the depths of the Oxfordshire library store and I’m looking forward to it. Ordered after reading Sheriff’s autobiography No Leading Lady, which was fascinating not just for his unlikely transformation into Hollywood screenwriter but for his total devotion to his mother, seemingly at the expense of any other close companionship.
Gosh that sounds interesting. I shall have to look for it!
Lots of lovely things to do follow up - I love the Sound of Greengates, which I have, but has been waiting quietly. I must read Anita Brookner again and recently watched the play with Anna Massey, which was a wonderful reminder. I think I will give the Richard Isman film a miss - I don't think I can be doing! I enjoyed the first book like you, but didn't the second and gave up. A lovely read, June, thank you.
Greengates is a slow burn, but very satisfying. I’m reading Alice Thomas Ellis at the moment - The Summerhouse. Another writer that I never got around to earlier.
Great review of TTMC. I broadly agree, though I quite enjoyed it all the same: it’s easy viewing. May I add another stereotype, and this one is down to Osman, not Columbus: making a Polish male character a builder is stereotype-central. I always say: we (Eastern Europeans) will know we’ve truly arrived when we are CEOs, fashion designers, artists etc, rather than builders, baristas, au-pairs or hospitality workers. And you might have seen my note criticising the use of Polish - I wish they didn’t.
My husband thought it was pretty dire.
Yes indeed. Yeah, I wouldn't have stayed with if I wasn't enjoying it on some level, but a bit of a wasted opportunity. Or maybe some stories just need to stay on the page?
I haven't read those Osman novels although I take my hat off to him, but from what I've read this film sounds such a wasted opportunity. Going all Hollywood on it is surely exactly what not to do.
Intrigued that you didn't like Denholm Elliott as Mr N.... but the whole thing is glorious, I do agree. Googie Withers!!!!
Julia Mackenzie, so perfectly, cringingly awful! Denholm Elliott felt to me a little ‘ordinary’. I would have preferred someone a little more dashing, a little more mysterious. Perhaps Jeremy Brett when he was on form…
Also it’s the best ending of a book ever, that change to the telegram from ‘Coming home’ to ‘Returning’. So Edith, so decided. Perfect.
Yes. A wonderful novel. Almost frighteningly honest. That's interesting about Mr Neville, I now see what you mean... have just remembered Irene Handl, and the divine Patricia Hodge - oh my goodness,, in fact I may have to watch it again. Thank you for the reminder!
Damn, why can't I post a photo to a note? I tried and lost a very long note I'd written. This is version2. You've read some great books this month..and I enjoyed the film of TTMC, although I agree it wasn't as subtle or funny as the book. I thought Mirren was great and I don't always like her. But in my mind Ron has always been an actor called Ron Cook, this guy
https://share.google/images/QdsY12AB5AvBIu6t5
Oh yes! He would work!
You go you! What a reader, and what an entertaining review of The Thursday MC, wch I may or may not now watch!...
Haha! Oh, do watch, and tell me what you think!
I went to hear Patrick Grant speak about his book at the Cambridge Literary Festival last year although didn’t buy the book for reasons you have confirmed. However he was very eloquent and charming and made an excellent case for buying less but better quality. He was also very humble when someone pointed out that not everyone can afford to buy better and admitted he didn’t really have an answer to that.
After hearing him I bought a lightweight canvas jacket from Community Clothing which is a timeless design and well made and I’m sure it will last me a very long time…. Probably outlive me knowing how long I keep clothes!
I can recommend not buying anything new for a year. I did it a few years ago and it has changed my shopping habits. I buy very little new each year now.
Disappointing to hear that about the Thursday Murder Club film!