"Unspeakable Things: Sex, Lies and Revolution" (2014) by Laurie Penny

BOOK: "Unspeakable Things: Sex, Lies and Revolution" (2014) by Laurie Penny

Quite divisive this one. Being equality loving cats, everybody was down with Laurie’s politics however the structure and coherence of the book troubled some of us. Roland even questioned his masculinity - more unironic dancing to Taylor Swift for that man. A call for action? Nah, Nick lambasted the lack of desire to engage with anyone beyond Laurie’s core audience HOWEVER Tristan, Robin and Roland were inspired to take the fight to the haters. So it appears that one man’s frustrating, rambling and incoherent is another’s passionate manifesto for urgent change. 

Roland - questioned his masculinity

Tristan 7/10

Hamish 2/10

Robin 7.5/10

Keith 6/10

Nick 1.5/10

Nigel 4/10

MUSIC: “Christ” (1982) by Crass 

Crass? Not those po-faced, joyless, dressed-all-in-black anarcho fans. It’s a bleeding racket isn’t it. Yes, was the resounded response. Although, for those who read the lyrics there is some good stuff.

FILM: “The Mask You Live In” (2015) (Documentary) directed by Jennifer Siebel Newsom

The central point about the unhelpfulness of America’s narrow definition of masculinity and hyper-masculinity was powerfully, if repeatedly made. Interesting that the traditional stereotypes are only at the margins (of the normal distribution curve) - and males and females have far more in common than differences (shades of Caitlin Moran). More relevant in the US than here? Gun culture, abuse, and the guys in prison, incredible stats about rape, murder, etc and how much is linked to gender. Phew. America is one messed up place. The section with the young men writing what’s on the front of their masks and what’s on the back, was really powerful and moving. That teacher was inspirational.

ENDORSE IT

NICK: Charlie Brooker's 2016 Wipe (BBC4)

NIGEL:

FILM: ‘Sicario’ (on Netflix) Emily Blunt and Benicio del Toro both excellent in hard hitting drug drama

DOCUMENTARY: ‘13th’ (on Netflix) - how and why the US has such an enormous prison population (of which a high percentage are from ethnic minorities).

BOOK: 'The Power of the Dog' by Don Winslow - epic and compelling and reminds Nigel more than somewhat of James Ellroy a comparison he doesn’t make lightly. Not saying it’s quite as good as Ellroy but it has the same scope and, like Ellroy, shines a light deep into the morally ambiguous, dark heart of the American dream. Now currently reading the follow up ‘The Cartel’ 

ROLAND: ‘Nocturnal Animals” (2016) film

KEITH: The Harry Potter films

TRISTAN: Black Mirror TV series on Netflix

ROBIN: Captain Phillips + Saving Mr Banks (films)