On Thursday 3rd January 2019 we discussed Nick's “English Upper Class Debauchery” themed choices
Nick explained how Never Mind (1992), winner of the Betty Trask Award, was the starting point for his “English Upper Class Debauchery” theme
Never Mind is the first in Edward St Aubyn's semi-autobiographical Patrick Melrose novels, recently adapted for TV for Sky Atlantic and starring Benedict Cumberbatch as aristocratic addict, Patrick.
Nick stressed how important it is to read the other four books in the series and how they are all, including Never Mind, beautifully written. To an audible exclamation of shock, Nick had no hesitation in lavishing the full 10 on St Aubyn's series opener.
One shocking episode dominates this book and everyone in the group was appalled by it. At the age of five, St Aubyn was raped by his father. This is documented in this first book. The abuse continued for three years, until the eight-year-old St Aubyn somehow persuaded his father, who was then almost 60, to stop. His mother claimed to know nothing of the abuse when he told her decades later. St Aubyn was a drug addict from the age of 16 to 28. This phase is charted in his remarkable second novel, Bad News.
All of us acclaimed this book. Some of us had read further into the series. Nigel has read the entire series and he stated it is only as a cumulative experience that these Patrick Melrose novels really work. Treat the five short Patrick Melrose novels as one long book and you will enjoy a reading experience to rival Anthony Powell's magnificent A Dance To The Music Of Time - the highest praise Nigel could give. That said, he was least impressed by this book, the series opener, which was reflected in his rating (out of ten)...
Nick 10 / Tristan 9 / Nigel 7 / Keith 8 / Roland 9 / Robin 8.5
MUSIC: Roxy Music - Avalon (1982)
Nick soundtracked his “English Upper Class Debauchery” themed choices with the languid sound of Bryan Ferry and his Roxy Music at their commercial peak
Avalon is the eighth and final studio album by Roxy Music. Released in May 1982, it was recorded in 1981–82 at Compass Point Studios in Nassau, Bahamas, and is generally regarded as the culmination of the smoother, more adult-oriented sound of the band's later work.
Somewhat surprisingly most dismissed it as a bit boring - the two big hit singles notwithstanding. Nigel, ever the contrarian, came to it feeling much the same way but, having listened to it extensively, was a complete convert to its charms, heralding the blend of experimentation with the smoother stylings.
It was much the same story with...
FILM: High-Rise (2015) directed by Ben Wheatley
High-Rise is a 2015 British dystopian drama directed by Ben Wheatley, starring Tom Hiddleston, Jeremy Irons, Sienna Miller, Luke Evans, and Elisabeth Moss. It was produced by Jeremy Thomas through his production company Recorded Picture Company. Its screenplay was written by Amy Jump and based on the 1975 novel High-Rise by British writer J. G. Ballard.
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| Roland enjoys a quiet night in watching High-Rise |
Most were bored and underwhelmed. Nigel heralded it a cinematic masterclass.
ENDORSE IT
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