The End of the Affair (1951) by Graham Greene

On Thursday 11 July 2019 Nick introduced his theme which was…

The End of the Affair

…and so we started with his literary selection….

BOOK: The End of the Affair (1951) by Graham Greene

Nick was fascinated by the book’s biographical basis and the exploration of faith

Nigel read it in January 2018 and decided to read it again, dubbing it a gorgeously written eulogy for a love affair which has the lot, tragedy, humour, insight and much more. He felt much more sympathy for Bendrix second time round.

Keith was a little unsatisfied by the book but wondered if this was just a manifestation of his anti-Kindle feelings.

Roland declared it “a great book”, whilst Robin labelled it a beautifully written flawed masterpiece

Tristan thought it was a stinker and lamented the pedestrian plot, unlikeable narrator, and the metaphysical waffle which said nothing about love, affairs or the human condition.

Nick 7.5 / Tristan 3 / Nigel 9 / Keith 6 / Roland 8 / Robin 8


MUSIC: Blood on the Tracks (1975) by Bob Dylan

Blood on the Tracks is Nick’s desert island disc. Robin loves it. Roland thinks it’s a classic. Tristan loves a bit of Bob but prefers 'Bringing It All Back Home’. It’s not for Keith. Nigel likes it, but not his voice overly, and prefers Highway 1 Revisited and John Wesley Harding.







FILM: Silver Linings Playbook (2012) directed by David O. Russell

Most of us really liked this film. Jennifer L and Bradley C are fab in their roles, which really adds to the appeal, however all the cast are great.

Keith was less smitten, with Tristan, Robin and Roland annoyed by the cliche Hollywood ending

ENDORSE IT

Utrecht (City)
Middle England by Jonathan Coe (book)
Wild Wild Country (TV Netflix)
The Staircase (TV Netflix)
Making a Murderer (TV Netflix)
Office Politics by The Divine Comedy (Music)
Where The Action Is by The Waterboys (Music)
Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap (Theatre)
Easy - Season 3 (TV Netflix)
Stranger Things - Season 3 (TV Netflix)
The Cricket World Cup (Sport)
The Women's World Cup (Sport)


ADDENDUM

Just when we felt sure the evening couldn't get any better, we were joined by a mature balding man clutching a packet of Alpen muesli who asked if we wanted to hear a joke. Thus ensued four jokes from his repertoire including "the funniest joke of all time" and one that aircraft cabin crew the world over love so much they will lavish you with wonderful service throughout your journey if you share it with them when you board the plane. As Keith articulated, the most disturbing aspect was that he'd identified us as his target audience given the jokes were somewhat unreconstructed and involved references to nymphomaniacs and bit tits.


After our Summer recess we’ll be back with Tristan’s selections…

Theme: Lighthearted Nerdiness

BOOK: Sourdough (2017) by Robin Sloan
MUSIC: OK Computer (1997) by Radiohead
FILM: Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010) directed by Edgar Wright

Mythago Wood (1984) by Robert Holdstock

On Thursday 6th June 2019, Hove Book Group, as tradition dictates when tis close to the Summer Solstice, cycled up to Devils Dyke from Hove where we discussed Roland's Natural Horrors choices...

Book: Mythago Wood (1984) by Robert Holdstock

Roland explained that Mythago Wood is a fantasy novel by British writer Robert Holdstock, published in the United Kingdom in 1984. It won the World Fantasy Award for Best Novel in 1985. It served as the first in a series of novels known as the Mythago Wood or Ryhope Wood cycle. He also confessed that this choice was “a total gamble” and ultimately dubbed it “too implausible”.

Nick was equally dismissive and likened it to King Solomon’s Mines.

Nigel surprised everyone by revealing fantasy is not a genre he feels any affinity with, and Mythago Wood (1984) by Robert Holdstock was not a book he would ever have read were it not for HBG. It’s enjoyable enough. The writing is functional and the book feels quite dated. The sole female character is a beautiful young girl that the three male protagonists all desire. For those with an appetite for this stuff, there are six more books in the series. One was enough for Nigel.

Keith got a negative vibe having approached this fantasy novel as a possible instantiation of CG Jung's archetypes of the collective unconscious theory

Robin called it Shocking. It’s as if Jung and a Victorian spinster got together to weave a tale about a small English family, ancient myths and estrangement.

Tristan asked what the point of it was and lamented the plodding language

Nick 4 / Tristan 3 / Nigel 5 / Keith 3 / Roland 4 / Robin 2


Music: Luminous (2014) by The Horrors

Luminous is the fourth studio album by English rock band the Horrors. It was released on 5 May 2014 by record label XL. The album's style has been described as neo-psychedelia, shoegazing and dream pop.

Nick and Nigel dug it. Roland dubbed it groovesome. Keith exclaimed it was pulsating, danceable psychedelia. Robin stated the Horrors are the masters of reinvention. Tristan may not have listened to it.


Film: Errementari (2017) directed by Paul Urkijo Alijo

Errementari: The Blacksmith and the Devil is a re-telling of an ancient fable about a Blacksmith who finds himself battling the Devil.

The note taking seems to have gone awry at this point. Perhaps another stunning Dyke sunset distracted the nominated note taker? Hazy recollections suggest most of us were unimpressed, especially those who had watched the dubbed version.

Fortunately no such distractions were around for the endorsements…

ENDORSE IT

The Virtues - Shane Meadows on Channel 4 (TV)
'The A to Z of David Bowie’ Podcast - final episode now been and gone
Conn Iggulden - Emperor series (books)
Utrecht - city in the Netherlands (travel)
Coal Black Mornings by Brett Anderson (book)
Mum (BBC TV)
There is no Planet B (book)
Wooden Shjips (live music)