Reading: Notes From The Underground (1864) by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Roland’s summer selections were based around his theme of Marginal. The book under discussion was Fyodor Dostoevsky ’s Notes From The Underground
With the “rule of six” being introduced prematurely by The Westbourne pub in Hove we had to relocate to Hove beach. Fortunately, the evening of Thursday 10th September 2020 was most clement
Roland was very enthusiastic about Notes From The Underground although he did pause to enquire, what does it all mean? Would others in the HBG be able to answer his question, or indeed share his enthusiasm?
Hamish branded it “turgid” and lambasted it as “heavy going”
Keith, who had recently read Crime and Punishment revealed that book was much better
Nigel stated it was not his cup of tea. The first half is rambling and tedious however things pick up a bit in the second half. His overwhelming emotion on finishing was relief
Robin said he felt more pain and suffering than the bitter, socially inept, thin skinned narrator Underground Man
Tristan observed that the only good thing about the book was that it was just 120 pages, that said it felt more like 300 pages
Nick was relieved it was not just he who had found the book boring and tedious, and added that any profound or illuminating insights into the human condition passed had passed him by
Nick 2.5 / Tristan 3 / Nigel 2 / Keith 5 / Roland 7 / Robin 2 / Hamish 1
Listening: Gain The Axe EP (2019) by Bleep Bloop
At the discussion Roland tried to withdraw the music however we were having none of it. Those who had listened to it were underwhelmed or indeed hostile
Watching: Unabomber: In His Own Words (2020) (Netflix)
We all agree Roland redeemed himself with this Unabomber four part documentary which threw up many interesting issues, a lot of which feel very contemporary. Keith saw parallels with Crime and Punishment and praised the theme song by Man
Endorse It
When Bob Marley Came To Britain (2020) (BBC iPlayer)
The Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies (2014) (ITV player)
Who They Was (2020) by Gabriel Krauze (Book)
Fontaines DC - A Hero’s Death (2020) (LP)
Fear City (2020) (Netflix)
Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich (2020) (Netflix)
The Rise of the Murdoch Dynasty (2020) (BBC iPlayer)
The Wolfhounds - Electric Music (2020) (LP)
Various Artists - Music from Jarvis Cocker’s Sunday Service (2019) (LP)
A Bit of a Stretch (2020) by Chris Atkins (Book)
Rockfield: The Studio on the Farm (2020) (BBC Player)
Once Upon a Time in Iraq (2020) (BBC iPlayer)
I May Destroy You (2020) (BBC iPlayer)
20th Century Women (dir by Mike Mills) (2016) (Film) (BBC iPlayer)
East West Street by Philippe Sands (Book)
Conspiracy Theories (Podcast)
The Mourne Mountains (Ireland)
Edinburgh (City, Scotland)
Big Little Lies (Sky Atlantic)
Go Karting (Pastime)
Blue Anchor (Thai restaurant, Hove)
I’m Thinking Of Ending Things (Netflix)
