Portnoy’s Complaint (1969) by Philip Roth

The hardest working book group in Hove assembled on Thursday 24th June 2021 in the modern environs of Nick’s space age kitchen for his Cancel Culture themed selections starting with…

READING: Portnoy’s Complaint (1969) by Philip Roth

Nick is a fan of Philip Roth but confessed this was his first “early work” and it was a bit ho hum compared with his majestic late period. 

Keith and Robin continued to damn Portnoy with feint praise.

Nigel felt it was akin to being trapped in a lift with an angry, talkative, boring and unfunny Woody Allen. The monologue was meandering and whiny. What was presumably shocking and groundbreaking in 1969 has not aged well. 

Roland - stick or twist? The eternal dilemma

Tristan quite liked elements of it and gave it an extra point for the ending punchline which made him laugh.

Hamish described it as dire before lambasting it for its many shortcomings.

Roland, ever the maverick, loved it and related to the binary dilemma of sticking with a sexually attractive partner versus someone with more cerebral charms.

Nick 5 / Tristan 6 / Nigel 3 / Keith 6 / Roland 9 / Robin 5.5 / Hamish 26

LISTENING: You Are The Quarry (2004) by Morrissey

Nick - unforgivable

Nick feels it is harder to forgive musicians for their shortcomings and dubious political views than it is writers and film makers. Roland called it a dud whilst the rest of us ranged from neutral to outright fans of the music. 

WATCHING: Chinatown (1974) directed by Roman Polanski

Some of us heralded this a noir masterpiece with a solid and charismatic Jack Nicholson performance at its core, others felt it was a tad disappointing. None could overlook the unforgivable conduct and behaviour of director Roman Polanski

HBG endorse it: 28 May 2021 - 24 June 2021

Succession (Sky Atlantic)

Afternoon tea at the post office in Glynde, Sussex

Stewart Lee - Unreliable Narrator (BBC podcast)

Discounted breakfast at Hixon Green in Lewes and Hove

Time (BBC iPlayer)

Together (BBC iPlayer)

Marlet Kayak Club on Brighton seafront

Next time out we are discussing Tristan's choices….

*1970s Britain*

READ: Instructions for a Heatwave (2013) by Maggie O’Farrell

LISTEN: Cut (1979) by The Slits

WATCH: Abigail’s Party (1977) directed by Mike Leigh (DVD)

Date of meeting: Wednesday 21st July 2021

Hamish will be unveiling the choices for Thursday 9th September 2021