Nigel’s choices: Thursday 6th April 2023
Three of the HBG were otherwise engaged and sent written or audio reviews. The rest gathered together to dissect Nigel’s Happy Families themed selections
Theme: *Happy Families*
Nigel explained how the book drove the theme and thought it might be interesting to critique families and parenting.
A divisive book. Four of us loved it. Really loved it. Robin described it as amazing, and the best book we have read for yonks. Nigel dubbed it impressive. Tristan labelled it stonkingly good. Nick praised its economy and power.
Roland, in an uncharacteristically brief audio note, was ultimately unsatisfied, as was Hamish, though both identified praiseworthy elements. Keith was not taken with the novel or the writing style.
My Phantoms is a bleak but incisive 200 page novel narrated by Bridget Grant about her awful parents. Its primary focus is the relationship between Bridget and her mother Hen, although Lee, her appalling father, gets his own memorable section.
Every encounter between Bridget and Hen is a battle. Neither side can give the other what she wants.
For such a short novel there are so many vivid moments: the annual birthday meals between mother and daughter in London; Hen turning up at Bridget's flat to try to finally meet Bridget's partner John; Lee forcing a backstage tour from an actor who they've seen in a Chekov play; Bridget's stay in Hen's Manchester city centre flat in a student halls of residence, Hen persevering with and misunderstanding the novels of Elena Ferrante, and so it goes on. It's compelling and blackly comedic.
As the book progresses we realise that we only have Bridget's perspective. She gives little away about herself which creates doubt about the veracity of her observations. On the face of it, Hen is infuriating. She's insecure, defensive, socially awkward and prone to enthusiasm for short term interests and house moves which inevitably disappoint. But to what extent might Bridget contribute to the unsatisfactory dynamic?
On the surface it’s a relatively straightforward, slice-of-life narrative however so much of Bridget's behaviour is mysterious (e.g. not allowing her mother to stay with her during her yearly visit to London, and avoiding her sister Michelle, even though there’s no evidence of a schism between them). What is revealed of Bridget's everyday life seems stable, mundane even, a reliable partner, a decent flat, and a carefully-nurtured cat.
Whose phantoms does the title ask us to consider? Possibly Hen's short term fads? The appalling parenting? Bridget's own apparently somewhat restricted life?
There's many themes to ponder: authenticity, disappointment, repression, class, mediocrity, families, and psychology.
Nick 8.5 / Tristan 8 / Nigel 9 / Keith 6 / Roland 5 / Robin 9 / Hamish 6
LISTEN: Sly and the Family Stone - Greatest Hits (1970)
Greatest hits compilations don't come any better than this. One of the greatest party albums of all time. Vibrant, life reaffirming, good time music - that still endures over 50 years later.
Keith and Hamish felt it wasn’t for them.
Nick 9.73 / Tristan - / Nigel 10 / Keith - / Roland - / Robin - / Hamish -
WATCH: Shoplifting (2018) dir by Hirokazu Kore-eda
Nigel loves Asian cinema - esp Japanese and South Korean
Tristan found it masterly, Hamish loved it, Nigel thought it both satisfying and devastating
In short, it’s a fascinating take on families, parenting, Japanese culture, and modern Japan. Great performances with plenty to ponder afterwards
Nick - / Tristan 8 / Nigel 8 / Keith 7 / Roland - / Robin 7 / Hamish -
HBG endorse it: 11th March 2023 -> 6th April 2023
Blue Light (iPlayer)
God’s Creatures (Film)
Klein + Warhol (Museum of Modern Art, Nice)
The Hole In The Wall pub, Queensbury Mews, Brighton
Rye Lane (2023) (Film)
Life of Pi (National Theatre)
Little Amal (Puppet)
Phaedra (National Theatre)
The Quiet Girl (Prime)
Suede at Brighton Dome (Live music)
Meet Me In The Bathroom (2022) - NYC music documentary
