Happiness Is Wasted On Me (2020) by Kirkland Ciccone

 Hamish’s choices: Thursday 5th October 2023

Theme: *New Towns*

READ: Happiness Is Wasted On Me (2020) by Kirkland Ciccone

If David Lynch had grown up in Cumbernauld in the 1990s he might well have written Happiness is Wasted on Me (2020).

It's a coming of age tale about Walter Wedgeworth who is part of a highly dysfunctional family. He's 11 at the outset and 21 by the end. As if he didn't already have more than enough to contend with, a dark and disturbing discovery at the start of the novel casts a terrible pall over Walter's young life.

Hamish came to it via Snuggie Otis, and because he finds Cumbernauld a fascinating place - both award winning and much maligned. Hamish liked the dark humour and good characters

Tristan liked it despite the implausibilities

The novel did not lift off for Nick. He was stuck at ground control casting envious glances as others soared above him

Roland found much to enjoy but thought the characters were too superficial

 

Keith found it savage with plenty to appreciate 

Nigel loved it, describing it as original, funny, touching, dramatic, wise, and life affirming.

Nick 5 / Tristan 7 / Nigel 9/ Keith 7 / Roland 5 / Robin (did not read) / Hamish 8

*

Prospect of Skelmersdale (2016) by Magnetic North

Nick and Nigel really liked this. Hamish, Keith and Roland thought it was good. Tristan was left cold by it

*

Boston Kickout (1995) dir by Paul Hills

We all agreed this was a truly awful film. Completely pointless coming of age story set in Stevenage new town. A great cast are totally wasted on a load of incoherent nonsense, none of which feels remotely convincing or credible. Have we ever watched a worse film? 

Or did we all agree? Actually no. Roland really liked it, lavishing it with an 8 and Tristan, whilst acknowledging it was rubbish, was glad to have watched it. In fact we all found some interesting aspects to it.

*

HBG endorse it: 7 September 2023 -> 5 October 2023

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Ezra Collective (Jazz band/Mercury Music Prize winners 2023)