Tristan’s choices
Theme: Talking animals
Tristan: Unlike previous months, I considered lots of books in the time leading up to this one, but an awful lot of them felt quite heavy going, and I thought it was time for some light relief. So that’s why I settled on this book, and the theme could just as well be called “lighthearted romp” as much as “talking animals”.
READ: Gun, with Occasional Music (1994) by Jonathan Lethem
Private Investigator Metcalf is pure Marlowe. The plot could be lifted from any one of Raymond Chandler's Marlowe books albeit here with the addition of a kangaroo heavy, a sheep doubling as a clandestine mistress, and a PI whose nervous system has been switched with that of a former girlfriend.
Tristan: Although it fit my criteria, I came away feeling slightly dissatisfied: it skirted the edges of being lots of different things, but ultimately didn’t deliver
Nick: I loved the idea of the babyheads, the nerve swapping technology, animals scientifically turned into humans but for all these big themes, it felt like a book of ideas in search of a storyline
Nigel: It's remarkable how noir adapts so perfectly to this kind of speculative, dystopian fiction. Recommended.
Keith: Strong but too implausible. Feels very modern despite being 30 years old
Roland: Weak story
Robin: Annoying. Drab. Dull. Forgettable
Hamish: A dark, gripping and engrossing tale, a fresh debut novel, but not without its flaws. Unlike too many books, I did think this one had a great ending.
Nick 5 / Tristan 6 / Nigel 8 / Keith 6 / Roland 5 / Robin - / Hamish 7.5
LISTEN: The Muppet Show Album (1977)
Tristan: I have a huge personal connection to this in that I used to listen to it on repeat on the car stereo when I was around six years old. It’s like a message from a simpler, happier time: lots of songs, simple gags, and a whole joyous thing to listen to
Nick: brought back so many happy memories. Mr Bassman, Half Way Down the Stairs, Lydia the Tattooed Lady, Simon Smith and his Amazing Dancing Bear - it was the first place I heard these great songs - and they still sound really good
Nigel: Obviously we all love The Muppets who were and are a lot of fun but I can’t take this seriously. Robin the Frog’s Halfway Down the Stairs was a UK top ten single in 1977. As a 15 year old it annoyed me. A waste of valuable time when it got played on Top of the Pops. It still makes me cross. We wanted The Jam and we got Robin the Frog! The Gilbert & Sullivan spoof and Mahna Mahna make me smile
Keith: I love the Muppets. Great musicianship
Roland: Hated the songs. I have no nostalgic connection to the Muppets.
Robin: Big fan
Hamish: I never watched The Muppets, so have no nostalgic link to it. This is dreadful and I hate it.
Nick 10 / Tristan 10 / Nigel 5 / Keith - / Roland - / Robin - / Hamish 0
WATCH: The Cat Returns (2002)
Tristan: failed to live up to my expectations of a Studio Ghibli film, which often have a lot to offer adults as well as children
Nick: The imagination of the team who put this together is quite something. It is sweet but pretty light and mercifully short
Nigel: I watched a lot of Studio Ghibli films when my kids were young. The story here is thin and lacks the emotional depth that makes their best films so memorable. Haru is a bland protagonist and this lightweight fairytale has little to excite or surprise.
Keith: Ghibli-lite
Roland: No redeeming features
Robin: Did not watch
Hamish: Studio Ghibli is much loved by my eldest two daughters. Myself, I love the art, but find sitting through an hour's film gets a little tedious. This one was no exception. I hate cats
Nick 5 / Tristan 3 / Nigel 3 / Keith - / Roland 0 / Robin - / Hamish 6
HBG endorse it: 10 January 2025 - 20 February 2025
Mo (Netflix)
Frances Ha (Prime)
A Complete Unknown (Cinema)
Becoming Led Zeppelin (Cinema)
We Might Regret This (BBC iPlayer)
Saturday Night (Film about SNL)
