Thursday 10 September 2026
Theme: Aspirations (Selected by Keith)
READ: Change by Édouard Louis
The group held a polarising discussion on Louis’s autofiction memoir, focusing on themes of social mobility, personal transformation, self-erasure, and the cold treatment of friends and family along the way.
- Keith: Found Louis highly motivated to transform himself, though he felt unsure about how the author felt about it and indeed how he felt about it. Found it interesting but not sure he enjoyed it. (8/10)
- Nick: Called it a "perfect book club tome". Absorbing, gripping, and fast-paced, though Louis comes across as a narcissistic, self-pitying, hypocritical social climber who treats others as stepping stones. (7/10)
- Robin: Found very little to like outside of the skillful writing. Criticised the narrator's narcissism, coldness, and lack of empathy, particularly towards his mother. Would not recommend. (2/10)
- Nigel: Loved the raw honesty and socioeconomic analysis. Praised it as an intense and very readable chronicle of social mobility, self-erasure, and manufactured identity. (9/10)
- Hamish: Enjoyed the first 30 pages, but became less enamoured as it went on, finding the author self-absorbed and unpleasant. (6/10)
- Roland: Agreed regarding Louis's unrelenting ambition, but felt it was mitigated by self-reflection, making him a rounded human being. Found it a powerful, captivating read. (8/10)
- Tristan: Noted the abject poverty of his background made for a great story, but questioned how much was fiction vs. truth. A touching coming-of-age story, though a bit repetitive. (6.5/10)
LISTEN: A Grand Don’t Come For Free by The Streets
The album received overwhelmingly positive reviews for its storytelling, relatability, and emotional depth, with a few dissenting views on its listening experience.
- Nick: "Urgent and magnificent." Called Mike Skinner a genius and highlighted "Dry Your Eyes" as a desperate, classic love song. (9.27/10)
- Robin: Found it beautifully written, original, touching, and empathetic. (9/10)
- Nigel: Called it an enduring landmark UK album that expertly captures male heartbreak and relatable everyday vignettes. (8/10)
- Hamish: Didn't really get it despite acknowledging Skinner as a brilliant storyteller. (6/10)
- Keith: Had never heard The Streets before. Enjoyed the lack of aspiration related to the broader theme and thought it was done really well. (9/10)
- Tristan: Had always hated the album previously. Found it still grates, yet he was able to enjoy and appreciate it much more this time. (5/10)
- Roland: Like Tristan, was deeply skeptical, but was "blinded by the light" which resulted in an unlikely "Damascene conversion." (6/10)
WATCH: Sorry We Missed You (Dir. Ken Loach)
The film provoked strong reactions regarding its heavy, polemical nature and themes of bleakness versus social realism.
- Nick: Could not watch due to no internet following a move, but looks forward to seeing it.
- Robin: Did not watch.
- Nigel: A powerful rewatch. Noted that Ken Loach remains the master of hard-hitting polemics, though legal changes have thankfully reduced some of the delivery practices depicted. (7/10)
- Hamish: A very bleak film with very little positivity, where characters suffered as a consequence. (4/10)
- Keith: So-so bleak with very little positivity. (9/10)
- Roland: Thought there were just too many bad things one after another. An important political film, but felt like pure misery. (5/10)
- Tristan: Agreed it was a relentless portrayal of misery. Felt it was "too much," yet important and timely. (6/10)ENDORSE IT
HBG endorse it: Thursday 31st July 2026 - 10 September 2026
PODCAST
Shadow World - Breaking The Cycle (BBC Radio 4)
Isle of Wight Festival The Reunion (BBC Radio 4)
BOOK
I Hear a New World (2026) by Alan Moore
Ragtime by EL Doctorow
FILM
The Odyssey (Christopher Nolan 2026)
No Other Choice (Dir by Park Chan-wook) (Mubi)
FESTIVAL
We Out Here
Shambala
MUSIC
Nick Cave in Preston Park
TELEVISION
Two Weeks In August (BBC)
