Coming Through Slaughter (1976) by Michael Ondaatje

Roland’s choices

Devil’s Dyke Tavern on Thursday 15th June 2023 @ 7:00 pm

Theme: *Jazz*

A car crash was not a great start to our annual cycle up to Devil’s Dyke however, that aside, it was another lovely evening of great weather, companionship and a great ride there and back.

Roland is renewing a lapsed teenage acquaintanceship with Jazz. Poets Corner delights in his sax playing. With all this in mind,  it was time to dig a bit deeper in the world of Jazz. Nice

READ:  Coming Through Slaughter (1976) by Michael Ondaatje

Michael Ondaatje was an established poet when he wrote this short experimental debut novel about Buddy Bolden 

The real Buddy Bolden was an early 20th century New Orleans jazz cornet player. No recordings exist of Bolden's playing, and very little is known of his life beyond the fact that he had a breakdown during a Mardi Gras parade and died years later in a Louisiana asylum.

Roland described it as hard work.

Nigel felt that the Buddy who emerges is an unsympathetic figure about whom we gain no real insights. Other character's like Bolden's wife Nora Bass, policeman friend Webb, and prostitute photographer Bellocq remain similarly opaque.

Hamish called it disjointed but a real jazz novel that he intends to immediately read again 

Nick found it sporadically compelling

Robin labelled it Dickensian

Keith asked, what was the point? No sense of jazz to be found here, before announcing he was not taken with it

Tristan declared it was probably more fun to write than to read before quoting some nonsensical sections. He then asked, what was fact and what was fiction? What indeed?

Nick 8 / Tristan 5.5 / Nigel 3 / Keith 4.5  / Roland 6.5 / Robin 7.5 / Hamish 10

LISTEN: Black To The Future (2021) by Sons of Kemet

Sons of Kemet were an interesting accompaniment to the book, especially as they represent a more modern incarnation of jazz

WATCH: Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool (2019) dir by Stanley Nelson Jr. (Netflix)

To varying degrees we were all impressed. Robin didn’t watch it though and Keith, whilst pleased to have seen it, was actually not impressed. Ever the contrarian

HBG endorse it: 19 May 2023 -> 15 June 2023

Victorian Seance - Brighton Fringe 2023

Lex Fridman Podcast #275 – Rick Rubin: Legendary Music Producer 

Gap Finder - Mark Neale from Mountain Warehouse (BBC Sounds)

Empire of Light (Disney+)

Herculaneum (Italy)

Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland (BBC iPlayer)

Marianna in Conspiracyland (BBC Sounds)

Reel Stories: Pet Shop Boys (BBC iPlayer)

The Eight Mountains (2022) dir by Felix van Groeningen and Charlotte Vandermeersch

Michael Jackson on Fire Diorama by Bobby Fingers (YouTube)

Victoria Melody: Pigeon Fanciers (Brighton Festival) 

Patricia Highsmith - Strangers on a Train (1950)

Robin’s choices: Thursday 6th April 2023

Once again we were lacking key members. This time Hamish was in his sick bed and Keith was in Toronto however both had penned reviews. The remaining self styled famous five gathered at Robin’s Lewes penthouse to ponder Robins’s Murder themed selections

Theme: *Murder*

READ:  Patricia Highsmith - Strangers on a Train (1950) 

Patricia Highsmith's superb novel was praised fulsomely by us all . A perfect psychological thriller. The set up is clever and widely known, however it is the unsettling descriptions of the psychological impact of the book's events which are so powerful. Paranoia, guilt, manipulation, mental breakdown, and depression are all vividly described in a very murky stew. The reader lives the inner horror experienced by the two men at the centre of the novel.

Robin also loved the unsympathetic characters and evocation of the 1950s. Roland was entranced by the claustrophobia and realistically obsessive behaviour. Keith was less impressed despite enjoying it and stated it wouldn’t stay with him, and that he preferred the film’s rewritten plot. Tristan and others highlighted the underwritten female characters

So, in short, a hit albeit with some minor misgivings.

 

Nick 7 / Tristan 7 / Nigel 8 / Keith 6  / Roland 9 / Robin 8 / Hamish 7.5

LISTEN: Robin’s Murder playlist

Hamish blimmin loves a playlist and praised this one. We all found tunes we enjoyed but generally the consensus was that we found it harder to review a playlist than an album or song. The death of the playlist? Time will tell

WATCH: Memento (2000) dir by Christopher Nolan

Hamish wonders if he's seen Memento

Everyone felt Memento stood up very well in the 23 years since it came out. One of Nolan’s best films.

HBG endorse it: 7th April 2023 -> 18 May 2023

Mad Professor (Live)

Duolingo (App)

Return to Seoul dir by Davy Chou (Film)

Walking in the South Pennines 

Beef (Netflix)

Colin From Accounts (BBC)

I'm Not A Monster: The Shamima Begum Story (Podcast)

Gwendoline Riley - My Phantoms (2022)

 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.

READ: Gwendoline Riley - My Phantoms (2022) 

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 

The Bloater (1968) by Rosemary Tonks

 Keith’s choices: Friday 10th March 2023

It was the Stewart Lee introduction to The Bloater which inspired Keith’s theme…

Theme: *Stewart Lee’s Symbols and Symbolists*

Whilst reading Stewart Lee’s introduction, a reference to The Verlaines inspired the music and a reference to Death and the Maiden pointed him towards the film.

Keith had received The Bloater as a present and so chose it, along with the other selections, for the consideration of the rest of HBG

READ:  The Bloater (1968) by Rosemary Tonks

Whilst a short novel, Keith observed this should be read slowly and savoured. It’s not deep or meaningful however Keith found a rich seam of comedy aligned to Tonks’s trademark poetic language.

Hamish was having none of that. An awful book, he hated it and only praised it brevity.

Roland looked forward to insights into north London 60s bohemian life but, despite being hyped up by Lee Mack’s 😂 introduction, concluded it’s a stinker.

Nigel found more to enjoy having heard about the The Bloater when it was discussed on the Backlisted Podcast in 2022. However he feels avant garde novels from the 1960s have not aged well. That said, the scenes at the BBC Radiophonic Workshop (where Rosemary Tonks worked with the legendary Delia Derbyshire), and the interactions between Min and her neighbour Claudio, were particularly enjoyable.

Nick found plenty to enjoy and appreciate and felt the previous comments were unduly harsh. 

Likewise, Robin was in thrall to the Tonksian world and labelled it interesting. 

Tristan found it curious but with merits, in particular the strange worldview it brought to life.

Nick 6.5 / Tristan 6 / Nigel 4 / Keith 8  / Roland 3 / Robin 7 / Hamish 1

LISTEN: Marquee Moon (1977) by Television

Keith saw Television perform this album at the De La Warr pavilion but came way unconvinced by the lack of tunes and lyrical content. Tom Verlaine’s death pushed him to reconsider but he still failed to find much of any merit.

Tristan said it was alright. Robin labelled it substandard.

Nick told the group it’s his favourite record ever, conveniently forgetting the other albums bestowed with this accolade over the years. 

Nigel bought it on release. He loved it then and has continued to love it over the ensuing decades. He (along with Hamish) saw Television perform it in its entirety at an All Tomorrow’s Parties festival

Roland said it was not for him

Hamish explained how ahead of its time the album was, effectively predicting post-punk before punk had even happened. A masterpiece. 

WATCH: Death and the Maiden (1994) dir by Roman Polanski

Keith called this a good film

Tristan loved it on release but now feels, whilst good, it’s somewhat dated and stage

Robin said it was really good

Nick and Nigel both called it very stagey and not remotely cinematic. Despite the stellar cast they were not convinced by it. Nigel wondered how Polanski came to direct a film about rape.

Roland and Hamish were more positive

HBG endorse it: 10 February 2023 -> 10th March 2023

Rise of the Foot Soldier (Netflix)

Wild Bill (Netflix)

Mr Inbetweener (Disney+)
White Lotus series two (Now TV)

Lynks (Band)

The Menu (Film - Disney+)
The Gold (BBC iPlayer)

I’m Black So You Don't Have to Be by Colin Grant (Book)

Steve Rosenberg (BBC's Russia Editor)

Gangsters (BBC Sounds)

The Lighthouse (2019) dir by Robert Eggers (Film)

Midnight Cowboy (1965) by James Leo Herlihy (Book)

In Our Mad and Furious City (2018) by Guy Gunaratne

 Hamish’s choices

Theme: *No theme*

READ: In Our Mad and Furious City (2018) by Guy Gunaratne

WATCH: Wonderland (1999) dir by Michael Winterbottom

Thursday 9th February 2023 @ 7:45 pm

Sadly Hamish was not able to witness what went down first hand, preferring to take a spontaneous ski trip so he sent his musings in via the email

In Our Mad and Furious City by Guy Gunaratne explores immigration, racism, intolerance and extremism. Its multi perspective, multi narrative novel takes place over two days and focuses on three young men - Selvon, Ardan and Yusuf - who live in a London estate in Neasden during a summer of unrest. 

Two other narratives, which ultimately tie in with the three central characters, both serve to remind us that religious conflict and intolerance is nothing new 

In Our Mad and Furious City (2018) by Guy Gunaratne

Hamish: Really sorry I can't be with the wonderful HBG. Frankly though, whilst I love you all deeply, I love skiing more!

So, I am endlessly fascinated by language, both foreign and, in the way it is evolving, English. Having a teenager at home using similar language is fascinating. Swear down. Bare. Allow it. Mandem. Nuttan. Great phrases that are changing the way we communicate. I love the way youth tries to alienate the elders! Rees-Mogg must be horrified, no time for an Oxford comma here. It is a bit fraught with misappropriation danger, particularly by teenage boy roadmen, but I genuinely think English is evolving in interesting ways. Hopefully concurrently with increasing integration of people from different backgrounds.

I read Gabriel Krauze's Who They Was a while back. An excellent semi-autobiographical novel about gangs and estates in London. Far more crime driven than the current book, but both books were referred to in an article I read. Which led to our mad and furious capital city.

Whilst Selvon, Yoos and Ardan speak like Krauze's gang members, this book is a far more positive take on community and love. Without labouring the point, Guy quietly shows how integration between different ethnic communities has happened, perhaps particularly in London. The football scene was great.  The contrast between the quiet respect and friendship of the early parts with the minority extremism of later parts was striking.

The three lads are close, respectful of each other and share a lot, but keep their distance in certain ways too. I thought Guy captured their male teenage relationships very convincingly. As well as capturing language and phrasing brilliantly, Guy also evoked the edginess and tension of the urban environment that they inhabit.

We have had a few books recently with pleasing bite sized chapters. Perfect for a bedtime read. This time the distinction was switching from one character to another. Not only did I enjoy the switches around the different characters, but the gradual reveal of the family links was great too. 

Nelson and Caroline were both convincing characters who added an extra dimension. Indeed the juxtaposition of the youth with the older generation, Windrush and Northern Ireland worked really well. It really demonstrated how troubled times percolate through the ages and, I guess, both how life goes on and also how bad things always happen.

One slight criticism is I found the trigger of the killing of a soldier a little odd. It was too clearly based on Lee Rigby and yet without being Lee Rigby. Seemed a bit odd.

As a book group discussion, I suspect it will probably be more for the themes of London, diversity, community, immigration, estates and, as the author writes at the end, the power of love, than any widely diverging views on whether the book is any good. Though there's always Keith and Roland to shake things up!

I'll stop wittering on now. Hopefully you'll have a great evening. Look forward to hearing about it.

So what about the rest of us?

Nick was reminded of Capital by John Lanchester. He acknowledged the ambition but dubbed it “a miss” that meandered and lacked authenticity

Roland also acknowledged the book’s promise but, despite the best sex scene in his time with HBG, said it didn’t work

Robin - irritated 

Keith was more positive and found plenty to love

Robin found it irritating and had nothing else to say apart from that it could have been 12 times better

Tristan, vexed by the negativity and luke warm reaction, would not allow it. “You’re all wrong ennet” he exclaimed. All the characters are nuanced and convincing before going on to rhapsodise about the book’s many merits. The use of language convinced and perfectly captured London street life.

Nigel kept the love and positivity going having wondered if we’d been reading the same novel. He described In Our Mad and Furious City as a satisfying and powerful London novel about youth culture. 

Although published before these books, In Our Mad and Furious City by Guy Gunaratne reminded Nigel of both Who They Was by Gabriel Krauze and The Young Team by Graeme Armstrong - also both excellent.

Nick 6 / Tristan 7.5 / Nigel 8 / Keith 7  / Roland 6 / Robin 3 / Hamish 9

*

WATCH: Wonderland (1999) dir by Michael Winterbottom

Hamish: Middling for me unfortunately. Enjoyable and fairly engrossing watch and like the book, it did capture something of London's grit and reality. The late night scenes were really reminiscent for me of the time I lived in London. The story and characters were convincing. I do like John Simm (pre his descent into crappie detective stories) and Gina McKee

Mike Leighesque, but not quite as good. The plot convinced, but wasn't as interesting as I'd hoped. I enjoyed the positive ending after a fairly bleak story.

Everyone else...

To varying degrees most of us (except Roland) agreed it was a solid if downbeat film that provided an interesting and convincing snapshot of late 1990s London which felt from a totally different age. The London streets scenes are probably the best thing about it: a Crystal Palace home match, various cafes and pubs, a South East London estate etc. 

Some of us felt Michael Nyman's inappropriate romantic soundtrack felt out of place. So, whilst an interesting watch, it's also a wasted opportunity given the talent involved.

Roland on the other hand was transfixed. He has a major crush on Gina McKee which helped but he also lauded every aspect of a masterly work of cinema

Nick 6 / Tristan 3 / Nigel 6 / Keith  -  / Roland 9 / Robin 7 / Hamish 7

*

Endorse it: 5 January 2023 -> 9 February 2023

Too Good To Go (App)

The Last of Us (Sky TV)

Dickens and Prince: A Peculiar Kind of Genius by Nick Hornby (Book)

You People (Netflix)

The Good Nurse (Netflix)

Argentina 1985 (Netflix)

Endorsement: Aftersun (2022) (Film)

Fatboy Slim: Right Here Right Now (Sky Documentaries)

Merlin Sheldrake - Entangled Life (Book)

Fight The Power: How Hip Hop Changed The World (iPlayer)

Sound Affects (Monthly music talks at East Street Tap, Brighton)

B&H Regency Society photographic images (website)

Happy Valley, Series 3 (iPlayer)

The Humans (Netflix)

All Quiet On The Western Front (Film) (Netflix)

Michael Pollan on Desert Island Discs (BBC Sounds)

Goldie Lookin Chain (Live music)

Good luck to you, Leo Grande (Prime)

Early Doors (BBC iPlayer)

Rockaway Beach 2023 (Festival)

Pool Parties @ Rockaway Beach (Themed Pool Party)

Rosewater (2017) by Tade Thompson

Tristan's choices: Thursday 5th January 2023

Theme: *Afro-Futurism*

READ: Rosewater (2017) by Tade Thompson

LISTEN: Negril to Kingston City (2010) by Transdub Massiv

WATCH: Neptune Frost (2021) dir by Saul Williams and Anisia Uzeyman

Tristan chose the book and the theme together. Tristan loves a bit of sci fi and, whilst not spectacular, dubbed it a page turner with lots to like. 

Roland was less convinced and appeared to be in physical pain whilst delivering his review. 

Robin found the non linear structure too challenging. Too too challenging.

Nick revealed Tade Thompson is an NHS doctor based in Portsmouth. Elements of Logans Run and Cloud Atlas for Mr S

Keith liked it. Happy to go with it. Increasingly bonkers. Disappointed that it was unresolved, being the start of a trilogy and all

Nigel enjoyed this inventive, gritty and original slice of modern science fiction with an imaginative scenario peopled by characters who are convincingly flawed and confused. He also appreciated the clever and amusing allusions to colonialism and global politics. A winner

Hamish was v enthused. He lauded Tristan’s great track record of picking science fiction books. The idea of an alien travelling underground using xenoforms is utterly brilliant. Interesting setting it in Nigeria, which seemed well portrayed especially how the West isn’t everything whilst also allowing the story to draw on West African superstitions and beliefs. The key characters were relatable, human and convincing. You have to concentrate and it seem a little disjointed at times, but Hamish liked the short chapters and the lack of flannel. An early book of the year contender.

Nick 5.5 / Tristan 7 / Nigel 7 / Keith 8  / Roland  5 / Robin 6 / Hamish 8

LISTEN: Negril to Kingston City (2010) by Transdub Massiv

Tristan went to impressive lengths to find a suitable soundtrack but was frustrated with this, the ultimate outcome. Curiously anything DUB and HBG is generally so there for it. A solid reinvention albeit one that only elicited faint praise. Only Roland was truly enthused but he’d only listened to three tracks

Nick - / Tristan 5 / Nigel 6 / Keith -  / Roland  - / Robin - / Hamish -

WATCH: Neptune Frost (2021) dir by Saul Williams and Anisia Uzeyman

Tristan apologised for the film and found it too incoherent despite being written by the wonderful Saul Williams. It should have been marvellous but alas…it wasn’t

Nick enjoyed it at 1.5 speed and found it interesting

Robin didn’t watch it and nor did Hamish

Roland took it on its own terms but thought the songs were rubbish.

Keith dubbed it a challenging watch but loved the music

Nigel thought it was a great fit with the book - and similarly imaginative. Best to forget about the narrative and just enjoy the visually stunning ride

Nick 6.5 / Tristan 3 / Nigel 6 / Keith 9  / Roland 3 / Robin - / Hamish -

HBG endorse it: 24 November 2022 -> 5 January 2023

The Menu (Film)

My Neighbour Totoro (Musical)

Toad in the Hole (Pub game)

White Lotus (Now TV)

Happy Valley (BBC iPlayer)

Mayflies (BBC iPlayer)

My Old School (2022) dir by Jono McLeod (BBC iPlayer)

Storyville: A Bunch of Amateurs (BBC iPlayer)

Moonage Daydream (2022) dir by Brett Morgan (Documentary)

Glow Wild at Wakehurst Place, Sussex

The Traitors (BBC iPlayer)

Another Round (2020) dir by Thomas Vinterberg (Netflix)

Where the Crawdads Sing (Film - 2022)

Neutrogena (hand cream, 1930-)