Lullaby (2002) by Chuck Palahniuk

 Keith’s choices

Theme: Spellbound

On Thursday 25th July 2024 @ 7:45 pm we met at the Stirling Arms to discuss Keith’s Spellbound themed choices

READ: Lullaby (2002) by Chuck Palahniuk

Some of us had read other books by Chuck Palahniuk  mainly inspired by, and including, Fight Club.

In the main Lullaby reminded us that Chuck Palahniuk is a writer who makes interesting, provocative and amusing points about modern life through his fiction. Roland was the only person who out and out hated it.

In Lullaby, a culling song, a rhyme with the power to kill, is responsible for a spate of infant deaths. Carl Streator, a reporter, is inspired to write an article on this sudden infant death syndrome. Ultimately this leads to a road trip with three other suitably weird, distinctive and idiosyncratic companions who attempt to destroy all copies of the culling song and who constantly bicker.

Lullaby is less about the plot, which veers all over the place, and more about Chuck Palahniuk's dissections of the ills of the modern world. The variety of responses within HBG suggests that tolerance levels for this kind of book vary considerably. There's a great little twist at the end too which concludes the story on a fun note.

Nick 6 / Tristan 6.5 / Nigel 8 / Keith 6 / Roland 3 / Robin 6 / Hamish 7.5

LISTEN: Spellbound: The Collection (2015) by Siouxsie & the Banshees

Yet another Siouxsie and the Banshees compilation, of which there has been quite a few. But unlike previous compilations, which concentrated on either singles, B sides, or radio and chart hits, this collection is a surprisingly good cross-section of select singles, deep album cuts, and a couple of B sides in what's is described as an "introduction" to Siouxsie and the Banshees. We all were pretty enthused except Tristan who felt it hadn’t aged well. Nick did not review it.

Tristan - / Nigel 8 / Keith 9 / Roland 8 / Robin 5.5 / Hamish 5

WATCH: The Babadook (2014) dir by Jennifer Kent

Robin’s favourite ever HBG film. We all agreed it’s powerful and atmospheric, and pretty flipping scary, except Keith who wouldn’t even describe it as Horror. There’s echoes of Polanski’s Repulsion and The Tenant and for most of us it packed a mighty punch.

Nick - / Tristan 7 / Nigel 7 / Keith - / Roland - / Robin 9 

ENDORSE IT 

HBG endorse it: 4 July 2024 - 25th July 2024

Olivia Dean live

Alma’s Not Normal (BBC iPlayer)

The Guardian Long Read (esp 22 July 2024 on libraries)

The Romantic by William Boyd

Past Lives (Netflix)

Joe Biden’s resignation

Gareth Southgate’s tenure as England manager

Time Shelter (2020) by Georgi Gospodinov

Hamish’s choices

It being the closest meeting to the Summer solstice we enjoyed our annual cycle to Devil's Dyke to discuss Hamish's retro-memory infused choices. 

READ: Time Shelter (2020) by Georgi Gospodinov

The thought of regressing into the past was one that generally appeals to the senior infused HBG. Hamish thought the artifice was sustained throughout, as did Nick. Roland thought it was a weak and missing something. Tristan thought it was unconvincing and hard going. Nigel was all in but felt it couldn't sustain the early promise and petered out. Keith and Robin both enjoyed it.

Nick 8.5 / Tristan 5 / Nigel 7 / Keith 8 / Roland 6 / Robin 7 / Hamish 8.5

LISTEN: The British Stereo Collective - Iniquitous (2024)

Hamish felt it didn’t quite deliver. Tristan thought it was genuinely an old album - job done. Roland dubbed it a formulaic return to 1980s synth pop and not a shade on the greats of the age. Nigel is a fan

WATCH: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) dir by Michel Gondry

Robin didn’t know what he thought of it. Hamish liked it and was satisfied with a coherent set of choices. Nick and Nigel think it’s a great film. Tristan loves it. Roland, ever the contrarian, slammed it as incoherent, rambling and lacking in direction

HBG endorse it: 23 May 2024 - 3 July 2024

Nils Frahm live

Patti Smith live

Robin Hood’s Bay, North Yorkshire 

Imposter: The Man Who Came Back from the Dead (Channel 4) - true crime documentary 

This Is Lady Parts - series 2 (Channel 4)

The Vegetarian (2007) by Han Kang

 Tristan's choices

Theme: Metamorphosis (aka disturbing things made by those pesky foreigners)

Tristan wanted unsettling and that’s exactly what he got 

READ: The Vegetarian (2007) by Han Kang

We all enjoyed and appreciated Han Kang’s book with the notable exception of Hamish who labelled it a dull read. 

The portrait of Yeong-Hye, a woman withdrawing (into mental illness?) and related in three parts: (1) by her dull, unimaginative husband; (2) by her brother-in-law, who becomes obsessed and then exploitative, and (3) by her sister, the only person who truly cares about her

Both Yeong-Hye and her sister In-Hye have very disinterested husbands. Is this coincidence? Or is it their family background which may have contributed to her breakdown?

Interesting that Yeong Hye rejecting meat is so transgressive and beyond the pale. 

Despite possibly being a book about the patriarchy (the author denies this), there’s also a universality about it. Few of us haven’t felt like retreating into ourselves as a form of protest at having pressure and expectation heaped upon us. 

It’s a powerful, original and atmospheric read that packs quite a punch. There’s some vivid imagery and a palpable sense of tragic withdrawal and subsequent loss of opportunities.

Very matter of fact style that is easy to read and which belies some quite challenging content. If this is representative of South Korean society then it is the patriarchy on steroids. 

Vivid and violent scenes include Yeong Hye clearing freezer of meat, Yeong Hye’s father forcing the family dog to run behind a motorbike, Yeong Hye’s family intervention including slapping her and trying to force feed her meat, Yeong Hye’s brother in law’s dream about bodies painted with flowers, lengthy handstands in the hospital, and more force feeding. No wonder she wanted out of being human.

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

LISTEN: Transphormer (2004) by Alter Ego

Hamish loves electronic music, but not this onslaught. Tristan wanted a contrast to Taverner’s choral music from last month. Spiky and raw but he likes it. Robin thought it dreadful. Keith dubbed it ordinary. Nick liked it and thought it evoked The Streets

Nick - / Tristan 9 / Nigel 4 / Keith - / Roland - / Robin 7 / Hamish 2

WATCH: The Skin I Live In (2011) directed by Pedro Almodovar 

Nigel thought it was silly and could not get past the implausibilities. Hamish thought it was brilliant: a captivating, stylish, beautiful, terrifying, memorable work. Keith thought it had aged poorly. Tristan appreciated the insanity and weirdness, which had merit. Nick said it was a nuts schlocky horror flick.

Nick - / Tristan - / Nigel 3 / Keith - / Roland - / Robin - / Hamish 8

HBG endorse it: 19th April 2024 - 22 May 2024

Nye (National Theatre)

NTS Radio (Ad free Internet radio station/App)

Romesh Ranganathan / Hustle (Live)

The Abbey with Alan Bennett (BBC iPlayer)

The Other Boleyn Girl (Chichester festival theatre)

The Making Of Berlin (Brighton Festival)

Baby Reindeer (Netflix)

Super-Infinite - The Transformations of John Donne (2022) by Katherine Rundell

 Nick's choices

Theme: Let’s Get (Meta)physical

Time, space, death.… 

READ: Super-Infinite - The Transformations of John Donne (2022) by Katherine Rundell

Trying to find meaning is nothing new. Poet, preacher, contrarian and saucy sonnet writer - just the tip of the Donne iceberg

Surprisingly good was the consensus. Roland, ever the contrarian, didn’t like it. At all.

Nick 7.5 / Tristan 8 / Nigel 7 / Keith 8 / Roland 4 / Robin 7 / Hamish 7.5

 

LISTEN: Tavener Metaphysical: a short introduction to John Tavener playlist

Ethereal, celestial, spiritual, meditative, spine tingling, transports the listener - all liked it except Tristan

WATCH: Oppenheimer (2023) directed by Christopher Nolan 

Everyone found something good to say. Hamish bandied the M word - masterpiece. Most felt it could have lost an hour. Keith didn’t particularly enjoy it. Too much exposition

HBG endorse it: 8 February 2024 - 16 March 2024

Homegrown Festival, Brighton

How To Have Sex (Film - MUBI)

Zoo Studios Rave in Lewes

This Cultural Life (BBC Radio 4)

Civil War (2024) dir by Alex Garland (Cinema)

Perfect Days (2023) dir by Wim Wenders (MUBI)

Ripley (Netflix)

The Assembly (BBC)

This Town (BBC)

Emily the Criminal (Netflix)