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-)

HOVE BOOK GROUP: End of year review 2022

Another year and another seasonal celebration accompanied by our traditional look back at the previous 12 months

HBG December 2022

What was rated? What was slated?

Here are the answers...

HOVE BOOK GROUP: End of year review 2022 poll results

1. Favourite read

Olive Kitteridge (2008) by Elizabeth Strout (Tristan) - 12

All That Remains (2019) by Sue Black (Nick) - 8

Mayflies (2020) by Andrew O’Hagan (Hamish) - 6

*

The Year of Magical Thinking (2005) by Joan Didion (Roland) - 4

Riddley Walker (1980) by Russell Hoban (Nigel) - 4

Klara and the Sun (2021) by Kazuo Ishiguro (Roland) - 4

Heart of Darkness (1899) by Joseph Conrad (Nick) - 3

Epitaph For a Spy (1938) by Eric Ambler (Keith) - 1

Cocaine Nights (1996) by JG Ballard (Robin) - 0

Longitude (1995) by Dava Sobell (Robin) - 0

2. Favourite music

Dub Me Crazy (1982) by Mad Professor (Robin) - 12

Living Like a Refugee (2006) by Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars (Keith) - 8

Ghosteen (2019) by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds (Nick) - 5

50 Song Memoir (2017) by The Magnetic Fields (Tristan) - 5

*

Homecoming (2021) by Du Blonde (Hamish) - 4

Viva Espagna playlist (Robin) - 2

Hymn to Nikkal by Clare O’Connell - from The Isolated Cellist (Roland) - 2

Bad Apples/Ballast (2022) by Objekt (Roland) - 2

The Downward Spiral by Nine Inch Nails (Nick) - 1

Thunder Perfect Mind (1992) by Current 93 (Nigel) - 0

3. Favourite watch

Surge directed by Aneil Maria (Nick) - 9

Apocalypse Now (1979) dir by Francis Ford Copolla (Nigel) - 9

Rocks (2019) directed by Sarah Gavron (Tristan) - 8

Sexy Beast (2000) dir by Jonathan Glazer (Robin) - 5

*

Ex Machina (2014) dir by Alex Garland (Roland) - 4

The Straight Story (1999) dir by David Lynch (Nick) - 4

The Tribe (2021) dir by Myroslav Slaboshpytskiy (Hamish) - 1

Limbo (2020) dir by Ben Sharrock (Keith) - 0

October Sky (1999) dir by Joe Johnston (Robin) - 0

Pieces of a Woman (2020) dir by Kornél Mundruczó (Roland) - 0

4. Favourite theme

Mourning Glory (Roland) - 8

Mortality (Nick) - 8

Robots (Roland) - 7

The horror, the horror (Nick) - 5

*

Loss of childhood (Tristan) - 4

Refugees (Keith) - 4

Apocalyptic (Nigel) - 2

Viva Espagna (Robin) - 2

Science (Robin) - 0

All That Remains (2019) by Sue Black

 Theme: *Mortality*

We’re all facing up to our mortality and so Nick wisely decided it was time to take a look at what’s coming down the line

Nick confronting mortality

READ: All That Remains (2019) by Sue Black

Sue Black is one of the world's leading forensic anthropologists who is also an anatomy professor at Dundee University, and unsurprisingly an expert in her field.

In All That Remains: A Life in Death, Sue Black discusses her many encounters with death and illustrates the developments in forensic science with reference to some of the cases she has worked on (e.g. war crimes in Kosovo, missing person crimes, the 2004 Tsunami)

To varying degrees we all liked it

The gushing reviews and a strong opening chapter had us all primed for a gripping read. After that visceral first chapter that details Sue Black's first human dissection, some  thought the book tailed off.

The next third of the book details a lot of biographical information centred around the deaths of some of Sue Gray's close relatives.

We all appreciated the sections about the bodies donated to medical science, the trauma caused by sudden and violent deaths, and the science of forensics. 

Perhaps this book tries to do too much: memoir, science, and a meditation on death? Some would have settled for just the science, others felt this was just the ticket.

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

LISTEN: Ghosteen (2019) by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

Nick Cave confronts an unbearable tragedy - some felt it works brilliants others were less convinced, but a musical version of Mythago Wood? C’mon Roland

WATCH: The Straight Story (1999) dir by David Lynch

To varying degrees we were all very positive about The Straight Story despite being distinctly un-Lynch-ian. In other Lynch news Robin loves Mullholland Drive and describes it as “hot”. Oooh

HBG endorse it: 27 October 2022 -> 24 November 2022

Diorama (Netflix)

The English (BBC iPlayer)

SAS Rogue Heroes (BBC iPlayer)

In Bruges (Film) (Netflix) 

Everything Everywhere All At Once (Film) (Prime) 

Liquorice Pizza (Film) (Prime) 

Klara and the Sun (2021) by Kazuo Ishiguro

 On Thursday 27th October 2022 we assembled in the upstairs room at The Poets pub in Hove to discuss Roland’s Robots themed selections.

Theme: *Robots*

READ: Klara and the Sun (2021) by Kazuo Ishiguro

A winning and provocative of what it is to be human through the eyes of a not-quite-human.

Klara is well realised - her AI logic, perceptiveness, intelligence and naivety all felt really convincing.

Her narration forces the reader to fill in the gaps in the story and to work to understand the world of the novel - and the agendas of the various characters.

The ending doesn’t fully deliver on the promise of the set up.

A deceptively simple book that asks profound questions.

Roland had this book lined up for weeks - he loved it. Hamish less so, an early start and then downhill. Robin warmed to it. Keith was lukewarm. Nigel was positive. Tristan was impressed but disappointed by the ending. Nick liked it.

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

LISTEN: Bad Apples (2022) by Objekt

Some love it, some hated it

WATCH: Ex Machina (2014) dir by Alex Garland

To varying degrees we were all very positive about Ex Machina. Those that watched it.

HBG endorse it: 20 September 2022 -> 27 October 2022

TraumaZone (iPlayer)

Miriam Margoles - This Much is True (Book)

Liquorice Pizza (Prime) 

Detachment (Prime)

La Fosse (Cranbourne B&B, Dorset)

Am I Being Unreasonable? (BBC iPlayer)

Trevor Nelson (BBC Radio 2)

The Banshees of Inisherin (Martin McDonagh film)

Queen and Slim (iPlayer)

Welcome to Wrexham (Documentary) (Disney +)

Tornado - Stewart Lee (iPlayer)

Get Back (2021) dir by Peter Jackson (Beatles Doc) (Disney +)

Elvis (2022) dir by Baz Luhrmann (Film)

Love and Let Die (2022) by John Higgs (Book)

Longitude (1995) by Dava Sobel

 On Tuesday 20 July 2022 we went on a Sussex road trip before ending up in Lewes where we enjoyed Robin’s hospitality and discussed his science themed choices

READ: Longitude (1995) by Dava Sobel

We all agreed that Dava Sobel has written a very accessible account of a genius who prevailed against the odds. It's concise, absorbing and packed full of fascinating details and interesting characters. A perfect history book for the general reader.

The subtitle says it all, Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time. That lone genius was John Harrison (1693-1776) a self taught clock maker. Over 40 years, he invented and produced four increasingly precise and compact chronometers capable of accurately measuring time over a long, rough sea voyage. By comparing the chronometer's time to local sun time, a navigator could precisely measure longitude. Prior to his invention there was no accurate way of measuring longitude and many lives were lost due to catastrophic miscalculations.

In 1714 the British Parliament offered a reward to whoever could solve the longitude problem with a prize of £20,000 for the winner. At that time astronomy was seen as the best route to a solution despite being time consuming and difficult.

You might think that Harrison's incredible devices would be unanimously welcomed. Alas, no. He was forever battling vested interests until eventually, and after decades, King George III intervened.

John Harrison's marine timekeepers are on display at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London.

Nick 6.5 / Tristan 7  / Nigel 7 / Keith 5 / Roland 5.5 / Robin 7 / Hamish 6

WATCH: October Sky (1999) dir by Joe Johnston

Roland loved this film. The rest of us thought it was fine but perhaps a bit too schmaltzy 

LISTEN: Dub Me Crazy (1982) by Mad Professor

We were all in thrall to the Mad Professor. Or were we? My notes are a little vague on this point

HBG endorse it: 22 July 2022 -> 20 September 2022

Boys from Brazil - the rise of the Bolsanaros (iPlayer)

How to with John Wilson (iPlayer)

Arsenal: All or Nothing (Prime)

Beter Call Saul (Netflix)

Haywards Heath response to Climate Emergency

Raymond Briggs doc (iPlayer)

Portmeirion (Village, Wales)

The Feast by Margaret Kennedy (Book)

Jerusalem by Jez Butterworth (Theatre)

Prima Facie (National Theatre)

Trainwreck: Woodstock 99 (Netflix)

Jackie Brown (Netflix)

The Truth about Brewdog (iPlayer)

Cremona, Italy

Bad Manners (Live music)

Roland’s party