World Book Night
Our group have once again been successful in their applications to give away books on World Book Night. This year that will be on 23rd April 2012.
Jade will be giving away Pride and Prejudice at the Ritz Cinema, Belper
Hilary will be giving away A Tale of Two Cities
Maddie will be giving away Touching the Void at the Talbot in Ripley
John will be giving away The Damned United.
Well done everyone!
Donald Crowhurst
For those of you who are interested by the story of Donald Crowhurst, who is featured in The Terrible Privacy of Maxwell Sim by Jonathan Coe, there is a wonderful film documenting the 1968 round the world yacht race free to view (in 10 minute chunks) on youtube, or less than £5 on Amazon.
Deep Water 2006 Part 1
you can find the links to other parts on this page.
More Dracula
In the original edition of Dracula Bram Stoker’s projected first chapter was scrapped by the publisher, to reduce the length of the manuscript. Later published as a short story, it has been reinstated in some modern editions. Failing that you may read The Guest here.
I wasn’t sure if I wanted to read Dracula again when it’s only been two years since the last time but, checking out my own review, it turns out I enjoyed it very much. Better get my finger out if I’m going to get it read in time for the classics meeting…
Belper Book Chat night out with the Woman in White
A few of us went to see the Nicola Boyce adaptation of Woman in White by Wilkie Collins last night at Derby Playhouse. Here are some photos.
Wonderful blog
Hi
A friend is going through the tortuous process of getting her first novel printed. She has done really well and been signed up by a literary agent who is endeavouring to get a publisher on board in this risk-averse time. She is writing a blog to promote her book and I think it is great. It really has strong aesthetic appeal and gives an insight into the mountain that talented new writers have to climb. Please have a look. http://thetimesculptor.blogspot.com/
Reading in the Dark
Anybody else experience this last night? Reading by candlelight when two and a half thousand Belper residents lost their power supply. Thought it might prove atmospheric, but in the event just damned inconvenient!
Topical Satire
Click for full article at News Thump
Funny, but also deeply depressing.
Worth a Look…
Newly opened at the top of King Street, Belper.
Richard on the ‘wireless’
Did anyone hear Richard’s erudite tones on the Mariella Frostrup programme? The discussion was about 20th century neglected fiction by women writers, I think (I was resting at the time). Rosamund Lehman’s Weather in the Streets was chosen by most listeners and I would certainly recommend this – on my blog last year.
I was drifting in and out of soma land so I didn’t quite catch your choice, Richard but what I heard sounded intriguing. The consensus on the programme seemed to be that men have been reluctant to read books written by women but you have always been a strong advocate for 20th century women writers. It could be said that most or all of these books are neglected.
The Night Watch by Sarah Waters on TV
Did anyone see the BBC’s adaptation of The Night Watch?
One of the things I loved about this book was the subtle and gradual way it let you discover how your own perceptions of someone can change once you discover the history that has made them into the person they are. This adaptation therefore managed to disappoint me in the first 3 minutes by using a voice over to explain this, just incase the you didn’t get it through the way events unfold.
Perhaps a TV version stands little chance of living up to the orignal book but i found this quite depressing and unmoving.
