I have been listening to Titus Alone by Mervyn Peake. It is the last book in the trilogy of Gormenghast books. Political satire, it is a weird and wonderful world of sharply defined characters. Titus meets up with many strange figures, cartoonish one might say as he travels in a different world to Gormenghast, in the end after many adventurers he makes his way back to his homeland. But as he approaches the mountain that looks down on Gormenghast, he takes a different track away to begin a new life.
I have somehow fallen in love with all those artistic creators who were born round the cusp of the late 19th century/ early 20th century. From the writers, poets and artists who lived through a time unsullied by the technological wizardry of today.
I am sure power then was just as corrupt and mean as it is today, but then you could sail innocently through it without knowing about it. Communism was an unfortunate upstart, but it appealed to some, the right act of spreading the wealth. Only of course it did not work out that way.
What makes me angry today is the cheap slanging of words from this past era to mow down one's political opposite. There is no Stasi or Hitlers around, only people, who may dismiss truth as something to jump over. They are easily recognisable.
the other drama I watched, there are four episodes in the series, was 'Strike'. I had read negative revues about the new series, Strike in the Black ink Heart story that it was too complicated to follow. Well I found the book (read to me) was difficult so perhaps the watered down television feature ironed out the problems. It is about gaming and therefore had a lot of names to contend with, but followed the usual criminal plot line. It is written by J.K. Rowling under the pseudonym name of Robert Galbraith, I think she intends to write 10 books in the series.
Edit: I came across the fact that the Folio Society had commissioned an illustrator - Dave McKean to draw for this expensive trilogy of books - £745 (sharp intake of breath!)
JK Rowling uses too many words in her books! Much easier to follow on TV.
ReplyDeleteI shall wait until next week to watch episodes 3 and 4
They play Nick Drake music at the end. That is all I will give away Sue to the yes/no romance between the pair.
DeleteI agree with Sue about "too many words"! I think that is one of the reasons I didn't continue to read that series. The books took too long to get through. I'll have to check out my streaming listings to see if I have that series.
ReplyDeleteRowling must just love writing, perhaps she has a thesaurus by her side Ellen. But the television programme is easier to understand, only there are too many characters to follow through.
DeleteYou often write about subjects I love Thelma and Gormenghast is no exception. I read the trilogy when I was about 19 in my gap year before I went to university to read English and European literature. I watched the first episode of Strike whilst knitting and it didn’t hold my attention. I’m sort of up to speed with the gaming industry - I know it employs thousands of young creatives in the UK alone. My review of Strike would say this is J K Rowling on her soapbox. I think you would like “Romantic Moderns” by Alexandra Harris. A sweeping literary and artistic evaluation of the writers and artists who transformed the cultural landscape of the British Isles in the early 20th century. Sarah x
ReplyDeleteThanks for the book mention Sarah I will look it up. Her two main characters are a good choice but you are right I think she pushes forward Robin, into a stronger role than Strike. I remember they did a Gormenghast production on television but I think it went down like a lead balloon. The characters are so weird in the book.
ReplyDeleteGosh!I read that years ago and couldn’t contemplate it now.Hope you enjoy it!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWill try ;)
DeleteLoved the Gormenghast trilogy. I remember the television production and enjoyed it. Probably too eccentric for popular taste. I agree with Thelma's comment "I have somehow fallen in love with all those artistic creators who were born round the cusp of the late 19th century/ early 20th century. From the writers, poets and artists who lived through a time unsullied by the technological wizardry of today" My feelings too. Janx
ReplyDeleteIt is true Jan, we are bombarded with modern day 'fantasy' that we forget people like Peake. Someone who was talking about sets him against Tolkien - now that's a thought.
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