Well, since you have basically personally attacked me, here I am!!
First, an outrageous slander on Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White is total reading bliss, as is The Moonstone, though perhaps if I'd been made to read either at school I would have revolted too.
Second, I mean, come on, how rude about improv. Now, I may have laughed at your line about do more work before you show me, BUT to quote that probably apocryphal story about Picasso charging a woman 100 francs for a quick drawing, and she said "but in only took you five minutes" (in French, bien sur) and he replied, "Madame, it took me my whole life" - THAT'S improv!!! The work came BEFORE the five-minute sketch about tiger grooming or whatever!! You are watching artists at the top of their game!! Quel privilege for you to be in the audience of that shooting star, and now I'm determined to drag you with me next time AND I'll bring a copy of The Moonstone.
BUT WE AGREE ON MAKING OUT, so all is well in the state of the friendship 🥰🥰🥰 xxxxxx
I think improv can be a bit like paying to watch a magician practice, or listening to a band tune up.
I like Kate Atkinson’s Jackson Brodie novel series. There are about six books of “literary crime fiction.” Very funny at times. She has a go at Thatcher at least once in each book, which I always enjoy.
On Dickens, I read A Tale of Two Cities over Christmas. It was serialised when it was first published, as you say. It wasn’t full of lazy cliff hangers though. Dickens joins a set of threads together, in the last part of the book, in a way that must’ve been planned. I thought it was fiendishly clever. I wonder if he wrote the whole thing before any of it was published or if he just planned it out and then wrote each part for its deadline. If you like Donna Tartt’s books, you might like Dickens. I’ve read three of his books. I understand he’s been accused of using anti-Semitic tropes, in some of his other work, though.
Your book cover looks great. Looking forward to reading it, when it comes out. Must be exciting.
You're very welcome! Some people don't like the Neapolitan novels at all - it seems a love or hate reaction. If you try them again, let me know what you make of them.
Ah! No, i missed it. Love Val, she’s awesome. Ps, your dad just got a mention on Radio 3 (about 1.15pm)! The presenter had been listening to interviews from bbc archive…x
I devoured the melrose novels, harrowing but brilliant! I sometimes wonder if I dare read them again. My go to addict reading is anything by Val McDermid. Ps, when you’re done with Patrick M, try Double Bind by Edward St A.
Great piece Hattie! My addicted to series: Elena Ferrante, Neapolitan novels. I devoured each of them and felt bereft when I finished the fourth.
I love the cover of your book and hugely look forward to reading it. X
Well, since you have basically personally attacked me, here I am!!
First, an outrageous slander on Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White is total reading bliss, as is The Moonstone, though perhaps if I'd been made to read either at school I would have revolted too.
Second, I mean, come on, how rude about improv. Now, I may have laughed at your line about do more work before you show me, BUT to quote that probably apocryphal story about Picasso charging a woman 100 francs for a quick drawing, and she said "but in only took you five minutes" (in French, bien sur) and he replied, "Madame, it took me my whole life" - THAT'S improv!!! The work came BEFORE the five-minute sketch about tiger grooming or whatever!! You are watching artists at the top of their game!! Quel privilege for you to be in the audience of that shooting star, and now I'm determined to drag you with me next time AND I'll bring a copy of The Moonstone.
BUT WE AGREE ON MAKING OUT, so all is well in the state of the friendship 🥰🥰🥰 xxxxxx
I think improv can be a bit like paying to watch a magician practice, or listening to a band tune up.
I like Kate Atkinson’s Jackson Brodie novel series. There are about six books of “literary crime fiction.” Very funny at times. She has a go at Thatcher at least once in each book, which I always enjoy.
On Dickens, I read A Tale of Two Cities over Christmas. It was serialised when it was first published, as you say. It wasn’t full of lazy cliff hangers though. Dickens joins a set of threads together, in the last part of the book, in a way that must’ve been planned. I thought it was fiendishly clever. I wonder if he wrote the whole thing before any of it was published or if he just planned it out and then wrote each part for its deadline. If you like Donna Tartt’s books, you might like Dickens. I’ve read three of his books. I understand he’s been accused of using anti-Semitic tropes, in some of his other work, though.
Your book cover looks great. Looking forward to reading it, when it comes out. Must be exciting.
You're very welcome! Some people don't like the Neapolitan novels at all - it seems a love or hate reaction. If you try them again, let me know what you make of them.
Ah! No, i missed it. Love Val, she’s awesome. Ps, your dad just got a mention on Radio 3 (about 1.15pm)! The presenter had been listening to interviews from bbc archive…x
I devoured the melrose novels, harrowing but brilliant! I sometimes wonder if I dare read them again. My go to addict reading is anything by Val McDermid. Ps, when you’re done with Patrick M, try Double Bind by Edward St A.
I thought I'd read all her books but don't remember Troubling Love - must look it up. Thanks! I hope you enjoy My Brilliant Friend if you try it.
There was a play - I watched part 1 and didn't like it at all! Or maybe I watched part 2 - I can't remember, except that I didn't like it!