Occasionally a book comes along that stops you in your tracks, makes you think and you just know it will stay with you for a long time. Jon McGregor's Even the Dogs is such a book.
The story begins with the discovery of Robert's body. Robert is an alcoholic who lives alone in a squalid flat that has long since had all it's amenities cut off. Although he has lived alone his house was shared by a series of addicts who came and went. The flat was a sanctuary, where people could find others like themselves, a place of shelter and a place to find company.
The story goes from the discovery of Robert's body to his burial. Mixing the present, police scene of crime examination, autopsy, inquest etc, with flashbacks to his last few days. The story is told by the addicts that shared Robert's life, the police who discover his body etc.
It sounds a grim book and in many ways it is, but it is beautifully written in a staccato style that echoes the breathless lives of the addicts. The first chapter is stunning and probably the best chapter you will read this year.
Highly recommended
Tuesday, 16 March 2010
Sunday, 7 March 2010
The Man in Beijing by Henning Mankell
This novel begins with a grim discovery. All but 3 residents of a small hamlet in Northern Sweden are found brutally murdered. There is no obvious motive and no suspects.
Birgitta Roslin, a judge takes an interest in the case when she realizes that two of those killed were her mother's foster parents. The only clue found at the crime scene is a strip of red silk that Birgitta discovers has been cut from a lantern in a Chinese restaurant.
This is a complex but easy to read novel that moves from modern day Sweden to 1860's America (via the device of a set of diaries discovered in one of the murder victims home) to modern day China. Mankell has always been interested in politics and the section of this novel that deals with the complex politics of China, the emergence from communism into a sort of state controlled capitalism, is absolutely fascinating.
I always enjoy Mankell's novels and The Man from Beijing is a pleasurable read but is ultimately unsatisfying. For me there are a number of problems with this novel. The various strands in the story are interesting but they don't come together in a believable and satisfying way. The central character Birgitta is not in the story for a good third of the novel and while the central character is not in the story it lacks focus and drifts. Finally, it wasn't clear if this novel was driven by the characters or the storyline, in the end it fell between the two.
Worth reading for the quality of the writing but The Man from Beijing isn't vintage Mankell.
Birgitta Roslin, a judge takes an interest in the case when she realizes that two of those killed were her mother's foster parents. The only clue found at the crime scene is a strip of red silk that Birgitta discovers has been cut from a lantern in a Chinese restaurant.
This is a complex but easy to read novel that moves from modern day Sweden to 1860's America (via the device of a set of diaries discovered in one of the murder victims home) to modern day China. Mankell has always been interested in politics and the section of this novel that deals with the complex politics of China, the emergence from communism into a sort of state controlled capitalism, is absolutely fascinating.
I always enjoy Mankell's novels and The Man from Beijing is a pleasurable read but is ultimately unsatisfying. For me there are a number of problems with this novel. The various strands in the story are interesting but they don't come together in a believable and satisfying way. The central character Birgitta is not in the story for a good third of the novel and while the central character is not in the story it lacks focus and drifts. Finally, it wasn't clear if this novel was driven by the characters or the storyline, in the end it fell between the two.
Worth reading for the quality of the writing but The Man from Beijing isn't vintage Mankell.
Thursday, 25 February 2010
Item list for folk music display
Old English Music
In recent years there has been an increase in the profile of English Folk Music. The 1970’s saw great success for Folk Rock bands like Steeleye Span and Fairport Convention, but after those heady days’ folk music slowly retreated to the clubs and pubs.
A new generation of artists has re-energized folk music and along with artists from the past they have generated a new interest in English Traditional music. They have taken traditional songs and reinterpreted them as well as writing new songs that follow the storytelling traditions of the past.
This list is mainly made up of those contemporary artists that have had such an impact, but there is still a nod to those who had an impact decades ago (many of whom are still going today).
Seth Lakeman
Kitty Jay
http://www.sethlakeman.co.uk/
Kate Rusby
Ten
http://www.katerusby.com/
The Unthanks
Here’s the tender coming
http://www.rachelunthank.com/
Eliza Carthy
Red
http://www.eliza-carthy.com/eliza/index.cfm
Bellowhead
EP Onymous
http://www.bellowhead.co.uk/
Lau
Lightweights and Gentlemen
http://www.lau-music.co.uk/
Show of Hands
Country life
http://www.showofhands.co.uk/
John Tams
The Reckoning
http://www.johntams.co.uk/
Bella Hardy
In the shadow of mountains
http://www.bellahardy.com/
Jackie Oates
The Violet Hour
http://www.jackieoates.co.uk/
Chris Wood
Lark Descending
http://www.chriswoodmusic.co.uk/
Jim Moray
Sweet England
http://www.jimmoray.co.uk/
Sandy Denny
No more sad refrains
http://www.sandydenny.co.uk/
Martin Simpson
The Bramble Briar
http://www.martinsimpson.com/
Kathryn Tickell
Debatable Lands
http://www.kathryntickell.com/
Steeleye Span
The Best of Steeleye Span
http://steeleye.freeservers.com/
Fairport Convention
Liege and Lief
http://www.fairportconvention.com/
The Imagined Village
Empire and Love
http://imaginedvillage.com/
Mawkin:Cawsley
The Awkward Recruit
http://www.myspace.com/mawkincausley
Steve Baker
15.2.10
In recent years there has been an increase in the profile of English Folk Music. The 1970’s saw great success for Folk Rock bands like Steeleye Span and Fairport Convention, but after those heady days’ folk music slowly retreated to the clubs and pubs.
A new generation of artists has re-energized folk music and along with artists from the past they have generated a new interest in English Traditional music. They have taken traditional songs and reinterpreted them as well as writing new songs that follow the storytelling traditions of the past.
This list is mainly made up of those contemporary artists that have had such an impact, but there is still a nod to those who had an impact decades ago (many of whom are still going today).
Seth Lakeman
Kitty Jay
http://www.sethlakeman.co.uk/
Kate Rusby
Ten
http://www.katerusby.com/
The Unthanks
Here’s the tender coming
http://www.rachelunthank.com/
Eliza Carthy
Red
http://www.eliza-carthy.com/eliza/index.cfm
Bellowhead
EP Onymous
http://www.bellowhead.co.uk/
Lau
Lightweights and Gentlemen
http://www.lau-music.co.uk/
Show of Hands
Country life
http://www.showofhands.co.uk/
John Tams
The Reckoning
http://www.johntams.co.uk/
Bella Hardy
In the shadow of mountains
http://www.bellahardy.com/
Jackie Oates
The Violet Hour
http://www.jackieoates.co.uk/
Chris Wood
Lark Descending
http://www.chriswoodmusic.co.uk/
Jim Moray
Sweet England
http://www.jimmoray.co.uk/
Sandy Denny
No more sad refrains
http://www.sandydenny.co.uk/
Martin Simpson
The Bramble Briar
http://www.martinsimpson.com/
Kathryn Tickell
Debatable Lands
http://www.kathryntickell.com/
Steeleye Span
The Best of Steeleye Span
http://steeleye.freeservers.com/
Fairport Convention
Liege and Lief
http://www.fairportconvention.com/
The Imagined Village
Empire and Love
http://imaginedvillage.com/
Mawkin:Cawsley
The Awkward Recruit
http://www.myspace.com/mawkincausley
Steve Baker
15.2.10
Sunday, 21 February 2010
Nottinghamshire Libraries Big Learning Weekend
Background
A partnership made up of Nottinghamshire Libraries, Adult Community Learning Services, local colleges et al with "transformational fund" support started planning "Nottinghamshire Loves Learning" weekend in October 2009.
The objective of the weekend was to provide a quality informal learning opportunity in all communities with a population of over 1000. The events would take place over the valentine weekend 13th -15th February 2010.
Libraries
A small project group was set up made up of members of both development and operational teams.
Our objectives were to:
The final programme actually included 35 events. Many of which were one offs but there were a series of Local History Events that we replicated at a few venues. There was also a mixture of events we created and delivered ourselves and events that we paid others to deliver.
The programmed included:
Results
We attracted 750 people to our events. The events were of high quality and evaluations were very positive. They attracted new library users. Our profile was significantly improved with items appearing on all local radio stations and in local papers. Unfortunately there was little interest from the television companies.
Lessons learned
Having a well known name to headline your programme is expensive but does pay off. Not only do people attend that event in significant numbers but:
Working with partners is valuable but have back up plans if they don't deliver or if they don't deliver on deadline
It is difficult to identify which sort of event worked best because similar events got different responses i.e. Swing Dance was well supported but tap dance wasn't. With variables like venue, community etc. it's not always easy to draw conclusions. However craft events where people could just "drop-in" on were universally successful. I think these events worked well because not only did they attract people to the event itself but they also appealed to people who had come to the library on other business but then felt free to join in. This didn't happen with the more structured events.
It goes without saying but the enthusiasm of local staff both in the run up to and during the event makes a huge difference. Make sure staff understand what the event is about, why we are doing it and what you need from them.
People are willing to travel so publicize all the events in one brochure, don't assume that they will only be interested in their local events.
Delivering quality requires imagination, enthusiasm, commitment and money. Don't try to do things on the cheap. If money is tight then concentrate it on an headline act and good marketing.
Our programme was too big i.e. it took a lot of managing especially when we were working to a tight series of deadlines.
Share the work as equally as possible amongst all members of the project team. As project manager this is something I could have managed better.
People will attend events on a Sunday even in a town where shops aren't open. We were told that people didn't come into town on the Sunday and it wouldn't be worth putting on an event. We proved that wasn't the case, we got good numbers on the Sunday
Don't underestimate people's ability to make even the most ambitious idea work. The biggest risks often have the most successful outcome. Don't play safe.
Conclusions
An excellent event that succeeded in raising the profile of Libraries
A partnership made up of Nottinghamshire Libraries, Adult Community Learning Services, local colleges et al with "transformational fund" support started planning "Nottinghamshire Loves Learning" weekend in October 2009.
The objective of the weekend was to provide a quality informal learning opportunity in all communities with a population of over 1000. The events would take place over the valentine weekend 13th -15th February 2010.
Libraries
A small project group was set up made up of members of both development and operational teams.
Our objectives were to:
- Host a minimum of 30 events
- At least 3 of the events would be on the Sunday
- The events would either be aimed at just adults or would be aimed at intergenerational groups. No events would be for just children
- The programme would be made up of 3 themes:
- A Sense of Place
- Music and Performance
- Arts and crafts
- Events should aim to attract at least 10 participants even in very small communities
The final programme actually included 35 events. Many of which were one offs but there were a series of Local History Events that we replicated at a few venues. There was also a mixture of events we created and delivered ourselves and events that we paid others to deliver.
The programmed included:
- Antique Antics with Eric Knowles
- Sculpture workshops
- Dance workshops
- Fancy a crafty weekend
- Community singing
- Learn to play chess
- Guitar lessons
- Local history workshops
- Relaxation techniques
- Play music with a skiffle band
- Song writing
Results
We attracted 750 people to our events. The events were of high quality and evaluations were very positive. They attracted new library users. Our profile was significantly improved with items appearing on all local radio stations and in local papers. Unfortunately there was little interest from the television companies.
Lessons learned
Having a well known name to headline your programme is expensive but does pay off. Not only do people attend that event in significant numbers but:
- More people will pick up the brochure because of that person's face on it
- It increases the profile of the whole event
- It generates more interest in the media i.e. gives them somebody to interview, photograph etc
- It generates excitement amongst the staff and that excitement is conveyed to the public
- Non-library users are more likely to cross the threshold
Working with partners is valuable but have back up plans if they don't deliver or if they don't deliver on deadline
It is difficult to identify which sort of event worked best because similar events got different responses i.e. Swing Dance was well supported but tap dance wasn't. With variables like venue, community etc. it's not always easy to draw conclusions. However craft events where people could just "drop-in" on were universally successful. I think these events worked well because not only did they attract people to the event itself but they also appealed to people who had come to the library on other business but then felt free to join in. This didn't happen with the more structured events.
It goes without saying but the enthusiasm of local staff both in the run up to and during the event makes a huge difference. Make sure staff understand what the event is about, why we are doing it and what you need from them.
People are willing to travel so publicize all the events in one brochure, don't assume that they will only be interested in their local events.
Delivering quality requires imagination, enthusiasm, commitment and money. Don't try to do things on the cheap. If money is tight then concentrate it on an headline act and good marketing.
Our programme was too big i.e. it took a lot of managing especially when we were working to a tight series of deadlines.
Share the work as equally as possible amongst all members of the project team. As project manager this is something I could have managed better.
People will attend events on a Sunday even in a town where shops aren't open. We were told that people didn't come into town on the Sunday and it wouldn't be worth putting on an event. We proved that wasn't the case, we got good numbers on the Sunday
Don't underestimate people's ability to make even the most ambitious idea work. The biggest risks often have the most successful outcome. Don't play safe.
Conclusions
An excellent event that succeeded in raising the profile of Libraries
Friday, 1 January 2010
David Peace, clever or annoying?
For Christmas I was bought the the first two parts of David Peace's Tokyo series. I'm a fan after the Ridings series. I'm a about a third of the way through the first part Tokyo Year Zero. The novel is set in post war Tokyo and superbly conveys the hardship, poverty and lawlessness of a city all but destroyed by war. This is a crime novel that begins with the discovery of two bodies.
The story is excellent but Peace's writing style is very idiosyncratic, with the thoughts of the main character interrupting the flow of the story and sometimes the dialogue as well. The book is to hard read and sometimes you want Peace to be less clever and to just get on with his marvelous tale. Anyway I'll stick with it for now and hope that the journey is worth the effort.
The story is excellent but Peace's writing style is very idiosyncratic, with the thoughts of the main character interrupting the flow of the story and sometimes the dialogue as well. The book is to hard read and sometimes you want Peace to be less clever and to just get on with his marvelous tale. Anyway I'll stick with it for now and hope that the journey is worth the effort.
Books I've read this autumn/winter - Larsson, Indridason, Theorin and Cotterill
i got a bit behind with my reading of Scandinavian crime fiction. So this autumn and winter I've been playing catch up. The highlight was the last installment of the Millennium series by Steig Larsson The Girl who kicked the Hornets' Nest. As good if not better than the first two books, a real pleasure to read. The third book continues immediately after the conclusion of The Girl who Played with Fire. Lisbeth is in hospital recovering from her injuries and Kalle finds himself having to save her from powers within the Swedish secret service who need her dead. The plot , more so than the previous books in the series, reflects Larsson's life long interest in politics and in particular how the establishment exploits power. An excellent series that every crime fiction fan should read.
Theorin's second novel "The Darkest Room" is set on the Baltic island of Oland. The plot is too complex to explain in a paragraph, but Theorin is a superb writer. His novels are full of atmosphere, menace and suspense. Cleverly playing on everybody's fear of isolation and the unknown. Place is extremely important in these novels, Oland is wild, beautiful, isolated and extremely dangerous when the weather turns. When things go wrong help is a long way away. Highly recommended.
Hypothermia by Arnaldur Indridason continues the series featuring the Icelandic Inspector Erlendur. Since the stunning debut Jar City the series has got better and better and Arnaldur more than anybody can be compared to Mankell for the quality of his writing and story telling. This novel revolves around the death of a woman who everybody, except Erlendur , believes to have committed suicide. A novel that explores the idea that a crime can be psychological not just physical. Simply brilliant.
Finally and away from Scandinavia. The Curse of the Pogo Stick by Colin Cotterill, set in Laos, is a much lighter crime novel with wonderful characters. Less twee than MacCall-Smith and a good choice if you want something that is well written but not too taxing or disturbing. An excellent series
Theorin's second novel "The Darkest Room" is set on the Baltic island of Oland. The plot is too complex to explain in a paragraph, but Theorin is a superb writer. His novels are full of atmosphere, menace and suspense. Cleverly playing on everybody's fear of isolation and the unknown. Place is extremely important in these novels, Oland is wild, beautiful, isolated and extremely dangerous when the weather turns. When things go wrong help is a long way away. Highly recommended.
Hypothermia by Arnaldur Indridason continues the series featuring the Icelandic Inspector Erlendur. Since the stunning debut Jar City the series has got better and better and Arnaldur more than anybody can be compared to Mankell for the quality of his writing and story telling. This novel revolves around the death of a woman who everybody, except Erlendur , believes to have committed suicide. A novel that explores the idea that a crime can be psychological not just physical. Simply brilliant.
Finally and away from Scandinavia. The Curse of the Pogo Stick by Colin Cotterill, set in Laos, is a much lighter crime novel with wonderful characters. Less twee than MacCall-Smith and a good choice if you want something that is well written but not too taxing or disturbing. An excellent series
Friday, 9 October 2009
The Complaints - Ian Rankin
In his first police procedural novel, since retiring Rebus, Rankin introduces a new character Malcolm Fox. Fox works for "The Complaints" the police department that investigates other police officers.Fox is less of a loner than Rebus and less bad tempered but like Rebus he is cerebral cop with a strong sense of justice.For those who are still mourning Rebus Fox is an interesting new character who I'm sure Rankin will flesh out and develop.Another success for one of crime fiction's most literary writers, highly recommended
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