Despite Terry Pratchett being my all-time, absolute favourite author, I never really cared much to find out more about his life. It never seemed like Despite Terry Pratchett being my all-time, absolute favourite author, I never really cared much to find out more about his life. It never seemed like I needed to, everything I needed to know was written within the pages of the Discworld books I was reading: how he viewed humanity, how humorous he was and how compassionate he was about pretty much everything.
His wit, indeed sparkling as it was, and his intelligence was plain to see from what he had written, up until the very (rather bitter) end. The only reason I read this book was because it was about PTerry and it only felt right that I should.
Terry's life was much like anyone else's, with humble beginnings that drifted into anecdotal rich midlife that didn't so much as crash as it sort of free-wheeled with a few minor stalls. There are no startling revelations or cryptic clues as to how to become as successful as he was. Ordinarily, Terry was a man who worked incredibly hard and whinged sometimes and the holy grail of how to be a writer is simply to write.
The book is indeed in chronological order, written by PTerry's PA, Rob Wilkins, who had known PTerry for so many years and, it was indeed, his own fingers that typed many of the Discworld books long before PTerry might have lost that function due to his illness. This was a new piece of information for me, but, although brought initial surprise, did not change any thoughts. So it was only natural for him to write his biography, as well. Would it have been better had PTerry written it himself? Yes and no. Anyone can tell their own story, it's whether that story is true or not that matters. Rob allows a sideways glance at PTerry's life, from the perspective of a fan, employee and friend.
It paints the picture of a writer who loved what he did. Adored it, was bewildered by it sometimes, often doubted it and his own success, but never once took it for granted. A writer who worked incredibly hard and got his just desserts, until sadly his imagination was so diminished by a cruel disease that ultimately killed him.
A hard, beautiful, solemn thing to read. GNU Terry Pratchett....more
I read all of Alan Bennett's diaries in a row, which, given they were written over about 40 years it's unlikely this was how he intended them to be reI read all of Alan Bennett's diaries in a row, which, given they were written over about 40 years it's unlikely this was how he intended them to be read, since this would require a foresight hitherto unknown since Adam said unto Eve, "you and me babe, how about it?"
As is such, I probably both ruined my enjoyment of them but also catapulted that enjoyment, wherein I garnered far more insight than one would hope in such a man's life.
This particular entry in to the long-standing tradition of English diarists is the longest of AB's, with over half of the content given over to the diary entries themselves. This was a delight as to read more is what one wants from any continued series, but I found myself sometimes wishing there were less.
The main problem would be the sheer amount of politics. Not withstanding my agreement or disagreement, it was mainly that he could feel so much more about modern goings on than what had occurred in the 80s, which was either the same or worse as what goes on today.
The explanation being that possibly any more brusque or indeed harsher political views were not included in the 80s and 90s diary anthologies because he was a more prominent figure and boldly in the public eye.
But to think that he could not be even remotely moved by Margaret Thatcher's systematic dismantling of the entire Northern culture overnight seems unlikely, which I am choosing to believe to be the case.
In any regard, seeing how AB has evolved over time proves that my way of reading his books one after the other was a good decision. He doesn't seem to have changed an awful lot in the way he writes about everyday life (often pithy, sometimes sarcastic, perhaps sardonic), but his views and ways of looking at things has evolved as he has aged. He is still shy, but less so. He can still be angry, and probably more so. He still delights in small things,
His writing-diaries aside-is ever enchanting. I find AB to be an excellent communicator of knowledge and expert in explaining things without doing the actual explaining, or even possibly being aware that he is imparting his knowledge at all. That is the mark of a truly great writer, one who not only shows and doesn't tell, but one whose enthusiasm for their chosen subject is such that it bubbles over without it being acknowledged....more
A.B. probably won't like that I've shelved this under 'literary', but that's what it is, sometimes.
1980 to 1995, Bennett's thoughts on his work, some A.B. probably won't like that I've shelved this under 'literary', but that's what it is, sometimes.
1980 to 1995, Bennett's thoughts on his work, some tidbits of life and musings on how the world works slide next to reviews of books, prefaces to his own works and speeches he has made on close friends at their funerals to bible societies.
I currently have covid brain, my fingers knowing how to spell but deciding against it anyway. It is the first book I've read for several months-over half a year-a year that saw me almost nothing but sad. Very, very sad.
And thus, after experiencing something that stopped the sadness and brought joy and laughter back again, I turned to A.B. for more joy and laughter, and he has not disappointed.
Each of his non-fiction works (compendiums of diaries, speeches, reviews, musings) were added to my eBay basket and bought without second thought. They arrived one after the other and I held my hand over the first chronologically, 'Writing Home', tentatively wondering if I was ready to read again.
Turns out I was and fuck me if I haven't missed it....more
Max Counts to a Million is a fun read for children, getting a first-hand P.O.V from someone they can relate to. The writing is simple yet very easy toMax Counts to a Million is a fun read for children, getting a first-hand P.O.V from someone they can relate to. The writing is simple yet very easy to follow and at no point did I ever feel like the author was patronising or "dumbing-down" his writing because he thinks that's what children need, which happens all too often.
At it's heart, it's really a book about the world during the Pandemic, which affected absolutely everyone no matter their age, where they lived and how much money they may or may not have. For younger readers this book is perfect: it is not condescending in the least, there is a very relatable character and the story isn't too convoluted.
For older readers it may be a little boring and honestly not a lot happens, but considering it's subject matter I feel like that's not really an issue here.
The tiny people in my life really enjoyed this book which is the main reason I read it myself. It's not one for adults to pick up of their own accord, but certainly to enjoy together it's definitely up there....more
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