Colum McCann - just finished reading .....

Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann
9.5/10


I read this book in anticipation of a trip to New York. It has been recommended as a book though which to get to know the city and its people. I can't think how a novel could be written better. The chapters knit together and link across to each other in a cyclical way, and we end up knowing about life in the Bronx and on Park Avenue, the lives of prostitutes and judges and artists. And over the top of all of them a man is walking on a high wire stretched out between the twin towers of the World Trade Centre. The twin towers, in this story, are newly built and not  yet fully populated. The reader and the author know what the future holds, but this is not a part of the story told here.
There is some considerable skill in helping a reader to understand what it might be like to be a high-wire walker. How does Colum McCann manage that?

Man on a high wire - Philip Pettit

Mark Haddon - just finished reading ....

The Red House by Mark Haddon (audio)
8/10


Isn't Mark Haddon a great writer?
Have you read The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time? Have you read A Spot of Bother? I love this writer for his ability to see things differently, and therefore to make the reader see the world differently. he can make us have sympathy with the most unlikely people.
I listened to The Red House whilst driving about in the car. Maybe it would have been confusing to read in written text, because the story is told through the various voices of the members of the two families who are are sharing a holiday cottage. This means that we shift between angst ridden grown-ups, insecure teenagers and a normal imaginative young boy. Some significant events happen, relationships shift and change and everyone grows up a bit.
I like all the detail of everyday life and all the nonsense that people think and do as they go about their everyday lives. But the everyday mundaneness can suddenly shift towards critical incidents which send ripples outwards to touch everyone in different wats.

My secret teenage diary 1974 February (iii) in which I contemplate jokes and love

Feb 17th Sunday
Nothing

Feb 18th 
On half-term now. Two and a half rotten days is all we've got! Today I read, finished pink blouse except for button holes. Did bit of work for school.

Feb 19th
In morning went to Manchester with Ju, got chains for  neck, Snoopy book, motif for jeans ('Who will stop the rain?')* and a bag (from £1 gift token off Carol). Took shoes back. Heels wrong.

Feb 20th Wed
At school again. I broke a thermometer in chemistry!! Been thinking of April Fool jokes for school. Trying to do at least 2 hours work every night. Did tonight.

Feb 21st and 22nd
Blank

Feb 23rd Saturday
Oh, I've been to Geoff's. Spent about 3/4 hours alone with him*. I've got a funny feeling when I think of him. Do you think I love him?

Feb 24 - 27th
Blank

Feb 28th Thursday
Sorry I've missed the last three days, but I've been cold, tired and bored. General election today. Tell you results tomorrow.

*Commentary
Feb 19 - I remember this so well! It was a bit of a hippy-ish trend, to but cloth patches and sew them on your jeans. They were usually along the line of peace, love and happiness. I loved going to Manchester - I still do - it's a great city. We would have caught the 98 bus to Stevenson Square.
Feb 23 - what possessed me to write that? That wasn't a very long time. Surely I must have spent longer with him alone before this?

My secret teenage diary 1974 February (ii) in which I was a personnel manager with no job to do

Feb 10th (Sun)
Got up late but helped dad to lay carpet. Moved sideboard out of living room and bureau in. It's nicer now. Did I say that a general election has been announced? We're all being brainwashed by politicians now.

Feb 11th 
Normal day. Been pouring down and we've got a leak in the chemistry lab roof. Miss Rogerson said that x is feeling a lot better now. Going for little walks down the corridor. Went into town. Got a Valentine for Geoff, birthday card for S and flowers for mum.

Feb 12th
Behind with diary. Normal day. Seem to be always very depressed.

Feb 13th
Been given jobs to do on Friday (entrance exam). Been highly honoured - I'm 'personnel manager' - go round checking people. Also had guitar recital. Why?

Feb 14th (Thurs)
Up dead late last night doing chem hmwk. Found out this morning that I did the wrong lot. Got a Valentine from Rob.* None from Geoff - a bit upset. He phoned - thanked me for mine. Went to visit X in hospital. She's very thin, but a little cheerful.

Feb 15th
Went to school at 8am. Helped to organise the entrance exam. Poor little kids. Ju's sister was crying before the exam. I was playing 'personnel manager' but no-one needed managing so that was okay. Went out with Geoff. Had nearest thing yet to a row. He didn't order taxi till 1.45. I was annoyed and upset.

Feb 16th (Sat)
Working and wondering what to do about Geoff (you can guess my conclusion, I'm stupid). At dinnertime me, Ju and K took S out for a drink of coffee. Gave her writing paper pressy. Went out with G at night. He got me home for 1am.

*Commentary
Feb 14 - Rob was my ex-boyfriend

My secret teenage diary 1974 February (i) - in which I don't want to think about the bad things in life

Feb 1st Fri
After school went to meet Geoff and decided (I decided) to go to disco-pub (Magnet Hotel) instead of pictures. Went with Ju and andy. It's okay. Geoff came back to my house. Dad a bit annoyed 'cos he stayed till 2am.

Feb 2nd
Working at Hardcastle's. Not very busy, it never is, but it wasn't that boring either. I was dead tired when I got home. Auntie May was there. Dad was funny with me (on 2nd thoughts, I imagined it). But I was in a bad mood. Saw Geoff in evening.

Feb 3rd
This poor little girl's been working hard today. Washing, shopping, cooking, homework, nursing mum. Feel v proud of myself I suppose. I love Geoff.

Feb 4th Mon
Normal day at school. Not much to write. Aunty May home to look after mum. Awful bomb went off in coach on M62! 11 killed. inc 2 little boys. Might be iRA. Some were from Oldham.

Feb 5th
Just suddenly started snowing. I'm very tired. Aunty May been again. Mis Rogerson ever so nice today. Poor X - she's had a very serious operation - she's had some of her intesine cut away. What can we do?

Feb 6th Wed
Sometimes i think to myself 'no, I just don't want to hink about the bad things in life, like drug-taking, the war. (prog on TV about Japanese and torture) There was a man (Japanese) down a hole and they kept shooting into the hole, then they dragged him out, dead.

Feb 7th
It's Friday tomorrow and then it's Monday again soon. Wow! What a lot to look forward to. Boring day.

Feb 8th
Tiffany's in evening. Geoff and I drank to much. Opticians in day for a check up. Nice man. said my contact lenses in good condition.

Feb 9th Sat
Working all day (if you can call it working). Got a pay rise of 16p! Whippee. Wow. Fantastic. Feel like crying. Went to Geoff's. Mum and dad don't like me seeing hi, I can feel it.