The Lunchtime Read – day 11

Posted on April 3, 2017 by Lou Clement

Reading Janet and Allan Ahlberg, It was a dark and stormy night & Jeremiah in the Dark Woods

Listening to Alison Goldfrapp, Silver Eye

I spent the weekend with family. I was reminded of a time, a few years ago, when I bought my sister a special edition of the Jolly Postman by the Ahlbergs. I also remember loving the book with it’s tiny illustrated envelopes and other bits and bobs. Many of the books I’ve been reading have been a mixture of text and illustration. Whether these are complex cityscapes or individual character shots the effect doesn’t seem to be lessened. Rather the style lends something to the storytelling that’s difficult to articulate. With Quentin Blake and Roald Dahl the illustrations add a jaunt and scribble that appeals to me unreservedly and often because of their comic quality.

So today, after a break from picture books, I decided to return to the Ahlberg’s. The illustrations carefully merge into the text, and what I really liked is how the creatures seem to pay attention to the action. Again, there’s that comic wink. It’s ridiculously charming. Imagine the the Ahlberg’s illustrated a book with Raymond Briggs (maybe they have, I didn’t research this!) ahhh.

Raymond Briggs received a lifetime achievement award recently; I watched a clip of when the award was given to him by Chris Riddell. Briggs was emotional as he related a story about his readers and their experience of reading his work with an elderly relative who suffered from dementia. It was a heartwarming tale of life, fringed with sadness. I’m lining up Ethel and Ernest next. For some reason it’s making me think about the film Anomalisa by Charlie Kaufman. Hey, why doesn’t he do books?

Over and out.

The Lunchtime Read – day 10

Posted on April 3, 2017 by Lou Clement

Reading Shaun Tan, The Arrival, Daniel Pennac, Eye of the Wolf, Philip Reeve – Mortal Engine

Listening to Vaults – Caught in Still life

I’ve felt like the Lunchtime read has made me look at things differently. There have been flashes of recognition whilst browsing Dave’s Comics in Brighton – Blackcat, noir cat detective; the front splash of incredible perspectives and suave felines. Whilst at the Brighton Graphic Novel Symposium 2016, I listened and watched in awe as Bryan Talbot gave a masterclass, talking us through the construction individual panels. He shared a vast list of graphic novelists, and then he paused for a second as he said the name Shaun Tan – does anyone know him? My hand nearly shot up. Then there was the time I was in Waterstones and it seemed extra busy with lots of children and parents – I enquired what was happening and found out that Chris Riddell was due to visit. I was lucky enough to get his newest book signed. So there is this intertwining of reading and real life.

Also, when you see that book you read, or mention it and someone else’s face lights up, it’s a bit like the feeling you get when you see an old friend. There are a number of books on the list that I’ve read since my last post, and I’ve found the books I carry around with me are no longer just luggage but an instant insight into imagination; one which helps tire an overactive mind, or pass time in a waiting room. Reading concentrates the spirit. That sounds a bit nineteenth century, but what I probably mean is it helps me notice the world around me.

I’m back to a familiar pattern of reading a number of books at the same time, – really reading them, not with the half-hopeful expectation of finishing them. Since my last post I’ve worked my way through several Roald Dahl books. I’m stuck on The Great Glass Elevator… I’ve enjoyed Philip Reeve’s books and the weighty-tome The invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick. Daniel Pennac also delivered with the Eye of the Wolf.

It feels like time to reach for some more substantial classics. So I’m beginning Ursula Le Guin’s Earthsea Trilogy.

The Lunchtime Read – day 9

Posted on November 1, 2016 by Lou Clement

Reading The Reluctant Dragon by Kenneth Grahame

Listening to Avenged Sevenfold, The Stage

Today, another book that looked like it has arrived from my past. It had yellowed paper, a dog-eared spine and a faded front cover; it’s just the book I’m looking for. Kenneth Grahame is, of course, most famous for The Wind in the Willows, a children’s classic and famously adapted for film. Grahame wasn’t a prolific author but his books have stayed with us. I re-watched the Wind in the Willows film fairly recently and still enjoyed it, probably more so that I did as a child.

The Reluctant Dragon is an enjoyable read. It’s hardly aged and is a testament to Grahame’s brilliance as a storyteller. I was curious to find out a little about the author, so after finishing the book I took to the internet for background information. Grahame was born in Edinburgh, he started university but couldn’t afford to complete his studies. He married and his only son committed suicide at 19. He worked at the Bank of England and retired in 1908. He published work over a period of twenty years. There are mysteries written into the Wikipedia entry.

The Reluctant Dragon is really very good; the characters can be likened to Roald Dahl’s in books like Matilda or George’s Marvellous Medicine. Full of charm and beguiling honesty. It begins with a precocious child who we learn is encouraged to read by his parents. The boy reads widely and it’s this knowledge which helps him decide what to do when I dragon is spotted, living nearby. The is seemingly docile and residing in a nearby cave, the child is not phased by the idea of visiting him. The child’s standpoint is both curious and diplomatic.

He insists on visiting the dragon and won’t be dissuaded, his parents give in. It’s this risk and leap of the imagination which draws you into the story. The story unfolds with some perfectly placed illustrations which document key moments. When St George arrives I would have guessed the game was over – with my basic knowledge of the myth of St George and the dragon. But it isn’t. In the same way that Neil Gaiman turns familiar fairy tales on their head, Grahame plays with the well-known stories, injecting wit and humour. There is also a 1941 Disney adaptation of the book. This brings to life the charm of the story in the way that Disney films do, but the familiar comment ‘it’s not as good as the book’ holds true here.

Next up is author Daniel Pennac. He’s the teacher I never had and a bestselling author in France. I’ve read his non-fiction and I’m excited to read his fiction for children.

I was listening to the fast-paced, frantic and elegiac sounds of Avenged Sevenfold, their tracks alternate between heavier sounds and focused intricate guitar solos. I am really getting into this album, particularly Exist, this prog sounding pounding track is just superb. The band have said that the album is inspired by AI. I reckon in the 1970’s this band would have been writing about dragons.

The Lunchtime read – day 8

Posted on September 20, 2016 by Lou Clement

Reading Shirley Hughes – various titles

Listening to Bon Iver, 10 d E A T h b R E a s T ⊠ ⊠ and 22 (OVER S∞∞N)

In the last few weeks, I’d had some conversations about the children’s author Shirley Hughes. Having not really thought about her for at least twenty years this was kind of strange. I do remember her illustrations from childhood. There was something slightly messy about her style in a comforting way, and a consistent brown palette. Her characters were permanently in Autumn. I was discussing her work because she featured in the BBC series A day in the life of an Artist.

The episode was filled with bumbling jazz music and followed Shirley on a typical day. Now as an office-hog the idea of working at home is appealing and as an aspiring artist, I was curious (see: jealous) about how she spent her day.

Shirley Hughes lives in Notting Hill, a widow, in the house she raised her family in. It seems doing what you love pays off, her home and her routine were beyond charming. There was something effortless about her. She continues to work on new books and is almost a nonagenarian! It’s not just work, it’s her passion.

She was also inspiring, probably because she was a stay at home mum who led a successful career as a storyteller and illustrator. But there is more. She is charismatic. She just goes against the grain. I read a few of the books in the Dogger series and a couple of the Alfie books. She very clearly articulates the challenges and compromises that young children make as they get to know the world and her books are filled with kindness and surprises.

I was listening to Bon Iver today. He’s the kind of singer who might be known by a handful of people – because his music feels personal, and his persona is not that of an international superstar. The music still stands for itself. I have been listening to 22 (OVER S∞∞N) on repeat, and it feels a little Moby-esque in the era of Play. Bon Iver brings together this sentiment of living in the present and adds a melancholy touch – it might be over soon – the lyrics swoop and dive with epic background vocals and brass solos. It is awesome.