Christopher Fowler's Blog, page 445

Standalone Or Story-Arc?

Which do you prefer?

I'm taking a straw poll, because although the Bryant & May novels are standalone they also have a story arc for regular readers. 'The Memory Of Blood' is very much a standalone novel, but picks up on a long-running MoD situation that's reaching critical point. For the tenth Bryant & May novel, [...]

Home In The City

Now that more than half of the world's population lives in a city, I think we should continue looking at our urban surroundings, and I've been following the Gaudi comments with interest.

One thing that must be taken into account is the fact that cities in Spain represent a unique case in Europe. After decades of [...]

The World's Weirdest Movies 1

Culture differences often become most obvious in that most popular of forms, cinema, and I can think of few greater extremes than those from Far Eastern culture, which has resulted in this double bill. The Japanese 'House' (1977) and the South Korean 'Dasepo Naughty Girls' (2006) were produced three decades apart, and yet share common [...]

Clockwatching

Time – it's all the rage right now. The left image is from 'The Most Incredible Thing', the ballet with new music from Pet Shop Boys at Sadler's Wells which was, of course, sold out before I could get tickets for it. Clocks feature heavily on the soundtrack and the visuals.

Critics are suddenly talking about [...]

Bloody Gaudi!

One last thing; I do have an issue with Barcelona that I'd forgotten about – bloody Gaudi. I traipsed around the Gaudi houses listening to an unctuous audio-tour and while I appreciate he was innovative in his thinking, I still hate that 'Don't put Shrek in charge of the icing' look of his buildings.

These [...]

I Live In The Wrong City

I typed 'Summer in London' into Google and this is what I got.

Then I typed in 'Summer in Barcelona' and got this.

Last year, I took the cover off the barbecue twice, but wasn't fast enough to beat the rain. Summer in London lasts for six weeks. The kind of weather we'd call summer lasts in [...]

London & The Public Eye

My friend Michele draws my attention to an article in the Washington Examiner that talks about DC expanding public surveillance with a network of cameras, to be modelled on the type of system used in London, which has the largest CCTV system in the world.

She and the paper both complain about the 'Big Brother' aspect [...]

Eating My Way Across Barcelona

It's true that you remember where you've been by what you've eaten, so here's today's Catalan treats – pinchos prepared to look like tiny iced cakes – in fact everything from crab and tuna to, well, I never did find out what the violent thing was. One was definitely creamed cheese and raspberry coulis, though.

Then [...]

More Versions Of 'Willow'…

Further to 'Theft Or Genius?' (below) Willow's Song from 'The Wicker Man' keeps arriving in other versions (this one suggested by Porl Cooper)…I think someone should sample it with 'I'm not a witch' from monty Python & The Holy Grail'.

Where You Going?

Barcelona.
Oh.
Enough Sondheim referencing. I'm in Barcelone for the weekend for several reasons. Making myself stop work. Blue skies. Jamon Iberico. The Rambla at Catalunya. Gaudi. Oh, and I'm getting my neighbour Shelley Von Strunckel some Marcona almonds from the Boqueria market, which has been here since medieval times. Since I was last here they've installed [...]