Tim Atkinson's Blog, page 22
December 19, 2017
Dylan Thomas Child's Christmas Wales
Of course, Christmas isn't always about music. It doesn't only snow in country villages. The Swansea of Dylan Thomas's childhood produced equally poignant and memorable incidents, vividly recalled here in his short memoir, A Child's Christmas in Wales.
December 18, 2017
Advent, door nineteen
Of course, some parishes supported choirs of boys, especially a little later than the time Hardy was writing of in yesterday's post. So today, in door 19, is a reading from Cider with Rosie by Laurie Lee, that wonderful, poetic memoir of a more recent - yet still vanished and distant - village past. Here, the boys of the choir take their annual tithe for 'praising the Lord out-of-key' and go out carol singing.
Laurie Lee Cider Rosie Carol Singing
Of course, some parishes supported choirs of boys, especially a little later than the time Hardy was writing of yesterday. So today, in door 19, is a reading from Cider with Rosie by Laurie Lee, that wonderful, poetic memoir of a more recent - yet still vanished and distant - village past. Here, the boys of the choir take their annual tithe for 'praising the Lord out-of-key' and go out carol singing.
Advent, door 18
Talking of carols, as I was yesterday, brings to mind this seasonal passage from Thomas Hardy's novel Under the Greenwood Tree. It recalls a time when a country parish church didn't have a choir as we now understand the term, still less an organ. Instead a band of players played the hymns and psalms on Sunday. And on Saturday night, the self-same players probably played at the village dances, which in this case was their great undoing...
December 16, 2017
Advent, door seventeen
Right, door number seventeen, and behind it lurks a carol everybody knows... but not as you normal hear it. For a start, this tune to 'Wild Shepherds' ain't the hymn book one, but a very rousing setting more suited to the words, when you think about it. And it has an urgent, insistent accompaniment too - a kind of 'come on shepherds, hurry up!' motif that speaks of all the excitement and wonder of the message the angels are delivering. Well it does to me.
It's also an interesting example of a folk carol. I've said before that carols weren't originally intended to be sung in church (some were later written for it, once the others had started to become popular). In fact, they were rather looked down on by respectable society. Which is why I always feel they sound better sung with an earthy gusto rather than in the beautifully refined tones and perfect vowels of, say, Kings College, Cambridge.
There's a place for the latter, of course - and a very distinguished place at that. But a choirboy's fluting treble isn't all there is to a Christmas carol; in fact, it wasn't anything to do with it for many centuries. And it's nice to be reminded of that from time to time.
It's also an interesting example of a folk carol. I've said before that carols weren't originally intended to be sung in church (some were later written for it, once the others had started to become popular). In fact, they were rather looked down on by respectable society. Which is why I always feel they sound better sung with an earthy gusto rather than in the beautifully refined tones and perfect vowels of, say, Kings College, Cambridge.
There's a place for the latter, of course - and a very distinguished place at that. But a choirboy's fluting treble isn't all there is to a Christmas carol; in fact, it wasn't anything to do with it for many centuries. And it's nice to be reminded of that from time to time.
John Foster While Shepherds Watched
Right, door number seventeen, and behind it lurks a carol everybody knows... but not as you normal hear it. For a start, this tune to 'Wild Shepherds' ain't the hymn book one, but a very rousing setting more suited to the words, when you think about it. And it has an urgent, insistent accompaniment too - a kind of 'come on shepherds, hurry up!' motif that speaks of all the excitement and wonder of the message the angels are delivering. Well it does to me.
It's also an interesting example of a folk carol. I've said before that carols weren't originally intended to be sung in church (some were later written for it, once the others had started to become popular). In fact, they were rather looked down on by respectable society. Which is why I always feel they sound better sung with an earthy gusto rather than in the beautifully refined tones and perfect vowels of, say, Kings College, Cambridge.
There's a place for the latter, of course - and a very distinguished place at that. But a choirboy's fluting treble isn't all there is to a Christmas carol; in fact, it wasn't anything to do with it for many centuries. And it's nice to be reminded of that from time to time.
It's also an interesting example of a folk carol. I've said before that carols weren't originally intended to be sung in church (some were later written for it, once the others had started to become popular). In fact, they were rather looked down on by respectable society. Which is why I always feel they sound better sung with an earthy gusto rather than in the beautifully refined tones and perfect vowels of, say, Kings College, Cambridge.
There's a place for the latter, of course - and a very distinguished place at that. But a choirboy's fluting treble isn't all there is to a Christmas carol; in fact, it wasn't anything to do with it for many centuries. And it's nice to be reminded of that from time to time.
December 15, 2017
Advent, door 16
Everyone else is doing it. And - rather depressed by the number of books on other people's lists I haven't yet read - I thought today, for door 16 of the digital #Advent calendar, I'd have a go myself.
I've read a great many books this year, as those of you on Goodreads can attest. But not all of them - not many, in fact - were 2017 publications. But a few are. And here, in no particular order, are the ones I liked best and have no hesitation recommending to anyone and everyone who enjoys reading.
First, Kamila Shamsie's Antigone-inspired tragedy, Home Fire. As a sometime schoolteacher I've done the government's so-called 'training' in how to spot radicalisation, though to call it training - indeed to distinguish it with any reference to education - is to take unpardonable liberties with the English language.
Suffice to say that, should you wish, you can gain a fully comprehensive understanding of the subject, as well as several days of reading pleasure, by reading 'Home Fire'. Maybe 'pleasure' isn't quite the right word. But it's one of those rare, life-enhancing books you won't regret reading. And - unlike so much literary fiction - it has a proper ending!
Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Having wasted a small amount of my time last term on the government’s online ‘prevent’ strategy for school teachers I can honestly say that reading this book will give you a greater insight into radicalism than the ridiculous primary school caricatures contained in the so-called training. That, and the satisfaction of some seriously life-enhancing reading makes this book well worth the time ‘borrowed’ from marking and preparation... and pathetic attempts at politically-motivated teacher training.
Next, another novel that takes Classical mythology as its starting point. Colm Tóibín's House of Names is based on the story of Oresteia, taking up the story of Agamemnon (though he doesn't last long) on his return from the Trojan War and the subsequent bloody and ruinous family score-settling that ensues. Knowing the story well I was a little unsure what could be added. After all, the original (as enshrined in the eponymous plays of Aeschylus) is gripping enough. But no, as Tóibín himself says, there is enough daylight to fashion an entirely new perspective and to forge a convincing and captivating narrative. Just a shame about the ending!
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A stimulating and inspiring read for all but the final few pages. This book does the impossible in making something so utterly original out of something so ancient and so known. And it does it with verve and energy and wit. But then, like the most spectacular of fireworks, it suddenly puffs out as if the author was distracted, lost interest or interrupted rather than allowed to finish.
Finally, there aren't many books you wish - as an author - you'd written yourself. Well, there are - nearly all of them in my case - but this is one that seemed so perfectly within reach and yet so well crafted I found myself desperately wishing I'd thought of it first. It's a nicely judged skit.
Dead Writers in Rehab by Paul Bassett Davies
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
There are books you wish you'd written (in my case, most of them), some you wish had been re-written (well, I do) and there are others you wish you'd never started reading. This is a book I'd dearly love to have written. But I'd not have had the inspiration or the nerve or the virtuosity or ventriloquistic ability. Quite simply one of the most originally entertaining and well-written books I've read in a long time. Damn Paul for having written it before I had a chance to!
View all my reviews
I've read a great many books this year, as those of you on Goodreads can attest. But not all of them - not many, in fact - were 2017 publications. But a few are. And here, in no particular order, are the ones I liked best and have no hesitation recommending to anyone and everyone who enjoys reading.
First, Kamila Shamsie's Antigone-inspired tragedy, Home Fire. As a sometime schoolteacher I've done the government's so-called 'training' in how to spot radicalisation, though to call it training - indeed to distinguish it with any reference to education - is to take unpardonable liberties with the English language.
Suffice to say that, should you wish, you can gain a fully comprehensive understanding of the subject, as well as several days of reading pleasure, by reading 'Home Fire'. Maybe 'pleasure' isn't quite the right word. But it's one of those rare, life-enhancing books you won't regret reading. And - unlike so much literary fiction - it has a proper ending!
Home Fire by Kamila ShamsieMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Having wasted a small amount of my time last term on the government’s online ‘prevent’ strategy for school teachers I can honestly say that reading this book will give you a greater insight into radicalism than the ridiculous primary school caricatures contained in the so-called training. That, and the satisfaction of some seriously life-enhancing reading makes this book well worth the time ‘borrowed’ from marking and preparation... and pathetic attempts at politically-motivated teacher training.
Next, another novel that takes Classical mythology as its starting point. Colm Tóibín's House of Names is based on the story of Oresteia, taking up the story of Agamemnon (though he doesn't last long) on his return from the Trojan War and the subsequent bloody and ruinous family score-settling that ensues. Knowing the story well I was a little unsure what could be added. After all, the original (as enshrined in the eponymous plays of Aeschylus) is gripping enough. But no, as Tóibín himself says, there is enough daylight to fashion an entirely new perspective and to forge a convincing and captivating narrative. Just a shame about the ending!
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A stimulating and inspiring read for all but the final few pages. This book does the impossible in making something so utterly original out of something so ancient and so known. And it does it with verve and energy and wit. But then, like the most spectacular of fireworks, it suddenly puffs out as if the author was distracted, lost interest or interrupted rather than allowed to finish.
Finally, there aren't many books you wish - as an author - you'd written yourself. Well, there are - nearly all of them in my case - but this is one that seemed so perfectly within reach and yet so well crafted I found myself desperately wishing I'd thought of it first. It's a nicely judged skit.
Dead Writers in Rehab by Paul Bassett DaviesMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
There are books you wish you'd written (in my case, most of them), some you wish had been re-written (well, I do) and there are others you wish you'd never started reading. This is a book I'd dearly love to have written. But I'd not have had the inspiration or the nerve or the virtuosity or ventriloquistic ability. Quite simply one of the most originally entertaining and well-written books I've read in a long time. Damn Paul for having written it before I had a chance to!
View all my reviews
Best Books Year Award 2017
Everyone else is doing it. And - rather depressed by the number of books on other people's lists I haven't yet read - I thought today, for door 16 of the digital #Advent calendar, I'd have a go myself.
I've read a great many books this year, as those of you on Goodreads can attest. But not all of them - not many, in fact - were 2017 publications. But a few are. And here, in no particular order, are the ones I liked best and have no hesitation recommending to anyone and everyone who enjoys reading.
First, Kamila Shamsie's Antigone-inspired tragedy, Home Fire. As a sometime schoolteacher I've done the government's so-called 'training' in how to spot radicalisation, though to call it training - indeed to distinguish it with any reference to education - is to take unpardonable liberties with the English language.
Suffice to say that, should you wish, you can gain a fully comprehensive understanding of the subject, as well as several days of reading pleasure, by reading 'Home Fire'. Maybe 'pleasure' isn't quite the right word. But it's one of those rare, life-enhancing books you won't regret reading. And - unlike so much literary fiction - it has a proper ending!
Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Having wasted a small amount of my time last term on the government’s online ‘prevent’ strategy for school teachers I can honestly say that reading this book will give you a greater insight into radicalism than the ridiculous primary school caricatures contained in the so-called training. That, and the satisfaction of some seriously life-enhancing reading makes this book well worth the time ‘borrowed’ from marking and preparation... and pathetic attempts at politically-motivated teacher training.
Next, another novel that takes Classical mythology as its starting point. Colm Tóibín's House of Names is based on the story of Oresteia, taking up the story of Agamemnon (though he doesn't last long) on his return from the Trojan War and the subsequent bloody and ruinous family score-settling that ensues. Knowing the story well I was a little unsure what could be added. After all, the original (as enshrined in the eponymous plays of Aeschylus) is gripping enough. But no, as Tóibín himself says, there is enough daylight to fashion an entirely new perspective and to forge a convincing and captivating narrative. Just a shame about the ending!
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A stimulating and inspiring read for all but the final few pages. This book does the impossible in making something so utterly original out of something so ancient and so known. And it does it with verve and energy and wit. But then, like the most spectacular of fireworks, it suddenly puffs out as if the author was distracted, lost interest or interrupted rather than allowed to finish.
Finally, there aren't many books you wish - as an author - you'd written yourself. Well, there are - nearly all of them in my case - but this is one that seemed so perfectly within reach and yet so well crafted I found myself desperately wishing I'd thought of it first. It's a nicely judged skit.
Dead Writers in Rehab by Paul Bassett Davies
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
There are books you wish you'd written (in my case, most of them), some you wish had been re-written (well, I do) and there are others you wish you'd never started reading. This is a book I'd dearly love to have written. But I'd not have had the inspiration or the nerve or the virtuosity or ventriloquistic ability. Quite simply one of the most originally entertaining and well-written books I've read in a long time. Damn Paul for having written it before I had a chance to!
View all my reviews
I've read a great many books this year, as those of you on Goodreads can attest. But not all of them - not many, in fact - were 2017 publications. But a few are. And here, in no particular order, are the ones I liked best and have no hesitation recommending to anyone and everyone who enjoys reading.
First, Kamila Shamsie's Antigone-inspired tragedy, Home Fire. As a sometime schoolteacher I've done the government's so-called 'training' in how to spot radicalisation, though to call it training - indeed to distinguish it with any reference to education - is to take unpardonable liberties with the English language.
Suffice to say that, should you wish, you can gain a fully comprehensive understanding of the subject, as well as several days of reading pleasure, by reading 'Home Fire'. Maybe 'pleasure' isn't quite the right word. But it's one of those rare, life-enhancing books you won't regret reading. And - unlike so much literary fiction - it has a proper ending!
Home Fire by Kamila ShamsieMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Having wasted a small amount of my time last term on the government’s online ‘prevent’ strategy for school teachers I can honestly say that reading this book will give you a greater insight into radicalism than the ridiculous primary school caricatures contained in the so-called training. That, and the satisfaction of some seriously life-enhancing reading makes this book well worth the time ‘borrowed’ from marking and preparation... and pathetic attempts at politically-motivated teacher training.
Next, another novel that takes Classical mythology as its starting point. Colm Tóibín's House of Names is based on the story of Oresteia, taking up the story of Agamemnon (though he doesn't last long) on his return from the Trojan War and the subsequent bloody and ruinous family score-settling that ensues. Knowing the story well I was a little unsure what could be added. After all, the original (as enshrined in the eponymous plays of Aeschylus) is gripping enough. But no, as Tóibín himself says, there is enough daylight to fashion an entirely new perspective and to forge a convincing and captivating narrative. Just a shame about the ending!
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A stimulating and inspiring read for all but the final few pages. This book does the impossible in making something so utterly original out of something so ancient and so known. And it does it with verve and energy and wit. But then, like the most spectacular of fireworks, it suddenly puffs out as if the author was distracted, lost interest or interrupted rather than allowed to finish.
Finally, there aren't many books you wish - as an author - you'd written yourself. Well, there are - nearly all of them in my case - but this is one that seemed so perfectly within reach and yet so well crafted I found myself desperately wishing I'd thought of it first. It's a nicely judged skit.
Dead Writers in Rehab by Paul Bassett DaviesMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
There are books you wish you'd written (in my case, most of them), some you wish had been re-written (well, I do) and there are others you wish you'd never started reading. This is a book I'd dearly love to have written. But I'd not have had the inspiration or the nerve or the virtuosity or ventriloquistic ability. Quite simply one of the most originally entertaining and well-written books I've read in a long time. Damn Paul for having written it before I had a chance to!
View all my reviews
December 14, 2017
Advent, door fifteen...
Today's door contains something really special, something you'll be lucky to hear these days but something magical, traditionally recited or intoned on Christmas Eve as part of Roman Catholic liturgy.
It's the Chronicle of Christ's Nativity, or the Kalenda Proclamation, a non-too historically accurate attempt to put Christ's birth in some sort of historical (and especially Biblical) context. It's pretty hopeless as a chronology. But it contains a poetry, a spirituality, that makes up for any lack of authenticity.
As Scott says to Ransom Stoddard in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, 'When the legend becomes fact, print the legend.'
It's the Chronicle of Christ's Nativity, or the Kalenda Proclamation, a non-too historically accurate attempt to put Christ's birth in some sort of historical (and especially Biblical) context. It's pretty hopeless as a chronology. But it contains a poetry, a spirituality, that makes up for any lack of authenticity.
As Scott says to Ransom Stoddard in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, 'When the legend becomes fact, print the legend.'
Kalenda Proclamation Midnight Mass Catholic martyrology
Today's door contains something really special, something you'll be lucky to hear these days but something magical, traditionally recited or intoned on Christmas Eve as part of Roman Catholic liturgy.
It's the Chronicle of Christ's Nativity, or the Kalenda Proclamation, a non-too historically accurate attempt to put Christ's birth in some sort of historical (and especially Biblical) context. It's pretty hopeless as a chronology. But it contains a poetry, a spirituality, that makes up for any lack of authenticity.
As Scott says to Ransom Stoddard in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, 'When the legend becomes fact, print the legend.'
It's the Chronicle of Christ's Nativity, or the Kalenda Proclamation, a non-too historically accurate attempt to put Christ's birth in some sort of historical (and especially Biblical) context. It's pretty hopeless as a chronology. But it contains a poetry, a spirituality, that makes up for any lack of authenticity.
As Scott says to Ransom Stoddard in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, 'When the legend becomes fact, print the legend.'
