Lance Greenfield's Blog, page 24
October 7, 2019
Book Review: The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The title of this book is very apt. Harold’s journey could hardly be more unlikely and it is certainly a pilgrimage. Even he doesn’t realise, when he leaves his house wearing deck shoes and inappropriate clothing, that he is embarking on the longest walk of his life.
The young lady in the local garage inspires him to set off on his journey from Devon to Berwick-upon-Tweed, almost the entire length of England, in the belief that his long walk will motivate a lnog-lost work colleague and friend to survive her terminal cancer.
During Harold’s journey, he encounters many interesting people, who influence and help him along the way. He also finds time to reflect on his own life and the lives of the people who have been closest to him. Particularly his wife and son. There is tragedy and comedy, tears and laughter. The revelations and the life-changes are ceaseless, right up to the final page.
I recommend this to all of my friends and to reading groups. There are enough discussion points, open to individual interpretation, to keep any reviewing group chatting for many hours.
I enjoyed my journey with Harold.
October 4, 2019
Lance Greenfield chats with Eloise De Sousa
[image error]
Eloise De Sousa
Today, it is my great pleasure to welcome Eloise De Sousa for my first author interview on this blog. Eloise is a writer of children’s fiction, adult crime fiction and poetry.
Working in the library at the local primary school gives Eloise the opportunity to inspire the children to read and write, which she does in abundance. She is a fascinating person and I hope that you enjoy her revelations in the following discussion as much as I did when I heard her answers to my questions first hand.
Interview
Lance: What was your favourite subject at school and which was the lesson you always wanted to avoid?
Eloise: I loved science because you never knew what to expect from the teacher. He had a tendency to throw blackboard dusters as the girls dozing off in class, leaving white squares where the deadly duster kiss struck. There weren’t any lessons I truly wanted to avoid unless my homework wasn’t done. Then, of course, there was extra incentive to avoid that lesson at all costs!
Lance: Talking about yourself, how would you finish the sentence “not a lot of people know…”?
Eloise: …that I once abseiled down a hotel building to raise money for Arthritis research. The gentlemen running the event were part of the South East Berkshire Emergency Volunteers and encouraged me to join their team of volunteers which I did. I was part of the search and rescue team for a few years.
Lance: Where is your favourite place on earth — and why?
[image error]
Vumba Mountains – photo credit: Mark Taber
Eloise: It’s a place in Zimbabwe called Vumba.. Exotic plants decorated with moss covered vines dangle like Tarzan ropes and secret pathways lead to a hidden waterfall where the birds sing their lullabies to the sun. There’s nothing to do but immerse yourself in all the natural beauty and whenever I feel stressed, that’s where I go in my mind.
Lance: How do you relax?
Eloise: I retreat to my proverbial cave (in my mind), shove a rock across the entrance and sip tequila in the silence. Very therapeutic. If that doesn’t work, a dog walk will suffice.
Lance: If you knew you only had 24 hours left, how would you spend them?
Eloise: That’s a tough question. It’s depends on where I am and who I’m with. The dream would be to spend it with my family but life is never simple or forgiving. Whatever I’m doing or wherever I am, I just hope I’m making a difference to someone else’s life.
Lance: If you were a car, what type would you be — and why?
Eloise: Probably a Jeep. I’m tough, I love going off the beaten track and you can rely on me.
Lance: Watch a film, go to the theatre, read a book or talk to friends — which would you prefer?
Eloise: I prefer them all! It’s who I am with that makes it special.
Lance: If you could take part in one television programme, which one would it be?
Eloise: Bear Gryls’s The Island on Channel 4. Twelve strangers are dropped on a deserted island for a month. They have to survive the elements and each other but there’s a lovely twist – up to £100,000 is dropped onto different parts of the island for the adventurers to find and keep. It has all the elements to stimulate great writing and challenge myself.
[image error]Lance: Finally, since this is a special trip for Space Dust, please tell me something about your latest book.
Eloise: Space Dust is my fifth published children’s book and, as with all my books, targets an issue experienced by children. My other books focus on bullying whereas Space Dust deals with separation and support for young children with parents who have hectic schedules. I hope that families get to enjoy the story which highlights the importance of a family support system.
Lance: Thank you for taking the time to chat with me today, Eloise. I am sure that my blog foloowers will be as interested as I have been by your answers. I hope that they will take the time to look at my review of Space Dust and go on toobtain copies to share with their families. My grandchildren certeinly enjoyed it.
Eloise: Thank you for hosting me today Lance, and for the fun questions which I enjoyed answering.
Link to Space Dust on Amazon
Link to Eloise’s website and blog.
September 30, 2019
Book Review: Counterfeit by Elizabeth Ducie
Counterfeit! by Elizabeth Ducie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a well-crafted and very believable tale of deceit and intrigue. The pace is good and is maintained throughout. I love the characters, who continue to reveal hidden secrets from first to last. As Suzanne seeks the truth, she, and the reader, wonder whom she can trust and whom she cannot. There are plenty of surprises.
I enjoyed the whole story and the conclusion, which leaves itself open to many possible paths for the next instalment.
September 19, 2019
Film Review: Downton Abbey
[image error]Downton Abbey is a very enjoyable, comfortable ride in movieland. Although the scenery, costumes, sets and acting are all superb, of the highest quality, this film is not a classic period drama. I would classify it as a period comedy. The single dramatic scene is very predictable. The hilarious, comedic quips that are littered throughout the script are not. In the 122 minutes that the film was running, there were at least twenty moments where the whole audience were laughing out loud. Dame Maggie Smith, in her role as the Dowager Countess in particular, is fed some great lines. But the laughs are liberally spread around the other characters.
[image error]There is brilliant pathos, portrayed by Kevin Doyle as Mister Molesley, who is continually close to fainting at the very thought of serving their Majesties, King George V and Queen Mary.
I loved the stiffness, which was bound to meet its comeuppance, of David Haig as Mister Wilson, who informs the staff of Downton that he is “the Royal Page of the Backstairs.”
All of the staff and the characters are wonderful, as is the acting.
The plot and sub-plots are all very predictable, but that doesn’t spoil the enjoyment. My experience was two hours of top quality entertainment.
There was a marvellous taste of things to come came early on in the film, when the family are informed by the Earl of Grantham (Hugh Bonneville) that the King and Queen were coming to stay. The following exchange between Lady Violet Crawley (Maggie Smith) and Isobel Merton (Penelope Wilton) ensues.
Isobel: “Will you have enough clichés to get you through the visit?”
Violet: “If not, I’ll come to you.”
I highly recommend this film as two hours of comfortable, comedic entertainment with plenty of style and panache.
My rating: Four stars [out of five]
As an aside, I have run in the Highclere 10k race a few times. The route is around Highclere Castle estate, where much of the outdoor filming was done. I remember running along the driveway that is much-featured in the film.
September 18, 2019
Book Review – Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma by Peter A Levine
Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma by Peter A. Levine
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
There was much in this book that resonated with me. Some of my personal life experiences, good as well as bad, run parallel to the case studies that Levine cites.
He examines trauma in great detail and talks about animal reactions to danger: the commonly discussed fight or flight and the less discussed freeze. You may have seen this in wildlife documentaries or even have witnessed it for yourself. When a prey is chased and caught by a scary predator, it might freeze and ‘play dead’. The predator is momentarily caught off guard and becomes complacent. The prey springs into life and makes a dash for freedom. Occasionally, that sub-consciously triggered tactic is successful.
The author goes on to talk about addressing the balance between the psychological and physiological treatments of the effects of trauma, which may be long-buried in the body and mind. In his book, Peter Levine has convinced me that western society places far too much emphasis on the psychological side of the equation.
There are many case studies, perhaps too many, in this book. Levine’s experience shines through. He talks about the use of somatic experience as a way of breaking down the barriers that stand in the way of escaping from the trauma that exists because the event that led to the trauma in the first place was never seen trough to completion. It is much more than re-enactment. You’ll have to read the book to find out more.
I practiced the exercises that Levine describes. Some of them made me quite emotional. I am an emotional man anyway, so it didn’t take too much. The instructions were to write down everything that is felt. He talks about the ‘felt sense.’ Although they inspired a plethora of words, spinning around inside my head, not all of them made it to the page. However, I wrote two or three good poems as a result of working through the exercises.
I am grateful to my friend, Bridget Holding, for recommending this book to me and to Peter Levine for informing me and for making think.
The only downside of this book is that the points are laboured far too long. I was getting the messages and understanding them very early on but I had to trudge through treacle to get to the next chapter. It became a bit boring at times.
Having said that, I would recommend Waking the Tiger to everyone. It will give you some good insights. My top tip is, once you’ve got the message from a chapter, skip to the next. You will save valuable, never-to-be-repeated, minutes of your life.
September 15, 2019
Book Review: Space Dust by Eloise De Sousa
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a delightful little story with massive appeal to the 4-11 year-old age group. You will enjoy reading the adventures of Big Ox and Little One to your youngsters. As they learn to read, I am sure that they will enjoy reading the story back to you.
The beginning of the story is rather sad. Little One’s mummy has left the house without any explanation or “Goodbye.” Understandably, Little One is upset but Big Ox soon comes up with a scheme to pick them both up. He invites Little One to travel into space in his special canoe which he paddles with is “absolute favourite spoon.”
They visit Venus, calling out to Little One’s mummy along the way. Maybe they’ll find her. Maybe they won’t. But they’ll see lots along the way and much silliness is guaranteed.
The book is beautifully illustrated by the author. I liked the rhythm and the rhyme and the flow. You’ll almost be able to sing your way through the story with your children or grandchildren and I am sure that you will all be as happy as Little One when it’s time for bed.
Having enjoyed Space Dust, I am left excited at the prospect that the story leaves me anticipating the pair’s next adventure. There is much promise of a lot more to come. I can’t wait!
View all my reviews
September 14, 2019
Evening of Empowerment
I am very much looking forward to being one of the three invited speakers at Orange Rose Agency’s Evening of Empowerment at the Red Lion Hotel in Basingstoke on Tuesday evening.
For my part, I shall be talking about the motivation and inspiration that led me to write and self-publish my two novels, Eleven Miles (inspired by Boikanyo Trust Phenyo) and Knitting Can Walk! (set in Hong Kong in the seventies).
Come along and join in. There’ll be plenty of opportunity put your questions to me and the other two local authors, Gillian Fountain and Kim Searle. We will be signing copies of our books at the end of the event.
See you there!
https://amzn.com/B00QH0EDGE/
https://amzn.com/B017BVQVAI/
Orange Rose Agency
EMPOWERMENT – ‘are you ready to be different’ is our next event. It’s for those looking to make changes in their lives and develop their confidence and also improve an online profile. The three speakers: Gillian Fountain, Kim Searle and Lance Greenfield, will be motivational and inspirational. Suitable for personal and business. Red Lion Hotel, Basingstoke town Centre, Tuesday 17th September 2019, 6.30pm. Tickets at eventbrite.co.uk.
September 9, 2019
New Chums – HMS Conway – 9/9/69
Exactly 50 years ago today, I arrived at HMS Conway, in the grounds of Plas Newydd, on the Anglesey side of the Menai Strait and close to the infamous village of Lllanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, or Llanfair PG as we preferred to call it.
This was where I completed the final five years of school education. There is so much that I could say about my time on board that “concrete frigate,” but a lot has been written already by much greater writers than myself, including poet laureate, John Masefield, who also attended the same naval school. Before any of you are cheeky enough to ask, the answer is, “Yes. He was before my time!”
Many other famous officer cadets preceded me on board that famous training ship, including Captain Matthew Webb, the mysterious Lionel “Buster” Crabb, Vice Admiral Sir David Brown, Lt Cdr Ian Fraser VC, Onedin Line actor, Peter Gilmore. Contemporaries of mine included Iain Duncan Smith (one year above me) and Sir Clive Woodward (same years: 1969-74).
Here I am with four other ‘new chums’, on our first day, in front of the figurehead, which now stands by the gates of HMS Nelson in Portsmouth, and in front of the main building.
[image error]
HMS Conway (1969) – L to R: Smith, Greenfield, Lyon, Bell, Cook
[image error]
L to R: Tony Bell (Hong Kong), George Cook (Buckie), Edwin Lyon (Bournemouth), Lance Greenfield (Perth and Sheffield), Neil Smith (Llansantffraid-ym-Mechain)
[image error]
HMS Conway on the Menai Strait in front of Plas Newydd
September 8, 2019
Book Review: The Dinesh Allirajah Prize for Short Fiction 2019: Scent by Matt Thomas, Duncan Abel, Carol McKay, Judy Birkbeck, Luke Hilton, Joseph Darlington, Johanna Robinson
The Dinesh Allirajah Prize for Short Fiction 2019: Scent by Matt Thomas, Duncan Abel, Carol McKay, Judy Birkbeck, Luke Hilton, Joseph Darlington, Johanna Robinson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Perhaps my expectations were too high because these stories are the seven shortlisted short stories for the prestigious Dinesh Allirajah Prize 2019, but I admit that I was left feeling a little disappointed.
Two of the stories stand out above the others. They are In UK Now by Carol McKay and The Power of Suggestion by Johanna Robinson.
In UK Now is a powerful and intimate story about the clash of cultures, told from the point of view of Noora, a wife, mother and refugee. She is facing very serious issues as a result of her family and societal culture.
The Power of Suggestion shows how hypnotism for entertainment can go so badly wrong. The story could go either way: comedy or drama. I promise you that the effects of the show are dramatic. You’ll have to read it for yourself to find out.
The remaining five stories are fairly good but I have read much better short stories, so I am surprised that these made it onto the shortlist of such a top competition. The runners-up in Writing Magazine, each month are usually much better at capturing my interest.
I was surprised to be distracted by a number of grammatical errors and typos which had got past the proof-readers, editors and judges. Here are two examples:
“Two days past and I wondered if there would be any awkwardness between us.”
“He left one under the skirts of a flouncy armchair in the living where it decayed and started producing juicy beige maggots.”
My main reason for reading this book was to get an idea of the standards that I should be aiming for when writing short stories for competitions. I am still not much wiser.
September 2, 2019
I Cried Today
“That’s nothing unusual,” would be the response from friends who know me well. My best friend forever even calls me a little princess, because I am just as likely to burst into tears whilst witnessing a gross act of kindness as I am when witnessing an equally gross act of cruelty. I am passionate about the way that people treat people and I am an emotional man.
However, today is slightly different.
For many years, almost since its inception in 2000, I have been a member of ENBIS, the European Network for Business and Industrial Statistics. I was on the Council for four years and I a Vice President for two. My father, Tony Greenfield, who died in March, was a founding member and was President in 2002-2003.
Today, my good friends, Shirley Coleman and Ron Kenett, sent me live photographs from the annual conference in Budapest, of the current President, Antonio Pievatolo, presenting a tribute to my Dad in the main auditorium.
[image error]
I wish that I could have been there. I am so very proud of my Dad’s lifetime achievements.
Thank you Shirley, Ron and Antonio.
Tony’s Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Greenfield
Tony’s Toast: His eightieth birthday celebration
Celebration of my father’s life
[image error]
Photo credits: Shirley Coleman, Ron Kenett
