THIS LAST WEEK IN SEPTEMBER: - The Corner Shop of Whispers. Sir Elton John. Dirt Music.

10.30 on Monday, have woken fresh but I really am ready for day light saving.

This dreary weather keeps me inside.  

I checked my One Page Story on ipad, (titled Fetch the Bread) and sent it to my family.  One sibling answered promptly on fbook messenger and said it was her and one other who went for the bread, nibbled the crust, and got into trouble with Mumma.  I was wrong.  It was not Doreen, it was Lorraine.  With me.

I won’t redo the drawing, it is one of my One Page efforts using a few Scribbly sketches and minimum words, created from my boredom, but using a childhood memory for inspiration.  My memory proved wrong.

So now I connect the Bluetooth keyboard to my ipad, and dwell on recent readings.

I haven’t been in a settled reading mood, so two unfinished books were returned to the online library.

Currently, I am reading a blousey housewifey story. The Corner Shop of Whispers.  I just need a distraction, and the lightest entertainment.   I have previously read one of Debbie Viggianos’s  books, (The Man You Meet in Heaven) which was quite funny as there is a man in a white suit at a supermarket and the narrator does drool over this unlikely encounter.  A white suit not a white baker’s coat.   So when I noticed Libby had a second  DV book  I clicked, quickly, expecting no more than a similar light hearted romance.

I settled in my chair with this quite silly house wife fantasy. There is an artist narrating stories of her social circle and neighbours, and lots of potential for gossip, affairs and surprises.  There is an unplanned pregnancy, and a strange unsigned letter revealing a hubbys infidelities etc. 

 I shall read on with this happy light story.

What I did not finish, was Sir Elton John by Philip Norman. 

He clearly knew his subject.  It started with the sixties in England with young rock stars and their agents, concerts, money, bad habits, great family. The humble chubby chap could really play the piano and rose to superstardom with the support of his clever songwriter friend who supplied the lyrics which Sir John put to music.

Halfway, I had enough with so many names, songs, concerts etc although this would be really interesting to those more familiar with the music and music management world. A very comprehensive coverage of the rock world.

I also returned Dirt Music by acclaimed Australian author Tim Winton..  An author whose other books I have appreciated.  Not his fault.

So I confess.  I respect these serious authors, but this September my daily life requires light distraction.   

AUTHORS BY COUNTRY - Irish.

IRELAND

NIALL WILLIAMS. 

This Is Happiness. Boy and man.  History of the rain.  I loved these books.

GRAINNE MURPHY.  THE GHOSTLIGHTS.  

Moving Madonnas.  Ethel and her sins, drinking, Allen, Jesus save me. Martin God bless him.. If one sees twinkling lights they know, someone is missing.  To stop oneself from thinking bad thoughts about someone, “a rogue fairy may be about to enact the deed, so stop the thought”.

A.G. SLATTER.  All The Murmuring Bones.

AN IRISH HOSTAGE. Charles Todd.

MISS SUBWAYS. Author actor David Duchovny from USA.  

In the storyline the teacher Emer is given the name of an Irish mythological figure and her boyfriend is Con, based on Cuchlain.

THE SWALLOWED MAN.  Edward Carey.

Swallowed by a whale  a strange fantasy tale which I must read again.

AN IRISH DOCTOR IN LOVE AND AT SEA.  PATRICK  TAYLOR. 

GOOD EGGS.  REBECCA HARDINAN.   A wily, silly old lady follows her own dreams.

ARDAL O’HANLON ‘BROUHAHA’     A crime puzzle.

THE GHOSTLIGHTS.

 THE GHOSTLIGHTS

GRAINNE MURPHY

Ghostlights are likened to the twinkly lights as around a fairy e.g. Peter Pan. Tis said they could signify a missing one if they are seen at night, through a window.  The Irish are cultural mystics. Martin deceased, is mostly  referred to by his widow Ethel as ‘MartinGodBlessHim’ and she also constantly exclaims idioms such as ‘Jesus on the cross’.  

It is Easter in a very Catholic community. There is a Madonna statue which moves, (physically) apparently,  thus attracting tourists to the small village and the family guesthouse. The village has a lake and a popular walking track.   Our heroine Ethel with a barely secret drinking problem has two daughters, one grandson and a seemingly sensible male family.  Though presumed barely literate, the quietly spoken teenage grandson is something of a godsend.

The guesthouse needs rebranding after a guest is found dead in the lake by their guesthouse which is managed ably by one daughter. No more bnb it will go upmarket as a guesthouse and hopefully attract a more literary clientele.

Read of the resolutions of the sisterly rivalry, the drinking problem and what to do with the unidentified stranger in their lake. This endearing family drama matter of factly accepts the church’s social role in their small community rather than admitting belief in all its doctrines. Suicide has a stigma and the community has a non believer to bury.

That is their dilemma.

A charming story.

 THE HOUSE OF ASHES.

Stuart Neville.

No doubt that this piece described as ‘thriller, suspense, psychological fiction’ will provide some readers with all the drama they seek.  But once again I have chosen poorly.  I am disappointed to realise that the female characters are a group of women locked in a cellar, and are at the mercy of big boorish brothers. They are clearly used as the men want.  Cooks, servants, sexual objects. Tricked. Victims.  

I have watched too many thriller tv series and of late, and read too many horror mystery books. 

I will not wait to see if these women somehow overcome.  I won’t take visceral pleasure in their possible survival, or read descriptions of terrible abuse that surely awaits as one turns the page.

I am disappointed that, endlessly, women under male bondage are a favourite feature for crime writers.          

And the readers.  

Are they to be rescued?

I will read no more.  Return to library.

INDELIBLE CITY. Dispossession and Defiance in HONG KONG.

INDELIBLE CITY.   Dispossession and Defiance in HONG KONG.

LOUISA LIM.

Perusing Libby (SA library online service) I saw this title but just continued searching.  Later I noticed it again and clicked borrow,  I am glad I did. Reading Chinese history wasn’t really my thing but because of China’s recently implemented extradition laws regarding Hong Kong, I decided to educate myself.  Hong Kong was in rebellion.  

First, note my error, Chinese history is different from Hong Kong history.  According to Lim.  It is a bit more than a stopover city for people like me heading for other countries, I.e. England, Europe etc.  I knew of Hong Kong’s independence from Britain in 1997.  We have watched recent dramatic events in Hong Kong since 2018 when mainland China introduced extradition laws and police locked down protestors.  

Lim delves into Hong Kong’s history as a separate indigenous entity from China. This is quite enlightening and she has a character to support her thesis that HK was/is not automatically Chinese.  

Her character is The King of Kowloon who some call a nut case as he has for years wandered around the city daubing his large untidy calligraphy over government buildings, walls and other surfaces.  Tsang Tsou Choi is said to paint petitions for historical wrongs to be corrected.  i.e. who owns Kowloon.  These have become collectable artefacts for some who are making money from the daubs.

Lim reports events such as the umbrella movement, spontaneous protests, Hong Kong police tear gassing its citizens who had cleverly organised the making of banners etc.  Street protest took on a new look with Postnote walls and Lennon walls which call out for peace. I am impressed with these.

Kowloon is situated on the northern part of HK on the mainland across Victoria Harbor. Old records give dates of habitation 960 -  1279. Kowloon was once a separate walled city. In 1860 Hong Kong was acquired by Britain and in 1997 returned to China.  

Lim is interested in HKs  history prior to British colonisation. As was the King of Kowloon who claims heritage back before British colonisation. It is his land so he said.

Were they just fishermen on a barren rock.? There is a reference to folk art which depicts men with fish heads.  Who knows?

Certainly the protest movement in current years has become brutal and dangerous for protesters and citizens lifestyle has changed.

I wish them well.  I am pleased to have read the book.

This is my sketch for them today. HK.