Author insight

A good novel tells us the truth about its hero; but a bad novel tells us the truth about its author.

G K Chesterton (1874 - 1936)

Bloggers 1 Rambo Nil

In a sudden about turn the fourth (why?!!) in the Rambo franchise to hit our screens soon has been renamed John Rambo after Stallone caved in to feedback from disgruntled web fans who basically thought the title Rambo: to Hell and Back, announced last week, was quite frankly 'naff'.

If web communities can influence Hollywood stars and film executives to change a film title how long before they start to influnence the concepts or script writing stages? I for one would like to see someone with the guts to give it a try.

Be Near Me – andrew o’hagan

What’s it about?

Father David, an Englishman and a Catholic priest, in a small mainly protestant Scottish town, gets more than he bargains for when he befriends two local teens in a bid to relive his youth.

Highs n lows

I’m wondering whether this Booker Prize nominee got this book published just on the strength of his nomination. Yes it’s beautifully written in places, but the basics:

• Gripping storyline
• Believable characters
• Engaging sub plot
• Exciting dialogue

Just aren’t there!!

The main character feels unrealistic and hollow for a man of the cloth. Great chunks of his work life are skipped or just glossed over so you don’t get a sense of how his inner turmoil impacts on his work or how he relates to people in the village – key factors I’d have thought to successfully depict a priest. As a result we are left with far too much introspection with very little about what’s going on outside to balance it. There are few who can pull off an engaging and rounded story written in the first person, unfortunately O’Hagan failed miserably in this case.

Throw in some irritating inconsistencies for good measure, which you might forgive in a more enjoyable book, such as Mrs Poole saying they have a son, and Mr Poole saying they have no children, and you have a potentially shocking plot premise, which could have exploded across the page that has all the final appeal of a damp squib.

Is it any good?

A desultory 2 out of 5

Book club discussion primer

• What does Father David’s tale about why he became a priest say about the Catholic Church?
• Would Mrs Poole have been happy had she married someone she considered her equal?
• Why do you think Father David didn’t say ‘no’ when asked if he would have gone further when questioned about Mark?

We came we saw we made a difference

October is Black History Month in the UK, and if you've not had your fix of culture yet there's plenty to take your fancy whether you're a history buff or just want to be entertained.

If you don't do it normally, the month is a great opportunity to find out something new about Black culture and history. It was founded in 1987 with three aims:

• to address the historical black hole of African Caribbean people
• to commemorate those who fought and continue to fight for the freedom and human rights of those of African Caribbean descent
• and to celebrate and recognise the diverse lifestyle, experiences and cultural contributions African Caribbean People and their descendants have made over the past Millennium to the development of Britain, Europe and the Commonwealth.
  

Make it a personal journey by reading a book or poetry by one of our many Black British authors such as Jean Binta Breeze, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Andrea Levy, Benjamin Zephaniah, Caryll Phillips to name but a few. If film's more your thing Spike Lee isn't the only Black (American) director in Hollywood these days. Check out work by the likes of John Singleton, Doug McHenry, and Robert Townsend for a different take on Black Film. If you prefer to make a date of it with like minded souls there's bound to be something going on near you. Many UK councils run events during the month so contact them or visit http://blackhistorymonth.org.uk/ for a list of events by region and further information.

Change

It's not that some people have willpower and some don't. It's that some people are ready to change and others are not.

- James Gordon, M.D.