The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath (1963)

I know why Sylvia Plath committed suicide on 11th February 1963.
It's a reason that has probably been well versed in the intervening years, since Plath's suicide but I don't recall hearing of it before. It never occurred to me until yesterday, when I was discussing Plath and Hughes with some year 10 students.

It also helps that BBC R4 had recently broadcast readings of Plath's letters.

Anyway, I was home alone, washing up, of all things, when it suddenly dawned on (isn't it odd how the mind works?), of course!

Plath committed suicide because she realised that her relationship with Ted Hughes was over for good. There would be no reunion. Consequently there would be a divorce.

Given Plath's mental history, not to mention her tell all autobiographical novel, which she'd written when feeling secure, loved, happy, would now be used against her re. her moral character.

There was no way she could take back the novel, even though it was not yet in the shops.
Everyone would know its contents.
Everyone would make judgements against her - based on the book.
Which would be fine if she was still feeling secure, loved, happy. But how would it be now that she was feeling rejected, a failure, insecure, desperate, fearful,alone, isolated, alienated?
That hard winter, with the endless snow can't have helped.

Poor Sylvia.

Jubilee Lines - 60 poets for 60 years - edited by Carol Ann Duffy

Jubilee Lines - 60 poets for 60 years - edited by Carol Ann Duffy

To be honest, if it wasn't for the design of the jacket cover - very Marx-Lambert, or is it Lambert-Marx.

And if it wasn't for Carol Ann Duffy's name.

And if it wasn't for the price - £1 at Poundland - in July 2017.

If it wasn't for the above three things I wouldn't have bothered with such a book.
For the most part I am sorry that I did bother with it.
But, once bought, and once begun, a book has to be completed.

Poems I did enjoy include Winged Back, the 1953-focus poem by the late Dannie Abse (1923-2014).

I also noted the odd line, from here and there, in other poems.
But, overall, embarrassingly poor.

Why would Duffy want to have her name associated with such a book?

Gulliver's Travels, 1726 - amended 1735 - by Jonathan Swift

Gulliver's Travels, 1726 - amended 1735 - by Jonathan SwiftGulliver's Travels, 1726 - amended 1735 - by Jonathan Swift

I began listening to the audio recording of this book on Monday 21st August 2017.
I've decided that listening to audio recordings is a sure way to motivate me to actually getting on with the washing up.

I've listened to audio recording before - years ago - and I have seen at least two film versions - one with Richard Harris asGulliver and one with Ted Danson as Gulliver.

I do recall the key details, but there is so much more to this book.

Part 1 - Lilliput
involved 8 tracks

Gulliver is seen as a giant in a land of 6" people.

This section made me wonder about Dolls Houses.
Had they existed before Gulliver peers into the palace windows?

Pies & Prejudice by Stuart Maconie

Pies & Prejudice by Stuart Maconie

I actually began to read this book on 21st June 2017, but only read a page or two, every now and then, in between reading other books.

The Maconie is now my main read, until its completed.

Sunday 15th October 2017
Finished Pies & Prejudice by Stuart Maconie

Can't say I really enjoyed it.
There's something too obvious & knowing about it.
Consequently I was annoyed by his style, on many occasions.

However, I did learn a lot of factual things - and for that reason it was a good read.

Having spent some time in the north, it was interesting to see someone else's perspective on places I'd visited. In addition SM's book has whetted my appetite to see places I've not yet seen.

All Said and Done (1972) by Simone De Beauvoir

The French-born Simone De Beauvoir (1908-1986) wrote a 4-volume autobiography, consisting of: Memoirs of a Dutiful Daughter (1958); The Prime of Life (1960); Force of Circumstance (1963, sometimes published in two volumes in English translation: After the War and Hard Times); and All Said and Done (1972).

I began reading All Said and Done on 22nd June 2016. It's hard going. By 3rd Aug 2017 I'm still only on p365 of 463 pages.

Sunday 20th August 2017
FINALLY finished reading the book.
Very uneven. Needed SERIOUS editing.
No contents page.
No index.
However, I still glad I read this book. I filled a whole notebook with quotations from it.

Saul Bellow's Heart: A Son's Memoir by Greg Bellow

Began reading Saul Bellow's Heart: A Son's Memoir by Greg Bellow in mid July 2017

Finished this book on Thurs 3rd August 2017.

Not sure that I came away liking ANY of the people involved, esp. Saul Bellow (who turned out to be racist and sexist) and Greg Bellow (a snivelling brat?). However I am glad that I read the book.