This is one of the middle/late novels by Muriel Spark. In this novel, our narrator finds herself embroiled in a publication scandal and involved in the publication of a complete hack writer. She constantly (and probably over does it) refers to this write as a pisseur de copie, meaning a writer who churns out rubbish. Anyway, she is fired and must look for work in a new part of town, in a less reputable publishing company, and hence the title of the novel. The novel circulates around […]
Have you ever seen a town fall?
Beartown has had a rough few months. A small community in the middle of the forest, the factory that sustains its workers might be shut down, and the one thing they hold fast to more than anything – ice hockey – has been tainted by scandal. Their best player raped a girl and has now left town, the club has been left in ruins, and everyone is looking for someone to blame. Those in the firing line include Peter, the general manager of the hockey […]
You, Sir, Are No Colin Firth
It has admittedly been a long time since I read Pride & Prejudice. My memories of that book have probably been conflated with the several retreads that have come out in the last twenty years, most notably Bridget Jones. And maybe I need a reread in order to compare Austen to Angelini. Or maybe P&P just isn’t that great (blasphemy!)? But it feels like I’d remember if Original Recipe Darcy was this much of a prick. Judge Fitzwilliam Darcy is a British barrister with an […]
Just Because It’s Brief Doesn’t Mean It Isn’t Painful
Do you love the show Intervention, but find it too glossy and upbeat? Do you feel the problem with Charles Bukowski is that he was just a bit too cheerful? Then this might just be the book for you. Ablutions is narrated by an unnamed Barman (I’d say he’s our protagonist but I’m not entirely sure that is the case) working in a deeply depressing, lowest-of-lowbrow Hollywood bar. Imagine all the magnificent wealth, glamour, and luxury of Hollywood. Cool, now imagine the polar opposite of […]