Kate reviewed “A Dictionary
of Scottish Phrase and Fable” by Ian Crofton. This is a colourful list, of
words (with interpretations) used in, but not necessarily throughout Scotland. A
mixture of bauldy, funny and insightful content. e.g Lady Mondegreen.
A must for anyone interested in Scottish vernacular.
Pete wrote about “Bitter
Fruit”, by Stephen Schlesinger and Stephen Kinzer. This a Harvard produced
factual account of how, in the 1950s, the American Fruit Company together with
the CIA, created a civil war in Guatemala.
A story of greed and corrupt governments.
The review was enough to convince Hilary that it is a book that
she is never likely to read.
Morag reviewed “A
Gentleman in Moscow”
by Amor Towles. A disposed Russian Count after the revolution, is confined to a
Hotel. Amusingly written as five books covering different periods right into
the 1950’s. It describes his interaction with other Hotel occupants and
includes his ‘adoption’ by Nina.
An outstanding book.
Hilary read her review of “Foundation's Edge“ by science fiction author
Isaac Asimov.
Its purpose was to answer the questions left from the ‘Foundation’ trilogy.
The theme was of the robots wondering
why humans could never get things right. An enjoyable and successful book, but
many of the questions remained unanswered.
- - - - - - - - -
There were three readings left over
from the ’Ramble in Renfrewshire’ poetry competition.
John H’s ramble set off with the purpose of discovering a pleasant
way to lose weight. They met like minded lycra-clad exercise enthusiasts, but
the mood dropped when they encountered a makeshift shrine containing the photo
of a young suicide victim.
Pete and his cronies’s ambled in Argyll along the Helensburgh sea-front
from Kidston Park into the centre of town and back.
The main purpose appeared to be the
craic and ritual coffee and bun at mid journey.
Joan Fr rambled in Kilbarchan, meeting up and socialising with a
man who could turn his hand to anything and meeting his equally capable and
hospital wife.
Sadly those memories are eclipsed
by the now much weakened voice on the answering machine.
The style of Joan’s poem
provoked an inconclusive discussing about the elusive border between poetry and
prose.
- - - - - - - -
Wilma read what is to be an opening chapter of her book about Blawarthill Church. It described the life and
character of the Rev James McKay.
After serving and being several
times wounded during WWI with the Cameroonians, he became a church minister.
He was a lawyer by training and a
linguist. The description was of a person who gave his life to people as well
as to the church. He was even known to have removed his clerical ‘dog’ collar
on informal occasions.
John S gave us a ‘blog’ concerning a sergeant-major-like foreman who
he encountered as a student in a factory.
In the privately owned company,
this character was all powerful. Although physically small, his control of
overtime allocation enabled him to abuse his power with impunity.
- - - - - - - -
Next week:- Adjudication and readings of Crime Short
Story competition.
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