So Shaz read the book when doing her A levels and I read it a while back.

My memory was of finding it difficult to to fathom. I assumed because of my imperfect French. However after watching the film we both decided that the story itself is not straightforward to comprehend!

An interesting film and the shooting in black and white adds to its ambience. A challenge understand the different threads of the story.

A good experience .

Originally a big success at the National Theatre, the play has transferred to the commercial sector. That is good for us as we missed the chance to see a performance at the NT. We were in the ‘gods’; high up and steep!

It must be good as Tom loved it.

The reviews are positive; The Guardian loved it and Time Out appreciative and more from the Standard.

On the walk back to the Elizabeth Line it sparked discussion with Shaz. Yes a good play, a great personal performance but still a 4stars rather than 5.

The performance by Rosamund Pike is very much worthy of the praise and awards. Amazing of her to maintain the intensity and versatility throughout and for so long.

The content of the play was everything experienced by a professional woman. Career v caring for your son, the guilt of the imperfect parenting job, the protection of your son, professional challenges as a woman; the sexist male lawyers, the jealousy at home of the barrister husband who has not made it to the bench, the conflict of professional role and protecting your son- accused of rape when as a judge you handle rape cases. Of course he husband plays the guitar. A smorgasbord of interactions that seem to lack direction and with so many, plausibility.

I feel more in line with The Observer view point;

‘Yet Miller’s play does not live up to the threat of its subject: a teenage boy accused, a family in disarray. Too much is familiar; too much is spelled out.’

A modern interpretation which worked, with modern. version of gang violence and suitable track suits/ shell suits with matching trainers.

Another Christmas present read.

A short book but intense to read. I can see why it has such positive reviews. An intriguing story or PTSD, alcohol addiction and resulting jealousy and violent abuse.

A Review:

https://abookforants.substack.com/p/russian-gothic-by-aleksandr-skorobogatov

Good one.

On to the next.

On Friday I used the membership card to see the works of two well known artists of whom I know not very much.

An enjoyable trip in the company of Mark H. with pub lunch after with the Winter Olympic Games running on the tv in the background.

So before seeing the exhibition I had no idea that these two artists were contemporaries and rivals. Their styles and trajectory of success were quite different.

I appreciate Constable’s work particularly when he moved onto large canvases. This was when he gained more success and obtained membership of the Royal Society-I think.

The details in these large paintings is remarkable.

Turner’s works are different use of light. Some images struck me, more so his practice pieces! Later he incorporated the effect industrialisation on landscape and gave a greater reality to the scenes. Something Constable was slower to do.

The comparison of views of the new Waterloo bridge-one of celebrations of the opening with ships and flags and the other of a bridge difficult to see in the smog.

Overall nice time and good experience.

Another Christmas book and present completed.

A good read. A French author. I have read one of her of books before.

Currently a trendy book and style it seems. It is a style of autobiography with the historical events presented along with the personal impacts and relevance.

Written as we or she rather than as the I subject. An interesting comment on consumerism and the negative impact of technology. She seems angry at times and maybe disappointed with the lack of social reaction to change. The flattening of action to social change- not like her generation of May ‘68.

We all enjoyed the exhibition and during which, I learned what cubism is.

As well as that we were able to appreciate some great impressionist paintings as well as some works of Adolf vonMenzel.

Another book read.

Not bad. A lot of possibly necessary or usual detail about elections and internal party politics. But interesting about him personally and his interactions with other leaders such as Johnson during the Brexit negotiations and dealing with political crises .

Worth the read.

An interesting book about football and its politics and finances. The involvement of states in the ownership of clubs and the dodgy sources of money and club owners.

A few more to go.