Friday, May 18, 2007
Room at the Top - re The Current Politics
Some commentaries remain timeless and classic. I was flipping some old notes which I have made from books which I have read. There were several quotes from John Braine's Room at the Top which appealed to me.
This could easily be applied to Blairism and the Primrose Hill Gang a la Miliband and James Purnell and Andy Burnham, likewise David Cameron and George (aka Gideon) Osborne of the Tories - the new of Designer Politicians.
"Whatever the suggestions were, Heylake would listen to them. He was a great improvement on the efficient zombie. Even now, I don't like to remember the efficient zombie. He had a large head with short-oiled hair and an absolutely immobile face. It was not even dignified or stony, it was dead, he seemed to take out the oxygen out of the air around him"
Check this out on charm - can easily be applied to politicians re: the above.
"The possession of charm wasn't in itself a guarentee of success but it seems to follow our bits like a pilot fish"
This could easily be applied to Blairism and the Primrose Hill Gang a la Miliband and James Purnell and Andy Burnham, likewise David Cameron and George (aka Gideon) Osborne of the Tories - the new of Designer Politicians.
"Whatever the suggestions were, Heylake would listen to them. He was a great improvement on the efficient zombie. Even now, I don't like to remember the efficient zombie. He had a large head with short-oiled hair and an absolutely immobile face. It was not even dignified or stony, it was dead, he seemed to take out the oxygen out of the air around him"
Check this out on charm - can easily be applied to politicians re: the above.
"The possession of charm wasn't in itself a guarentee of success but it seems to follow our bits like a pilot fish"
Labels: Blair, British Politics, David Cameron, literature, New Labour, Tories
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Kurt Vonnegut
I was saddened by the news that Kurt has now gone off to Tralfamadore
I remember Slaughterhouse 5 was the first book I read in full - from then, there was no stopping me. I devoured every book that attracted my attention. I owe a bid debt to Kurt for getting me reading. I loved The Sirens of Titan, Cat's Cradle and Breakfast of Champions
.
I thought I should pay a tribute to him here, bye Kurt.
I remember Slaughterhouse 5 was the first book I read in full - from then, there was no stopping me. I devoured every book that attracted my attention. I owe a bid debt to Kurt for getting me reading. I loved The Sirens of Titan, Cat's Cradle and Breakfast of Champions
.
I thought I should pay a tribute to him here, bye Kurt.
Labels: books, Kurt Vonnegut, literature, science fiction
