Reading I am reminded of Jennie Godfrey's 'The list of suspicious things', also narrative led, through young girl's view and also extremely visual/the era is a character ... and I have had a feeling we'll see The List of Suspicious Things on a screen - (biased I may be; I knew Jennie when I was pretending to be grown up.)
Go, Bridget! I love that in just 6 short chapters, we’ve already seen her awakening and taking decisive action. Having seen the context - her family, the era - I so admire her courage.
If I a US publisher picks it up, then perhaps. Certainly there’ll be a conversation about all the English references & spellings - I’ve intentionally not explained anything in the text, but that may be a bridge too far for non-English readers.
A short word in empathy for the Dad, who may appear foolish - and objectively is foolish - but: he's been brought up all his life to believe that the task of a man is to protect his family, just as the task of the state is to protect him in the completion of this fatherly function.
He is finding it simply impossible to acknowledge that in the face of nuclear apocalypse these tasks mean absolutely nothing. The absurdity therefore is not his personally but pertains to the whole situation of nuclear war, and is shared by all except those who act to stop it.
Yes. My feeling exactly. I’m tempted to draw some gender comparisons here but that would be disrespectful to Bridget’s dad. He’s doing his best. It’s a perfect setup to the women, who must have had any number of reasons for their actions but standing up for life would be chief among them.
Jim Broadbent comes to mind playing another Bridget's dad as I read this fabulous sardonic portrait - Funny - very funny -
Oh how much I would love that.
The first substack novel to blockbuster film, why not?
Reading I am reminded of Jennie Godfrey's 'The list of suspicious things', also narrative led, through young girl's view and also extremely visual/the era is a character ... and I have had a feeling we'll see The List of Suspicious Things on a screen - (biased I may be; I knew Jennie when I was pretending to be grown up.)
The era as character, yes, that’s how I felt. I’ll look her up (I don’t know her work).
Brand new ... debut roaring success - similar to Sue Townsend 's Adrian Mole showing us through being there
👍🏻
Why not, indeed? *picks up phone to Netflix
Bookmarked 📕
Wow. Bridget is definitely determined!
That she is….
Go, Bridget! I love that in just 6 short chapters, we’ve already seen her awakening and taking decisive action. Having seen the context - her family, the era - I so admire her courage.
She’s entered the wonderful age of insouciant fuck-it. Go Bridget!
Ms. Anstruther will American editions change Mum to Mom? That's alright, many of us love British words : )
If I a US publisher picks it up, then perhaps. Certainly there’ll be a conversation about all the English references & spellings - I’ve intentionally not explained anything in the text, but that may be a bridge too far for non-English readers.
(we didn't have MacDonalds till 1974)
Thanks! I'd leave everything as is. My wife prefers UK novels. She's started saying "lovely" a lot : )
A short word in empathy for the Dad, who may appear foolish - and objectively is foolish - but: he's been brought up all his life to believe that the task of a man is to protect his family, just as the task of the state is to protect him in the completion of this fatherly function.
He is finding it simply impossible to acknowledge that in the face of nuclear apocalypse these tasks mean absolutely nothing. The absurdity therefore is not his personally but pertains to the whole situation of nuclear war, and is shared by all except those who act to stop it.
Yes. My feeling exactly. I’m tempted to draw some gender comparisons here but that would be disrespectful to Bridget’s dad. He’s doing his best. It’s a perfect setup to the women, who must have had any number of reasons for their actions but standing up for life would be chief among them.
Ah, Julie, much I want to say here, but I must sit on my hands. Suffice to say, you’re so right.
It reinforces my sense that this story needs telling, at this time, in your hands and no other. Which you already know, so
I feel that, and I feel lucky it landed in my hands, and it’s really supportive to hear you say that.
I’m so glad you’ve said that. That’s absolutely right.