T3jon There is a book calked The Paladins which is about the RAF in India during 1920s. Not sure if it is in print but it may help.
Just at half time at the theatre, watching John Lithgow’s extraordinary performance of Roald Dahl in Giant. Beg, borrow or steal to get to see this if you can.
Just finished Rachel Kushner's "Creation lake. " This novel had glowing reviews on Radio Four but it has left me perplexed. It is really well written and i agree that it subverts the spy genre yet i was not a fan of the philosophical element of the story. The plot was about a female American spy infiltrating a commune of Eco warriors who were inspired by an 80 y o guru who lived in a cave and was obsessed by the idea than Neanderthals repressented the true human spirit. Wondered if anyone else had read this ? The idea was compelling but it did ask me to question what was really going on. Remain to br convinced if the Bruno Lacombe figure was real and whether it was his daughter who was sending the emails. A perplexing and original read.
Not read that one. As spy thrillers go, having now read all the Slow Horses books, I'd struggle to beat them (personally).
If anyone enjoyed Trainspotting here, the new immediate follow up novel, Men In Love, which was released last month is a real return to form for Irvine Welsh, and a great nostalgic trip back with that crowd.
I don't know if TV comes under the Arts but I wanted to recommend a comedy series that first aired in the early 2000's and you may have missed. It's called Early Doors and was written by Craig Cash (of Royle Family fame) and Phil Mealey. It only ran for 2 series and although S1 was good, S2 was, IMO, one of the best situation comedies ever. But S1 sets the scene and the characters, so watch them in order. There are loads of familiar faces in the cast and it may now be a bit dated but I liked it not just because it's very funny but you don't (or I didn't) always see the jokes coming. As with a lot of entertainment, recommendations are a bit risky because it's all down to personal taste and I was a bit unsure as to put this post up. I've put myself out on a limb calling it one of the best ever but I truly believe that it is and I'm quite willing to take the flak if you don't agree. All the episodes from both series 1 & 2 are on BBC iplayer. https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m001gzqs/early-doors
If spy thrillers are your bag (very much mine) you must surely be a Frederick Forsyth fan? Fist of God is my all time favourite novel.
My wife has read all the Slow Horses books and has asked me to ask you a question. Have you seen the tv version and if so was a lot of the "politically incorrect" dialogue left out because she couldn't believe it would be deemed acceptable for tv audiences? In other words, was Lamb's character toned down for tv? My wife has read all of Welsh's books and has Men in Love on her to read list. You seem to have similar reading tastes to her. Have you read any of Christopher Fowler's detective books? She enjoyed Oranges and Lemons, and London Bridge is Falling Down but didn't like any other books of his. That's all the questions for the moment, thanks.
I'm more concerned as to whether I'm actually your wife? I haven't read Christopher Fowler but will check him out. In answer to your first question - Lamb is largely as much as a brilliantly unpleasant but wonderful **** in the series. It's a very good adaptation of the books as a whole.
