tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post5069173165215568440..comments2024-03-13T07:34:24.149+00:00Comments on The Age of Uncertainty: RyeSteerforthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07627936539372313828noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-55744264142924191462019-02-16T04:56:22.712+00:002019-02-16T04:56:22.712+00:00We were in Rye visiting after the first of the yea...We were in Rye visiting after the first of the year 2019. after a Sunday roast we stopped for a half pint at the Waterworks Pub. Well it was Frank's 71'st birthday and Reg and Steve were playing guitar and mandolin and leading us in song. We had a lovely chat with Shelia and Geoffrey and Dave and several others. Five hours later we left. Meeting for a pint in Rye.<br />karlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09900296735549704007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-42234198578212601822008-10-28T15:28:00.000+00:002008-10-28T15:28:00.000+00:00One of the fascinating bits of info that I discove...One of the fascinating bits of info that I discovered once about Rye, is that during the evacuation from Dunkirk in World War Two, the Rye Fishing Fleet refused to take part. Angus Calder used this as an example of how not all of Britain "pulled together" during those days, despite the official and popular histories. It's in his wonderful book "The Myth of the Blitz", which I revied many moons back here<BR/><BR/>http://resolutereader.blogspot.com/2005/08/angus-calder-myth-of-blitz.html<BR/><BR/>RRResolute Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05543167556221747469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-36258313172763506072008-10-27T22:50:00.000+00:002008-10-27T22:50:00.000+00:00And thank you for writing so many thought-provokin...And thank you for writing so many thought-provoking, entertaining and intelligent works of speculative fiction.<BR/><BR/>I'm so pleased that I discovered your novels (on JRSM's blog)and I'm busy ploughing through the entire list.<BR/><BR/>I look forward to reading the Tripods trilogy to my son when he's a little bit older.Steerforthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07627936539372313828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-4736241621675512922008-10-27T20:41:00.000+00:002008-10-27T20:41:00.000+00:00I'm afraid I'm rather too old and infirm these day...I'm afraid I'm rather too old and infirm these days to be interviewed, or to continue to write. And I can't take credit for 'Evolution's Captain' - that was another Peter Nichols. But thanks to you all for the interest and kind words.Sam Youdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04165366082478332922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-3202665158256013212008-10-25T19:29:00.000+00:002008-10-25T19:29:00.000+00:00I am a great fan of Rye and often go there for lun...I am a great fan of Rye and often go there for lunch on my birthday.<BR/><BR/>It has not lost its special quality. I could imagine Henry James pacing the streets, taking everything in with his perceptive eye for detail.<BR/><BR/>I also enjoy visits to nearby Dungeness where I almost bought a house once. A great part of the world.Olliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17334117174803599416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-67802818547379831082008-10-24T10:06:00.000+00:002008-10-24T10:06:00.000+00:00I thought that Captain Pugwash lived in Ashburnham...I thought that Captain Pugwash lived in Ashburnham Road, Hastings. He leaves his van here most days.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-75672460118027577332008-10-24T09:43:00.000+00:002008-10-24T09:43:00.000+00:00Steerforth, Youd was available for interview this ...Steerforth, Youd was available for interview <A HREF="http://riddleburger.wordpress.com/2007/11/30/john-christopher-week-author-interview/" REL="nofollow">this time last year</A>, so your luck might be in.<BR/><BR/>Now, David Karp, can you get in touch please?<BR/><BR/>What's that? Oh.John Selfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05761816149593541133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-30572500134433737892008-10-24T07:24:00.000+00:002008-10-24T07:24:00.000+00:00the 1970 film version of Death of Grass / No Blade...the 1970 film version of Death of Grass / No Blade of Grass is available to watch on Youtube in several sections, it's actually very good, but sadly forgotten. <BR/><BR/>Directed by Cornel Wilde ( yes - that one ) and staring Nigel Davenport it's a little uneven but still very faithful and provocative. It also has a smallish early role from Wendy Richard as a manipualtive tart......I'm not saying anything.Richard de Pesando MA(RCA)https://www.blogger.com/profile/15312094372100026072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-23331090562200882392008-10-23T22:31:00.000+00:002008-10-23T22:31:00.000+00:00What an honour!I'm not a literary critic, but from...What an honour!<BR/><BR/>I'm not a literary critic, but from a bookseller's perspective I'm absolutely certain that Samuel Youd's novels will achieve the recognition they deserve.<BR/><BR/>Although they clearly reflect the social mores of their age, the novels are, in many ways, ahead of their time and would appeal greatly to a contemporary audience.<BR/><BR/>The publishing world seems to be rather slow on the uptake, (although it's heartening to see 'The Death of Grass' as a future Penguin Classic). Publishers should take note of the prices that John Christopher novels sell for on eBay!<BR/><BR/>Sam Youd - if you read these comments, would you be prepared to be interviewed?Steerforthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07627936539372313828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-29639751974741884342008-10-23T22:03:00.000+00:002008-10-23T22:03:00.000+00:00The man himself! Yay!I know he published 'Evolutio...The man himself! Yay!<BR/>I know he published 'Evolution's Captain' a couple of years ago, as 'Peter Nichols', about (among other things) the captains of Darwin's 'Beagle'--it was fascinating.JRSMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04430775461763521797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-63049615729053517992008-10-23T21:35:00.000+00:002008-10-23T21:35:00.000+00:00Hey, how cool is that! Are you still writing, Sam...Hey, how cool is that! Are you still writing, Sam?<BR/><BR/>As for efforts to revive interest in your works, we haven't started yet! Just wait till April when Penguin obsessives like me and JRSM get going.<BR/><BR/>And can I just say how appalled I am at that person who usurped my online ID earlier to make light of Sam Youd's advanced years. Shame on you.John Selfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05761816149593541133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-6218432696445859712008-10-23T14:53:00.000+00:002008-10-23T14:53:00.000+00:00Just a few words in appreciation of this and previ...Just a few words in appreciation of this and previous efforts to revive interest in my outmoded works. (I believe I am widely in print in Iran but unfortunately they don't pay royalties). It's a long and unpromising haul, but thanks for trying.Sam Youdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04165366082478332922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-88093292124768291172008-10-23T09:06:00.000+00:002008-10-23T09:06:00.000+00:00John, let's hope it's a mild winter.Still, even if...John, let's hope it's a mild winter.<BR/><BR/>Still, even if Samuel Youd does pop his clogs before April, at least he knows that 'The Death of Grass' is being republished.Steerforthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07627936539372313828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-75468606154126990212008-10-23T08:47:00.000+00:002008-10-23T08:47:00.000+00:00One Thousand Letters - I have just looked at your ...One Thousand Letters - I have just looked at your letters and I think they're wonderful. I noticed that you haven't posted since August. I hope you haven't stopped.<BR/><BR/>Re: the UK police, I don't know if it's the absence of guns, but they're certainly more polite than their European counterparts, who tend to bark orders. <BR/><BR/>The Chief Constable of Sussex recently said that he thought the most important quality in a policeman was humility, which was good to hear.<BR/><BR/>JRSM - I'm sorry for bringing the Cheeky Girls into your life. I presume you watched 'The Cheeky Song (Smack My Bum)'?Steerforthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07627936539372313828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-8274894044798932182008-10-23T08:42:00.000+00:002008-10-23T08:42:00.000+00:00A life without the Cheeky Girls, JRSM! Here in th...A life without the Cheeky Girls, JRSM! Here in the UK we can only dream back to those innocent days. If you explored further you would find that one of them was engaged to a prominent (well, Leb Dem spokesman on Housing) <A HREF="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lembit_%C3%96pik#Personal_life" REL="nofollow">British MP</A>.<BR/><BR/>Wow, I never knew Christopher was still alive. If he makes it to next April (no offence, but...), he will be in an august band of authors who are published by Penguin Modern Classics in their lifetime: John Updike, James Salter, etc. Actually, thinking about it, there are quite a few one-offs in the same boat, including Louis Begley, Aharon Appelfeld, James Wilcox and others, so maybe it's not quite such a unique accolade.<BR/><BR/>I read <EM>Mapp and Lucia</EM> a few years ago (when it was reissued as a Penguin MC, in fact) and thought it was OK in a Waugh-ish way.John Selfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05761816149593541133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-12109114624638999212008-10-23T00:13:00.000+00:002008-10-23T00:13:00.000+00:00Rye sounds lovely, but actually your post made me ...Rye sounds lovely, but actually your post made me realise how much I miss UK police. Does the politeness come from not having guns?One Thousand Lettershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08073304589937921639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-29054975043522671172008-10-22T23:11:00.000+00:002008-10-22T23:11:00.000+00:00Yay! John Christopher!I did not know who these 'Ch...Yay! John Christopher!<BR/><BR/>I did not know who these 'Cheeky Girls' were, so I YouTubed them. You, sire, have ruined my life.JRSMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04430775461763521797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-59844990039381010452008-10-22T19:57:00.000+00:002008-10-22T19:57:00.000+00:00Depesando - superb anecdote, but why lorry drivers...Depesando - superb anecdote, but why lorry drivers? I'm intrigued. <BR/><BR/>As for being students, yes, it seemed obligatory to do ridiculous things. I remember being with a group of people who decided to jump out of windows on different floors to see how far they could fall before it really hurt. Why?Steerforthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07627936539372313828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-14152805015599107502008-10-22T19:46:00.000+00:002008-10-22T19:46:00.000+00:00Thanks for this. I've just Googled The Gay Dolphin...Thanks for this. I've just Googled The Gay Dolphin - it's good to see Saville back in print, and what a fantastic jacket!Steerforthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07627936539372313828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-5029524099037256452008-10-22T19:44:00.000+00:002008-10-22T19:44:00.000+00:00I used to be very friendly with a girl in London a...I used to be very friendly with a girl in London and would go drinking with her in Aldgate, rather than pulling up estate agents signs, she would get drunk and bare her breasts at lorry drivers ( we were students, I'm embarrassed about it now).<BR/><BR/>On one occasion - she was seen by a police car, they parked, and came over to us.<BR/><BR/>"Madam, you have splendid breasts, but would you please put them away, you are going to cause an accident'<BR/>real gentlemen, those London Bobbys.<BR/><BR/>I have an appointment in Rye on Friday - have organised my whole day around wandering about, lovely place.Grey Areahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18240869670530738753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570460.post-13354180806808845582008-10-22T19:23:00.000+00:002008-10-22T19:23:00.000+00:00The Gay Dolphin has been republished this year by ...The Gay Dolphin has been republished this year by Girl's Gone By Publishing and is available in a lovely facsimile paperback edition.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07974011273079646830noreply@blogger.com