Happy Christmas

Good Afternoon to all the Left Bank Bloggers
I hope you all have a lovely Christmas and a successful New Year.  I am looking forward to 2010 and hoping that Left Bank continues to be as inspirational as it was in 2009  with many new blog post and ideas.
Sww you all soon
Paula 

'First books' blank

Gosh, that was quite a shock to my system Paula - the realisation that if I have read any 'first novels' recently, I either cannot remember or I don't actually know if they were first novels or not. All I can suggest for the moment is Wuthering Heights or Adam Bede. Too much living in the 19thC! Give me time, I'm sure I'll remember more - and more recent ones.

I want to offer the following blog as a good place to check for anyone who is interested in keeping up on world literature, fiction in translation and almost anything else to do with reading and writing:
http://www.complete-review.com/saloon/index.htm

Also, I don't usually follow dovegreyreader, but there's a discussion there about crtics, criticism and bloggers which seems interesting.

Finally, my Poetry Group is going to watch 'Bright Star' at the Reel on Weds 16th Dec - the early showing, which is (apparently, tho' they are ususally earlier, so do check) 5.30. I'll be there for a second viewing, so if anyone could not make the Dartington trip, and wants to join us, we will be there at 5.00 (or earlier) to ensure ticket purchase, and then maybe the cafe until film time

Anil's Ghost by Michael Ondaatje and first novels

I have just finished this book which I would thoroughly recomend for its writing quality and poetic qualities but the subject - Sri Lankan civil war  is most disturbing and provides an insight into the way that people live in such dangerous places.  By contract I am now  reading Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson which although still a story of human divisions in society is a much easier read.  Its been on my list for a while as I have a pile of first novels - for inspiration. To me this one is very accomplished and you would never know it was his first! Would anyone else like to share first novels you have been impressed with?

correspondence art number 2

For anyone who would like to contribute to the project please make a piece of art and bring it to the next Left bank in January in an enevelope with your name and addrees on the back or on a seperate piece of paper.  I am hoping to receive about 9 - 12 contributions which will then be distributed for the next round.  If your artwork is bigger than 6x4 inches a copy of it reproduced or photographed at 6x4 would also be acceptable.   I will make sure that each of the works is scanned to avoid any lost in the post scenarios and each artist will receive their own work back.  Th end of January should give us plenty of time for developing ideas.  Experiences of the festive season positive or negative. I agree with Carol's thoughts on Plymouth and plan to purchase all my gifts as locally as possible which means that my family and friends should hopefully receive original gifts.  I am also planning (with not much success yet) to make some homemade gifts.

In shock - post-Plymouth shopping

There is so much 'stuff' in the shops, it made me feel quite ill. It must be living down here, I can no longer cope with lots of people and racks and racks of identikit acrylic ('with 5% wool'!) jumpers in M&S, etc - my fault for going in search of a woolly dressing gown, I'll have to make one.

Michael, I get access to Exeter university library for a fee, but as an alumnus it seemed fairly inexpensive (I did their Creative Writing MA when I first moved down here). I think anyone can apply to be an associate reader, but it's probably a bit more expensive. If you look on the University website, the library site explains it all. I am entitled to 4 books at any one time and for a four week loan, tho' you can renew online if no one else wants them. The downside is having to drive to Exeter to change books. I/We try to time it to see friends, things that are on, or en route to London etc, but it does not always work - especially if a book is unexpectedly recalled; that's the worst, as the overdue fines are swingeing. Mind you, I think I could probaly get most books that I want delivered to K'bridge Library via inter-library loan - they have not let me down yet - but I joined the Uni library mainly to have online access to research journals. As Journal publishers have become ever more protective of copyright, these can now only be accessed on specific terminals actually in the library. It is quite bizarre; each university seems to deal with the subject of associate readers, their lending rights and what they can access, differently.

Paula, I'm willing to give the artistic endeavour a go. I've already had one idea, but have got no further as yet - waiting for 'Atlas' to clear out the 'Summerhouse' (aka 'semi-derelict shed') so I have somewhere to paint without ruining the floor and carpets. Also, can you tell me more about your PTLLS please? Email me privately if you prefer. I need to do something 'out there, with people' and it would also be useful to earn some money while both (hopefully) doing something I'm good at and that will be of good to others.

I'll try the Rose Tremain. So far my only read of hers was 'The Colour' but I have a huge 'to be read' pile. My most wonderful recent read was 'The Great Fire' by Shirley Hazzard. It's basically a lovestory, set post WWII, and beginning in Japan. It is a simple story, but Hazzard's writing is superb; I wanted to rush and devour the book, but at the same time I just did not want it to end. Judging from the Amazon reviews a lot of people don't like the work, considering it, 'pretentious'(!) She is very ... poetic, but I like that. She's one of my heroes, along with Alice Munro, and they are both now in their 80s.

Michael, the idea of a heavier(?) group sounds interesting. A friend and I discusssed something similar a couple of years ago - but then she suggested it could also be a 'singles' club ... which put me right off.

more praise for The Road Home

I agree with Michael! The Road Home is not only a really good read but an eye opener in terms iof some of the issues that it raises.  I imagine that there are not many of us that have experienced anything as extreme as having to move to a foreign country for economic or political reasons beyond our control.  However I am sure we have all felt a little excluded at some time in our lives and for me this is portrayed very sensitively in this book.
In terms of the exhibition I imagine that it may take us some time to establish a body of work so perhaps 2011 would be better and give us time to develop ideas and create the work as well.
I have received the 8 copies of Dogs and Wolves by Irene Nemirowsky   and once my Reading Group have read the books I will be happy to lend them to Left Bank Members who would like to read it and perhaps review it here.

Paula

I have just finished The Road Home by Rose Tremain. Its worth a thousand reports and investigations about immigration amd 'them' I keep hearing and reading about. As usual Tremain really gets deep into the hearts and minds of her characters in way that renders understanding and compassion for them a human beings just like us. On the way through the novel Tremain has some delicious swipes at modern art and theatre, care of the elderly and the lack of real community in molst of society. There are however some tender pictures of characters who do their best despite the struggle they have to survive both here and in eastern Europe. I felt a bit let down by the ending but Tremain never was one to let the reader off the hook!!!!!! 8/10

Ongoing Keats

Thanks Carole for all the detailed information on Keats. It really is fascinating and I really must get a copy of the letters as you say they could tell us so much despite as I understand we don't have many of Fanny's. How do you manage to get access to Exeter University library by the way???? It was good to see you and others on Sunday and the film was beyond my expectations its still lingering. Maybe sometime we could start a 'like minds' group with an emphasis on classical/high quality literature and poetry. Paula I have looked at the Harbour House Schedule for next year and it looks full but I could talk to Emma and see what she says but I feel we need to shape up the proposal and be more specific about aims etc.
Hope we can get more of the LB group aboard the blog.

Correspondence Art

Hi Bloggers
Below is the link to the exhibition I attended at MACBA in Barcelona recently.  If anybody is interested in contributing to a correspondence art project as discussed last week please add a comment to this blog post and I will email you the details.  I think this could kick start our plans for a left bank exhibition showcasing the many and varied talents of the group and encouraging creativity in others.  I would like participants in this project to produce a piece of work 6x4 inches in size any medium or form ie painting, collage, textiles, words etc and to send it to me.  You could use index cards or postcards or any card or paper 6x4 - this size is easy to post and produce good copies.  Each work will be scanned so that they can be reproduced in different ways and catalogued.  I would then like us to swap the  work so that each participant then produces a piece of work in response to the one that they receive.  I think that if we can get between 6 and 12 of us involved in this we should produce  a reasonable number of pieces and the subject matter and medium  will be interesting enough for an exhibition in the future. 
Let me know if you are interested or if you think I have gone quite mad!
http://www.macba.es/



Michael can you please forward this message to left bankers who are not yet bloggers

PS Sorry I can't make the film this afternoon hope you all have a good time.

Paula

Hi Paula,
Your info about 'La BD...' is very interesting, though I'm getting confused.

I've got Volume II of Keat's collected letters here (1958), and the poem written in the 21 April 1819 section of the long letter to his brother George, is the 'knight at arms' version - which also has a few other differences compared to the copy Michael gave us. The Editor of the 'Letters' (Rollins) in his footnote about the poem, suggests that someone else [a friend?] 'Jeffrey' [surname?] had a copy of the '"wretched wight" version of the poem' and Rollins seems to suggest that Keats must have sent this new version to his brother after 3 May 1819.

However ... I've now realised that, in his footnote, the book that Rollins is referring to for this information [(see KC, II, 120)]is Life of John Keats by Brown, Keats's friend. So ... is he a reliable narrator/biographer/witness? Did he, or someone else, tamper... or did Keats himself make the changes? I think we need to track down a tame Keats scholar. Meanwhile, I'm reading through the 'Letters' when I get chance; they are incredible.

Please remind me to ask you about your Lifelong Learning Course. I tried to find out what I needed to do, to be eligible to teach, but could not get a definitive answer, or find out where to do courses.

Fantastic!

Hi
It's great to see 3 of you joining me on the blogoshphere!     I also looked up the Keats version issue.  In my OU literature text books It seems to think that "La Belle Dame Sans Merci" was written on 21 April 1819 in a letter to his brother George.  Keats himself then modified it slightly for inclusion in The Indicator in May 1820.  In 1848 it appeared in a volume of collected works but this was  aversion copied out and changed by Charles Brown.  So it would appear that "wretched wight" is the original version and "knight at arms" the copied and changed version. 
The more you read both versions they are quite different - I think I prefer the Indicator version but ther you are!
Hope to see you all on Sunday
Paula

La Belle Dame sans Merci, well I think, although enthralled by the mediaeval imagery, we wanted to say that not just knights and noblemen could be in Faery Ladies Thrall, but all men - all Wights can suffer so.... maybe we will find out about the agonies of of his, maybe not unrequited, but unconsummated love for the Fabulous Fanny on Sunday. Personally I prefer the Knight to Wight!

'La Belle Dame ... ' continued

Hi Everyone,
Thanks for such a good session on Saturday; I went away feeling inspired to work (particularly in the knowledge that now there are more folk to share it with) and reassured (when I sit here burning the Earth's energy resources in the middle of the night) that I'm not alone in my madness.

With regard to 'La Belle Dame sans Merci' ... I was nonplussed to see how little there was about Keats on my shelves. However, I was due in Exeter University Library (yesterday) so I was hellbent on ransacking their shelves - except that they were looking rather thin, too. An online search for the Motion biography copies indicated they were out. I was surprised, and foolishly assumed the 'Romantics' lectures were timetabled for about now, but, of course, the students are all Keats obsessed because of the film. Walking around the 'Eng Lit' floor I noticed that all the students at computer terminals had images of 'Isabella' or 'La Belle Dame ...' or 'The Eve of St Agnes' on the screen; it was only then that I twigged.

When I checked the shelves more carefully I realised that it was the more recent criticism and biography missing from the shelves (I know Michael said he was not impressed with the Motion biog, but he was a name to start my search with and his work has the advantage of being recent, so that any new discoveries about versions and different publictations might be detailed - so if you've still got a copy Michael, see if there's anything about versions of 'La BD'), while the fusty, dusty old copies of Letters were still there. I think it's quite sad that the students had not helped themselves to the 'Letters' in preference. There were also several older biographies that I could not decide between. I now wish I'd checked them more carefully, but I was short of time and limited in how many books I could take out.
I did bring home Volume II of Hyder E. Rollins (Ed) 'The Letters of John Keats 1814-1821' , which covers the period when Keats met Fanny Brawne and, obviously, includes the long letter that Michael refers to in his post. The main footnote to the 'Belle Dame' section of that letter says: 'Jeffrey (see KC, II,120) also has a copy of the "wretched wight" version of the poem that follows, which Keats must have sent to his brother after May 3, 1819.'

After some searching, this morning, to try to explain this note (especially in the absence of a decent biography), the only Jeffrey(s) I've found are the Jeffrey family (of Teignmouth!) and Keats seems to write to mother, sisters and (?) brother. There must be more detail about Keats's various correspondents in Volume I of the 'Letters' (I wish I'd brought both home). So far, I think that Rollins's note is suggesting that Keats himself made the changes to the poem and sent/gave a copy to one of the Jeffrey family and also sent a copy of the revised version to his brother George, but after May 3 1819 when the long letter was sent (it seems a 'Jeffrey' may have done some transcriptions of the Keats letters (Rollins 108 n.5). A quick skim further on in the Rollins suggests no refs to 'La Belle Dame' in the letters to one of the Jeffrey sisters, nor an extant copy of a further letter to George in May 1918.
I need to eat(!)now, but will settle down to read more carefully this afternoon and let you know of any further progress.
NB quick edit, the time originally given to this post bears no relation to the actual time (14.26, Wed 25 Nov 2009); maybe my perimenopausal effect on time is spreading beyond the the clock in my study!!

The Strange Case of La Belle Dame Sans Merci

Hi everyone at our last LB on Saturday when we were discussing the Keats poem it became clear that there were two different versions........... the one I had printed off from the net had 'wight; in the first lines of the first and second stanzas and there were other alterations. Anne Willingale our researcher par excellence quickly discovered the following:
There are two versions of this very famous ballad. The first version is from the original manuscript and the second version is its first published form. The first is generally considered the best; it was altered upon publication. We do not know who did the alteration.
The original version is found in a letter to Keats's brother, George, and dated Weds 21 April 1819. Keats typically wrote a running commentary to George and his wife Georgiana in America, then loosely grouped the pages together as one long letter. The letter which contains La Belle spans almost three months, from 14 February to 3 May 1819. It also contains other famous poems, including 'Why did I laugh tonight?' which ends, prophetically enough, 'Verse, fame and Beauty are intense indeed / But Death intenser - Death is Life's high mead.' Also included are 'To Sleep' and 'On Fame.' The letter ends with the beautiful Ode to Psyche, of which Keats wrote: 'The following Poem - the last I have written is the first and the only one with which I have taken even moderate pains - I have for the most part dash'd of[f] my lines in a hurry - '
La Belle Dame Sans Merci (The Beautiful Lady Without Mercy/Pity) was dashed off, then, and largely dismissed by Keats himself. It was first published in the Indicator on 10 May 1820 and has since become one of his most celebrated poems.
Note: In 1893, the pre-Raphaelite painter John William Waterhouse was inspired by La Belle Dame Sans Merci to create one of his most famous works. Click here to view the painting.
Thanks for that Anne.........so the mystery remains.....who had the temerity to alter the poem presumably without the poet's permission? Maybe Keats didnt care too much...........must be a story in it somewhere.
I'm reading Rose Tremain's The Road Home. This novel is worth a thousand reports and official investigations into immigration. As usual Tremain writes like an angel and draws our attention in a delicate yet ucompromising manner to the lives behind the stereotypes and media myths.
Also well into; 'Marching to the Fault Line,' by Francis Beckett and David Hencke. This is the story of the Miners Strike and describes what happens when a so called 'democratic party' goes to war with its citizens. This was a fault line in our recent history and the social problems inherent in British society today stem in part from the way the forces of law and order were used (apparently quite willingly) to crush the aspirations of whole working class communities. I seem to be in an extreme left wing mood at the moment and watched Lindsay Anderson's 1968 film IF.
It says everything that needs to be said!!!!!!!!!
I look forward to hearing from you all.
Michael

new season for Left Bank Autumn 2009

The meeting tomorrow at Harbour House is the new season for Left Bank. Sorry but i wont be able to make it to the meeting this time. But I hope you all enjoy it. Unfortunately I am currently reading text books as I am studying for a PTLLS (Preparing to Teach in Lifelong Learning) but I am enjoying it.

However I did also read some good books over the summer.

I can recommend the "Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" I also read The Reader and Revoultionary Road which I really enjoyed and I am currently reading Anil's Ghost by Michael Ondaatje. I would love to haer from anyone else and what they are reading.

I can also recommend a website cally www.my50.com which you can list your goals and share them with others. One of mine is to read 200 books and list them all I have got to 50! and will post the list here soon.

Paula

The Angel's Game and The Ode Less Travelled

Has anyone else read The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruis Zafon yet? I enjoyed The Shadow of the Wind so much that I had to buy the hardback of the sequel. I won't spoil the plot but this is the best book I have read this year.

Does anyone want to share their best book this year so far

I have also recently got a copy of The Ode Less travelled by Stephen Fry which is a really fantastic guide to writing and understanding poetry and is much more straightforward than anything else I have ever come across. I am really enjoying working through it and planning to take it with me on holiday to Ithaka where i hope that inspiration might strike.
I hope you are all having a good summer.
Paula

Welcome

Hi Everybody
This is the blog for Left Bank Writers a group of free thinkers who meet monthly in the South Hams in Devon led by our inspirational leader Michael Elsmere.
The blog has been set up by Paula for all Left Bank members to share ideas and provide a creative space. I really hope you all enjoy using this space.
Paula