Charles of Charles's George Orwell Links has added two reviews of the notorious A Modern De Quincey by H.R. Robinson: the familiar 1940s text by his old Burma Police colleague Eric Blair, and a new review by one Daniel Cooper.
Posted by Martha Bridegam at December 2, 2005 01:42 PMSorry, pronoun problem, I mean Captain Robinson's colleague, not Charles's, unless the reclusive Charles is older than I think.
Posted by: Martha Bridegam at December 2, 2005 01:49 PMFour things:
1) I am reclusive. I admit to that.
2) I stopped aging at 27 and am perpetually turning 28 on my birthday.
3) All this stuff about opium in the reviews for “A Modern de Quincey” has me thinking about these lines from Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest”:
LADY BRACKNELL: Do you smoke?
JACK: Well, yes, I must admit I smoke.
LADY BRACKNELL: I am glad to hear it. A man should always have an occupation of some kind. There are far too many idle men in London as it is.
4) I think I need a new occupation.
Best regards,
Charles
And thanks for stopping by. The question of course being just how long you've been continuing to turn 28. And have you ever worn those uniform trousers that strap under the foot? (And btw did you see the Crillon just got fined for price-fixing?)
While we're on Orwell mavenhood, there's a RealAudio file available on the Commonwealth Club Web site from an appearance George Packer did there about three weeks ago to promote his book The Assassins' Gate. I listened to not quite the first half-hour and unfortunately it was a little dull in a briefcasey way than which I thought he knew better. Admittedly I turned it off right around where the question period was starting so for all I know it could have improved.
/M
Posted by: Martha Bridegam at December 2, 2005 10:41 PM