Did you see last night's programme, the first of the series of My Life in Books, and if so, what did you think? P.D. James could carry any programme or event she takes part in - she's delightful, erudite, very sharp, funny, clear-thinking and articulate. I've heard her in person and she is enormously impressive.
I was interested in her choice of books - Austen, Conan Doyle, Waugh, Cyril Hare, Nancy Mitford, and in her closing remarks, those on how she likes order, "and disorder being made into order, and order brought out of disorder, which is what the detective story does" - and things working out happily in the end. The books she chose reflect that in the sense that they are carefully arranged, plausible, logical, just so; there's nothing sloppy or loose or ill-defined about them, so they suit a reader's love of craftsmanship, of overall artistry and of the satisfactory conclusion. Those things appeal to me, too (in life as in books!) - the neat and tidy, the pleasingly complete.
Do you not think that one can also use craft, erudition and clear thinking to produce books (or indeed other works of art) that beautifully articulate chaos, disorder and a deliberately blurred vision? Is that not skilled and creative writing too?
Posted by: Dark Puss | 22 February 2011 at 02:03 PM
Ooo I was going to ask that, but less well.
Posted by: Jodie | 22 February 2011 at 03:02 PM
Yes Dark Puss I'm sure you can.
Posted by: Harriet | 22 February 2011 at 03:06 PM
I'm sure I can't! ;-)
Posted by: Dark Puss | 22 February 2011 at 03:22 PM
I really enjoyed the show last night and am looking forward to tonights. I wasnt initially sure how on earth P.D James would work with Richard Bacon and yet somehow it all did. I did think the titles were very like another certain TV book show though!
Posted by: Simon (Savidge Reads) | 22 February 2011 at 04:21 PM
Yes, I thought she was marvellous, and, what is more, looks 10 years (at least) younger than her real age. Richard Bacon I though just managed to dress as if he were 10 years younger than his, ahem. Must search out more Cyril Hare.
Posted by: ramblingfancy | 22 February 2011 at 06:26 PM
I have yet to watch it, and as I have set the whole series to record, I may well indulge at the weekend.
I am intrigued to see what books they all choose and whether I have read any of them.
Posted by: Jo | 22 February 2011 at 08:26 PM
Indeed it is, but the scope there for lacunae, for open-endedness, for obfuscation, say, is greater, and thus would not appeal as much to the likes of me and P.D. James (if I can put myself in the same sentence as that admirable lady).
Posted by: Cornflower | 22 February 2011 at 08:50 PM
Talking of order, wasn't it very 'neat' (though sad, too) that PD James got her break because of Cyril Hare's death?
Posted by: Cornflower | 22 February 2011 at 08:57 PM
It was! Thinking of it, she must have been with F&F for almost 50 years now too.
Posted by: ramblingfancy | 23 February 2011 at 07:36 AM
I watched the first two episodes tonight, while ironing - loved it. Anne Robinson interrupted Sue and Giles far too much, and nobody seemed to laugh at their amusing comments. (Having seen one ep filmed, I do know that there are only about 40 people in the audience.) It's so unusual to have people talk about books on TV!
Posted by: Simon T | 24 February 2011 at 01:16 AM
I've watched the first two so far and have been pleasantly surprised. I thought the contrasts between PD James and Richard Bacon were all part of the attraction - young and old, male and female (obvious) formal and informal dress, beautiful measured speaking voice and 'Yoof-speak', not to mention PD's very disciplined life and RB's, well, not so disciplined, if you see what I mean...
And I agree PD James is an absolute star. I saw her a few years ago in Oxford with Jim Naughtie and she had chosen the Book of Common Prayer as a favourite because of the beauty of the language.
Posted by: Carol Norton | 24 February 2011 at 05:52 AM