Category Archives: Literature

Attlee* reviews Field Marshall Lord Montgomery’s** Autobiography

Posted on March 29, 2016 by odeboyz

“Some of the difficulties he gave his colleagues and superiors were due not so much to a profound intellectual disagreement with their views as, I think, to the fact that occasionally he could, and did, behave almost as a child…even … Continue reading →

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Gender reversal in Thriller Writing: an experiment*

Posted on March 19, 2016 by odeboyz

The objectification of women is commonplace in British society. Thriller novels do more than that. Many, very many, storylines revolve round predatory men, sadism and vulnerable women. Indeed sadism is so commonplace that it’s startling when passages are re-written with … Continue reading →

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A Dental Practice Conversation

Posted on January 12, 2016 by odeboyz

Nurse We do not spend enough time…instructing patients on preventive measures, which in the long term would make them healthier. Dentist Preventive measures don’t pay the bills…We’re running a practice here, not a master class. Joshua Ferris To Rise Again … Continue reading →

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The Magnificent John Updike

Posted on September 1, 2015 by odeboyz

True Love “Her tongue sneaks forward in thought, and rests on her lower lip. He loves her when she tries to think.” John Updike Rabbit is Rich  An American Heart  “What’s wrong with his heart, exactly?” Janice asked. “The usual … Continue reading →

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Pull Along Cases: a macho-Norwegian speaks

Posted on August 11, 2015 by odeboyz

“…the case was heavy (but) I carried it by the handles…I detested the tiny wheels, first of all because they are feminine, thus not worthy of a man, a man should carry not roll…” Karl Ove Knausgaard A Death In … Continue reading →

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Five Great, Short, Free (or nearly free) Novels

Posted on August 4, 2015 by odeboyz

1) Charlotte Perkins Gilman The Yellow Wallpaper 1892, 80p Feminist story FREE 2) George and Weedon Grossmith Diary of a Nobody 1892, 176p Marvelous comic novel. FREE 3)   P G Wodehouse Psmith, Journalist 1914 154p          Brilliant satire on USA, … Continue reading →

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Stuart Gulliver, HSBC and Don Corleone

Posted on June 26, 2015 by odeboyz

“Well, I say yes. There is more money potential in narcotics than anything else we’re looking at now. If we don’t get into it, somebody else will, maybe one of the Five Families, maybe all of them. And with the … Continue reading →

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Managers are born not made

Posted on May 12, 2015 by odeboyz

“I can’t sit still and see another man slaving and working. I want to get up and superintend, and walk round with my hands in my pockets, and tell him what to do. It is my energetic nature. I can’t … Continue reading →

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A Carnivore Reminisces

Posted on March 24, 2015 by odeboyz

“Herds of cattle had been driven into him by the immensity of his appetite, porkers by the score had trotted obediantly between his teeth.” David Hughes The Pork Butcher (Chris)

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The Old Curiosity Shop

Posted on February 20, 2015 by odeboyz

On attending a seminar at the L.S.E. (London School of Economics) at Lincoln’s Inn Fields (12th February 2015), Jan (my wife) and I got to the venue 30 minutes before we were due to register, so, as you do, we set … Continue reading →

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