Category Archives: Literature

Toxic English Snobbery: 1950s Cricket

Posted on November 4, 2014 by odeboyz

“Worcester and England leg- spinner Roly Jenkins [had] a flippant attitude towards the amateur*…. had produced a well-written piece on spin bowling. Walter Robbins, a class- conscious autocrat who found it inconceivable that a mere professional could be so erudite, … Continue reading →

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Gentrification: a downside

Posted on October 14, 2014 by odeboyz

“I hate crummy old inner-city blocks getting all revitalised with swish little stores catering to queers and stoned interracial couples.” John Updike Rabbit is Rich

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Labrador Retrievers

Posted on September 30, 2014 by odeboyz

“The thing about being a Labrador retriever – you were born for fun. Seldom was your loopy, freewheeling mind cluttered by contemplation, and never by sombre worry; every day was a romp…And everywhere you went there were gullible humans who … Continue reading →

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A Sharply Focused Teacher

Posted on September 16, 2014 by odeboyz

“Had a long talk with Mr Dork. I explained I was a one- parent child with an unemployed bad- tempered father. Mr Dork said that he wouldn’t care if I was the offspring of a black, lesbian, one- legged mother … Continue reading →

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Arthur Balfour on politics

Posted on July 15, 2014 by odeboyz

“Nothing matters very much, and few things matter at all.” British Prime Minister 1902- 05

Posted in Literature, Politics | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

From Mark Twain to Barack Obama

Posted on April 11, 2014 by odeboyz
Posted in History, Literature, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Seamus Heaney Died

Posted on October 1, 2013 by odeboyz

I never met the man, except in my head, where his words caressed poetically, what he said. All I could do (or try) – was copy his style but never capture his well-trod mile.  The brown ‘Belfast sink’ in the … Continue reading →

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Great Opening Sentences

Posted on August 23, 2013 by odeboyz

This selection is not trying to compete with The Observer or any of the other literary giants who fill their pages with lists during the dead Summer months. This list is of non- literary opening sentences, which nonetheless are tremendous … Continue reading →

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The Dream

Posted on August 3, 2013 by odeboyz

This is a short story. It is not intended to carry any subliminal thoughts about religion (My Fathers house has many mansions etc) Its basis however does stem from a dream I had. I’ll spend no more than an hour … Continue reading →

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