Not a collaboration from these
well-respected authors, but a conversation conducted by correspondence over a
three year period from July 2008 to August 2011.
Although touching on world events (the financial
meltdown, Arab – Israeli relations, FIFA world cup, the Arab spring) the letters
mainly exchange and compare ideas and views on more commonplace aspects of
life. One of them will introduce a topic – why waste so much time watching
sport on TV – which is discussed over a few letters, during which time the
other will open up a new area - the cultural significance of names – and so it
goes on.
Politics, history, travel, cinema and of
course literature – what they are writing and reading, and what the critics are
saying - all feature, but whatever the subject the views are fresh,
interesting, and expressed concisely with wit and style.
Possibly due to their age and left-leaning
politics (I am not far behind in both) I was in tune with most of what they had
to say to each other. But this is not two grumpy old men whinging at the modern
world. Yes they have regrets and reservations (the comment of the world going
to hell in a hand-basket starts a whole new topic – about hand-baskets) but
they have the wisdom to accept change happens and the humility to admit their
point of view is just that.
A short and stimulating read.
No comments:
Post a Comment