The E. M. Forster quote you included in the introduction to your book, Andrew, is very apposite: 'If you don't like people, put up with them as well you can. Don't try to love them: you can't, you'll only strain yourself. But try to tolerate them.' I can get to that! Forster's other comments on the staid, prosaic yet indispensable qualities of tolerance were also sublime.
Forrest Reid is a name new to me but I shall enquire at our local library on your recommendation. They did stock a copy of The New Puritans, after all.
If you travel around down here in north Devon you'll see The Tarka Trail signposted everywhere as well as The Tarka Line, Tarka Country Inns, Tarka Caravan Parks, etc because people have heard of Tarka the Otter yet so few know of Henry Williamson, the book's author and another forgotten genius. Williamson took part in the Christmas Day truce but later aligned himself with Mosley and was never forgiven. Damned for wrongthink, whether out of political naivete or actual fascism, every line of his writing bleeds a love of the English countryside. Dandelion Days ('Gets as near to the heart of a boy as anything I have ever read,' - TLS) remains the one book I'll take with me to the bunker.
There was a first edition of Tarka the Otter on sale a few years ago inscribed by Williamson to Forrest Reid, calling him a "proper old fish weasel". It was too expensive for me to buy.
It's utterly brilliant. And very unexpected. Reid as a child seems to have been born into entirely the wrong time and place. He's an instinctive pagan who somehow emerges in a Church of Ireland family in pre-industrial Belfast.
The only Reid I've read thus far, Andrew, are a few short stories published in Valancourt anthologies. I know that you have penned introductions to a number of new editions of Reid's work for Valancourt - one of my favourite publishers - and I will explore further at some point. You weren't wrong when you enthused about Stella Benson ....
He wrote the trilogy backwards, so Young Tom is set first but was written last. But each novel is standalone, so it doesn’t matter in which order it’s read!
Thank you for this insight. I’m ashamed to say that despite having studied some Irish literature, I do not know his work at all. I shall certainly try and remedy that.
That would be wonderful if Andrew did this interview! It sounds like Iceland needs our help!
I read the translation of your chat with Frosti Logasony (there was an instant translation feature on the page.) Just like you, I was unable to continue with Biden/Harris after their many betrayals of women and girls in this country over the trans issue, culminating with their attempt to dismantle Title IX. I am a third generation Democrat.
When you go home to Iceland is everyone surprised that you are not onboard the "Woke Train"?
How awful. Thank you for the article. I wonder if there is something about island culture that intensifies these contagious beliefs. Ireland, Australia and Malta are also quite pro-trans.
The E. M. Forster quote you included in the introduction to your book, Andrew, is very apposite: 'If you don't like people, put up with them as well you can. Don't try to love them: you can't, you'll only strain yourself. But try to tolerate them.' I can get to that! Forster's other comments on the staid, prosaic yet indispensable qualities of tolerance were also sublime.
Forrest Reid is a name new to me but I shall enquire at our local library on your recommendation. They did stock a copy of The New Puritans, after all.
If you travel around down here in north Devon you'll see The Tarka Trail signposted everywhere as well as The Tarka Line, Tarka Country Inns, Tarka Caravan Parks, etc because people have heard of Tarka the Otter yet so few know of Henry Williamson, the book's author and another forgotten genius. Williamson took part in the Christmas Day truce but later aligned himself with Mosley and was never forgiven. Damned for wrongthink, whether out of political naivete or actual fascism, every line of his writing bleeds a love of the English countryside. Dandelion Days ('Gets as near to the heart of a boy as anything I have ever read,' - TLS) remains the one book I'll take with me to the bunker.
There was a first edition of Tarka the Otter on sale a few years ago inscribed by Williamson to Forrest Reid, calling him a "proper old fish weasel". It was too expensive for me to buy.
Yesterday after listening to your interview with Andrew Gold, I bought "Apostate" and I'm planning to read it next
It's utterly brilliant. And very unexpected. Reid as a child seems to have been born into entirely the wrong time and place. He's an instinctive pagan who somehow emerges in a Church of Ireland family in pre-industrial Belfast.
The only Reid I've read thus far, Andrew, are a few short stories published in Valancourt anthologies. I know that you have penned introductions to a number of new editions of Reid's work for Valancourt - one of my favourite publishers - and I will explore further at some point. You weren't wrong when you enthused about Stella Benson ....
The short stories aren't his strongest. Young Tom is the best place to start, I think.
I put "Young Tom" in my cart on Amazon, but they said it's the third book in a trilogy. Should I not start with "Uncle Stephen"?
He wrote the trilogy backwards, so Young Tom is set first but was written last. But each novel is standalone, so it doesn’t matter in which order it’s read!
Thank you for this insight. I’m ashamed to say that despite having studied some Irish literature, I do not know his work at all. I shall certainly try and remedy that.
Very few do! He's completely fallen out of fashion.
Dear Andrew, off topic; I'm an Icelandic journalist & you've interviewed my good friend Eldur Smári on GB News. I would so much like to interview your on my Icelandic show? (here I am in an interview w/an Icelandic journalist, but it's in Icelandic (https://www.nutiminn.is/forsida/enginn-faedist-i-rongum-likama-iris-erlingsdottir-gagnrynir-stefnu-demokrata-i-malefnum-trans-folks/) not my show – this journalist, Frosti, did a great interview with Gad Saad about Iceland being "Woke Central" https://youtu.be/ncfDu278Y2o?si=5mUWp972J7PAB3JK) Here is one episode of my show: https://rumble.com/v6s9ipv-rigningin-er-blaut.html Again, it's in Icelandic. We're not the most popular show in the country! but we've managed to get a couple of thousands of views, which is decent... What's going on in Iceland is SO insane... Thank you very much for all your work - and congratulations on your book, I loved it ... 😊❤️
That would be wonderful if Andrew did this interview! It sounds like Iceland needs our help!
I read the translation of your chat with Frosti Logasony (there was an instant translation feature on the page.) Just like you, I was unable to continue with Biden/Harris after their many betrayals of women and girls in this country over the trans issue, culminating with their attempt to dismantle Title IX. I am a third generation Democrat.
When you go home to Iceland is everyone surprised that you are not onboard the "Woke Train"?
Oh yes, we do!! You have no idea! Brits think that the BBC is bad, but the RÚV (Icelandic State Broadcasting) is 100x worse. https://open.substack.com/pub/irislee/p/why-the-trans-cult-governs-iceland?r=h9qg8&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
How awful. Thank you for the article. I wonder if there is something about island culture that intensifies these contagious beliefs. Ireland, Australia and Malta are also quite pro-trans.
Great idea, good luck with your request.