Really people, you are spoiling us with these great stories ( please don't stop!) Yes, it was another good night at Willesden Green, and yes, Judith did read out.
We started with Maithreyi and a piece featuring the mysterious cousin G. Again, her piece took us on a magical mystery tour; just why did cousin G turn up to stay every May and fill the house with his pungent aftershave and tobacco fumes? And why after so many years, did he suddenly decide to treat his hosts to a week in Istanbul (such beautiful descriptions of Istanbul I wanted to book my ticket straight away). Uncle G is always disappearing and re-appearing without warning - then he is spotted in ernest discussions with a man in a shop selling ak 47s. I have a feeling that uncle G won't be welcome to stay next year.
I must say Judith's writing was well worth waiting for - a fabulous introduction to the group that featured a hopeless drunk musing about a longed for cup of tea, speculations about ice and the spaces inbetween it oh, and not one, but two off licences. Which off licence really has his heart? It was a brilliant piece that earned comparisons with Samuel Beckett no less. I absolutely loved it and can't wait to hear more.
Alistair was our newbie of the night and came with an impressive resume and a YA story set in a London that is a slightly different London to the one you and I know. I hope he comes back as I want to know where this story is going to take us and exactly what is, 'down there.'
Sajidah is still heroically trying to get that difficult first chapter sorted, I do feel for her, it's agony searching for the right way to introduce your story, especially such a complex one. Have faith Sajidah, you will get there!
Another person who almost failed to 'get there' was Marsha who only had time to read her poem and get a thumbs up or down on it as we were leaving at the evening's end (we do have to finish at 8pm folks as we don't want to get locked in the library) I think there were more thumbs pointing up than down...
Posts
