Literature
Remains of the Hay
The original draft of this post has, unfortunately, been lost in the unfathomable - and treacherous - depths of our ‘My Documents’ folder. Unfathomable due to the rather hit and miss file-naming method, treacherous as some unpublished articles best remain so and unfortunate as a classically awful pun headline must remain (blissfully?) hidden from public amusement. Long-term readers should know that it is ArtsWom policy for even the most tenuous of puns to be given the chance to shine but, after 24 hours of consideration, this is one double entendre that will not be dredged back up from the heap.
This post concerns the enviable Hay Festival round-up article from the UK crime fiction blog, It’s a Crime! (or a mystery). The author, Crimeficreader, begins by lamenting the fact that she was unable to attend as much as she would have liked, but still manages to present an excellent and extensive report of the festival - and promises more over the coming weeks. The article starts with a summary of opinions from other attending bloggers (including our guests Debi Alper and John Baker) as well as coverage from traditional media. The bulk of the report, however, presents Crimeficreader’s own highlights from the event - including a write-up of the Peter Falk interview…after spending the last few weeks breaking in our Columbo DVD boxed set, we still can’t get enough of the guy!
In related news, a signed copy of The Chinese Girl by John Baker graced our postbox this morning. We’d like to offer a big thank you to John for this, we look forward to reading it and will post a review of the novel soon after.
Many thanks for the link, ARTSWOM.
I was not able to attend some events I’d booked due to family circumstances, but I managed to find an alternative via the Festival’s archive, which has recordings of selected events online. Not to be missed, if you really wished you’d been there on the day! Link thus: http://www.hayfestival.com/archive/
The last day was a day of diminishing returns - no doubt about that. It was quiet in the car park when I arrived at 11am. It was also very overcast, so I asked a car park steward about the weather forecast and was told that showers may arrive by 17:00. They came early. A shower turned into a downpour at around 16:30, but then it abated. (Thank God, as I’d left my wellies in the boot of the car, ever hopeful of fine weather! I should know otherwise as I’m Welsh.)
But Hay was good that Sunday, even if those diminishing returns were present. By 1pm, Neil Pearson opened with a joke about attendees for his event not having managed to get tickets for Martin Amis. Not so. I think the actor’s fan club would reach into parts previously unknown to him. And for newbies, Pearson is a serious book collector who really knows his stuff.
The event itself was enlightening, thrilling, educational and humerous. And that’s about serious book collecting - the dried parchment just got some moisture, the topic had a resurrection of sorts and the possibilities were opened for all. I can’t believe that anyone left that wonderful event without renewed thoughts on their own collections of books and some new aspirations.
I took some copious notes for this event and will post on this on the forthcoming weekend, in detail, on my blog.
Keith Allen was excellent too, with more than a hint of dangerous abandonment. One lady sitting behind me, said before the start that she thought she might be “too old” for that event; but Allen was on “decent” form - rude and using the “C” word like salt and pepper to a TV chef, but falling short of interactive audience participation. (With a stand-up comic, even a former one, you never know…) However, Allen was a dream and well worth the wait. But then, he’s Lily’s dad. Dads do eventually “grow up”, don’t they?
Sad he got an eleventh hour slot at Hay; only the last show with Bryn Terfel came later and last (much awaited by many - with many having retired to their temporary festival accommodation to dress for the concert), but it was not the “has-beens” hour either.
The local Hereford strawberries had long gone, sold out as so they should - they can’t be beaten when in season. (Anyone who bought them was in for a treat - there’s no taste like a Hereford strawb in season.)
One thing not to overlook either: children were in evidence and enjoying the Festival too, in the overcast afternoon. Events for children sell out so quickly - you need to be a friend of the festival to have a chance of booking there. No one says much about the children’s events, but selling out so early indicates their value. For the last three years I’ve noticed that the children’s events are the first to be sold out. Pretty good stuff on offer every year!
What can I say here? The Hay Festival - not to be missed…
Posted by crimeficreader • 8 June 2007 at 1:16 am
I’ve just remembered my manners and realised I too should have offered you one of my books in return for all you have done.
Check out the books section on my site debialper dot co dot uk and let me know whether you’d prefer Nirvana Bites or Trading Tatiana and I’ll send a copy post hayste (ouch).
Posted by Debi Alper • 11 June 2007 at 9:54 am
Thanks Debi, that’s a really generous offer! I’ll email you as soon as - though I am beginning to feel as though I’m abusing my position a little. I’m sure I’ll get over that soon enough! At the moment, however, I’m somewhat disgruntled by the fact that you have used the Hay pun I was going to pick for my next headline…drat.
Posted by Seb • 11 June 2007 at 11:24 am
It’s ok - I waive copyright on puns as it’s so vital they are spread through the world.
There’s just not enough wincing going on …
Posted by Debi Alper • 12 June 2007 at 10:22 am