iangray

01 October 2007 @ 07:23 pm

This is the Cas de Juntas in Gernika. It's the meeting place for the Basque Parliament

Gernika is quite a respectable town, rather bourgois I suppose. A bit like harrogate or Buxton. However, it does have its militant side. They have a neat line in very attractive grafitti, and here ETA supporters seem to have had their say.

I just love this

The great George Steer, who alerted the world to the horrors of April 26 1937

At the south end of town is this tavern. As you can see, it has a militant flavour. There are photographs of Basque (probably ETA, but they deny it) heroes, and a stock of left wing journals

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01 October 2007 @ 04:59 pm

(no subject)

A picture of the statue of don tello, the founder of the town of gernika

The current Gernika oak tree. Its predecessor caught a disease and was removed. That's why this is quite an immature tree.

This is the Casa de Juntas. It is the meeting place for the Basque Parliament

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17 August 2007 @ 10:28 pm

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'Gernika!' is now available on Amazon
Thanks Deb! Enjoy Croatia.

"A serious and relentless appraisal of the affront to reason that is embodied in Picasso's masterpiece. The involvement of children in the project widens its appeal and relevance, without turning it into a lesson, though lesson it is, as Gray's reminders of the contemporary resonances of his themes prove."

Robert Sheppard
Professor of Poetry and Poetics, Edge Hill University

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10 August 2007 @ 10:09 am

Holiday Reading

The usual pick and mix. I'm losing faith in Richard and Judy.as more and more of their selections are drifting down the middle of the road. However here are some titles that I found of interest for both good and bad reasons.

The Gree Mile - Stephen King
I've never read a King novel before, not being a horror fan. However, I keep bumping into the movie based on this book, but I've never seen the ending. I always thought it wought make a great stage play as it is a great ensemble piece and the acting in the movie is fantastic.
Anyway the book. This is a remarkable piece of writing. The story is slight, concerning certain events on Death Row in a prison in America's Deep South during the Depression and the characters are explored in depth with great sensitivity. This is by Stephen King so, of course, there is an element of the supernatural, but without the schlock of other King stories. It's almost a Christian allegory.
It's also very well written. The narrative voice is sympathetic and the narrative moves between different time periods. Thus the significance of small events gains emphasis according to the differnet time perspectives.
This is quite an old book, but it gripped me and I admire it very much. Still not keen on horror though.
Actually not in the mood to review books. Maybe just a couple of brief notes.
Restless - William Boyd. Excellent. Boyd is becoming a favourite of mine
The Road - Cormac McCarthy. There is talk of this book winning McCarthy the Nobel Prize! I don't know about that, but is a haunting account of life on the road in a dystopian, post-Apocalypse USA. It is the story of how a father tries to maintain humanity in his small son as they struggle to stay alive. Best read in one sitting.
Bone Machine - Martyn Waites. Pointless thriller set in Newcastle
The Amnesia Clinic - James Scudamore. A debut novel set in Ecuador. A hint of Latin American magical realism. Two boys tell each other stories to explain events they can't understand, and then start to believe them. Skilfully written with some fine characters. Made me want to visit Ecuador,
The Bullet Trick - Louise Welsh. Noirish thriller set in Berlin and Glasgow. Good fun.
I also read two John Grishams and something by the chap who wrote The Bourne Identity. A waste of time. Honestly.

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21 July 2007 @ 03:02 pm

A Ship of Fools

Just to say I have finished updating "A Ship of Fools". The new edition is ready now. It's only available from me at the moment, as Lulu keep changing their postal charges. The new edition has several more stories in it and is actually cheaper than the first edition. Email me for more details.

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20 July 2007 @ 04:13 pm

Holidays

Just to say that I'm off on holiday for a couple of weeks and won't be able to fulfil any orders until the 7th August. However, I should be able to acknowledge messages, but I'm asking you to be patient as I won't be checking every day.

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20 July 2007 @ 04:05 pm

Places to buy 'Gernika'

Places where you can pick up a copy of 'Gernika' are: Radish in Chapel Allerton, Leeds; News from Nowhere on Hope Street, Liverpool and Not Just Books in Ashton-in-Makerfield. This last is run by the lovely Deborah, an old friend of mine with whom I'd lost touch until today. Nice to see you again Deb!
You can, of course, get a copy direct from me if you go back to the site and send me an email. However, please see next entry
I'm going to Radish for Harry Potter Night tonight.

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17 July 2007 @ 04:48 pm

What they're saying about 'Gernika!'

"...wonderful, totally original but with echoes of Eliot that are truly brilliant." Shirley Gornall, English Adviser.
Wasn't Eliot ET's friend?

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15 July 2007 @ 02:22 pm

Launch of Gernika!

Well I didi it! Gernika! got launched on Monday 9th July 2007. Since then I've been dealing with the aftermath. I've had a lot of orders from individuals and groups which i've been fielding until i finally went down with flu yesterday!
The launch itself was very successful. Almost everybody I invited turned up - about 50-60 people. Old friends, neighbours, various community groups etc., many mentioned elsewhere on this site. Even those who weren't able to make it ordered books. Well, most of them anyway. You know who you are! If you want to buy a book contact me, or visit News from Nowhere bookshop in Liverpool or Radish in Leeds. I'm hoping Waterstone's will be stocking it soon.
I want to say a big thank you to Mary and Stuart, the ICT teckies at my school for sorting out the Powerpoint stuff. It worked a treat in the end. And of course, a big thank you to Holgate Primary School for providing the venue. Also Eric Sayer, Chairman of Towpath provided huge support making speeches, taking photos and laying out the drinks and nibbles. Oh my wife did her social mingling bit and my daughter did a passable imitation of...well, a teenage daughter I suppose. Nice to see Betty Brogan, Mildred Rickards and Phil Christopher there too. I really should have had a book for people to sign.

Daughter and friend. It's Art girls, not Hello magazine!
To the right - Mildred Rickards, wife of the late Gerry, a fabulous artist and lovely, lovely man

Alison vets a couple of fans, while I keep signing

Me and two of the young artists. You can see Alan Benson with his back to the camera.

Eric Sayer, Chair of Towpath loses the camera.

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27 June 2007 @ 07:34 pm

The Launch of Gernika!

At long last Gernika! gets to be officially launched on July 9th Since I got the book from the printers, apostrophes and all, it has been selling steadily. For those in the Merseyside area, you can get a copy from 'News from Nowhere' bookshop on Bold Street, Liverpool. However, if you live somewhere else you can get a copy from me. Email me at ian@igray.co.uk and send me a cheque for £6.50 (incl p&p). Cheques should be made payable to Ian Gray.
For those more used to online buying, PayPal should be available soon.

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