Go Set a Watchman By Harper Lee - Book Review

The background to the release of Go Set a Watchman, the second novel from acclaimed author Harper Lee, is almost as fascinating as the book itself. The book was completed in 1955 and is essentially the first draft for To Kill a Mockingbird. Harper Lee's editor didn't believe it to be a complete novel but the found the flashback segments depicting Scout and Jems childhood to be the strongest aspects of the book and requested the author concentrate on these elements, so Harper Lee went away and did what was requested and To Kill a Mockingbird was the result.

Go Set a Watchman follows a twenty six year old Scout as she returns to Maycomb after several years in New York City. She finds many things have changed during her absence, including her beloved father Atticus.If this is a first draft then its a very impressive one, although the frequent use of the word 'Nigger' is often jarring and feels slightly unnecessary. The theme of the book though resonates and that is of course the disillusionment Scout feels when she discovers her father is a segregationist, and therefore is the opposite of everything she believes in. In other words a fallen heroe. For many children their father is the first Super Hero they find themselves idolizing. The man who knows the right thing to say and always has good advise to impart. When we late discover that our hero is just an oridinary man, with the same flaws and faults as the rest of us and, well it comes as a bit of a shock. It's this very human experience that drives the book and while the transition from To Kill a Mockingbird to Go Set a Watchman is not what you might have wished for, within the time period the novel is set in it makes perfect sense.

This isn't a perfect novel, not by a long way but the question that must be asked is whether it's an important novel and the answer is yes. One last question: Am I glad that this book was published after all those years? You're damn straight I am. It was worth the wait.

Yours in writing,
Jez Cartner

Reality Tv (A Poem)

Reality TV is everywhere at the moment, so much so I've written a poem about it. If you've watched these shows yourself I'm sure you'll find something to enjoy.

How real is reality TV?
It's a question I feel compelled to ask.
As a genre it doesn't exactly fill me with glee,
Because all too often watching is a difficult task.
Are these shows a reflection of how we behave?
If the answer is yes then I'm afraid the situation is grave.

We watch agape as the Bachelor decides which girl to choose,
And marvel as Housewives model busty plastic.
And watch as wight loss shows muddy the concept of win or lose.
And I have to ask; Is cooking meant to be that drastic?
Is reality TV an exaggeration of our daily lives?
It's little wonder I'm relieved when regular programming arrives.

We're meant to laugh as ageing rockers attempt everyday tasks,
And watch in awe as strangers deal with the might of Big Brother.
"How bad do you want this? The host inevitably asks,
Leaving the contestants to ponder why they bother.
It seems we all have issues with reality TV, but still we watch.
Accompanied by a reassuring botle of scotch.

So again I ask how real is reality TV?
A question with no real answer I fear.
A warped version of the reality inabited by you and me,
They are not privy to the criticism we see and hear.
But like any disease it continues to thrive and grow,
It's simply the result of non scripted people appearing on a scripted show!

- Jeremy Cartner (15/03/2015)

(This is a work of fiction and copyright the author)

Young Bond: Shoot to Kill By Steve Cole Book Review

I read the first two novels in the Young Bond series by Charlie Higson and sort of lost interest but when I heard Steve Cole was taking over the series I decided to give Young Bond one last chance. I'm very glad I did because this was a very entertaining read. The story line was rather clichéd in that it depicts gangsters furthering their goals via motion pictures, but the characterization of Bond was spot on and the seeds of his future career are planted here.

For a novel targeted towards a younger audience there is a fair amount of violence on display here but I feel it is well handled by the author and not at all gratuitous. The Bond of this novel speaks only when it's necessary and prefers action, so I was definitely picturing a young Daniel Craig in the role which only served to strengthen the reading experience. Steve Cole has definitely proved he has what it takes to carry the Young Bond series and I look forward to further entries in this re-vamped series. Great stuff.

Yours in writing,
Jez Cartner