Michael Mail

Saturday day off but to the library for the reading group session in the adult. 13 came and met Michael Mail who I had met at a police meeting. He speaks really well and he explained how he came to writing late when he won an Edinburgh short-story competition. He is a Scottish Jew living in North London and is now a full-time writer. "Exposure" is about a Jewish girl who comes down from Leeds to the East End to study photography. One of the group felt that the book was more like non-fiction whereas others loved it and found they wanted to know the ending. Michael pointed out that tragedy was hinted at from the beginning. Suzy gets to know a Jewish community in the East End and the novel plays on the use of a camera as a shield to intrude into people's lives. The lecturer Terry and the other students are well-drawn as are the Jewish characters. There is also an interplay between the nominal faith of Suzy's separated parents and Suzy's rediscovery of her faith through her visits to the synagogue and exploration of the past. I felt that Michael had caught the pace of a year on campus. Suzy has a relationship with Nick who is from a priviledged background. One of the group blamed her for what happened in the novel while others felt that was unfair. This is a book which certainly changed my view of the taking of photographs - they can be an intrusion into privacy in order to preserve the moment.
Michael stayed and chatted about interfaith and made several suggestions for me to follow up. Michael came into interfaith through Andrew Cameron of Southwark cathedral and has various ideas including a Muslim conference on the holocaust. He was delightful company and I am sure we will meet again.
On return home I managed to park outside Sharon's despite the football traffic and rang Grandma who said Josie had done some shopping for her. Liz was at Palm Sunday rehearsal and confirmation class at the cathedral. I watched "An island parish" and the documentary on David McVicar's Covent Garden production of "Salome".
To Vespers (with incense) and Mass for Palm Sunday. We sang The royal banners to "Vexilla regis", "All glory laud" and "My song is love unknown". Father Tim, Deacon Peter and Deacon Ed and it was great to have Wayne, Angela and Nicky back serving with Philip. Paul Moynihan had been busy all day. Margaret read the second reading so well. I had forgotten how long the St Matthew Passion is.
On way home heard last act of "Peter Grimes" from the Met - excellent singing and conducting from Donald Runnicles. Watched the documentary on Frinton-on-Sea. Louise and Tom came to stay overnight after a party.