The organist librarian

The discussion on "On Chesil beach" made me think hard about my marriage of 34 years and particularly my attitudes back in 1974 and how they have changed. In those days I seem to have thought that I had to "perform" especially in bed! I learnt quickly that lovemaking was the highest expression of love - sacramental even. It is also a very sad book and my wife felt the same about it. Carice as always goes right to the point - why don’t we share our inner problems with each other? Are we afraid of true intimacy? Is it OK to reveal my true inner self? In this day and age when people talk glibly about their sex lives it is perhaps refreshing to think that reticence still exists but look what a disaster that can lead to! The intimate is now blazoned across the internet and the TV. Some things should have a veil drawn over them! It makes me think of the readers who ask for thrillers without sex and violence - fat chance! I certainly do not think the novel lightwei

A quiet Saturday at the library which I do not enjoy. Time to catch up and read the diversity course handbook which has lots of interesting facts e.g. 20% of gay people do not come out at work - heh how do they know? I am collecting messages and photos for Doris's retirement card. Christopher was in - he reminds me of Ronnie Corbett the librarian in "Sorry". He knew John Johnson and he said his brother also committed suicide. I wrote a review of "On Chesil Beach" for the Battersea limpets reading group. It will be interesting to read of the reactions of others. Gillian Warrior writes: I suppose I have been avoiding commenting on this book, partly because much to my dissatisfaction the abiding memory of it is the description of the semen and particularly comparing it to a glaze that dries and starts cracking, and the desperate attempt to remove it with the pillow. When someone mentions this book to me I think of this. Why? I suppose there is more than a littl

Liz was up early to take Lauren to East Croydon to get train to King's Cross for Eurostar. Lauren was in late having been out with Bruce and friends. Swam 30 lengths. Saw Dan - the baby is a girl, Daisy! Also saw my Chinese pal and Raphael looking very brown from trip to Egypt. The climb up Mt Sinai was 3 hours in the dark but worth it. The Israeli guide to Bethlehem tried to charge them extra and charge to go into the church which he refused to pay! Busy at work but enjoyed the park. Finished reading "The Imitation of Christ" which I started in Lent. I am now asked to review "On Chesil Beach" as I have asked the reading group limpets for their views as I was not able to sit in for the session (only senior on). To Beckenham Odeon to see "Mamma Mia". Ages since we went to the cinema and really enjoyed it. Great show! Watched Gergiev on TV, Tudors and Ronnie Corbett in "Sorry" on return home, also QI although I dropped off! The Southfields libr

Devoured the bestseller by Ian McEwan "On Chesil Beach". This is about the disastrous wedding night of a young couple in 1962 and is brilliantly written and it makes you think about life! Highly recommended. I was so keen to know the end I skipped over a chapter and then reread it!