the Historian & the Detective

22:33 ; Tuesday, 7 June 2011

Fortress of Solitude

I've been reading a great, spanning, geographically defying book called "Fortress of Solitude" - which is saying a lot when it stays relatively stuck in New York... Brooklyn, particularly. It's my first Jonathan Lethem, one that I picked up from Deptford Market for 50p because I liked the back of it, but I'm really glad I did. It focuses on best friends, Dylan (who is white) and Mingus (who is black), and their friendship as they grow up, change and face tensions - socially, racially, politically.

I haven't finished it yet. I'm about halfway. Did I mention it's quite a long novel? Except it is worth it. In a lot of ways - mostly heartbreakingly and sometimes longingly - it reminds me of Deptford. That sounds more lyrical than it really is: 1970s Brooklyn and Deptford. Not twinned so much as... there's a lot of experiences that Dylan goes through or feels that I know I've been through. Only, it's not as severe or adventurous. To be honest, I don't think teenagers in Deptford today are too worried about race - I don't think South London is in general. It's far more about class, which is alright because everyone in Deptford tends to be more working class. Uniting us like Northern Ireland and the Republic never did. So maybe I have no idea what sort of things Dylan goes through. Maybe it's some weird romantic attachment, stranger still since the novel paints a rather vulgar picture of Brooklyn.

"It's not too late for you to know, my profound child, the world is nuttier than a fruitcake. Run if you can't fight, run and scream fire or rape, be wilder than they are, wear flames in your hair, that's my recommendation."

"If someone asks you say you live in Gowanus. Don't be ashamed."

"Stuyvesant was Jewish white, wasp white, hippie white, Chinese, black, Puerto Rican, and much else but crucially it was nerd, nerd, nerd."

"You could grow up in the city where history was made and still miss it all."

(photos are of Brooklyn, most are circa 1980s - sourced from Google)

Labels: book, Fortress of Solitude, Jonathan Lethem, photos, places, South East London

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02:45 ; Friday, 3 June 2011

Excerpt #27

Judy "Jude" abruptly turns the wheel of Dorothy's "Dottie" tiny Beetle, forcing into Southridge Avenue, off the side of New Cross Hall.

Dottie: Are you insane?

Jude peers closer at the Corsa parked opposite. It's Darren's, her ex boyfriend's. The two university flat-mates both reach to the conclusion that Darren is staying at New Cross Hall tonight, at Gloria's.

Dottie: Well, when I said insane I meant...

Jude: That ... BITCH.

Dottie: Insane. I meant insane.

Jude gets out of the car and treads towards the midnight blue car, it sits innocently. Or menacingly. She whispers curses under her breath. Dottie goes to follow her. The loyal stead.

Jude: I'll show him... I'll show him whose moved on! (She looks back to Dottie, who sighs at the situational irony)

If he's that much of an idiot... he's left a spare under - (She reaches under the license plate and pulls out spare key)

Dottie: Wow. He is an idiot. (Jude throws the key to her. She looks apprehensive but opens the door and they seat themselves awkwardly)

Wait, why have I got the keys? Is this happening?

Jude: Well I've never been in the driver's seat before. ... (affectionately and with a smirk) Well, that's a lie..

Dottie: That's disgusting.And strangely admirable.

A beat.

So... (Jude fumbles around, begins to take off her underwear) Whoa what are you doing? No. No! you are not planting your underwear. Not here. Not ever.

Jude: Oh, it's happening. This is happening. (She looks around for a place to hide it, her underwear is a grey and lacey, and Dottie's face is a mixture of fear, shock and bewilderment. She's had enough of the weeks of attention seeking, the moaning, the pity. Her attempts at helping Jude have been futile, despite her best efforts. She's tired, she's afraid of getting an STD from a car seat and she's hungry. All she can say is...)

Dottie: This is pathetic.

Jude jerks her head to Dottie in disbelief -

Jude: What did you just call me?

Dottie: pathetic Jude, it's not hard to understand.

Labels: literature, photos, places, South East London

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About me

1) I'm a lazy blogger

2) This blog will generally include writings on films, music, books, fashion, locations, and other worldly movements.

3) I'm short and the best thing I have learnt to combat this is sewing.

4) I'm very bad at html things. Sorry if the layout looks nothing like it should be.

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