Comments on The Pensive Quill: Twelve

On crime drama, tried to watch A Touch of Cloth there as it looked ok in the trailers. Woeful. Stay away from it. Corny, boring and not funny even though it thinks it is. Hate crap like that.

Mick/Organized Rage, I once reviewed The Wind Tha...

2012-09-01T08:09:47.654+01:00

Mick/Organized Rage,

I once reviewed The Wind That Shakes the Barley for The Vacuum.

Michaelhenry,

Did you ever get that Hans Koppell one I suggested to you? It is very good. When you read the latest Irish one give me your take.

Fionnchú,

I doubt if I will go for Collusion, given my take on Twelve. But as they say, any port in a storm. It will depend on circumstances, mood and what is available.

I enjoyed the Matt McGuire one. Have you read it?

I have Pat Magee's 'Gangsters or Guerrillas?’ Intend to read it some time. Something always gets in the way. As Ros once said in the series Spooks, she is not quite ready ti die uet as there are too many books she wants to read. Which reminds me of John McGuffin. Eamonn McCann visited him before he died and he told Eamonn that there were so many good books he had to get through before he gave up the ghost ‘but still there’s bastards writing more.’

Itsjustmacker, Thanks for that. I enjoy fiction b...

2012-08-31T21:39:06.686+01:00

Itsjustmacker,

Thanks for that. I enjoy fiction but don’t read enough of it. I particularly love Scandinavian crime fiction.

Mick/OR

I watched Hunger and had mixed feelings about it. I thought it depicted the violence in an extreme form and never managed to get the norm. And I felt the dialogue was crafted in such a fashion to ensure that the priest won over the hunger striker. But it was a very emotive film. I still think Lawrence McKeown’s H3was a better presentation of the matter . I meant to review Hunger but kept putting git off as I was so ambivalent towards it.

Larry, the power of the media as for copycats the...

2012-08-30T21:12:49.372+01:00

Larry,

the power of the media as for copycats the aul advert used to say, “There’s nothing like the real thing.”

Its on the bbc that 270 mine workers who were on t...

2012-08-30T21:02:26.838+01:00

Its on the bbc that 270 mine workers who were on that protest that day of the killings will all be charged with the murder of 34 of their colleagues- none of the police who actually killed those miners have been charged-

Tain Bo the coppycat antics in Germany never got m...

2012-08-30T20:06:42.681+01:00

Tain Bo
the coppycat antics in Germany never got much airtime funny enough. More realistic.

Larry, their protest didn’t bother me and I didn’...

2012-08-30T19:55:47.995+01:00

Larry,

their protest didn’t bother me and I didn’t follow it that close apart from here on TPQ. With the media hype and the internet or especially the internet, some things take off becoming bigger than the story.
If it had been a bunch of blokes, doing the same thing the hype would not have worked as well as the story is more or less about women acting up.
If anything is, dictating peoples thought it would be the media pitting one against the other. If people are really that shocked with a minor protest then the world is extremely PC.

Tain Bo 'I agree with PC about as much as I a...

2012-08-29T09:28:52.034+01:00

Tain Bo

'I agree with PC about as much as I agree with censorship.'

500%

That's why i near freak out at the thought of some shaev headed, blue doc martin booted 'punk' lesbian with piercings all over her face attempting to dictate peoples thought process. Telling us 'black is white'. Aint going there, nomatter how trendy lefty some consider it.

Larry, I doubt PC or god would be of any use if u...

2012-08-28T18:27:57.623+01:00

Larry,

I doubt PC or god would be of any use if unfortunate enough to be kidnapped or worse.
I agree with PC about as much as I agree with censorship.

Tain Bo Everything you said there is correct. My p...

2012-08-27T23:00:07.757+01:00

Tain Bo
Everything you said there is correct. My point was basically peoples circumstances in third world countries may not make them amenable to PC considerations, regardless of how well intentioned 'we' may be. If I emmigrated it would be to a commonwealth country or Japan.

Larry, There might be the hint of get whitey but ...

2012-08-27T21:19:24.832+01:00

Larry,

There might be the hint of get whitey but opportunists are more in line with getting money that does not mean the entire population is involved.
There is nothing politically correct about poverty and unemployment and the west enjoyed and still enjoy the wealth exploiting and exporting under the new world silent invaders of corporations.
Which in turn makes me a hypocrite, as without mass production I couldn’t afford a computer and all the other gadgets or more importantly food and a roof.

You often talk about migrating would the fear of being kidnapped for ransom or worse make you reconsider flying away or is the chance of escaping one dire situation in the hope of a better one worth the gamble.
I am not defending murder/kidnapping but common sense would tell me if I were venturing to some country that had severe dodgy spots then I would avoid that part of the country.

Life is a risk and like many others, a holiday is a luxury putting food on the table is a greater concern. If I could afford a holiday, I would certainly pick some spot that was safer.

Surviving on less than a dollar a day would suggest that is the primary motivation but people like that would steal and murder their own people just the same as a foreigner.

Tain Bo Irish wouldn't come into it. WHITEY i...

2012-08-27T11:01:02.385+01:00

Tain Bo

Irish wouldn't come into it. WHITEY is more the point. being from the west, working for a company = ransom. Same in Philippines. If you are a tourist on the move you are 'generally' safe. But if you are static, you can be percieved as an 'ANYTIMER' and kidnap material. Journalists are prize targets as TV networks are percieved as rich and capable of paying a great deal more than the average £30,000 demanded from families. Latin America is much the same. Your own personal decency and partiality to PC [if you or any other target are that way inclined] will do you zero good. That's my point. And if you are overweight like me and can't keep up, they behead you as a warning to other captors, not to mention the authorities. People surviving on less than a dollar a day don't always have time for pleasantries, quite a few of them despise white tourists.

Thanks, AM. I heard of this from your own well-rea...

2012-08-26T22:25:45.433+01:00

Thanks, AM. I heard of this from your own well-read wife years ago and her typically asute take on it anticipated mine back in '09 (under its alternate title 'The Ghosts of Belfast') and yours. She had some additional reasons why this debut might have garnered such widespread acclaim. I also gifted her with 'Collusion', Neville's sequel. Not sure if you're up for another, but I liked that more.

I have not kept up with what's now a steady Jack Lennon series. The third one dealt with sex trafficking in the North, and Lennon himself perhaps shows the need for an author to expand the provincial nature of such concerns? I don't read a lot of this genre for the similar reasons you state. After so much on the shelf, fresh plots come more rarely. 'Twelve' did start off with the promise of such...

Pat Magee's thesis was published by the way as 'Gangsters or Guerrillas? Representations of Irish Republicans in Troubles Fiction' in 2002 by Beyond the Pale. Given his insider status, it's insightful to read his take on how his take's been made into pulp fiction! It's admirably comprehensive. Much more fun (and sometimes suitably cutting or sly) than any other dissertation I've found! (But, I've yet to read yours, of course...)

Born Again Larry, That seems to be an ambush/robb...

2012-08-26T21:21:54.260+01:00

Born Again Larry,

That seems to be an ambush/robbery but the details are very vague I doubt they singled him out because he was Irish.

Tain Bo check it out. Maybe this guy wasn't s...

2012-08-25T09:10:34.309+01:00

Tain Bo

check it out. Maybe this guy wasn't showing the locals enough respect? Peace and love, peace and love...i'm warning you...peace and love...

http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0825/robert-gray-nigeria.html

Tain Bo True love never dies. To hell with Paris,...

2012-08-25T08:00:47.833+01:00

Tain Bo

True love never dies. To hell with Paris, we will always have 'The Quill'. You carry on thinking im angry and upset and ill carry on laughing. There's worse things than not getting out without a girlfriend, like not having one. Go Go Mrs Tain Bo.

Born Again Larry, I am gutted and there I thought...

2012-08-24T22:05:35.593+01:00

Born Again Larry,

I am gutted and there I thought you had been serenading me with our song does this mean the romance is over.
I only think of personal computer when I read or hear PC I do not have an attachment to political correctness when I read partner I think of my girlfriend the PC you yap about has rode its high wave but it is enjoyable as it infuriates you like so many other minor issues.
As for your insight, I hope it is an improvement on your outsight.

I would leave the house but my girlfriend insists I cover up and can only go out in public with her.
Which is a minor worry now compared with the Latin American, Jamaican and Bronx hoards and their evil plan to disappear me.

A “real” world you say and I have been living in the toy one all these years just as well this is virtual reality so I can avoid the “real” world. Seems an odd line considering you’re the man who gets upset by Hollywood and it’s fictional depiction of the world.

You are worried about tight spots perhaps you should stay home but even then, the home is a deadly place.

Long live utopia and free Pussy Riot can’t wait for the film.

Tain Bo I'm merely trying to explain to you t...

2012-08-24T20:26:18.919+01:00

Tain Bo

I'm merely trying to explain to you that there is a real world out there that has no interest in you or your PC. If you and PC go on tour your utopian view of the world as imagined by you and the deluded few, will do you no good in a tight spot.

Honestly, get out of the house more.

Tain Bo never mentioned your partner. PC [politica...

2012-08-24T20:21:04.206+01:00

Tain Bo
never mentioned your partner. PC [political correctness] i was suggesting is your partner on tour. I am getting an insight into what i'm dealing with though.
zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Born Again Larry, How romantic should I consider ...

2012-08-24T19:41:59.528+01:00

Born Again Larry,

How romantic should I consider this our song now since you went to the trouble of posting it twice you put a lot of effort into not answering?

“A wee tune just for you. If you ever go on a back-packing tour of the Caribean and Latin America PLEASE send a postcard every day so we can all see exactly where it was you and your partner PC disappeared.” Lol

I think that is the second wee creepy fantasy you have conjured up about me and extended the geographical area including all of Latin America and the Caribbean the last was a tour of Ireland.

I can understand your wishful thinking that I would disappear but your hatred of women is showing as you include my fiancé who you know nothing about and has no idea who you are. Why include her in your wee fantasy that is an extremely creepy way not to answer your fear of these places.

It is just as well journalists don’t heed your propaganda advice and I doubt many people would turn their nose up at a holiday.

If I were depressed, on a holiday that I was thinking about you certainly I would send a card and to fulfill your fantasy I will demand our imaginary captors send you one as well.

Tain Bo Here's a version you may find easier ...

2012-08-24T11:00:36.133+01:00

Tain Bo

Here's a version you may find easier to comprehend/understand. It kind of joins the dots for you.

http://youtu.be/Q659IaXrS3Y

Tain Bo A wee tune just for you. If you ever go o...

2012-08-24T10:53:40.872+01:00

Tain Bo

A wee tune just for you. If you ever go on a back-packing tour of the Caribean and Latin America PLEASE send a postcard every day so we can all see exactly where it was you and your partner PC disappeared. lol

http://youtu.be/jGLsAkeRd84

Ryan Too many of them are in the Geofrey Archer m...

2012-08-24T07:46:12.255+01:00

Ryan

Too many of them are in the Geofrey Archer mould. I've a feeling Morrison's stuff would be along those lines, if the hungerstrike negotiations are an indicator, [fiction/fantasy]. Won't be finding out though, I'll skip his stuff.

Born Again Larry, what is the difference between ...

2012-08-24T05:30:50.373+01:00

Born Again Larry,

what is the difference between your political correctness and political correctness it is the same thing though you seem confused by complaining about one stereotype and defending it with another.

I would have to be politically correct first and if you knew me, I am rarely close to being correct never mind politically correct.

People are advised that smoking is unhealthy I could understand people being cautious visiting certain parts of Mexico out of fear of being caught up in the drug war I have never heard an advisory regarding Jamaica and what is so dangerous about the Bronx that might have been true 40 plus years ago.

I have no idea of what propaganda films you have been watching films in general are far from accurate and films about the north are as corny as Alexander the Great or Troy so Hollywood is an equal opportunity provider of mostly rubbish flicks that does not stop people from watching. I think anyone who watched Harrys Game in the 70s would know it could only get worse.
Hollywood’s spin is why change a good formula that makes money even if a few people grumble.

I have no interest in football or sports in general so I would spend my 90 minutes elsewhere.

Troubles fiction whether it be film or books is ju...

2012-08-24T02:38:42.937+01:00

Troubles fiction whether it be film or books is just awful usually. From Devil's Own to this tripe and probably some more in the future. Congressman Peter King wrote a book years ago called Terrible beauty about a Ballymurphy Volunteer and it was simply unreadable. I am thrilled he no longer has any interest in the North because he might be writing more crap.