Rob Spence
@spencro.bsky.social
Former Eng Lit academic. I have written
about Ford Madox Ford, Louis de Bernieres, Wyndham Lewis, Penelope Fitzgerald, Robert Nye, but mainly about Anthony Burgess, a fellow Mancunian. robspence.org.uk Reviews at shinynewbooks.co.uk
victorcrabbe on Insta
about Ford Madox Ford, Louis de Bernieres, Wyndham Lewis, Penelope Fitzgerald, Robert Nye, but mainly about Anthony Burgess, a fellow Mancunian. robspence.org.uk Reviews at shinynewbooks.co.uk
victorcrabbe on Insta
For some reason, it made me think of Frank Zappa's line on rock music journalism: "People who can’t write, doing interviews with people who can’t think, in order to prepare articles for people who can’t read."
November 18, 2025 at 7:14 PM
For some reason, it made me think of Frank Zappa's line on rock music journalism: "People who can’t write, doing interviews with people who can’t think, in order to prepare articles for people who can’t read."
Well, thank you for articulating that idea so clearly.
November 18, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Well, thank you for articulating that idea so clearly.
Absolutely. Are you quoting someone, or is this you?
November 18, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Absolutely. Are you quoting someone, or is this you?
Thank you. It's astonishing that the Labour party has embraced so much of the racist agenda of Farage and other extreme right wingers. With the massive majority it has, Labour could do great things, but seemingly lacks the courage and conviction to do so.
November 17, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Thank you. It's astonishing that the Labour party has embraced so much of the racist agenda of Farage and other extreme right wingers. With the massive majority it has, Labour could do great things, but seemingly lacks the courage and conviction to do so.
I read this a couple of years ago, and it has stayed with me ever since. Brilliant, burnished, shimmering prose. You've made me want to read it again now!
November 16, 2025 at 10:26 PM
I read this a couple of years ago, and it has stayed with me ever since. Brilliant, burnished, shimmering prose. You've made me want to read it again now!
I think there are ways to disable it. I dumped Word completely for Libre Office, which is free, and does everything I need, and saves in .docx format.
November 12, 2025 at 3:33 PM
I think there are ways to disable it. I dumped Word completely for Libre Office, which is free, and does everything I need, and saves in .docx format.
Looking forward to seeing you in Manchester!
November 11, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Looking forward to seeing you in Manchester!
OK, fair enough. Not a straightforward govt appointment though. It'll be interesting to see how it pans out.
November 10, 2025 at 8:52 AM
OK, fair enough. Not a straightforward govt appointment though. It'll be interesting to see how it pans out.
Oh, OK. My understanding was that the appointment lay in the hands of the BBC board, which is, at least nominally, independent.
November 10, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Oh, OK. My understanding was that the appointment lay in the hands of the BBC board, which is, at least nominally, independent.
But Starmer doesn't get to choose the next DG, does he?
November 10, 2025 at 8:17 AM
But Starmer doesn't get to choose the next DG, does he?
I recall a friend trying to enthuse about a film he'd seen, but whose title he'd forgotten. He decided in the end it was called Intense Anguish. It was, in fact, Sudden Fear, but I've always thought of it as Intense Anguish ever since.
November 10, 2025 at 8:15 AM
I recall a friend trying to enthuse about a film he'd seen, but whose title he'd forgotten. He decided in the end it was called Intense Anguish. It was, in fact, Sudden Fear, but I've always thought of it as Intense Anguish ever since.
"Garden suburb" was always aspirational rather than factual, I think. It's in a sad state now.
November 9, 2025 at 8:51 AM
"Garden suburb" was always aspirational rather than factual, I think. It's in a sad state now.
I’m betting on Una Paloma Blanca.
November 8, 2025 at 8:02 AM
I’m betting on Una Paloma Blanca.
Thank you! Looking forward to it!
November 6, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Thank you! Looking forward to it!
I'm reminded of this, just down the road from where I am now, at Peccioli, in Tuscany.
November 4, 2025 at 7:51 PM
I'm reminded of this, just down the road from where I am now, at Peccioli, in Tuscany.
Rather like football fans who think football didn't exist before the premier league.
November 4, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Rather like football fans who think football didn't exist before the premier league.
My mother worked with a man with the unfortunate surname Hogflesh. As she found out on her first day, it was pronounced "Huffley."
November 4, 2025 at 6:33 PM
My mother worked with a man with the unfortunate surname Hogflesh. As she found out on her first day, it was pronounced "Huffley."
My pleasure. Great track!
November 4, 2025 at 7:48 AM
My pleasure. Great track!
Shazam says it's Bamako Love by Don Cherry.
November 4, 2025 at 7:10 AM
Shazam says it's Bamako Love by Don Cherry.
Agreed that Jeremy Brett was the best Holmes, though I think the BBC 1964-5 series with Douglas Wilmer as Holmes and Nigel Stock as Watson is almost as good. Clive Merrison's radio Holmes is brilliant too.
November 3, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Agreed that Jeremy Brett was the best Holmes, though I think the BBC 1964-5 series with Douglas Wilmer as Holmes and Nigel Stock as Watson is almost as good. Clive Merrison's radio Holmes is brilliant too.
I had no idea that book existed. What a fascinating record of a truly important moment in TV history. I love that Garner felt the actors embodied his vision.
November 3, 2025 at 6:49 AM
I had no idea that book existed. What a fascinating record of a truly important moment in TV history. I love that Garner felt the actors embodied his vision.
Quite probably apocryphal, but I'm sure I read years ago that the name derived from an early sponsor, a newspaper called "The World."
November 2, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Quite probably apocryphal, but I'm sure I read years ago that the name derived from an early sponsor, a newspaper called "The World."