As regular readers of this column will have realised, I randomly pick my themes on a personal connection. This month’s is no different: Alistair McGowan appeared at the Tivoli a couple of weeks ago and stayed in Wimborne overnight. Next morning he discovered there was a second-hand bookshop (me!) , and called in … he left two hours later.
We found much in common and just chatted about life, literature – and acrostics (look it up). Among other things, his tour promotes a second volume of poetry Like Never Before: a collection featuring comic, observational and poignant poetry, along with personal reflections on growing older. A wide-ranging spectrum from a wide-ranging, multi-faceted talent.
That got me thinking. People deservedly renowned in one creative field, succeeding in quite another as serious authors – Hugh Laurie, Ben Elton, Stephen Fry … and Graham Norton. His debut novel Holding was written in 2016 to much acclaim, but Home Stretch became a Sunday Times bestseller in 2020. A thoughtful, compassionate, quintessentially Irish novel. It follows Connor, the driver of a car involved in a fatal crash, wreaking devastation on the community, the repercussions felt decades into the future. He goes on to live in New York as an openly gay man before he returns to Ireland. The narrative moves between the past and present, revealing a story of secrets, lies, deception, survival, sexuality and prejudice.
Tom Hanks turned a very unusual fascination for collecting typewriters into a collection of 17 wonderful short stories, Uncommon Type. Among them a World War 2 veteran dealing with emotional and physical scars; a second-rate actor plunged into sudden stardom: and four friends going to the moon and back in a rocket constructed in the backyard. Each is written with great affection, humour and insight– and linked by one item: in each of them a typewriter plays a part, sometimes minor, sometimes central. Forrest Gump, eh? Who knew?
No article dealing with actors or comedians producing a novel could possibly be complete without due homage to one of the greatest across all creative aspects, Spike Milligan. Probably his most famous work is his seven-part World War 2 memoirs but here we’re concentrating on novels. Which is perfect, as my favourite Milligan – and indeed one of my all-time favourite books – is his only major fictional work, the chaotic Puckoon. Set in 1924, it details the troubles brought in the fictional Irish village of Puckoon by the Partition of Ireland: the new border, due to the incompetence of the Boundary Commission, passes directly through the village. Most placed in the independent Irish Free State but with a significant portion in Northern Ireland.
The protagonist is feckless Dan Milligan, an alter ego who actually outdoes the mayhem the real Milligan could create! The opening paragraph did for me, the whole is a hilarious laugh-out-loud joy.
Lest this multi-tasking should seem to go against all received wisdom and be a male preserve, enter Dame Emma Thompson, who owns the brand. Multiple award winning actress, screenwriter, campaigner and – little known fact – writer of three Peter Rabbit stories. She was approached by the publishers to write The Further Tale of Peter Rabbit to commemorate the 110th anniversary of the original Tale: the first authorised Peter story since 1930 and the only one not written by Beatrix. She went on to do two more.
So I thank Alistair for inspiring this intriguing diversion, and also for writing the most touching inscription in his book for me: ‘To Victoria – your beautiful shop is a poem in itself’ (nothing wrong with a bit of self promotion – grab the glory where you can!).
To track down your own copy of any of these, visit Victoria Sturgess in her Black Pug Books shop in Wimborne – look for it opposite the Tivoli Theatre.
