Good Morning

Book Wondering

When was the last time you read a book that you literally couldn't put down?

When you find an author you like, do you buy/borrowed everything else you can find by the author immediately?

What makes your favourite book your favourite book?

What percentage split would you say you read fiction/non-fiction?

Back in The Bourne

Despite the fact that storm Dennis would be upon us later today I did go to Sittingbourne to do a couple of visits. The first one was a cafe visit inside a supermarket and then another supermarket visit in the same town. Between the two supermarkets, I did pop into the Paper Mill micropub to have a pint of beer. The beer was delicious and very fruity. It was Northern Monk Origin IPA (5.7 % ABV).





Inside the micropub.



Forthcoming beers.

For breakfast at the supermarket cafe I had the Big Daddy breakfast. That is one meal that'll keep you going all day long.



I have yet to the two reports for these but they should be done either tonight or tomorrow. As for now though I am listening to some Boulez avant-garde music whilst the storm rages. Staying inside tomorrow as the rain thunders down all day.

Book 14 - Sun-mi Hwang "The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly"

Sun-mi Hwang "The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly" (Oneworld)





The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly by Sun-mi Hwang is a short tale from Korea that heralds back to the fables of our youth but with all the adult themes of an Orwellian novel. It is an intense and emotional story of loss and hope, the likes of which have not been written off in longer more adult books.
It is the story of Sprout, an egg-laying hen who desires to raise a chick of her own. Unfortunately, her existence is to lay the eggs that are gathered. The eggs slip directly into a chute and are carted away by the farmer.

"...Sprout was an egg-laying hen, which meant she was raised for her eggs. She had come to the coop over a year before. Since then, all she had done was lay eggs. She couldn't wander around, flap her wings, or even sit on her own eggs. She had never stepped outside the coop. But ever since she had seen a hen running around the yard with the adorable chicks she had hatched, Sprout had harboured a secret desire-to hatch an egg and watch the birth of her chick. But it was an impossible dream..."

Sprout decides that she cannot lay another egg. She cannot see another one of hers disappear from her. She refuses to eat and is then tossed into the refuse to die. Here she is saved by an outcast duck and together they begin a journey of hope and desperation played out in the barnyard and surrounding countryside.

I won't reveal much else about the story. There are layers upon layers of morality issues involved in the telling of this small tale. The desire of Sprout to be a mother is the powerful overriding theme. I understand in today's society that rejects motherhood as being something to aspire to; as being a step backward, that this fable may be fearful. But there is a big difference between choosing not to have a child and having that choice taken from you.
Sprout's rejection by all the other animals of the barnyard once she breaks free is also telling. She is a pariah because of her desire to not accept her place in the hierarchy of the barnyard. Her desire to be more than what this small group or society demands that she causes her to be alienated and in some instances abused by those she thought would embrace her.
Sprout's journey and eventual opportunity to realize her dream comes in the end at a great price. A price she is more than willing to embrace.

This little hen is brave and strong in the face of overwhelming adversity. There is a great amount of hope in this little tale as well as the sadness of the story. A very good short read.

Good Night

Saturday Wired Selection #1

Time for some music I think -

Jennifer Curtis & Tyshawn Sorey - Invisible Ritual: I

Thomas Koner - Oscillator

Steve Beresford / John Butcher - The Same Elephant (Dedicated To Nancy Banks Smith)

Richard Youngs & Raül Refree - Time Is an Avalanche

Bill Fay - Love Will Remain

Enjoy.

Saturday Wired Selection #2

More from the pages of Wire -

Jeff Parker - Max Brown

Katie Gately - Bracer

Will Guthrie & Ensemble NIST-NAH - Moy Moy

Frank Denyer - The Fish That Became The Sun

Enjoy