The BBC's Big Read continues the Beeb's sad obsession with lists, but it does say something about "Englishness' at the start of the 2Ist Century. Readers have voted for their favourite novels - the top 100 has been published (in alphabetical order). There will be another poll before Lord of the Rings is (almost certainly) declared the nation's favourite.
About one third of the books could be described as children's literature and/or fantasy including all four Harry Potters, and no less than six of Terry Pratchett's peculiar brand of comic fantasy. Because Tolkein (or Stephen King or whoever is 'in' at the moment) sell, writers are pigeonholed and branded in the same genre. (They used to call it a captive audience). I was forced to read The Hobbit at school, but it says something when childish escapism features so strongly.
There's no science fiction on the list, no JG Ballard -the one writer who really typifies the 20th century. Empire of the Sun was a best seller (and prize winner) and it's probably the best fictional work set during the Second World War, but because he isn't mainstream, he's sidelined. As we near the end of May, our appeal fund has now topped the £2000 mark, and this issue is being produced using the brand new all-singing, all-dancing Resistance computer (cheers, Ed.)
Many thanks to all those who have contributed.
We know that more readers and supporters are totting up how much they can afford to give, and we expect the progress to continue in the next few weeks.
The money is needed to build up our pubI was pleasantly surprised with the appearance of Ragged Trousered Philanthropist. I read it 20 years ago, passing it on never to be seen again. In Alan Sillitoe's introduction it is claimed that the book won Labour the post-war election, and that was before it was officially published!
Alongside Strumpet City, as a serious historical introduction to socialism, it cannot be recommended too highly. Younger readers may not be familiar with it but its still in print so Bookmarks should stock it.
A disappointing feature of the list is the lack of translated work - only ten, including Arundhati Roy's The God of Small Things. Of course the big publishers are a lot bigger than they used to be and tend to play it safe - until recently sticking to the 'classics' like The Count of Monte Cristo or Crime and Punishment (recently televised by the BBC).
We could dismiss most of this list as childish escapism or even ruling class propaganda, but it helps us to know how and why we are force-fed so much over-rated safe literature.
1984 and Animal Farm are on the list. For what its worth, I would urge readers to vote for Orwell,
down with Blair licity resources and improve the quality of our paper.
Resistance has already produced a selection of stickers, leaflets and posters, and more are planned. da. favourite books take it more seriously. reinforcing hegemonic consciousness. ideas more effectively. Standing Order form below? Make all cheques payable to London N4, 2UU. although Homage to Catalonia (and the essays) are generally more useful. Twenty years ago Charles Shaar Murray famously pointed out how we missed a critic of Orwell's stature to attack early Thatcherism. The really frightening thing about Orwell is the way his last two books have been twisted into anti-socialist propaganAnimal Farm can be read as a Trotskyist satire on Stalinism. 1984 may well have been intended as a warning against the (future) excesses of the Soviet Union but undoubtedly from a democratic socialist perspective. It doesn't take much to realise how much of that society is about today (as we used to say Big Sister is watching you). That is why it is one of my
Some socialists tend to downplay popular culture but if it helps us to understand the society we live in, and how Orwell was turned upside down we should
It's not just bread and circuses; it's another way of
We need to study it, to combat it and to advance our
for decent pay. Among the favourites have been colourtul postcards which we have been using for recruitment among students and young people: if you need some give us a call. We want to conclude our fund urgently. So, if you have not yet contributed, please • send us a cheque. And why not make a area regular monthly payment, by filling in the
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stres sance ne Fax: pointe Socialist Resistance has been launched by the International Socialist Group, the Socialist Solidarity Network and other individual activists in the Socialist Alliance, the Global Justice and anti-imperialist move Our central aims are:
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