You may remember a little while back that I wrote about my new friend, Jack Scott, author of the blog, Perking the Pansies. He had written a book by the same name. Jack was kind enough to share a copy with me. I am only about half way through it – but I have decided to share more of Jack with you! The book is hilarious so far! I highly encourage you to buy the book! Jack is a world traveler from the U.K. He and his husband Liam moved to just outside of Bodrum, Turkey and share an adventurous life which Jack writes about in his book. More... Book reviewing is a queer business. Amateur reviewers, often anonymous and sometimes with an axe to grind or lofty literary pretentions, can damn with faint praise or go nuclear with their toxic pen. Naturally, no book appeals to everyone. Bad reviews are an occupational hazard. Even the top of the heap get mixed critiques. Someone once wrote that Captain Corelli’s Mandolin was “...the worst book I’ve ever read.” It might not be everyone’s cup of tea but the worst book ever? Hardly. Clearly, the reviewer wasn’t that well read. Was Louis de Bernières bothered? Not with Hollywood knocking down the door, I suspect. The best a writer can do is rise above the din, turn the other cheek and keep their own counsel. It doesn’t do to spit back even when sorely provoked by those who seek you out. I’ve been fortunate. On the whole, reviews for Perking the Pansies have been excellent, and not just from my nearest and dearest whom I emotionally blackmailed. Rogue reviewers? Reminds me why dogs lick themselves – because they can. As my regular pansy punters know, I’ve just done a gig for the Polari Literary Salon at London’s Royal Festival Hall. I was in the company of a fine cast of literati - Faarea Masud, Hugh Mulhall, Max Wallis, Catherine Hall and Tiffany Murray. The chorus line was made up of friends and regular pansy characters – Nancy, Murat, Clive, Ian, Matt and Philip. I calmed myself with a quick wine stiffener in the Green Room before I climbed the stage to perform against a sumptuous backdrop of The London Eye and Palace of Westminster. I’m not sure who was the more nervous, Liam or me. Despite the terror, I didn’t fluff too many of my lines. I was well received by the enthusiastic audience and I’m eternally grateful to the wonderful and gifted Paul Burston who made it all possible. "...The result is an extremely funny and very entertaining story not only about adventure, but also about love, betrayal and even murder." Rawia Liverpool, ExpatArrivals |
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