“Kay-oh-tee” vs “Kay-oat”
This weekend I hunkered down and read A.S.Byatt's newest release The Children's Book. I like Byatt in general - loved Possession and Angels and Insects - this one, not so much. That's surprising to me especially given the content. The book basically follows the intersecting lives of a series of individuals and families connected (likes spokes to a hub) to one central family of bohemian, radical artist types. Byatt's book focuses upon the tail end of the Victorian era - looking particularly at middle and upper middle class British anarchists, socialists - their general milieu and 'unconventional' family dynamic. This book is not a "fail", indeed I couldn't put it down until I finished it, it's just that it left me with a general sort of malaise, a sort of unfulfilled feeling. I committed to this book and I think that I continued to have this expectation that Byatt was going to "bring it" but that never really happened. More in keeping with the back and forth nature of this 'review', while I'll admit that I was disappointed in the book, I would still recommend it to those who have a cursory interest in 19th century radical politics in England. You know, I sort of had a similar experience reading John Cowper Powys' Wolf Solent - kept reading it and got to the end with a sort of deflated feeling...:(
Forgotten flick of the week is The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds this 1972 release is in my mind a forgotten gem. Starring Joanne Woodward, Nell Potts (Eleanor Newman - one of Woodward and Newman's daughters) and Roberta Wallach. This film is ultimately a very dark coming of age story rooted in family dysfunction. Woodward is a bitter eccentric with two teenage daughters (Wallach and Potts), the elder unstable and the younger constantly striving towards the positive despite her mother's constant negativity. I'd call this a pretty great character study and recommend it! I first saw the movie on TV when I was in grade school and it's stayed with me for many years. I should also mention that the film is adapted from Paul Zinman's Pulitizer Prize winning play.
Also, as regards the title of this entry - I am currently railing against the increased use of the pronounciation "Kay-oat" versus "Kay-oh-tee" in local media...!
Coulrophobia
I was at my niece's birthday party today and saw this amazing giant clown head hanging off of an indoor play area wall. Actually, the clown was hanging over the kids climbing apparatus/slide...!
How many people do you know with "Clown Fear"? Personally, I've been spared clown anxiety - they occasionally amuse, often bore, never really scare me. I've had this ongoing conversation with my friend Shannon re: "Clown fear" - he's said that he doesn't buy it. I'm not really sure what to make of it - I know so many people who have serious clown aversion.
My 'favourite' sinister clown from childhood is easily Bimbo
He's sort of in a league of his own.
While this is far from a sinister clown contest I know that others (notably my partner Michael) throw down for Pennywise, particularly Tim Curry's performance as aforementioned clown in the tv movie version of Stephen King's It. If I had to be honest, I was probably most scared of the clown rapist from Little House on the Prairie...really.
Any full on coulrophobes out there? If so, what's the deal? Clown fear - real or fake?