Books EVENTS COMIC
SOCIAL COMEDY ADRIAN TOMINE Scenes from an Impending Marriage (Faber) ●●●●● In February, Adrian Tomine launched the US publication of Scenes from an Impending Marriage (A Prenuptial Memoir) via an onstage conversation with Leanne Shapton. Her last book, Important Artifacts, was the mainly photo-led story of a couple’s break-up told through an auction house catalogue detailing the joint possessions they were selling off.
Here, Tomine writes from the other end of that scenario, as he and his now-wife Sarah Brennan tiptoe their way round the minefield of a wedding plan. There are even panels which include names and places blackened out like recently uncovered Secret Service papers in order to protect the over-sensitive. While this is clearly a personal document for the pair, there are many familiar touches, summed up in the opening image of Sarah pushing ahead with arrangements while Adrian grazes on a snack and an episode of The Wire.
In a cute postmodern twist, Brennan suggests that her groom-to-be creates a lasting monument of their big day by knocking up a comic about the amusing/frustrating build-up. With a sigh and a ‘you must be joking,’ Tomine eventually caves in to his lovely bride’s wish. It’s just one example of the quaint indie sensibility that drives on this tiny gem of a book. (Brian Donaldson)
ALSO PUBLISHED AUTOBIOGRAPHIES
While Charlie Sheen implodes in front of the world’s eyes, he could take comfort in the salutary tale of his old Brat Pack boozing buddy Rob Lowe (pictured). In 1988, grainy video footage of him having a wild time with two women became the first commercially available celeb sex tape amid rumours of his hard-partying lifestyle. Over 20 years later and Lowe is straight as a die having resurrected his life and career through shows such as The West Wing and Brothers and Sisters but still has plenty Stories I Only Tell My Friends (Bantam Press) that he is now happily sharing with his public. Still in Hollywood, Lady Blue Eyes (Hutchinson) has Barbara Sinatra divulging memories of her life as the fourth and final missus of Ol’ Blue Eyes while X Factor loser Stacey Solomon has perhaps less to pack in for Stacey: My Story (Michael Joseph). Guess which one will sell more, though? On the more literary side of things, The Children of Lovers (Faber) is Judy Golding’s recollection of her dad William, painting the Lord of the Flies author as ‘brilliant, loving, sometimes difficult’.
Mud, Sweat and Tears (Channel 4) is the Bear Grylls story (real forename Edward). You’ll be unsurprised to hear it’s an action-packed affair about the guy who, at the age of 23, became the youngest Briton ever to reach the top of Everest and return alive. He’s also broken his back in three places, appeared in a deodorant ad and eaten a bunch of squishy, wriggly things for his Born Survivor series. But could he get through an hour in the company of Charlie Sheen? (Brian Donaldson)
38 THE LIST 28 Apr–26 May 2011
EVENTS Events are listed by date, then city. Submit listings at least 16 days before publication to books@list.co.uk. Listings are compiled by Laura Ennor. ✽✽ Indicates Hitlist entry
Thursday 28 Glasgow Iraqi Fiction CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, 352 4900. 7pm. By donation. Scottish Writers’ Centre event with readings from two Iraqi writers.
Edinburgh FREE Allan Cameron Waterstone’s West End, 128 Princes Street, 226 2666. 6–7pm. Cameron launches his new short story collection. FREE Robert Davidson: Site Works Blackwells, 53–59 South Bridge, 553 0322. 6.30pm. Former Civil Engineer Robert Davidson shares a tale or two.
Friday 29
Edinburgh Neu! Reekie! Scottish Book Trust, Trunks Close 55 High Street, 524 0160. 7–9.30pm. £5 (£4). A fusion of avant-garde poetry, music and film, featuring Jock Scot, Roy Moller, Emelle, plus offbeat animations and a ‘Raffle of the Absurd’. Guid Crack Club Waverley Bar, 1 St Mary’s Street, 556 9579. 7.30–10pm. £3 suggested donation. Storytelling club with guest storyteller Diana Bertoldi.
Saturday 30 Edinburgh FREE Nature’s Notebooks Launch Night Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. 7pm. A new exhibition inspired by western Scotland’s landscapes, with live poetry and readings, and a chance to chat with the artists.
Sunday 1
Edinburgh FREE Book Group Waterstone’s, Cameron Toll Shopping Centre, 6 Lady Road, 666 1866. 5–6pm. This month’s book is Helen Simonson’s Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand. Shore Poets Open Night Wee Red Bar, Edinburgh College of Art, Lauriston Place, 229 1442. 7.45pm. £4 (£3). Special guests this month include poet Stewart Conn and musician John Sampson.
Tuesday 3 Edinburgh Stephen Foster Blackwells, 53–59 South Bridge, 622 8222. 6pm. £tbc. Historian Stephen Foster looks at the history of one of Scotland’s great families, the Macphersons, and their role in the British Empire.
Library, Mitchell Library, 15 Berkeley Street, 248 9969. 6–7.30pm. £3 (free). Beverley Tosh, daughter of a WWII pilot and his war bride, gives a presentation on the personal side of the epoch-defining period. FREE St Mungo’s Mirrorball: Clydebuilt 3 Showcase The Poetry Club, Glasgow School of Art, 167 Renfrew Street, stmungosmirrorball.co.uk 7pm. Work created on the poetry apprenticeship scheme by Eveline Pye, Nual Watt, Irene Hossack, William Bonar and Sam Tongue.
Edinburgh FREE Getting Started at NLS National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, 623 3918. 6pm. An introduction to the library’s services. Booking essential.
✽✽ Alistair Urquhart and Tom Renouf Blackwells, 53–59 South Bridge, 622 8222. 6.30pm. £tbc. Two of Scotland’s dwindling cohort of World War II veterans recount their experiences at a discussion chaired by Trevor Royle.
Friday 6
Glasgow Neil Strauss Waterstone’s, 153–157 Sauchiehall Street, 332 9105. 6–8pm. £3. The author of The Game reads from his new book, Everyone Loves You When You’re Dead (And Other Things I Learned from Famous People). Reading the Leaves Tchai-Ovna House of Tea, 42 Otago Lane, 357 4524. 8pm. £2. Poetry and storytelling. Edinburgh From Sea and Shore: Tales from the Celtic Worlds Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. 7.30–9pm. £6 (£4). David Campbell and Janis Mackay explore ancient Scotland’s mythical and poetic heritage.
Saturday 7 Edinburgh FREE Inky Fingers Wordlab The Forest Café, 3 Bristo Place, 220 4538. 2–4pm. Experienced writer and actress Eliza Langland hosts the first in this series of writers’ workshops, on how anxiety can both impede and spur on the writer.
Sunday 8
Glasgow ✽✽ Words Per Minute The Arches, 253 Argyle Street, 565 1000.
4–6pm. £5. The monthly spoken word/film/poetry/performance shindig celebrates its first birthday with favourite performers from the last year, including Zorras, Simon Sylvester and Adam Stafford.
Edinburgh Poetry at the . . . Store The Store, 37 Guthrie Street, 220 2987. 7.45–9.45pm. £4 (£3). With readings by Gerry Loose, Tony Williams and Claire Askew.
Wednesday 4 Monday 9
Edinburgh Fraser Docherty Blackwells, 53–59 South Bridge, 622 8222. 6.30pm. £tbc. Young jam-producing magnate Fraser Docherty shares the secrets of his blossoming business. Unholyrood: An Evening of Scottish Political Cabaret The Voodoo Rooms, 19a West Register Street, www.unholyrood.com 8pm. £5–£6 (£4). Politik-poking poetry, comedy and silliness with Vladimir McTavish, Tom Leonard, David Kinloch, Susan Morrison, Jeff O’Boyle, Keir McAllister and Gordon Alexander.
Thursday 5 Glasgow Bottled Tears: Scottish War Brides of World War Two Glasgow Women’s
Edinburgh FREE Blackwell Book Quiz Blackwells, 53–59 South Bridge, 622 8201. 6pm. Test your literary credentials in teams of up to five members. FREE Joseph Pearce’s Book Club Joseph Pearce’s, 23 Elm Row, 556 4140. 7pm. Monthly book club in a cosy bar. FREE Spoken Word Night Blind Poet, 32c West Nicolson Street, 667 4268. 9.30pm. An open mic-style event: bring your party piece and step up to read.
Tuesday 10 Edinburgh Electric Tales The Stand, 5 York Place, 558 7272. 8.30pm. £4 (£3). A blended mix of comedy and storytelling with Sian Bevan and Susan Morrison.