The first time I read Nineteen-Eighty-Four (the novel) was in 1971 (the year).      I had just turned fourteen.      It was unusual for me, at that age, to read anything of my own volition. My interest in literature, art or politics was close to zero. The motivation for picking up this particular volume was purely down … Continue reading The Great Lie of 1991 (part one) →

     We were standing in the hall.     "I've stopped caring about you," said mum, before absenting herself.     "If you really wanted to commit suicide, you'd do it properly and drink some Jeyes Fluid," instructed dad. Scathingly.      I went to bed. It was late and I was tired. I hadn't slept properly for two days.      The following … Continue reading Jeyes Fluid (part three) →

    "If you really wanted to commit suicide you'd do it properly and drink some Jeyes Fluid," counselled dad, scathingly.      Back in September 1972, aged fifteen, and in a state of mind which could scarcely be described as rational, the word which commanded my attention was properly. The drinking of Jeyes Fluid is the proper way … Continue reading Jeyes Fluid (part two) →

    "If you really wanted to commit suicide you'd do it properly and drink some Jeyes Fluid," said dad, scathingly.      We were standing in the hall, only the two of us. It must have been around 10 o'clock in the evening. Dad had just collected me from Nottingham, and driven me back home. He was (with … Continue reading Jeyes Fluid (part one) →