The Universe Versus Alex Woods
The big issue is death with dignity. Who decides what's right and what's wrong? It's something that, clearly, our ruling classes are struggling with. The episode in the book where the teenage Alex busts his unlikely friend out of hospital is frantic and comic, but also raises the question. Why do we have to take the very British approach? Like the strictly no smoking rule. Openly smoking will not be tolerated. However, cupping a crafty out sight in the hand behind your back is fine, even encouraged. Instead of fronting the question and making a decision and providing rules, and they wouldn't have to reinvent the wheel, because other nations have already implemented laws that provide all the checks and balances, while allowing freedom of choice, that are needed, they continue to duck and fudge and imply that we're better off with things getting done on the sly.
It's a book of good ends and good endings.
It's perceptive about our authorities. The police pursue the wrong individuals, lines of enquiry, and priorities.
The deputy head in charge of discipline asks:
“Why do you think he did that?” [Grabbed a book and threw it from the bus window].
“I don't know sir.”
After more pressure: “I really don't know sir.” Even more pressure: “I don't know what his motives were, sir.”
More pressure: “but why do you think he did what he did?”
“Because he's a c***”, cue the predictable apoplexy and gnashing of teeth.
It's a book about unlikely friendships, a lot of them.
It's funny, well-observed, pacey, and, as those authors suggested the national curriculum books should, leads onto other things. In this case, in particular the books of Kurt Vonnegut. Essential reading and a good reminder. The Sirens of Titan is up next, I think.
Peaches and Coconuts
Grossly oversimplified, but apparently useful nevertheless, the coconut / peach theory divides the world in two:
Peaches: soft on the outside, but with a hard nut underneath. Americans are peaches. Friendly, outgoing, full of those smooth the day skills. They see coconuts as lacking basic skills, and, frankly, as rude.
Coconuts: hard shells. You're not any sort of friend, instant or otherwise. Tough nuts to crack, but once you do, there's a soft centre. Self contained and aloof, but breaking through the reserve is well worth the effort. They see peaches as superficial, insincere, full of false bonhomie and lacking real warmth.
Peach or coconut? It depends on the environment, too. The average English person would be seen as a peach by a Parisian, and as a coconut by a Californian.
There was a Scottish stand up comedian on the radio recently, who said that the jocks don't dislike the English. They're just confused by them. “I'm married to an Englishman” she said. “He's from Yorkshire. Taciturn. The last thing I remember him saying is 'I do'”.
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