Category Archives: Culture

The House at Baker Street by Michelle Birkby Reviewed By Frances Colville

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The House at Baker Street by Michelle Birkby Reviewed By Frances Colville

It’s a growing trend to write fiction about the women behind famous men, and a brilliant idea to extend this to write about the women behind fictional characters too; in this case the women connected to Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson.  The House at Baker Street by Michelle Birkby puts together the scraps of information we learn about these ‘background’ women in the Arthur Conan Doyle stories and gives them a detective adventure of their own.

Both Martha Hudson and Mary Watson are believable characters and the plot is a good one, though not perhaps quite of the standard of an original Conan Doyle.  The book doesn’t have the same period feel as the Conan Doyle stories either, but then why should it?  It was written a hundred years later and doesn’t make any pretentions to be the same as the originals.

As far as I can tell, without extensive knowledge of the Sherlock Holmes books, it fits in well and I didn’t come across any annoying anomalies.  In short, it could have happened!  I enjoyed it very much and I particularly liked the way the scene is now set for further adventures by the same pair of intrepid female detectives.

The House at Baker Street by Michelle Birkby is published by Pan Macmillan and will be available in paperback from 25 February 2016

 

 

The Story of My Teeth by Valeria Luisella Translated by Christina MacSweeney

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Story_of_my_Teeth_VL

‘Some men have luck, some men have charisma. I’ve got both. I’m the best auction caller in the world, my name is Gustavo Sanchez Sanchez and this is the story of my teeth.’

Gustavo ‘Highway’ Sanchez is a man with a mission: he is planning to replace every last one of his unsightly teeth. He has a few skills that might help him on his way: he can imitate Janis Joplin after two rums, he can interpret Chinese fortune cookies, he can stand an egg upright on a table, and he can float on his back.

Written with elegance, wit and exhilarating boldness, Valeria Luiselli takes us on an idiosyncratic and hugely enjoyable journey that offers as insightful meditation on value, worth and creation, and the points at which they overlap.

A thoroughly enjoyable read and so funny in parts that it made me laugh out loud. I can only liken it to a piece of modern art that someone has to explain to you at the end which I presume was the point of the exercise. As such it worked incredibly well.  This was an entertaining read and if you have been to Mexico and know a little of the country that helps, although it is not at all necessary. All in all it’s a quite bizarre and eccentric tale but when you read the explanation afterwards it all makes complete sense. Well , almost.

It is beautifully written with an engaging central character and you really want him to succeed in his attempt to replace his ugly teeth and improve his life.

I found the afterword incredibly interesting. The story being written as a serial to read to workers in the juice factory in the style of  Cuban ‘tobacco readers’ of the 19th century. The tobacco readers would read aloud to workers while they made cigars, to relieve the tedium of repetitive labour. Emile Zola and Victor Hugo were particular favourites.

This would be a great book club read as I am sure it would create plenty of discussion and divided opinion – just as good art should do.

From Both Ends of the Stethoscope by Dr Kathleen Thompson Book Launch

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From Both Ends of the Stethoscope by Dr Kathleen Thompson Book Launch
Frost was exceptionally pleased to be invited to the launch of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope by Dr Kathleen Thompson. Yes, we had champagne, and yes, the eats were fantastic, and most of us wore masks, but it it was the occasion. It was such fun, and the ideal way to launch a book – a book which after all, could be life changing.

From Both Ends of the Stethoscope by Dr Kathleen Thompson Book Launch4
Frost’s Margaret Graham, duly masked meeting those waiting to buy a copy of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope

If you haven’t yet readthis guide which Dr Thompson wrote to help those with breast cancer, you should do so. She  explains the ins and outs of treatment, the questions to ask, and includes wise words on helping to prevent a recurrence. All this alongside her own journey to recovery from the disease.
From Both Ends of the Stethoscope by Dr Kathleen Thompson Book Launch1 From Both Ends of the Stethoscope by Dr Kathleen Thompson Book Launch2
Dr Kathleen Thompson signing copies of her books.

Frost is proud to include a further excerpt from this truly fascinating book.

Chapter 1

Let’s face it, cancer is what happens to other people. Poor souls, with the sword of Damocles swinging on a fraying thread over their heads, these are people who are inevitably going to die, and soon. Of course we feel sorry for them — we’ll send them a card, a basket of fruit, some flowers, but we certainly don’t have plans to join their exclusive club.

Well guess what? All of us have cancer cells in our bodies on a fairly regular basis, and more than one in three of us in the western world will experience some form of cancer during our lives. So I’m afraid there’s a fairly high chance of ‘us’ becoming ‘them’. Maybe you’re reading this because you’ve already joined the ‘club’.

The good news is, our bodies are very capable of fighting cancer. Indeed, most of the time cancer cells are destroyed as soon as they develop, much in the way that our immune system hunts down and destroys bacteria or viruses. Other times, the cancer sneaks through our defences, but even if it does, it can still be overcome. I say ‘can’ because despite all efforts, some people do succumb. To keep things in perspective though, many cancer sufferers live to a very respectable old age, and eventually fill up completely different columns in the ‘cause of death’ statistics.

Cancer is on the increase, and there are many theories as to why. So, what steps can we take to reduce our chance of getting cancer, or to help fight an existing cancer? I have some ideas for you inside this book.

But first, who am I? What qualifications do I have that would permit me to offer you advice in what could be an extremely traumatic time? I’m a medical doctor. I’m on the wrong side of fifty and divorced. I have two fabulous children, a loving extended family and some good friends. I’d always worked hard, but I was starting to ease off, take up more hobbies and enjoy myself — when my life changed.

Like you, I never thought I would get cancer.

As a doctor, I would sympathise with cancer patients and offer them encouragement from within my armour-plated white-coat. They were the patients, I was the doctor. Simple.

Even when my developing cancer crept into my consciousness, I ignored it, and my own advice.

Maybe it would just go away.

But it didn’t, and I had to face the realisation that my life might be cut very short. Then, on top of that, I had to negotiate my way through complicated highly-specialised medical treatments and, on occasions, challenge medical decisions. I found this extremely hard, even as a doctor, because I was also a vulnerable patient, and I was depending on other doctors for my survival.

Cancer taught me a great deal. Primarily it taught me that diagnosis is not a death sentence. People can and do survive cancer, most of the time. However, being forced to face the possibility of my imminent demise, I gradually learned not to fear death either. I also learned to appreciate every day of this wonderful thing called life.

I have a lot to share with you, so welcome to Cancer Club —whether you have cancer yourself or you know someone who has.
From Both Ends Of The Stethoscope by Dr Kathleen Thompson

Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Both-Ends-Stethoscope

 

 

 

Journey to Death by Leigh Russell Review by Frances Colville

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Journey to Death by Leigh Russell Review by Frances Colville

The first of a new series by established crime writer Leigh Russell, Journey to Death is set on an island in The Seychelles.  Lucy Hall arrives on the island with her parents for a holiday following the traumatic break-up of a relationship, but soon becomes aware that all is not as it seems.  Behind the warmth and tranquility of a popular tourist destination lies a dark and mysterious threat to the safety of Lucy and her family.  Is someone trying to frighten or even kill them, and if so, why?

 

Lucy is an appealing if rather naive character who steps up to try  to solve a crime in which the authorities are not particularly interested.  I enjoyed the setting, and the descriptions of the island and its beaches and thought the book was generally well plotted.  There were a few occasions when it was all a bit slow and tedious and I wanted things to speed up and get sorted.  But overall it’s a good read – uncomplicated and easy to follow.  And intriguing enough to make you want to get to the end and discover how it all works out.

 

Journey to Death is a stand-alone book but the seeds are sown within it for a new crime series featuring Lucy Hall.  Published February 2016 by Thomas & Mercer (an imprint of Amazon Publishing) and available in paperback and e-book versions.

 

 

Spandau Baddie: Martin Kemp Meets Vicky Edwards

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Martin Kemp tells Vicky Edwards why his musical theatre debut is going with a bang-bang…

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Photo credit: Alastair Muir

From gangster Reggie Kray to evil control freak Steve Owen in EastEnders, Martin Kemp is extremely good at being bad. Currently on tour in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang playing the Childcatcher, arguably one of the most iconic villains of all time, Martin is drawing on his previous roles for inspiration, but admits that there’s unchartered territory to explore when it comes to the character that regularly tops the polls of movie monsters.
“The Childcatcher is an exaggerated version of everything I have ever done before, but it comes from a completely different angle,” explained Martin. “He’s a step away from reality; all the characters are really, especially in the second half when we go to Vulgaria.
“In the first half I play a character called the Junk Man, but in the second half that kind of Alice in Wonderland thing happens and the Junk Man becomes the Childcatcher. Robert Helpmann did an amazing job [in the film], but my physicality is not the same as his; I don’t have his ballet background, so instead I try to bring a bit more horror to the role.”
Judging from the booing that fills the theatre before he has even set foot on the stage, he’s clearly doing that very effectively.
“Kids are scared of the name: Childcatcher. When the Baron says “Call for the Childcatcher!” I can feel the tension in the theatre and then I hear the boos,” he laughed, adding, “But that’s part of the whole experience. If you haven’t laughed, cried and been scared then you haven’t seen a good show. You need to be taken to all those places.”
And with cheers at the curtain call almost taking the roof off the theatre, it seems that it’s a journey that audiences of all ages are delighted to undertake. A co-production between Music & Lyrics Limited and West Yorkshire Playhouse, this brand spanking new reimagining of the much-loved Sherman Brothers musical is winning critical acclaim as well as standing ovations.
“Ten years ago I saw the show in London and the main thing I remembered about it afterwards was the car,” said Martin. “But now it’s very much about the story. It amazes me, but every night I walk out of stage door and people are there saying how much they loved the whole show. From old people who saw the movie on their first date to kids meeting Chitty for the very first time, the demographic is extraordinary. Yes, it’s changed from the book, and then again from the film and again from the original stage musical, but it really works. We’re sending people home with big smiles on their faces.”
As for his fellow cast members, mention them and it is Martin with a big smile on his face. “It’s a great cast,” he enthused. “I’ve worked with Michelle [Collins] before and it’s lovely to work with her again, but they are all brilliant performers.” And so they are. Funny men Jason Manford as Caractacus Potts and Phill Jupitus as Lord Scrumptious and Baron Bomburst are joined by Martin and Michelle, as well as Andy Hockley of Phantom of the Opera fame as Grandpa Potts, and West End leading lady Amy Griffiths as Truly Scrumptious. Add to that a world class company of singers and dancers and you have a show that is dazzling, star-studded and that absolutely lives up to the ‘fantasmagorical’ praise.
But while the story of Chitty might have been knocking around for a good while, musical theatre is a new challenge for Martin.
“One reason I am here is that I have never done a musical before and I thought this might be a nice way to dip my toe in. I love trying new things and I love working with new people.”
That happy-go-lucky, have-a-go attitude wasn’t always there, however. In fact, as a child he confesses that he struggled with crippling shyness.
“I’ve been doing this a while now but at the age of eight I was incredibly shy, so my mum sent me to Anna Scher’s drama workshops,” said Martin, who knows first-hand what an advantage drama classes can be to children.
“What drama clubs give you is a small amount of this magic dust called charisma. I always say that I owe everything to Anna Scher because she formed my personality as a kid.”
Pointing out that whether you become an actor or join a band or you just use that acquired confidence to get through interviews when you’re 16, Martin is certain that drama clubs are a fantastic way of developing both character and life skills.
As for children watching live theatre, absorbing stories close up rather than on a screen, Martin loves the way they get totally involved.
“Adults watch, but kids believe and become part of the world they see unfolding; they just dive in,” he nodded.
“For Chitty we recently did what is called a ‘Relaxed Performance’ for children with disabilities and conditions like Autism. The show was adapted around the audience’s needs and it was a wonderful thing to be part of.”
A member of one of the most popular bands of all time, star of movies, TV and now a musical, Martin certainly can’t complain of always doing the same old same old.
“I have always changed it up a bit and I like never knowing what’s around the corner,” he laughed, although actually this time he does know what is coming next.
“I have just finished a year on tour with Spandau which was wonderful, but it’s this great big machine that needs five artic trucks and a 100-strong crew. When you play huge arenas the size of Wembley you know that to people at the back you’re just a speck of dust in the distance and that you’ll never get to meet those people. So in May I am doing the sort of antidote to not meeting people with a show that’s going to tour called An Audience with Martin Kemp. I’ll be travelling around England chatting about my life and career and taking questions from the audience. Yeah, it’s going to be different and fun,” he grinned.
With such a busy professional life, relaxation, he says, comes in the form of painting.“That’s my down time. Sometimes it shuts me off from the world and I lose myself completely.” Asked what he paints and the smile that stole my sixteen-year-old heart lights up his face again. “I paint rock ‘n’ roll,” he says with a chuckle.
Super-talented, funny, warm and with rock ‘n’ roll artistic flair to boot, however brilliantly nasty he is as the Childcatcher, in real life Martin Kemp is a total sweetie.
Vicky Edwards

 

One in Five Women have felt Sexually Discriminated Against in the Workplace

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Some bad news on the equality front: a third of working women have experienced discrimination and harassment in the workplace, according to research.

They’ve been spoken over or had opinions dismissed in meetings, received unwelcome comments on their appearance or clothing and been called “woman” and “clever girl”.

The poll of 2,000 working women revealed many have had their work and achievements hijacked by male colleagues or have experienced unwanted touching, brushing or stroking from other members of their team.

One woman lost her job after refusing a marriage proposal from her line manager while another was frequently ordered to make her male colleagues their drinks.

Another reported a male employee was taken on to do the same job as her – and later discovered he was being paid £1,000 more.

And a female shop worker ended up getting unwanted texts from a security guard who went into the manager’s office and took her mobile phone number from personnel records.

Georgina Calvert-Lee, Senior Litigation Counsel at law firm McAllister Olivarius, which commissioned the research to understand better what women are facing in the workplace, said: “It’s sad to hear that these kinds of things continue and are so widespread. It confirms what our clients tell us about their own experiences.

“We’re sure many women will feel as though they are the only ones having to deal with situations like this.

“But we’re certain there will be women out there who don’t actually realise they’re experiencing sexual discrimination or harassment.”

“Sometimes it can feel a bit daunting speaking up; especially if you’re afraid of losing your job for standing your ground.

“But the only way these situations are going to be solved is by making others aware of it and not suffering in silence.”

Of the 42 per cent of women who have ever taken maternity leave, one in 10 said they felt discriminated against when they returned to work.

One mum explained that once she had returned to work after maternity leave her job had ‘disappeared’, and she was given menial tasks which weren’t enough to fill the day.

Another respondent said her manager had told her there was no point in promoting young female staff as “they all leave on maternity anyway”.

One in six women in management said they have been called ‘bossy’ when instructing another member of staff.

Four in 10 women have experienced colleagues trying to turn workplace conversations into sexualised ones.

In fact one in five have felt sexually discriminated against in their current workplace at least once.

Twenty four per cent of women in work have never sought help for the bad experiences they’ve had in at work – but have considered it.

And because of this, many women believe it would make sense to make sure sexual discrimination should be discussed in the work place so it’s recognised a little easier.

Georgina added: “Women who have experienced sexual discrimination and harassment don’t need to suffer in silence.

“It’s illegal, and you can get help. Good companies want to fix it. Other companies can be persuaded by legal action”.

McAllister Olivarius is an international law firm representing people who face discrimination in their professional lives.

 

TOP 10 MOST FREQUENT DISCRIMINATION AND HARRASSMENT INCIDENTS IN THE WORK PLACE FOR WOMEN

 

1. Been spoken over of had their opinion dismissed in meetings

2. Received unwelcome comments on appearance or clothes

3. Been called “woman”, “clever girl” or other dismissive terms

4. Been asked to make tea or run errands more than male colleagues

5. Felt unable to complain about being treated unprofessionally for fear of being accused of being oversensitive

6. Been referred to as ‘bossy’ due to instructing another member of staff

7. Been judged / commented on for their sexual attractiveness

8. Having credit for their work taken by male colleagues

9. Been assumed to be the assistant / PA or lower ranking member of staff

10. Experienced unwanted touching, brushing or stroking from other colleagues

 

 

106-year-old Virginia McLaurin Dances With The Obamas At The White House

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106-year-old Virginia McLaurin Dances With The Obamas At The White HouseAt Frost we almost cried at this amazing video of 106-year-old Virginia McLaurin dancing with joy when she met the Obamas at The White House. Her happiness at a black President being in the White House is so touching and says a lot about how far we have come. The First Lady is graceful and tells McLaurin, ‘I want to be like you when I grow up’. The White House shared the touching video of McLaurin fulfilling her dream of visiting the White House and meeting President Obama for Black History Month. She said she was ‘so happy’ to have lived to see a black president of the United States.

The Glittering Art of Falling Apart by Ilana Fox Review by Jan Speedie

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The Glittering Art of Falling Apart by Ilana Fox Review by Jan SpeedieA story of jealousy, secrets, heartbreak and love – read and enjoy.

Beaufont Hall, ancestral home of the Tempest family, lies empty, crumbling and the family feel cursed.  Will the future glitter for the younger members of the family as their lives take very different paths?

Eliza is bored with life in small council flat in Tottenham and school. Fuelled by thoughts of glamorous parties, night clubs, late nights and freedom Eliza heads for the electric pull of Soho in the 1980s.  Eliza feels the world is at her feet, fame and fortune are within her grasp – can she grab it?

Cassie fascinated by her family history and Beaufont Hall and jumps at the chance to explore the abandoned Hall. Cassie finds Eliza’s diaries in the library and from them discovers the hidden truth about her family’s past.

Ilana Fox has woven a fascinating story about Eliza and Cassie who are separated by a generation but linked by the diaries.  She paints an evocative picture of life in Soho in the 1980s and Cassie’s determination to find the truth about the past.

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Ilana Fox lives in East Dulwich and is a supporter of Save Soho whose aim is to preserve iconic music venues in Soho from developers. This is Ilana 4th novel and before turning to writing fiction she worked as a journalist for several leading newspapers.

 

Published by Orion Fiction

 In Paperback on 18th February 2016 – £7.99 – eBook £4.99 Available from Amazon.co.uk