BillF

Paperback Writer Martinus Scriblerus Tai Ping

Dionne Quins The Five Pennies Lord Copper

Will Kane The Beat Generation Dee Thrasher

I recall that Humphrey Clinker threw a lot of light on the changing 18th century society and as a readable novel - yes, it was OK.

The National Front The Jockey Club Shorts McConnell

Whispering Bob Harris Harry the Horse Howard Croker

Tim Roth Jonathan Cape Eric Coates

Sue, Grabbitt and Runne The Long Distance Runner The 27th Man

Hal Singer The Sower Henry Threadgill

Lofty Wiseman Lorna Sage C T Onions

Gorgeous George Lovely Rita Prince Charming

Roderick Random is a fine novel. Mind you, I read it as part of a course on 18th century English Literature, so the antiquated language was no shock.

Richard Davenport The Manchester Man Jabez Clegg

Jimmy Gloomy Ronnell Bright

Willie Hertz P Burns Ivor Rash

Bimbo Jones Jumbo Diaz Dalton Trumbo

Brook Benton Joyce Fenton Dave Denton

Gusty Spence Hurricane Higgins Sandra Blow

Ethelred the Unready Baden Powell Bud Powell

Ronny Sullivan Sully Pompey

I think it's got to be this:

The Mamelukes Marmaduke Cheryl

Dead Kennedys Kenny Baker's Dozen Benny Dacre's Cousin

Back to Bellow with my old copy, inscribed 1966! A very different sort of novel from the English tradition stuff I usually read. Curiously, the nearest to it (apart from Bellow himself) I've read is L'étranger, which is nearly contemporaneous. I suppose the Bellow does have something of the existential about it.