BillF

Monty's Double Dubya Dumbo

Hard Hearted Hannah from Savannah Georgia O'Keefe The Rolling Stones

Cousin Mary Sister Carrie Aunt Hagar

Sanders of the River Billy Bass Ind Coope & Allsopp

Maid Marion Robin Hood Little John

Cyrus the Great The Great Soprendo Tommy Cooper

Nicodemus Barrett Deems Nicki Parrott

Jeff Clyne Phil Shannon

Castor and Pollux The Sex Pistols Johnny Rotten

Robert Holmes a Court A Yankee at the Court of King Arthur Courtney Pine

Axel Zwingenberger The Swingle Singers

Oliver Twist Chubby Checker Chuka Umunna

Me too! First read 1984 at the age of 16 and am still fascinated by it.

I'm happier with Orwell in the 30s. From a pretty similar social background to Waugh but looking a different way. Another great favourite. In a way they're like two sides of the same coin. I've read just everything by both of them. Probably the two greatest writers of English prose in their century.

Wow, we really are differing today! The only Waugh I don't like is Brideshead. For me its sentimental nostagic romanticism comes as a real disappointment after the incisive, beautifully handled satire of the early novels, of which the best is Decline IMHO.

Just finished that myself a couple of hours back. Didn't care for it at all. Privilege making fun of the world of privilege he was happily luxuriating in. I can understand what you're saying, not just about this book, but about Waugh in general. His unpleasant personality and snooty misanthropy, do tend to bleed into his novels. 20th century literary masterpiece as far as I'm concerned, and my favourite book by Waugh. Yes, he was a very unpleasant character - I've read a biography - but he produced books of superlative literary merit. There's a very serious and tragic undertone to Decline - I'd call it a satirical tragicomedy. And, Bev, if it hadn't been for the opening passage of this book, I wouldn't have realised the significance of our leaders' Bullingdon Club membership when the media got on to it a few years ago.

Karen Horney Bonar Law

Farmer John Dirty Harry Filthy McNasty

Re Person I Knew Houston Person

The Ancient Mariner Marine Le Pen Laszlo Biro

Gazza The Stripper The White Stripes

Roy of the Rovers Joan Rivers Ravers

Superb session including fascinating pre-gig talk by The Cookers at The Sage, Gateshead yesterday afternoon. Great Organissimo presence at this one - David Weiss on stage and Head Man and self in the audience!

Yet another mid-20th century English female novelist! This prize-winning first book from 1950 has some compelling scenes, but also some plotting lapses and lurches into melodrama. Kept me reading though!