Winter 2021

WINTER BOOK REVIEW	WINTER QUIZ
Dances & Dreams on Diamond Street by Craig Revel Horwood I was looking for a new and light hearted book to read on a winter evening and it was a choice between Anton Du Beke’s latest offering and this book. This one happened to be on the library shelf when I visited. Set in 1994, the book follows a disparate group of people in a shared townhouse in Camden Town. The residents include singles, a couple, a male nurse, gay men and aspiring dancers. I can imagine Craig experiencing a similar lifestyle in the past. It has an apparent light and fluffy surface, but touches on some serious themes. There is the loneliness of Lil in the attic, the mental health problems of Pete who has difficulty communicating other than through his poetry. Lachlan, a male nurse has a secret tragedy in his past which has led to depression and guilt. Cat and Justin, at first sight are a happy heterosexual couple, but Cat’s life is blighted by Justin’s coercive and controlling behaviour. Danny is a gay dancer turned choreographer, designated head of the group, but even he has his own insecurities, and is recovering from past rejection. Finally there is the newest arrival, Jewel a timid young man who has fled from parents who could not tolerate his ‘differentness’. He describes himself as gender-fluid, loves sewing, embellishing charity shop clothes, dressing flamboyantly and using exotic make-up. Think Boy George. This leads to him being subjected to homophobic attacks. The story follows the group over 6 months of amusing incidents and escapades, against the colourful backdrop of London’s Camden Town. Along the way, they bond, help each other to overcome their problems and become an unlikely family of friends. I enjoyed this book and I'm rather glad it was on the shelf and not Anton's 'A Christmas to Remember' which the blurb describes as 'a festive romance', and doesn't sound much like my Cup of Tea! Lesley Sanders	RHYME TIME The Idea, but not the questions, pinched from Richard Osman's House of Games! 1a What an elephant has? 1b Sailors sleep on one? 2a A Salmon? 2b A Bowl? 3a A Ruler? 3b A gold band? 4a The head of a City Council? 4b A strata of rock? 5a A digit? 5b To hang around? 6a Part of the hands? 6b A book of the Bible? 7a Hole in rock? 7b Rescue? 8a Elizabeth 1 was? 8b A fish? 9a Classical composer? 9b We are all? 10a a nomad? 10b An English Port? 11a Fat school boy? 11b Prowling lion? 12a Hot weather cooler? 12b Comic book character?
	WINTER QUIZ ANSWERS

WINTER BOOK REVIEW

WINTER QUIZ

Dances & Dreams on Diamond Street

by Craig Revel Horwood

I was looking for a new and light hearted book to read on a winter evening and it was a choice between Anton Du Beke’s latest offering and this book. This one happened to be on the library shelf when I visited.

Set in 1994, the book follows a disparate group of people in a shared townhouse in Camden Town. The residents include singles, a couple, a male nurse, gay men and aspiring dancers. I can imagine Craig experiencing a similar lifestyle in the past. It has an apparent light and fluffy surface, but touches on some serious themes.

There is the loneliness of Lil in the attic, the mental health problems of Pete who has difficulty communicating other than through his poetry. Lachlan, a male nurse has a secret tragedy in his past which has led to depression and guilt. Cat and Justin, at first sight are a happy heterosexual couple, but Cat’s life is blighted by Justin’s coercive and controlling behaviour. Danny is a gay dancer turned choreographer, designated head of the group, but even he has his own insecurities, and is recovering from past rejection. Finally there is the newest arrival, Jewel a timid young man who has fled from parents who could not tolerate his ‘differentness’. He describes himself as gender-fluid, loves sewing, embellishing charity shop clothes, dressing flamboyantly and using exotic make-up. Think Boy George. This leads to him being subjected to homophobic attacks.

The story follows the group over 6 months of amusing incidents and escapades, against the colourful backdrop of London’s Camden Town. Along the way, they bond, help each other to overcome their problems and become an unlikely family of friends.

I enjoyed this book and I'm rather glad it was on the shelf and not Anton's 'A Christmas to Remember' which the blurb describes as 'a festive romance', and doesn't sound much like my Cup of Tea!

Lesley Sanders

RHYME TIME

The Idea, but not the questions, pinched from

Richard Osman's House of Games!

1a What an elephant has?

1b Sailors sleep on one?

2a A Salmon?

2b A Bowl?

3a A Ruler?

3b A gold band?

4a The head of a City Council?

4b A strata of rock?

5a A digit?

5b To hang around?

6a Part of the hands?

6b A book of the Bible?

7a Hole in rock?

7b Rescue?

8a Elizabeth 1 was?

8b A fish?

9a Classical composer?

9b We are all?

10a a nomad?

10b An English Port?

11a Fat school boy?

11b Prowling lion?

12a Hot weather cooler?

12b Comic book character?

WINTER QUIZ ANSWERS