Book Review: Headlong, by Emlyn Williams

Headlong, by Emlyn Williams, was heavily adapted a few years ago to create King Ralph, which is an exceptionally dumb movie but one of the few "broad comedies" (like Rat Race) that I'm actually quite fond of. The basic concept is the same -- commoner-becomes-king -- but the execution and situation are radically different. If you've seen King Ralph you'll sort of know how Headlong ends, but that's about the only familiar thing you'll find. For one thing, the protagonist of Headlong is British, and for another, it's set mainly in the 1930s, though it was written in 1980. It was also written by a playwright, and this shines through in the protagonist's love of the stage. Fortunately, Emlyn Williams is an excellent novelist.

( Headlong is narrated by its protagonist, Jack Green... )

Final Verdict: Headlong is an utterly enjoyable romp through the British aristocracy, and I recommend it to anyone. I especially recommend it to people who've seen King Ralph -- whether or not they enjoyed it -- because it is a detailed, nuanced, and literary look at the same topics. I wish I could share some quotes, but I was actually too engaged in the story to remember to dogear -- which is always a good sign. And there's some nice slashy undertones to Jack and Willie's relationship, too. :D

A note, however: Headlong has been out of print for many years and can be tricky to find. I got my (hardbound) copy through Amazon secondhand for about four dollars.

(no subject)

I am watching Rainbow Brite on an extremely old videotape we inherited from my grandparents. Why? BECAUSE IT IS THERE.

This is some kind of allegory for raver culture, though, isn't it? Some little scenester girl in vinyl whose best friend is called TWINK gives a boy magic dust that "makes him rainbow coloured".

"Colour makes you HAPPY!" he exclaims. And then a crazy wee man in riot gear tries to stop them from having fun. Raver all the way!

Also, I kid you not, there's an ad on this tape for "Loving You Barbie". BARBIE LOVE YOU LONG TIME.

(why don't I have a WHAT THE SHIT icon? I've only made about a trillion of them...)

OH AND for some reason only the talking horse has an English accent.

(no subject)

Among the many ways in which I am a complete mess today:

1. As I embarked on my second hot dog at dinner, having eaten a hamburger with grilled mushrooms and one other hot dog already, my mother remarked to me, "Gosh, you must have been starving! When did you eat lunch?" I considered it and then realised I had not eaten lunch, nor had I eaten breakfast. Instead, around ten am, I had eaten two mini rum fudge cakes, which have about the combined nutritional value of a Mars Bar. But damn, did dinner taste good!

2. After rubbing Tiger Balm on my back this evening (aches = result of vigorous work all day hauling boxes for Bernard's imminent move to university), I washed my hands and then scratched my nostril. Apparently I did not wash my hands enough. THE BURNING IN MY NOSE OMG.

3. I dubbed Paint Your Wagon from video to DVD today and sang along word-perfect to every single song, including I Talk To The Trees. I have got a dream, and indeed, I have got a song. Now all that remains is for me to paint, as it were, my wagon and go along. I do not know a) where am I going or b) when I will be there, but I do know that I am on my way.

3a. There's no better opening line of a movie than "IS....THEY....DEAD?"