James Metcalf on the fictionality of the latest archaeological page-turners
Stephen Puddicombe looks at the unusual appeal of Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot
Ciaran Rafferty investigates the science of book classification
Romanticism goes up in flames
A house once rented by William Wordsworth has been extensively damaged by fire due to a suspected electrical fault. Allan Bank in the Lake District in Cumbria is owned by the National Trust and is one of the “big three” houses in the area that Wordsworth is associated with. The first floor of the property has been completely ruined by the fire, but luckily no-one was hurt, two tenants being safely evacuated at one in the morning. The National Trust is helping them find temporary accommodation. Wordsworth notoriously disliked Allan Bank, with its damp walls and smoky rooms, moving to Rydal Mount nearby in 1813 after a dispute with the landlord. From his previous home of Dove Cottage he could see Allan Bank and complained about it being an “eyesore”. These three houses, Dove Cottage, Allan Bank and Rydal Mount are owned by the National Trust. Dove Cottage and Rydal Mount are open to the public and are some of the area’s most popular visitor attractions.
Lost Douglas Adams Dr Who script to be novelised
Dr Who fans listen up – Douglas Adam’s never-filmed Dr Who serial Shada is to be made into a novel. In the late 70s, Adams wrote three series of Dr Who, with Shada intended as a six-part drama, starring Tom Baker as the Time Lord. Filming was never finished due to BBC industrial action, and the drama was abandoned. Shada takes place in Cambridge, with the Doctor and his assistant Romana, featuring evil overlords and powerful books. Now a Dr Who scriptwriter Gareth Roberts has taken up the task of turning the script into a novel, after the estate of Douglas Adams finally gave the project permission. Described as the “holy grail” for Dr Who fans, the BBC are expecting this book to generate a big response when it is published in March next year. Look out for its release.
5 children and Jacqueline Wilson
Jacqueline Wilson, the well-known children’s author, is to write a contemporary version of the much loved children’s classic, 5 Children and It. E Nesbit’s 1902 classic tells the story of a group of children who move to the countryside and discover a sand fairy who will grant one wish a day. Adventures and obvious moral lessons ensue. As Wilson is celebrated for her down-to-earth style and treatment of difficult issues such as foster parents, social care and divorce, it will be interesting to read her take on the magical tale. The book will be published in August next year by Puffin Books.
A cheeky game of tennis
Google “Athena tennis girl” and you will instantly recognise the iconic late 70s image. The classic photograph of a girl playing tennis giving a cheeky flash of her bum is to be shown in a new exhibition called Court on Canvas in Birmingham, exploring the portrayal of lawn tennis in art through the years. The girl herself is Fiona Walker, who one day in 1976 allowed her boyfriend Martin Elliott to take a picture of her playing tennis without knickers. Despite the sale of the photo to Athena and the numerous poster sales afterwards, Walker did not receive any money from the poster. Court on Canvas: Tennis in Art is at the Barber Institute of Fine Art, Birmingham, from 27 May to 18 September.
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