Just Finished Reading: Investigations of a Dog by Franz Kafka (FP: 1931) [57pp] 

Back in my 20's I got it into my head that I 'should' read "The Classics" if I wanted to call myself a reader despite, at the time, reading almost purely Science-Fiction. One of those authors I tried, having heard SO much about him elsewhere, was Kafka. So, I tried several of his most famous works and DNF'd all of them. 

That experience certainly gave me pause when a Kafka short work was the next booklet in my Penguin Modern Classic boxset. The tale (pun intended!) followed the efforts of a young dog investigating the world trying to build on the canine philosophy he'd picked up along the way. Unsurprisingly, he failed to get anywhere and at the end of the story nothing had been resolved and no notable progress had been made. I don't know if this was the highlight that most people's thinking is flawed or if the author was trying to say that philosophical progress is impossible (or at least VERY difficult). Try as I might I couldn't really see what the point of the narrative was – unless that WAS the point? The problem with the dog's thought process is that there was no attempt to prove or disprove anything, so any suppositions floated in the air without any foundations. Then, on top of these original ideas even more ideas where added – all without any substance. No wonder no progress was, or could, be made. Again, maybe THAT was the point? 

Thankfully this was a very short work. If it had been a novel, it'd definitely have been my 3rd DNF of the year. Needless to say, I am still not encouraged to try Kafka in a longer format. Life, I think, is just too short for that. Not recommended. 

Translated from the German by Michael Hofmann 

Sublime... I LOVE the piano SO much. Its definitely my favourite musical instrument. 

Happy Birthday: Christopher John Tarrant (born 10 October 1946) is an English retired broadcaster, television personality, radio DJ, and comedian. He is best known for presenting the ITV children's television show Tiswas from 1974 to 1981 and the game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? from its inception in 1998 until 2014.

Tarrant's career began in 1972 when he was hired by the television broadcaster ATV. He presented ATV Today, a current affairs programme serving the Midlands area of England, until 1982. Tarrant rose to prominence after becoming a co-host on Tiswas, the children's television show broadcast on Saturday mornings from 1974 to 1981. Tarrant was a member of the Four Bucketeers group, whose single "Bucket of Water Song" reached No. 26 in the UK Singles Chart in 1980. In January 1982, along with Bob Carolgees, John Gorman, Randolph Sutherland and Lenny Henry, Tarrant launched a late-night show, O.T.T. ("Over the Top"), thought of as an "adult" version of Tiswas, which despite being short-lived, was popular among adults. His co-host Sally James presented the concurrent and final series of Tiswas alone.

Tarrant was a Capital Radio host from 1984 to 2004, presenting the early-morning show Capital Breakfast. The show was highly popular, increasing Capital Radio's audience share in London. Tarrant presented the ITV game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? from 1998 to 2014, while also providing audio recordings for some console games, and a tabletop game made by Tiger Electronics based on the show. He recorded a total of 592 episodes across 30 series, in which five contestants won the top cash prize of £1 million. In 2012, Tarrant began a travel documentary series, Chris Tarrant: Extreme Railways, with locations including the Congo-Ocean Railway, the Ghan across Australia and the Konkan Railway in India.

Tarrant's other television credits include Tarrant on TV, a programme that shows clips featuring a number of unusual television programmes from around the world, and Tarrant Lets the Kids Loose, a programme which gives three- to six-year-olds the chance to fulfil their greatest ambitions in the adult world. He also hosted several other game shows, including It's Not What You Know and The Colour of Money, The Main Event 1993. Tarrant was appointed an OBE in 2004 for his charity work, in particular his campaigning on behalf of disadvantaged children. In 2006, he was ranked number 38 in ITV's poll of TV's 50 Greatest Stars. Tarrant announced his retirement in December 2024, after 52 years in television.

[Tiswas was a BIG part of my late teens and was one of the things that got me out of bed on a Saturday morning. Absolute anarchic FUN.]

This year's Flu shot.... Done! An early one this year and a different system too. Not the usual conveyer belt approach but instead I 'registered' with reception and then was called after about 2-3 minutes. Walked to the room with the nurse, had my shot (after confirming my ID), asked about the COVID shot I'd heard about and was told that I was "too young". COVID shots are only for the over-75's and those with compromised immune systems. Out and popped to my local supermarket for a few things and back in the house before my actual appointment time. EXCELLENT! 

Just Finished Reading: Femme Fatale by Guy de Maupassant [56pp] 

This booklet contained four tales by the father of the modern short story. The longest (titled) concerned the struggle of an unsure young man, the son of a senator, who is struggling to cope with his relationship with his girlfriend. Although he's obsessed with her he also, at times, really doesn't like her very much especially when she has a mind of her own. The final straw comes when she insists on spending the evening in the company of some lesbian friends that he disapproves of. I thought this was very well written (and VERY French!) and very modern in its portrayal of various sexualities (again this was 19th century FRANCE so...). Strong characterisation and plotting, very 'cinematic' without being melodramatic. Nicely done. 

The other solid story – despite being pretty predictable from the start – was Hautot & Son where a farmer's son finds out from his father as he's dying that he has been having a relationship with a woman in a nearby town since his wife died. After getting over the shock the son decides to hand over an inheritance only to discover he has a half-brother. Again, this was very nicely done with pathos and humanity. It was a very obvious plot but no less readable or enjoyable because of that. 

The other two stories, Cockcrow and Laid to Rest were much shorter and although well written didn't have the same impact/punch as the larger tales. Overall though I enjoyed the introduction to this author (which I had only heard of previously) and will be looking for something more substantial from him in the future. 

Translated from the French by Sian Miles