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| 89 today |
While long in retirement, and enjoying retirement with his family, children and numerous grandchildren, Deighton's influence on fiction and spy fiction in particular, still resonates. Every so often, one reads about one author or another being dubbed 'the new Deighton'. That's a great testament to the quality of the author's impact.
Readers of the Deighton Dossier raise a glass today and say: 'Happy Birthday'!
Happy Birthday Len. I'm rereading the Samson books now. The first time I read them (when they first came out), I read them for the story. This time through, I'm savoring the perspective and the writing. Some of the snapshots and asides are simply brilliant. Maybe it's just that I'm passing through my own middle-age years now, but they resonate with me deeply.
ReplyDeleteSimilar experience to me - once you know the story well, it's easier to appreciate the quality of the details. Same for many of my favourite other authors too.
DeleteMany happy returns, Len Deighton.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I reread the novel The Ipcress File recently after borrowing the hardback from my friend ( mine which I bought in 1962 took walk!) after 52 years of reading it first when it came out in 1962-that shows I am past the middle age! I liked the film better-watched it in 1965 when it was released, and still do whenever it is shown in the TV. In my opinion, Sydney Furie, the director takes the credit for this as well as Michael Caine and not forgetting the theme music introduced by John Barry.
Simon Clark
A correction: should be : after 55 years
ReplyDeleteHi, this may not be the right place to post this request, in which case, I apologise. I am a really big fan of Mr Deighton's illustration work, pre his writing career. I'd really like to track down more of his work - does anyone have a list of it? a link for them perhaps? I really love his style and I'd ideally like to frame a piece, so I'd like to get hold of either a decent print or something I can scan or download. Many thanks in advance.
ReplyDeleteSam, your best initial best is to go to the Deighton Dossier main site - see the link above - and go to the design section - there are lots of examples of Mr Deighton's illustrations there to check out. I don't think - apart from the cover of On the Road, which is a poster, online - that any are available commercially.
DeleteThanks for your reply Rob, will do!
DeleteBelated happy birthday Len. I’ve been reading your prodigious literary output since 1962, over 55 years too, and just wish there was more.
ReplyDeleteKindest regards
Raki
I've loved his books and have re-read many of them several times over the year- esp. the early spy ones and also Only When I Larf. My favourite is Horse Under Water.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to remember in which book he describes a character (I think a rail passsenger talking to someone about the characteristics of the English and saying that the only think they take seriously is "sense of humour".
I've always loved his writing - I've never read a more entertaining author- since I discovered him in my late teens (I'm 65 now) and have re-read several of the novels several times.My favs. are Horse Under Water and Only When I Larf.
ReplyDeleteI've been looking through lists of his quotes but haven't found reference to one I'm sure featured in one of his novels where one character says to another something along the lines of "the only thing an Englishman (or was it the British?) takes seriously is "their sense of humour" Anyone know which book-to save me reading them all again?
PS I'm not familiar with blogs and I won't have anything to do with Facebook and the like but I have posted up to youtube many videos of my daughter's riding which is why my profile shows this