Why 'The Happy Prince' made me cry

I'm not a frequent crier but there were tears throughout the sombre beauty of The Happy Prince. Rupert Everett's portrayal of Wilde is matched only by his writing and directing of the film, which is simply stunning.

Firth, Everett and Thomas - the early days after Wilde's release from prison

Anyone who is unfamiliar with the story of Oscar Wilde - and I am sure such people exist - will be thrown in at the deep end. The story sheds light on the least glamorous part of Wilde's life, following his release from prison, while offering only flashbacks to the former glories and his downfall at the hands of the Marquess of Queensberry.

What is joyful about Everett's film is the many reminders of Wilde's writings. The thread running throughout is the telling of The Happy Prince, first to the author's two sons and then to the Parisian orphans he befriends (if that is entirely the right word) in the last few months of his life. As the short story comes to a close on Wilde's deathbed, the parallel between its subject and its author is only too painful. Once beauty is gone, all that remains is the heart, which can be discarded or it can be treasured.

Throughout the film, there are references to - and quotations from - other Wilde masterpieces, including The Picture of Dorian Grey and The Ballad of Reading Gaol. The fact that one of the best film adaptations of Wilde's finest play, The Importance of Being Earnest, also features Everett and co-stars Colin Firth and Tom Wilkinson, adds a further layer to Everett's passion.

The inevitable death occurs, with Wilde's last stalwart friends Robbie Ross and Reggie Turner close by. Everett cannot resist the humour of Wilkinson's priest, who received the dying author into the Catholic church and administered the last rites. There is a tragic beauty in the scene which is only enhanced by the subtle comedy.

Facts begin and end the film. The mention of Wilde's pardon in January 2017 under the new Turing's Law only makes the tale of his downfall more poignant. Who knows what further great works he might have written, had he not been sentenced to two years' hard labour in 1895 for gross indecency? If his infatuation with Lord Alfred Douglas hadn't been so criminal and controversial at the time, it perhaps would have fizzled out and not brought about such a catastrophic downfall. So many 'what if' scenarios. So many tears to shed in the dark beauty of The Happy Prince.

When the inspiration leads to hard work

Inspiration is all very well, but if it doesn’t lead to either a change in behaviour or some pure hard work, it’s pointless.

Luckily for me, dear reader, last week’s inspiration has brought me to the point of actually writing. Writing the novel I started several years ago. Luckily, the inspiration gave me more than a kick in the proverbial pants - it also gave me ideas for how to get my novel finished.

And I have a plan. 2,000 words a day for the next couple of weeks should get it finished. First draft finished, that is. Then there’s a lot of checking, editing, re-reading and careful proof-reading.

Until it’s ready to go to an agent or two. There will be rejections. There will - certainly - be criticism. But the novel will be written and it will possibly be published.

In the meantime, I’ve done today’s 2,000 words, sitting in the Members’ Room at the British Library.

I was surprised that the bare bones of the story are clearly mapped out. I’d obviously done more of the preparatory work than I’d realised.

Now it's onwards towards the finish line. Working hard.

On being inspired

Inspiration seems to come from different directions. On two occasions this week, I have made a last minute decision to attend an event to hear an author talking about their work. Ideas are coming like buses - nothing for ages and then two come along at once.



On Monday night, that spontaneity took me back to The Groucho Clun in Soho for the first time in 30 years. The speaker was Holly Bourne, author of several teen novels and also How do you like me now? Tonight, the venue was Hitchin Library and the author was Zoe Folbigg, talking about The Note.

With Zoe Folbigg

Both authors were not just vaguely inspirational but specific in their nuggets of wisdom.  I feel focused on how I can get my own novel completed. There are approaching 20,000 words languishing on my PC and it's time to get the rest written. Then I can move on to novel number 2.


Hearing Holly and Zoe speak has given my renewed impetus and also some clear pointers in terms of what I’m writing.



Watch this space ...

Writing about writing about writing

I spent yesterday evening in the very pleasant company of The Trouble Club, hearing from a panel on the growing (or diminishing) power of influencers.

One of the panel was Holly Bourne, whose book I bought because it sounds interesting. How do you like me now? is the tale of a young woman who lives her life online. A book about a modern writer. It traces the disjoint between reality and fantasy which has always fascinated me. Reading the opening on the train home from London was a little uncomfortable, but Bourne's style is easy to read and I'll be persisting.

 

The Groucho Club - a haunt from the 80s revisited.

Hitchin Lavender - looking and smelling beautiful

If you’ve never visited Hitchin Lavender, now is the time to do so. Especially since they’re open until 9pm every Tuesday and Friday.

The lavender looks and smells wonderful. And there’s a great selection of tea and cake available. Although my parents are not fit enough to walk up in the fields, they enjoyed looking around the museum and gift shop.



It was great to see so many tourists from far and wide - the car park has been moved and extended to take care of a huge increase in visitors since my last time, a couple of years ago.



Next time, I’ll take my real camera, not just my phone.

An otter in the sunshine

While undergoing tests for my irritating (in so many ways!) stomach issues today, I found myself relaxing in Cambridge's Addenbrooke's Hospital outpatients garden, where I found this beautiful otter sculpture.

In the blazing heat of this heatwave we're experiencing, the water feature bought a real sense of calm.


'The Otter' is a piece specially commissioned for the garden by sculptor Laurence Broderick, who also created the iconic 'Bull' centerpiece in Birmingham's Bullring shopping centre.


With half a dozen benches - some of which gave much-needed shade - the garden is a real haven. It was a pleasure, especially in such potentially stressful surroundings.

We all need sanctuary from time to time

On the edge of Brownsea Island lies a lagoon containing five hides for humans to observe the vast number of birds that seek sanctuary there. Just a few nautical metres from a busy shipping lane, any number of species find protection.

I was on my own little sanctuary yesterday morning - the bright yellow ferry that took me and my parents around the five islands of Poole Harbour. It's always good to find some peace. However you get there.