The Grass Arena

[clarion]

A life-changing book.  For everyone who reads it.

It's twenty years since the publication of the astonishing story of a man who was at rock bottom, alcoholic and in & out of prison, and who was transformed by an obsession with, and talent for, chess.

The Guardian yesterday carried a great article by Erwin James.

I guess Wowbagger may pass by shortly to comment, but, from a woodpusher's perspective, it was amazing.  Healy's writing is compelling and evocative.

[tiermat]

They had him on "A Good Read" or some such R4 program the other day, quite an eloquent person I thought and well able to get across the point that the things he did whilst down and out were not him, but the demon brought out by drink.

May well trip along to Waterstones at lunch to get this, but then again my book backlog is rather great at the mo...

[clarion]

The insight into the life, such as it is, of the down & out, is tremendous.

I shall have to see if I can find Listen Again for him, thanks.

Edit:  Oh - and as for your book backlog, don't worry.  It's pretty short, and you will be so gripped, you could well read it in a single sitting.

It may be worth reading through again at a later date, though.