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        Pete Atkin >> News >> Clive
        
(Message started by: Pete Atkin on Today at 19:15)

Title: Clive
Post by Pete Atkin on Today at 19:15

Most of you probably know that the seriousness of Clive's medical condition, as progressively revealed in large part through new poems over the past year or so, is now public knowledge (which means that part of the public that doesn't often read poems, I suppose). It's close to impossible for any of us, I'm sure, to think of anything to say that's remotely helpful or appropriate, but I'm certain that anyone likely to be reading this will be wanting to join me in keeping fingers crossed for him, figuratively or even actually.

Title: Re: Clive
Post by Carole on Today at 19:34

We most certainly do want to join you. Only wish there was more to do.

Title: Re: Clive
Post by Ian Ashleigh on 02.05.11 at 15:35

My thoughts are with Clive at this time. I hope he is as comfortable as he can be.

I seemed, given the events of earlier today, somehow appropriate to listen to Prayers against the Hitman. (that now looks so wrong in print juxtaposed against my good wished for Clive but I hope my fellow MVs understand what I mean)

Title: Re: Clive
Post by Seán Kelly on 02.05.11 at 21:46

I am forwarded on to here all of a sudden after reading the news on the Guardian Website - and indeed as you say Pete, sending huge good wishes to Clive and family - fingers strongly crossed!

Title: The word from Clive is that...
Post by Pete Atkin on 05.05.11 at 09:37

...if you saw all that press hoo-hah about my “battle” with cancer, etc, ignore it. It was just the Aussies getting excited, and the truth is that my various treatments are working well. I’m ambulating about at somewhere around three-quarters power and getting quite a lot written.

Title: Re: Clive
Post by Carole on 05.05.11 at 10:43

This is encouraging news - far better than the press led us to believe. Hoping that everything remains stable, or better.

Title: Re: Clive
Post by Mike Walters on 05.05.11 at 17:58

Just to echo everyone's good wishes, to hope that Clive continues to make good progress, and to note in passing how, remarkably but entirely characteristically, he's used this no doubt dreadful experience as a creative springboard for some quite excellent poems. Long may he continue to get a lot (more) written.

Title: Re: Clive
Post by Rob Spence on 07.05.11 at 18:22

Just came across this article (http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/arts/the-kid-grows-up/story-e6frg8nf-1226047030980) which I don't think has been mentioned around here. Worth a read.

Title: Re: Clive
Post by BogusTrumper on 08.05.11 at 21:01

Well worth a read, and sounds promising in terms of Clice's health

Title: Re: Clive
Post by Rob Spence on 11.05.11 at 09:57

Another article (http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/print/2011/06/hollywood-a-love-story/8501/) by Clive, on David Thomson, the film critic, in the current edition of the Atlantic. I was alerted to it by a tweet from David Hepworth, which read: "Clive James on David Thomson. Read - then take hammer to own keyboard. "

Title: Re: Clive
Post by Kevin Cryan on 11.05.11 at 15:24

on 05/11/11 at 09:57:24, Rob Spence wrote :

Hepworth's reaction is perfectly understandable. This is James on cracking form, giving us something to think about and something to laugh about at one and the same time:

Quote:

...as the leading lady in that wonderful lost Western Invitation to a Gunfighter, she ..(Janice Rule).. was so graceful she drove Yul Brynner to extremes of behavior that verged at times on acting...

If you are a male of a certain age, have seen Rule's few minutes on the screen in The Chase and read the whole essay, you'll probably - rather guiltily - guess why James has skipped over that film and chosen to about her being "graceful" in Invitation to a Gunfighter.

Kevin Cryan

Title: Re: The word from Clive is that...
Post by Kevin Cryan on 09.12.11 at 16:34

on 05/05/11 at 09:37:39, Pete Atkin wrote :

Here is a piiece a piece in The Australian (http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/arts/clives-james-takes-stock/story-fn9n8gph-1226216065392) that should bring some cheer to of all Clive's wellwishers.

Kevin Cryan

Footnote

If you do not want to sigh up for the free three month pass The Austrailian is offering, and you you do not feel like Google to the to the piece, then you can try here (http://cryan.wordpress.com/2011/12/09/clive-james-december-2011), It is sans photos, but I did not want to push my luck too far by publishing the two photos that accompanied the piece,

Title: Re: Clive
Post by Revelator on 09.12.11 at 19:17

Good to hear Clive's health has stabilized--I hope that after the eye operation he'll be free from further ailments. A pity that his Pacific war novel will remain unwritten, though I have a feeling he'll complete the sequel to Cultural Amnesia. Like any true writer, Clive sees potential in retelling his recent medical adventures, so another memoir looks likely.
The article mentions the recent DVD set, and I've so far watched two programs from it--On Safari and The Playboy Mansion. The picture quality doesn't show any evidence of restoration, but it's great to have these programs available, especially since it must have been a headache for Madman to secure the rights.

Title: Re: The word from Clive is that...
Post by Cary on 10.12.11 at 20:38

on 12/09/11 at 16:34:09, Kevin Cryan wrote :

Or rather strangely if you search for "Clive James" on Google News the second item (currently) is "The Australian" piece and the link takes you straight through to the article, including pictures, without any logon.
The Google link which worked for me is here (http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=clive%20james&source=newssearch&cd=2&ved=0CDEQqQIwAQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.com.au%2Fnews%2Farts%2Ftaking-stock%2Fstory-fn9n8gph-1226216065392&ctbm=nws&ei=3cDjTpWeMIuJhQfc5vXPAQ&usg=AFQjCNHrrnH-izr5R6Q5X9FcnwdrEKO8iA&sig2=3ZaigNmEEBFnq5Vv4LVKbw&cad=rja)

Title: Re: Clive
Post by dr_john on 12.12.11 at 10:56

Good news altogether!
(Mention of Australian well-wishers reminded me of a cutting from an Australian newspaper once read out on 'The News Quiz', allegedly true, about an Australian man walking out of a pub and seeing his long-estranged twin brother standing across the street. He ran over to greet him, only to find that it was his own reflection in a shop window. The piece ended "He was helped back into the pub by well-wishers.")