Monday 16 February 2009

Blog about the Bookcase

On friday, a Kurdish refugee told me the story of Kawa the Blacksmith and his defeat of Zahhak.

He was reluctant. Embarrassed. He kept stumbling over details. It's such a common story, I think it seemed odd to him that anyone would want to hear it.

By the end he was grinning. A faint twinge of pride. I had to leave, and he took my wrist and said, "Listen, I have tens of these stories. My father had hundreds. I can tell you another one next time, if you'd like?"

It was one of those moments where it feels like your whole life is going in the direction you want it to.

Saturday 7 February 2009

Muse and Mania, February 2009

Hear it! or Subscribe!

This is a dark and wretched way to start this thing off afresh. I'm not 100% with the editing, but I've known these two stories have needed forcing together for years now. Enjoy!

In this episode of The Room Behind the Bookcase, Tim Ralphs tells Orpheus' descent into the Underworld and an old "Mad Axe Murderer" tale he heard as a boy scout.

Shout out to the Toaster Repair Crew. And to fine company.