(Untitled)

[gothicflower]

Today I went to see Nick Cohen at the book festival, rather unexpectedly. My mum had to pull out (she was going with a friend, but had too much work on) and asked could I please please go. So, I did, because she was so clearly desperate, and didn't want to let Margaret down. So at lunchtime off I went

Comments

[epocalypse]

I fully understand the hostility directed his way. As a signatory of the Euston Manifesto, I've never understood his U-Turn with regards US/UK policy in the Middle East and the presumption that anyone critical of Israel is anti-semitic. The book festival is the wrong place to bring this up though.

Some of my favourite authors signed up to the Manifesto, Francis Wheen amongst them. Unfortunately I cannot find myself agreeing with it due to the Israeli and American apologism in the subtext. Ah well. They are still great writers.

[tzipporahfeiga]

Oh, I have no doubt he is controversial (it was difficult to work out exactly what he *was* saying, because we got more of other people's opinions), but this was neither the time nor place. That is not what a book festival event should be about - there are blogs and book reviews and political interviews for that. Someone who has never read his books should be able to wander into a book festival event and leave with an impression of the author's thinking, with a sympathetic (or pretend-sympathetic) interviewer.

xxx

[epocalypse]

Iain McWhirter was hardly the ideal choice for an interviewer then, :-)

It is a shame that book festival events are spoiled in this way. I've seen it happen at other festival events too but the book festival always seems to bring out the idiots for controversial personalities. I actually feel that ashamed by the reported behaviour of others that I mail feel the need to send an e-mail of support to him.