Thursday 17 November 2016

A Bailiwick Reading List for Trump

Following the example of Gavin St Pier's generosity towards the soon-to-be leader of the free world, I've put together a brief list of local books that Trump might enjoy. If he has a quiet moment while transitioning, I invite him to kick off those campaign-worn loafers, put up his feet and settle down to a brew while a servant reads one or all of these books aloud.

Mr Pye by Mervyn Peake

Though he was born in China, Peake's joyous surrealism should really appeal to an entertainer so dedicated to his art that he's willing to drop everything and go along with the joke hairstyle-wise.

Peake, who is best known for his Gormenghast books, moved to Sark in his twenties. Along with a cohort of liberal arty types -  whose modern counterparts are only now, with incremental slowness, coming round to the Orange One - Peake built an art gallery that is now Sark's Post Office. 


Trump will surely enjoy Mr Pye, which is about a newcomer arriving in Sark as a total outsider. He has radical ideas and is not only misunderstood but conflicted, especially once he starts growing both wings and horns. However, he firmly believes in the power of love. While seeking to unite a divided community, Pye inadvertently creates havoc. Lots to learn, Donny.

Derek Jacobi plays Pye in the Channel 4 production

Toilers of the Sea by Victor Hugo

Hugo had such strong opinions about the ruling class of his day that he was exiled to the Channel Islands. I hope Trump does well, if only to save him from having to seek refuge in St Peter Port.

Portuguese version of Hugo's novel.
Perhaps Gavin should send a copy to Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, 
so we can build ties with Portugal. 

Donald could learn a lot from this novel, which Hugo set in Guernsey. Its hero is Gilliat, about whom rumours and criticism abound. During the course of the narrative Gilliat proves himself to be a dedicated, hard-working man. Eventually, he gives up his well-earned fortune for love. He has integrity to a fault and embodies the belief that actions speak louder than words.

Gilliat realises he's grabbed the wrong thing.

Ebenezer Le Page by G.B. Edwards

A 1981 review in Trump's local paper, the New York Times, called this "one of the best novels of our time".

Trump will relate to this story of a self-made man
who lives life by his own rules.

Ebenezer Le Page is a stubborn, outspoken man who lives a full life. He survives two world wars, refusing to get involved politically or militarily in either of them. He overcomes heartbreak and social isolation until, at an advanced age, he gives away the whole of his scrimped-and-saved fortune. Read it, Don.

2 comments:

  1. That was a Portuguese version of Toilers of the Sea.

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    Replies
    1. Obrigado. Now I can see it even says Lisboa there. Amended.

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