Jul 17, 2023·edited Jul 17, 2023Liked by Terry Freedman
Yes, excellent. If done well, I do enjoy some fourth walls being broken.
Good work, Terry. I like it. Do more.
Cute story, too. So was this true? Or conjured up purely for the purpose of the exercise? (I'm assuming true because of memoir title.)
Immediate (non-book) version that comes to mind is Fleabag on TV. Her chats and asides to camera, often in the middle of specific moments, gave it real edge.
Off the top of my head, I can't think of any books that I've read that do this. Although in Lolita (just read), Humbert Humbert does address the reader, but that's because he is specifically writing an account of events from his past that he expects to be read at a later date. Not sure that's quite the same, though.
Thanks, Nathan. Yes, true story, just the names have been changed. I've heard of fleabag but not seen it so far. There are a couple of Borges stories in which he tells the reader, or makes it obvious that he has made the story up. I think you are right: the narrator addressing the reader is not the same, because they're not in character in the first place, if you see what I mean
Really enjoyed this, Terry. I knew you were up to something clever, but hadn't identified it.
I have listened to several series of the monologue radio drama 'Annika' on BBC Sounds - fifteen minute episodes, narration by a Swedish police officer character talking directly to the audience a lot of the time. I listen to a lot of radio drama, and this series felt very novel to me because of the use of that technique.
Then, when 'Annika' was (very) recently adapted for TV, I wondered how on earth the same thing could be achieved in what was a large cast of characters, not just a single person as in the radio drama. I was very sceptical - but gosh, it does work. Have you heard or seen either?
It was great, Terry - in terms of style (and I don't mean the fourth wall, although that was great) it's very YOU - and it was nice to learn more about you in reading it.
I'm not as much of a watcher these days as I used to be - telly and films, I mean. Yes, when I'm doing the ironing - but audio stuff fits in better with how my days unfold - I can do other things at the same time. For decades - DECADES, Terry - I didn't read for pleasure daily, but that all changed at Christmas 2019. I haven't had a day without reading for pleasure since then, and I'm really, really enjoying it. I've rediscovered my love for books and reading, and I couldn't be happier about it. 🥳
I love the memoir side of your writing, Terry. Do keep it up!
Yes! It was very effective. It's almost alarming when the narrator breaks the spell and starts speaking to the reader directly. It usually rubs me the wrong way when a story is chugging along nicely and the narrator, heretofore invisible, suddenly makes his/her presence known by way of an opinion or observation. However, I can see how this technique could be used skillfully in the right circumstance as you have demonstrated here. Thanks Terry! Happy Bathday!
Oh yes, I loved the story and found it very relatable. Particularly clever (and absolutely true) is the line about the lengths that young men will go to...the eighth wonder of the world. "Helsinki? What an astonishing coincidence!" Also your comments on weed had me laughing. "Far out man." Nice memoir Terry.
I love the Fourth Wall.
It was used to wonderful effect in Enola Holmes. Rightly or wrongly, I really enjoyed that series.
It has the capacity to draw me right into the narrative, giving me a far more subjective view. Great reading, great viewing.
Thanks, Prue. I hadn't heard of the books before, but I think from what you've said they warrant investigation.
Yes, excellent. If done well, I do enjoy some fourth walls being broken.
Good work, Terry. I like it. Do more.
Cute story, too. So was this true? Or conjured up purely for the purpose of the exercise? (I'm assuming true because of memoir title.)
Immediate (non-book) version that comes to mind is Fleabag on TV. Her chats and asides to camera, often in the middle of specific moments, gave it real edge.
Off the top of my head, I can't think of any books that I've read that do this. Although in Lolita (just read), Humbert Humbert does address the reader, but that's because he is specifically writing an account of events from his past that he expects to be read at a later date. Not sure that's quite the same, though.
Ps You mean do more fourth wall, or more.memoir?
Both 🙃😅
😃
Thanks, Nathan. Yes, true story, just the names have been changed. I've heard of fleabag but not seen it so far. There are a couple of Borges stories in which he tells the reader, or makes it obvious that he has made the story up. I think you are right: the narrator addressing the reader is not the same, because they're not in character in the first place, if you see what I mean
Yes, good point.
🤓
Really enjoyed this, Terry. I knew you were up to something clever, but hadn't identified it.
I have listened to several series of the monologue radio drama 'Annika' on BBC Sounds - fifteen minute episodes, narration by a Swedish police officer character talking directly to the audience a lot of the time. I listen to a lot of radio drama, and this series felt very novel to me because of the use of that technique.
Then, when 'Annika' was (very) recently adapted for TV, I wondered how on earth the same thing could be achieved in what was a large cast of characters, not just a single person as in the radio drama. I was very sceptical - but gosh, it does work. Have you heard or seen either?
A great post, as always, Terry. Thank you!
Thanks Rebecca
I don't listen to radio dramas, I prefer reading and watching. Sounds interesting though.
Thanks for kind comments. I was wondering if you and Jim actually liked the story itself. I don't often write memoir so be gentle with me
It was great, Terry - in terms of style (and I don't mean the fourth wall, although that was great) it's very YOU - and it was nice to learn more about you in reading it.
I'm not as much of a watcher these days as I used to be - telly and films, I mean. Yes, when I'm doing the ironing - but audio stuff fits in better with how my days unfold - I can do other things at the same time. For decades - DECADES, Terry - I didn't read for pleasure daily, but that all changed at Christmas 2019. I haven't had a day without reading for pleasure since then, and I'm really, really enjoying it. I've rediscovered my love for books and reading, and I couldn't be happier about it. 🥳
I love the memoir side of your writing, Terry. Do keep it up!
I cannot imagine a prolonged period of not reading for pleasure. So glad you're doing it now
I'm so grateful to have it back in my life! I'd been missing out on so, so much.
😃
😃
Yes! It was very effective. It's almost alarming when the narrator breaks the spell and starts speaking to the reader directly. It usually rubs me the wrong way when a story is chugging along nicely and the narrator, heretofore invisible, suddenly makes his/her presence known by way of an opinion or observation. However, I can see how this technique could be used skillfully in the right circumstance as you have demonstrated here. Thanks Terry! Happy Bathday!
Ps was wondering if you actually liked the story itself. I don't often write memoir so be gentle with me
Oh yes, I loved the story and found it very relatable. Particularly clever (and absolutely true) is the line about the lengths that young men will go to...the eighth wonder of the world. "Helsinki? What an astonishing coincidence!" Also your comments on weed had me laughing. "Far out man." Nice memoir Terry.
Thanks, Jim. Re: lengths young men will go to: It's kind of sad and hilarious at the same time 😂
Yes, it grates on me as well. Thank you for kind comments, Jim, and bath day greetings! 😃