Sunday Stories: Vasya Whitefeet
Discover more from The House of Beasts & Vines
Sunday Stories: Vasya Whitefeet
Plus Patrick McCabe's Goldengrove, Stag Cult recording, London gathering with Shaw & Kingsnorth
Hello parish,
This is one of those rare-as-hen’s-teeth posts going to all subscribers today. For the price of one London pint a month you could have all this arriving once a week in your inbox. Today’s quite the caravan – from an interview with the Irish writer Patrick McCabe, to a story narrated from my very fireside, to a reading and conversation about Stag Cult recorded last week. Next week begins a journey into the wild saints of the west of Britain (I’m recently back from Cornwall). Something which has opened up all sorts of mind-boggling new doors.
Good cheer, Martin.
The Tale of Vasya Whitefeet
Story-chair and slumber blanket, author’s own.
Listen to the tale of Vasya Whitefeet (from The Night Wages):
Monies from the telling of this story have been sent to: gypsy-traveller.org
Patrick McCabe, Goldengrove
Patrick McCabe is one of the most brilliant writers working today. Twice nominated for the Booker, he’s internationally known for The Butcher Boy and broke yet more new ground with last year’s epic Poguemahone (the best audio book I’ve ever heard, I go on long drives just to soak in it).
We had pints together at the The White Hart down in Devon the other week, and he told me about a new book he’s working on, Goldengrove. In one sentence – it’s a black comedy set in 70s Dublin: a theatrical agency acts as a front for British counter-terrorism. Amazingly – right there and then – he was happy to give House of Beasts & Vines an exclusive reading from this dark, charming and wickedly inventive book.
Do listen past the wonderful reading when he starts to talk about writing, ‘everything is one long book’. Pat is immensely refreshing to be around.
Let’s get this unique book published – please have a look at how to get involved in the adventure over at:
Listen to Patrick McCabe’s lively reading and conversation with Martin:
Stag Cult Reading & Discussion
I enjoyed this: there’s readings from the book, including The Birth of Taliesin and all sorts of off-piste moments – what’s my favourite movie, thoughts on The Inklings and a few other things.
Listen to the Stag Cult reading and discussion, recorded at Dartington Bookshop, Devon, July 2023:
London Gathering, Seeking God in Wild Places
Remaining tickets here for these two smilers:
Sunday Stories: Vasya Whitefeet
Have you ever seen the film 'The Princess Kaguya' (Studio Ghibli)....not necessarily a children's film. It is a must see----based on an 8th c. tale from the Heien period and a story the Ghibli people wanted to do for a long time. Worth the wait though (14 years); supposedly their swansong.....the writer of the story has died at the age of 81 and the art director is in his 80's as well. The music in particular is haunting......
Your posts are enchanting BTW......Fenist Bright Falcon was a tear-jerker for me.
Thanks for the tip on the Poguemahone audiobook, Martin. Took the dive. Gonna make the week of stair building on the job sweet. I have already had his image of lepers with wings of eagles sweeping over a world of fire crated and marked as a keeper in the eye's hold.