Kirjahaku

In 1930's England, Teddy Aston, nephew of Lord Alpington, and his butler, Budworth, lead a life of indolent frivolity. But Teddy yearns for a new challenge; insect hunting in the jungle, perhaps, or gathering information for the Authorities, perhaps, on those with divided loyalties as events on the Continent divide opinion. Would being a spy impress the divine Lucinda? However, even with the help of Budworth's incisive mind, our hero is soon out of his depth.

Jim loved his old Land Rover. He also had a passing fancy for Beryl Marsh. Could he win her away from Roger, her drunkard of a husband? When Phillip visited the house of his recently deceased and formerly estranged father, he only wanted a figurine to remind him of his childhood home. How could he have known that it would lead to the solving of a family mystery? When Maureen and Cheryl observe Suzie throw up in the toilet and then leave work early in the company of an unknown man, they put two and two together. But is 'four' the right answer? A traffic accident closes the motorway and causes an aspiring writer to miss his flight to New York for a career-making interview. Is it possible that this is his lucky day? Alice is trying to come to terms with the passing years and the unfulfilled dreams. What are her chances of comfort and contentment in old age? After a bitter conflict and a terrible defeat, can the queen restore her community's fortunes?

These humorous adventures, inspired by the writings of P. G. Wodehouse, tell how Teddy Aston, the nephew of Lord and Lady Alpington, leads a life of luxurious idleness, ably supported by his valet, Budworth, in between-the-wars England. Betting, country house weekends, avoiding marriage and indoor rugby at the infamous Sloths Club are his main activities. But why is his fearsome Aunt Amelia, Lady Alpington, so anxious to find him a rich bride before his thirtieth birthday? And why do the New York Mafia regard him as a person to be treated with respect? Only Budworth knows the answers!

Was Prince Edward, known within the Royal Family as David, predisposed to reject his destiny as Heir to the Throne? Did Wallis Simpson merely provide him with an escape route or was she, uniquely amongst his circle, free from sycophancy and therefore the companion for whom he had longed? As history played out across two continents and two world wars, two people struggled to lead private lives while destiny shone a bright light on their every deed. The Abdication was the sensation of the inter-war years. Written in verse, this play seeks to embrace both the gravitas and the humour of the history plays of an earlier era.

Driven by a fascination with the concept of an ancient nation reborn in my life time, I set out to explore Israel/Palestine, ancient and modern. After wintering on a kibbutz, I set out, firstly south to Eilat, then into occupied Sinai and the fledgling resort of Sharm el Sheik before turning north to the Sea of Galilee, Haifa and the Golan Heights. This being 1973, I witnessed the Twenty Fifth Anniversary of the founding of the modern state.

This book of short stories by John Jansen, who leads a U3A creative writing group in Cornwall, England, seeks to explore just how short a short story can be. The essential elements of characterisation, intriguing situations, multiple possibilities and an unexpected resolution, can be fitted into a bite-sized tale. Nonsense verse revels in the joy of language, tortured rhymes and surreal images which appeal to the child in all of us.