tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-253865779660854699.post7345354738723272816..comments2023-10-15T09:36:12.013+01:00Comments on Countercultural Father: Absolute and AbitofhellBen Trovatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15299230935468606845noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-253865779660854699.post-54933969562143196692014-01-15T21:42:26.095+00:002014-01-15T21:42:26.095+00:00They're witty and original, in the "puzzl...They're witty and original, in the "puzzle" style, although not among the real greats of the genre. <br /><br />You might start with "Still dead" or "Double cross purposes" - or whatever you can find, really.<br /><br />Which reminds me, I should re-read them soon.Eccleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00357168852208499013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-253865779660854699.post-18442355240946036082014-01-15T21:34:13.564+00:002014-01-15T21:34:13.564+00:00Yes, I own (and have even read) the Waugh biograph...Yes, I own (and have even read) the Waugh biography. It is the detective stories I covet! Any good?Ben Trovatohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15299230935468606845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-253865779660854699.post-91216523898056134522014-01-15T21:26:53.161+00:002014-01-15T21:26:53.161+00:00A great man. I have several books by Ronald Knox, ...A great man. I have several books by Ronald Knox, including practically all the detective stories, his essays in satire, and some religious works.<br /><br />Evelyn Waugh wrote a biography of him.<br /><br />Do you know this?<br /><br />"There is another Custom prevailing in Mahometan Countries, of such doubtful Advantage that we could not agree to conform to it without earnest Consideration; I mean, the Custom by which people are woken in the Morning by a Fellow bawling out from the Top of a Minaret, to the Effect (unless my Memory plays me false) that Allah is great. It will seem shocking to minds habituated by our Western Standards of Taste, that these Muezzins, as they are call'd, should give a Pronouncement so publick to so controversial a Statement. We should not allow it; for it would manifestly cause the most grievous Distress of Conscience to any Atheist or Agnostick who happened to be within Earshot. Yet is something to be said for the Practice in general Outline; who has not wished, as he turn'd over in bed at eight of the clock on a Sunday morning, that there were some less noisy means of awakening a few devout Women, than making a great Clanging of Bells, as if the whole city were afire? Would it not be well to introduce the Muezzin into our Church-towers, and at the same Time to see to it that his Announcement was both less provocative, and more appropriate; that he should either shout out, The early Bird catches the Worm, or if he were musical, even intone to some simple Anglican Chant the Words:<br /><br />Early to Bed, and early to rise,<br />Makes a Man healthy, wealthy, and wise?"Eccleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00357168852208499013noreply@blogger.com