What a fun book, for a book group at Storyhouse in Chester

1/12 - *includes spoilers* I had never heard of Brian Bilston (‘the Banksy of poetry’, ‘Twitter’s unofficial Poet Laureate’) or this book, before the book group chose it, and I’m glad they did. Funnier than the original ‘nobody’ and another ‘somebody’ that I’ve read. This is a very current, witty, and funny memoir of a fictional year in the life of Brian Bilston, although I assume any coincidence with the author of the same name is accidental! There are a smattering of poems, not the 1-a-day that BB set out to write, and other clever clues and twists to the unfolding missing person (murder?) case. But, this book is mostly about BB and his life rapidly spiralling out of control, as he loses his job, friendship groups, his mind (almost), and possibly his son. Throughout it all Bilston remains almost entirely unaware of his own failings and impact on others (the opposite of self-awareness?) There is pathos too, but I always believed that everything would come right - which it mostly does. There are great cameo appearances from the hipster DI Lansbury’s beard, the writer’s shed, and arch rival Toby Salt, he of the impenetrable high brow poetry and meteoric rise to fame and fortune. I like to feel that Bilston was always a somebody, he just doesn’t realise it. He went through a bad patch and came out the other side with humour, and dignity … but don’t mention ‘A Poet up her Chimney’!

Leaving at a busy Storyhouse, using my new QR codes. If you find this welcome to book crossing :)