The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
A Town Called Solace
A childhood ambition to write has been realised by Philip Jackson, who, as he tells Caroline Lindsay, has made up for
Mary Lawson writes about families and relationships, history and secrets. A Canadian by birth who’s lived in the UK since the 1960s, Lawson’s latest book is set in chilly Northern Ontario in 1972. Entwined stories twist together in A Town Called Solace: Clara, just eight, finds her world turned upside down when her sister Rose runs away. Elderly next door neighbour Elizabeth thinks about the people she’s loved as she goes into hospital, and newly divorced Liam moves into her house. The impact of events from 30 years ago provide the backdrop for today. The doubts, difficulties and uncertainties of the human condition are examined carefully in a way that is both heartbreaking and joyful. If you love Anne Tyler or Carol Shields – who make the domestic drama of everyday lives extraordinary – A Town Called Solace will appeal.
Philip Jackson has wanted to be a writer ever since his Primary 7 teacher was so impressed by a story she thought he had copied it. However, he only took up writing seriously as a music reviewer, much later on, as he was so busy with his teaching career.
“Writing a book was a logical progression from my reviewing and my lifelong passion for music – listening and playing as well as reviewing – and also my interest in history, psychology, sociology and literature,” Philip explains.
“These interests happily coalesced into my idea for Within You, Without You, which I think is unique in the multi-faceted approach the book takes.
“A significant focus for the book is The Beatles and 1967, the year Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band came out. I look at the impact and influence of The Beatles with a particular interest in the ‘British invasion’ of the US and, as a corollary, the influence of American blues, jazz and reggae music in Britain, with a section on Jimi Hendrix to link the two countries,” he continues.
“My purpose in writing the book was to inform, remind, explain and contextualise the emergence of pop and rock music and culture in the post-war years.
“The book is for all age groups: from those who were not around in the post-war years as well as those wishing to re-familiarise themselves with, and expand their knowledge of, the music of their youth.
“I see it as a journey of discovery appealing, hopefully, to people at all stages of that journey. The feedback so far has been most encouraging.”
Philip plans to complete a second volume to follow Within You, Without You by Easter.
“This covers the cultural and musical history of the US, looking at the whole history to the year 1970,” he reveals.
“Like the first volume, I have adopted a cross genre approach and weaved indigenous forms of music into the story; native American music, blues, folk, country, protest music, as well as covering American civilisation – the wars, the presidents, civil rights and so on.
“I’ve had to leave jazz and rock and pop music for future volumes. It’s been a fascinating voyage of discovery for me, covering American writers, art, film and TV as well as history and music.”
So what’s the secret to writing a good book? “Draft and re-draft. Pace yourself,” he stresses.
“For factual books – and fictional ones where science, history, etc, are involved – check and re-check your sources.
“Don’t compromise on the diversity of the English language but make sure that whatever you write is accessible, and as informative and entertaining as possible – some humour here and there helps!”
Within You, Without You: A Sociological, Cultural and Musical History of Great Britain 1945-1967 by Philip Jackson is published by Austin Macauley Publishers, £12.99. Kindle £3.50.
S50 years ago
ome Dundee University students have challenged the recent election of Peter Ustinov as rector. Mr Ustinov won the rectorship by eight votes after three recounts, and students claim that two of the recounts were in favour of Michael Parkinson, Ustinov’s main rival.
A band of students protested with a flour bomb attack on the University Staff Club. One of the band was attacked, it is claimed. So a “mass meeting” of students was called to discuss both the result and the alleged attack. It was attended by only about 130 – approximately 5% of the student population – but just enough to form a quorum at the meeting.