Yes! We were just discussing one of his characters yesterday. We loved all of his books, especially the South African ones. I note that Suchet's brother was straight in on twitter after someone suggested that David Jason started in Blott! Personally I would not want to be reminded. Great books which deserved to stay as books, since IMO they did not translate into TV or Film. RIP to someone who genuinely affected my life and opinions.

I loved Wilt - it was my first foray into his books and then Blott on the landscape 

 

 

RIP Tom 

R.I.P  Tom

R.I.P. Tom.

El Loro. I loved the television series of both Porterhose blue and Blot on the landscape. Iwas in my early twenties when they were on, and they inspired me to buy the books.

I also once met an Oxford porter of one of the colleges who was very much like the David Jason character.

As you know, I was brung up in Cambridge. There was so much about Tom's work that I recognised and bellowed with laughter about, often when I'd rather no-one heard! 

 

I went to grammar school just around the corner where they taught Meat One and similar apprentice skills back in the day that Wilt relates in hilarious detail. My Dad was also a don at Trinity so I heard all the sort of stories that Tom talked about in Porterhouse Blues and related to them as my dad mocked them too!  

 

One of the best comic novelists of the 20thC and also a significant activist about apartheid that focused my mind. A real warrior imo. 

 

Sleep peacefully and by your passing I hope another generation will engage with your works. 

Well said Judith! ION I'll be near Ruth First house in the morning.

I know you have a certain obsession about a certain Ruth. I don't have the entire Sharpe oeuvre to hand howevever! 

'Tis a different Ruth. Wife of Joe Slovo, more than likely assassinated by the South African security forces.

'kay.  I'm shady about such things as I skipped many of his books in order to go to punk clubs.  I think he would have approved. 

It's not in his books per se. I wish I hadn't mentioned it now! I'll go to the covered market instead.