JacquiWine

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The Barracks by John McGahern First published in 1963, The Barracks was John McGahern’s debut novel, written when he was in his late twenties. Now considered one of Ireland’s greatest authors, McGahern wrote about a world he kn…

'He had changed everything in her life and solved nothing: the first rush of the excitement of discovery, and then the failure of love, contempt changing to self-contempt and final destruction, its futile ashes left in her own hands.' #BookSky 💙📚

jacquiwine.wordpress.com/2026/03/03/t...

A pleasure! The episode on BLACK GIRL is also very good.

Yes, that can be the downside of watching several films at a busy festival. It’s not the most conducive environment for a slow-burn movie. I’ll definitely give it another spin at home.

I saw this a couple of years ago at the London Film Festival, but I think it got subsumed by other, showier films. My 3.5 rating feels low now, so I ought to rewatch it. (ASH IS PUREST WHITE is a terrific film!)

Some of the absolute best crime neo-noirs in the last decade have come out of China - Black Coal Thin Ice, Ash is Purest White, and few others I have to see - and Only the River Flows is in the same style and of high quality.

I adore this novel, one of my all-time favourites!

Wanda (1970)

This is really good on Barbara Loden's Wanda, with @fatscoleman.bsky.social
Made me want to rewatch the film!
open.spotify.com/episode/2upE...

I agree. One of the best episodes so far!

It really is. I can see where the inspiration for Fernando’s grandfather in THE SECRET AGENT came from - the projectionist!

>> It’s a moving companion piece to the director’s feature films, NEIGHBORING SOUNDS, AQUARIUS and THE SECRET AGENT. An elegiac love letter to Recife and the ghosts that haunt it. (2/2) #FilmSky

Film poster for PICTURES OF GHOSTS, showing a group of figures in wild outfits.

PICTURES OF GHOSTS (Kleber Mendonça Filho, 2023).

Really enjoyed this beautiful, melancholy film that delves into Kleber Mendonça Filho‘s relationship to his childhood home in Recife, the now-closed movie theatres of the city, and cinema as a place of worship. (1/2) >> #FilmSky

Screenshot of my last 4 films watched, as logged on Letterboxd. PICTURES OF GHOSTS, 4 stars THE WHITE BALLOON, 4 stars, a rewatch GRASS, 3.5 stars THE SECRET AGENT, 5 stars, a rewatch

My #LastFourWatched for #LetterboxdFriday.

I enjoyed all of these, but a rewatch of THE SECRET AGENT was the undoubted highlight. #FilmSky

This 'View from Albert Bridge Road,' is by Terry Frost from the window of his lodgings in Battersea in 1948. Then studying at Camberwell he had met Victor Pasmore who would have a huge influence on his work. A year after this picture, he produced his first abstract painting.

*to it.

Sounds great, doesn’t it? I’m looking forward it!

Haha! Not quite. ;-)

I thoroughly enjoyed this one, too!

@rachelmalik.bsky.social For info!

With the week-end nearly upon us, I thought that a seaside view might be appropriate. This is "Broadstairs" by Elwin Hawthorne from 1931. It was on a short-list of two images by him that were under consideration for a Shell poster design: North Foreland Lighthouse was the choice. #ElwinHawthorne

Paula Rego: Story Line | 16 April – 23 May 2026 The most comprehensive exhibition of Rego’s drawings to date shines new light on the artist's evolving use of line.

PSA for London art lovers!

The Victoria Miro gallery will be hosting an exhibition of Paula Rego's drawings and works on paper, PAULA REGO: STORY LINE, from 16th April to 23rd May. 🔥

#Art #ArtSky #PaulaRego #London

www.victoria-miro.com/exhibitions/...

Yes, absolutely. We're just waiting for it to happen...

“It’s a very odd set-up.” #carolcarnac #thedoubleturn Timing is often all when it comes to reading, I find, and today’s book is a wonderful example of that. It arrived on the day I had finished reading the epic volume, “The Waste Land: A B…

On the blog today, another brilliant #CarolCarnac reissue from @blpublishing.bsky.social -such a clever and twisty one! @martinedwardsbooks.bsky.social kaggsysbookishramblings.wordpress.com/2026/03/06/i...

The Barracks by John McGahern First published in 1963, The Barracks was John McGahern’s debut novel, written when he was in his late twenties. Now considered one of Ireland’s greatest authors, McGahern wrote about a world he kn…

‘…had she married Reegan because she had been simply sick of living at the time and forced to create some illusion of happiness about him so that she might be able to go on? […] She’d achieved no intimacy with Reegan. He was growing more & more restless.’ 📚💙

jacquiwine.wordpress.com/2026/03/03/t...

I rewatched THE SECRET AGENT this week, and it’s just as good, if not better, second time around. It’s a richly textured film.

Her COPENHAGEN TRILOGY is also excellent, but i found it an emotionally draining read. Her short stories, on the other hand, might be an easier way in. She’s worth considering.

Last four films on Letterboxd: The Secret Agent If I Had Legs I’d Kick You Elizabeth R (TV) Sirat

Last four on Letterboxd. #FilmSky #LastFourFriday #LastFouronLetterboxd
One film and one TV #stonecoldclassic in there…

Your comments about the absurdity and Kafkaesque drollery are spot on. I found this film so chilling; the sense of dread feels palpable throughout…

Cool. I’m trying to think of other women writers you might like. How about THE TROUBLE WITH HAPPINESS by Tove Ditlevsen? An excellent collection of short stories - melancholy, unsettling and piercingly perceptive about women’s lives.

Right up your alley, I’d say!