Author Archives: Charles Lambert

Heath Ledger

Posted on January 23, 2008 by Charles Lambert

I don’t know how many hours I’ve spent talking about Brokeback Mountain. The film took us all back to the story, or to the story for the first time; Annie Proulx’s wonderful story. But there was also the partisan aspect … Continue reading →

Posted in brokeback mountain, death, heath ledger | 3 Comments

A Chavez story that doesn’t mention Naomi Campbell

Posted on January 23, 2008 by Charles Lambert

There’s a rather odd piece in today’s New York Times about middle and upper class Venezuelans fleeing the country in fear of Chavez, to settle in South Florida. They’re compared in the article to Cuban exiles, on the run from … Continue reading →

Posted in politics | Leave a comment

Bananas

Posted on January 22, 2008 by Charles Lambert

As predicted in my last post, Clemente Mastella has withdrawn his three (yes, that’s right, three) senators from the Italian senate, depriving the Prodi government of its majority of two (yes, that’s right, two). The government’s been looking like a … Continue reading →

Posted in berlusconi, corruption, italy, politics, prodi, vatican | 4 Comments

No corruption? No party!

Posted on January 20, 2008 by Charles Lambert

Italian politicians certainly know how to celebrate. Totò Cuffaro, centre right, president of the region of Sicily (see left: modelling a coppola, traditional Sicilian headgear, in a probably mistaken photo-op), was convicted a couple of days ago of having favoured … Continue reading →

Posted in corruption, italy, mafia, politics | 4 Comments

Clubbing

Posted on January 20, 2008 by Charles Lambert

Two UK book clubs, Books Direct and Book Giant, have decided to put Little Monsters among their choices. This is wonderful news, and I’m duly thrilled. But what I’m most fascinated by is the way the book is slowly getting … Continue reading →

Posted in little monsters, shameless self-promotion | 4 Comments

Multitasking

Posted on January 20, 2008 by Charles Lambert

I’ve no doubt Ratzinger had a word to say about family values to the masses gathered today beneath his balcony. He works so much better with a friendly audience, even when they do know most of the jokes. There’s a … Continue reading →

Posted in money, politics, USA, work | Leave a comment

Precious things

Posted on January 19, 2008 by Charles Lambert

Patrizia Casamirra isn’t just a great photographer (she’s even managed to make me look like a real author on the jacket of Little Monsters, though you’ll have to buy it to see). She also makes fantastic silver jewellery: necklaces, rings … Continue reading →

Posted in patrizia casamirra | 1 Comment

ABB

Posted on January 18, 2008 by Charles Lambert

This could mean so many things. I don’t know. All buns bleed. Amanda’s bulging biceps. Avast brown bear. Able bodies burgeon. Alice B. Boklas. OK, OK. What it actually means is Anything But Blair. Valery Giscard D’Estaing and Edouard Balladur, … Continue reading →

Posted in blair, europe | 4 Comments

Party animal

Posted on January 18, 2008 by Charles Lambert

http://www.youtube.com/v/xc0CB6URrV0&rel=1&border=1This is for those of you who feel that all is not well with your teenage children. You know who you are. Watch this and know. It could be so much worse. Via Andrew Sullivan’s Daily Dish.

3 Comments

Dear Editor

Posted on January 17, 2008 by Charles Lambert

I thought I’d write to La Repubblica to point out that the rest of the world (pace the horrified wailing of the Italian media) is actually not that interested in Ratzinger’s failure to show at la Sapienza. On the assumption … Continue reading →

Posted in freedom of speech, pope, ratzinger | 4 Comments