Recently I posted about eminent scientist and author Oliver Sacks, who has found that terminal illness has given him "a sudden clear focus and perspective". Much the same seems to be true of Clive James, if Blake Morrison's review of James' poetry collection Sentenced To Life is anything to go by.
Not only has James' condition caused him to look back and reflect with clarity on his life (and past mistakes and misdemeanours), it's also helped him towards a sort of hyperawareness of the present moment and the world immediately around him. According to Morrison, there's no wallowing in self-pity - on the contrary, what could be a sombre volume is leavened by James' trademark wit.
One to add to the reading list, then.
(Thanks to Adam for the link.)
Thursday, April 02, 2015
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