The Bottle Factory Outing, Daisy Jones and The Six and The Children of Dynmouth

Not my favourite Beryl Bainbridge novel, but The Bottle Factory Outing is a clever black comedy. There are elements of farce as Freda and room mate Brenda join a works outing to Windsor. Their relationships with some of their Italian co-workers are particularly difficult. The offbeat writing is at the fore in some of the rich dialogue. The story gets darker and even more farcical as it goes along. I was glad it was only a shortish book. 

To begin with I thought the idea of telling the story of Daisy Jones and The Six through alternating interviews with all the characters was ingenious and worked well. Like a TV documentary with talking heads. However, the format does start to get tedious after a while and I wanted to read a more traditional novel. There was also too much philosophical clap trap from a bunch of drunks and druggies that could have easily been cut. There was only one point half way through that was in any way emotionally gripping. But the story was way too predictable, given we are told the ending on the back cover! In a way it was quite good fun and a really easy read. But no literary merit here. Disappointing as I was really looking forward to reading this book. 

Not in the same league as "Felicia's Journey" or "The Story of Lucy Gault", William Trevor's short novel The Children of Dynmouth from 1976 seemed a little dated. Although his insight into the deepest recesses of humanity still shine through. He imbues his characters with all the foibles of real life and the writing, as always, has that lightness of touch that seems so ordinary but marvellous to read. "... the holidaymakers who had taken advantage of the pre-Easter rates looked as though they regretted it as they loitered in the rain". Dynmouth itself is well described. "Fluffy white clouds floated politely around the sun, as though unwilling to obscure it".

The story revolves around Timothy Gedge, a fifteen year old wannabee delinquent. Are we expected to be sorry for him as the story develops? Maybe just a little, but his actions were always disturbing to read. I much preferred the story when he was not in it, but he was the catalyst for all that happens. I liked all the references to cricket that young Stephen mentions, reminding me of those weird fielding positions: third man, gully, cover point, slips, deep fine leg.