Leunig; National Living Treasure

Here is a Leunig's cartoon, usually published in the Fairfax papers; SMH and the Age. It is topical to the day.

From a Facebook post on the Micheal Leunig Appreciation page.

Do you detect the brilliance of it?

The nuanced meaning will be lost on many people.Many will think it to be directed at @IzzyFolau; a reference to the now famous Instagram post where Izzy quoted a Bible verse which many have read as confining homosexuals to hell.

But, Leunig is cleverer than that.

Firstly, note that Leunig has ducked the controversy by keeping the matter to bisexuality. There was nothing to be gained by further flaming the homophobic fire!

Secondly, appreciate how Leunig sees through the duplicity. The recently deceased, addressing himself to Saint Peter at the Holy Gates of heaven, continues to grasps hold of something that he has left behind. His identity as bisexual has no relevance to his stand in the next life.  And, in response, Saint Peter mocks him [no!, the poor deceased fellow has no longer any choices]. Peter's sting is most felt when you see through to how Leunig sorrowfully discerns how "bisexuals" expect to have a better standing in heaven (or in hell) than everyone else.

In short, Leunig is saying: 'You rainbow types are treated no different when dead'.

And, in that, Leunig and Izzy said very much the same thing.

Shalom,
Ozhamada

[226 words]#Bible #heisrisen #jesus #Christ #messiah #butGodcares #restoration #cartoon #IzzyFolau #theage #FairFaxMedia

Note: I hope Leunig's cartoon was inspired from the story of Lazarus and the rich man in Luke 16:19-31. The recently deceased man in the cartoon is terribly similar in his thinking to the rich man.

Review, 'The Navigator'

Characters

Kaloni Kienga; Gunnar’s grandfather (alive and then deceased on island prior to arrival of the Frigate Bird).

Characters identified as officers of the Frigate Bird

Carl Magnusson, captain, in an open marriage arrangement initially with Sally Anderton before joining Molly Kaapu in a hut together.

Gunnar Thorkild; mate, Professor at the University of Hawaii, appointed island chief.

Lieutenant Peter Andre Lorillard, communications, US Navy, formed love interest with Martha on-board The Frigate Bird. Married with wife and children in San Diego. Votes for junction of land to USA jurisdiction (a vote that does not pass). One of the colonists to the terraces after Charlie’s exile.

Sally Anderton, medical, boarded the Frigate Bird as love interest to Carl and then hopped beds to be with Gunnar.

Martha Gilman, writer to the captain, formed love interest with Peter on-board the Frigate Bird, voted for Peter as chief. Falls pregnant during the journey. Votes for junction of land to USA jurisdiction (a vote that does not pass). One of the colonists to the terraces after Charlie’s exile.

Charles Kamakau, bosun, also referred to as Charlie, age 40, splits from his wife Barbara and takes to clearing the terrace area. Returns to beach village in ambush of Barbara. Wounds Barbara, also Tioto and Simon Cohen (who come to Barbara’s aid). Exiled on canoe and direct NE.

--/--

Characters identified as passengers of the Frigate Bird who did not make landfall

Malo (male) and Monica (female) (alive as passengers on the Frigate Bird, died in tsunami).

Characters identified as passengers of the Frigate Bird (male)

Franz Harsanyi, linguist, settles into relationship with Ellen.

Simon Cohen, musician, nominated Peter as chief, voted for Peter as chief. Votes for junction of land to USA jurisdiction (a vote that does not pass).

Hernan Castillo, the Filipino, voted for Peter as chief.

Adam Briggs, settles into relationship with Jenny.

Tioto, partner of Malo

Mark Gilham, Martha’s son, a child. Calls Gunnar by nickname Uncle Gunsmoke

Willy Kuhio, married to Eva. Votes for junction of land to USA jurisdiction (a vote that does not pass). One of the colonists to the terraces after Charlie’s exile.

Characters identified as passengers of the Frigate Bird (female)

Barbara Kamakau, Charlie’s wife

Molly Kaapu, cook, settles into relationship with Carl.

Jenny, pregnant (still-born child on island), student of Gunnar, nominated Gunnar as chief, settles into relationship with Adam.

Eva Kuhio, married to Willy. Votes for junction of land to USA jurisdiction (a vote that does not pass). One of the colonists to the terraces after Charlie’s exile.

Ellen Ching, botanist, settles into relationship with Franz

Yoko Nagamuma, nutritionist, voted for Peter as chief. Votes for junction of land to USA jurisdiction (a vote that does not pass).

Other characters - Hawaii

James Neal Anderson, Dean of Oceanic Studies at the University of Hawaii, Gunnar’s supervisor

Michael Aloysius Flanagan S.J., Priest (marmoset?). Wheelchair-bound.

References:

Bounty: Gunnar warns islanders that they should not suffer a similar fate.

Discussion

The count of islanders, prior to Charlie’s exile, is thrice specifically put as eighteen. Once in terms of the lives on the island, then in terms of reconciling the fifteen eligible to cast a vote and then identified to ten men and eight women. However, there are nineteen on the island. Eight women is the correct count, however there are eleven men. On page 153-154 there is an accounting of all nineteen islanders (nine pairs and one single) to newly built accommodation huts (with Charlie temporarily living apart).

While Martha Gilman commenced a love interest with Lieutenant Peter Andre Lorillard, I find it a plot-hole for her to vote for Peter as chief. Martha was friends with Gunnar long before she met Peter. Martha would have been swayed to voting for Gunnar based on Gunnar’s knowledge and skills.

Shalom,

Ozhamada

Note: I located this novel at a Street Library within a cafe; Nibu, in Lane Cove and dropped it into a Street Library within Sydney Town Hall.

[634 words] #book #reading #read #readAustralian

Characters and places in The Irresistible Inheritance of Wilberforce

Paul Torday first captured my reading interest with a marvellous novel: Salmon Fishing in the Yemen. Salmon Fishing was a first novel – and a very funny novel at that. Salmon Fishing was made into a movie. The movie was most frustrating in its inauthenticity; the movie producer over-played the love story and downplayed on humour. Wilberforce would become the third of Torday’s works that I have enjoyed.

Wilberforce is told in a reverse chronological order in four vintages; 2006, 2004, 2003 and 2002. The story opens with the main character enjoying his destructive hobby. The remainder of the book then creates the backstory. In such instances I find it necessary to record main characters, place names and references as I read through the book. I offer that record here:

Image credit: www.goodreads.com

Main characters

Francis Wilberforce: Alcoholic, although Wilberforce himself cannot tolerate the expression “alcoholic” when used in relation to his hobby of imbibing the finest of wines. Wilberforce is a lost cause post-AA. His doctor’s prognosis is towards a steady and certain death. Raised by foster-parents of which only the foster-mother, named Mary, is alive. Wilberforce is aged 37 at the book’s opening.

Catherine Wilberforce (nee Plender): Former wife of Wilberforce. Their marriage ended tragically in her death in a motor vehicle accident. Catherine was the driver in the accident. Wilberforce incurred minor injuries in the accident.

Francis Black: A friend of Wilberforce who passed away, of cancer, leaving a substantial quantity of fine wine.

Doctor Colin Holman: Wilberforce’s doctor

Nurse Susan: A nurse employed by Doctor Holman to attend Wilberforce following an episode of over-consumption of wine.

Andy: Finance Director of software company – Wilberforce Software Solutions, now Bayleaf UK - that Wilberforce previously owned.

Ed Hartlepool: a gentleman who Wilberforce had once been very close to.

Christopher Templeton: Stockbroker to Wilberforce.

Ed Simmons, Eck Chetwode-Talbot, Annabel Gazebee – former friends of Wilberforce. Eck Chetwode-Tabot and Ed Simmons had appeared in Salmon Fishing in the Yemen. Catherine had at one point nearly married Ed Simmons. Eck is Francis Black’s godson. Eck is former army.

Places

Les Tripes de Normandie: Restaurant that Wilberforce enters at the start of the novel.

Half Moon Street flat: Wilberforce’s abode. Purchased original for both him and Catherine.

Caerlyon Hall: Formerly Francis Black’s premises. Purchased by Wilberforce from the executors of Black’s estate. Leased partly to Gateshead County Council as a Community Outreach Centre.

References

Alice inWonderland: Wilberforce records sighting Black’s sign – Francis Black: Fine Bordeaux Wines - for the first time and suggests that the sign was a similar temptation as the bottle labelled “DRINK ME” was to Alice.

Shalom,

Ozhamada

Book title: The Irresistible Inheritance of Wilberforce, A Novel in Four Vintages, 2008, paperback, 308 pages. Found at a street library in Sydney Town Hall. Dropped to street library with Nibu Cafe, Lane Cove. 

This page links from my Goodreads account.

[443 words] #book #reading #read