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Random Ramblings of a Short-sighted Writer
This eclectic selection of pieces penned by the author Alex Pearl, won't fail to move and amuse. Many were originally published on his website and subsequently in paperback under the title Random Ramblings of a Short-sighted Blogger. This new updated edition includes more recent articles and is fully illustrated. Whether conveying the eccentricities of village cricket, the quirkiness of British advertising, or the surprising hospitality of hotels in North Korea, Pearl's prose will draw you in and leave you wanting to come back for more.
284 pages, Hardcover
Published January 2, 2015
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About the author
Alex Pearl
20 books62 followersBack in the distant mists of time, Alex spent three years at art college in Maidstone; a college that David Hockney once taught at, and later described in a piece for The Sunday Times as the 'most miserable' episode of his life. Here, Alex was responsible for producing - among other things - the college's first theatrical production in which the lead character accidentally caught fire. Following college, he found employment in the advertising industry as a copywriter. He has turned to writing fiction in the twilight years of his writing career.
His novella, 'Sleeping with the Blackbirds' - a black, comic urban fantasy, was initially written for his children in 2011 and published by PenPress. It was longlisted by the Millennium Book Awards 2018 and selected by the Indie Author Project in 2019 for distribution to public libraries across the US and Canada..
In 2014 his short story, 'Scared to Death' - the fictionalised account of the first British serviceman to be executed for cowardice during the First World War, was published in an anthology ('The Clock Struck War') by Mardibooks along with 22 other short stories to mark the centenary of the Great War.
Alex's psychological thriller, 'The Chair Man' set in London following the terrorist attack in 2005 was published as an e-book by Fizgig Press in 2019 and as a paperback in 2020. It is his first full-length novel, and was a Finalist in the Wishing Shelf Book Awards 2021.
His comic murder mystery, 'A Brand to Die For' is set in the 1983 world of advertising, and is only the second murder mystery ever set in London's adland. The first being 'Murder Must Advertise' by Dorothy L Sayers back in 1933. His sequel 'One Man Down' has been taken up by Roundfire Books.
Alex's claim to fame is that he is quite possibly the only person on this planet to have been inadvertently locked in a record shop on Christmas Eve.
His novella, 'Sleeping with the Blackbirds' - a black, comic urban fantasy, was initially written for his children in 2011 and published by PenPress. It was longlisted by the Millennium Book Awards 2018 and selected by the Indie Author Project in 2019 for distribution to public libraries across the US and Canada..
In 2014 his short story, 'Scared to Death' - the fictionalised account of the first British serviceman to be executed for cowardice during the First World War, was published in an anthology ('The Clock Struck War') by Mardibooks along with 22 other short stories to mark the centenary of the Great War.
Alex's psychological thriller, 'The Chair Man' set in London following the terrorist attack in 2005 was published as an e-book by Fizgig Press in 2019 and as a paperback in 2020. It is his first full-length novel, and was a Finalist in the Wishing Shelf Book Awards 2021.
His comic murder mystery, 'A Brand to Die For' is set in the 1983 world of advertising, and is only the second murder mystery ever set in London's adland. The first being 'Murder Must Advertise' by Dorothy L Sayers back in 1933. His sequel 'One Man Down' has been taken up by Roundfire Books.
Alex's claim to fame is that he is quite possibly the only person on this planet to have been inadvertently locked in a record shop on Christmas Eve.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
June 25, 2024
There is a randomness in this collection of tales but the thread which holds it together is Alex Pearl himself, giving an insight into life and family, fondness for his grandma, mention of his mother's secrets - dementia changed that - a touching in memoriam for his father, discussions about his forbears, as well as entertaining and amusing tales of his advertising, personal and work life.
There are anecdotes about dislike of PE but fondness for cricket, love of cinema, (and memories of a talk by the late Donald Sutherland,) and how he, Alex, was locked in a shop on Christmas eve. Also how he and his brother were both diddled out of money, and various illuminating stories:- his then inspirational English teacher, Clive Lawton, ... Percy Shaw, inventor of cat's eyes, Neil Armstrong, plus artistic anecdotes, writerly aspects, an alternative flying machine to the Spitfire and much more!
There are also a couple of penned short stories:
'Scared to Death'... touchingly told, sad, a true story, about a private in WWI. And an emotional, 'A Bright Future,' to add to this eclectic mix.
Two of my other favourites in the collection are:
How A Handbag Shop Won Spielberg His First Oscars.
How Wheelchair Users Can Find Their Wings - (which is particularly relevant and inspirational, for those after spinal injuries/tumour/stroke. )
So, something for everyone.
Alex Pearl is undoubtedly an interesting fellow who writes with wit, humour and a lovely engaging dollop of human interest worthiness !
There are anecdotes about dislike of PE but fondness for cricket, love of cinema, (and memories of a talk by the late Donald Sutherland,) and how he, Alex, was locked in a shop on Christmas eve. Also how he and his brother were both diddled out of money, and various illuminating stories:- his then inspirational English teacher, Clive Lawton, ... Percy Shaw, inventor of cat's eyes, Neil Armstrong, plus artistic anecdotes, writerly aspects, an alternative flying machine to the Spitfire and much more!
There are also a couple of penned short stories:
'Scared to Death'... touchingly told, sad, a true story, about a private in WWI. And an emotional, 'A Bright Future,' to add to this eclectic mix.
Two of my other favourites in the collection are:
How A Handbag Shop Won Spielberg His First Oscars.
How Wheelchair Users Can Find Their Wings - (which is particularly relevant and inspirational, for those after spinal injuries/tumour/stroke. )
So, something for everyone.
Alex Pearl is undoubtedly an interesting fellow who writes with wit, humour and a lovely engaging dollop of human interest worthiness !
Displaying 1 of 1 review