The Tower of Flints: Mervyn Peake's Fantastical Imagination discussion

This 1986 four-part TV mini-series, starring the fabulous Derek Jacobi, is available to watch on the Channel 4 player.

It's a fantastic and faithful adaptation of Mervyn Peake's whimsical novel, set on the island of Sark, which Peake knew so well.

I struggled to enjoy the whimsy of the book and fear the adaptation might be less to my taste. Now I'm not so sure. Also, I may get the chance of a day trip to Sark in a couple of weeks, so I'm half wondering whether to reread the book. Hmmm.

I'm jealous about the prospect of a visit to Sark - I do hope you make it there :-)

Although there's whimsy in both the book and the TV adaptation, there's definitely darkness in both, too, as you might expect from Peake.

One of the messages I took from Mr. Pye was how lacking in true empathy and kindness a religious zealot can be, all the while preaching about love. Although I've read the book several times, I can't remember whether I felt the angelic or the demonic Mr. Pye was the most deceitful from a psychological standpoint, but it's something I'll be thinking of on my next reread.

I've read it only once. I prefer your analysis to what I wrote in my own review about the balance between good and evil, and between evil and mischief.

I guess I will pick it up and at least skim it if it looks as if we'll make the trip.