The New Policeman - A book full of music

Subject: The New Policeman
From: JulieF
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 06:15 AM

Anyone else read this yet?

A book full of music - including tunes at the begining of each chapter.   For children but I'm sure it will be cherished by adults

For anyone who wants to know where music comes from and time goes.

Taking my copy to my session to rave about.

J

Subject: RE: The New Policeman
From: Stewart
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 04:22 PM

It's a great read, even (especially, maybe) for adults. It's full of a lot of Irish folk mythology and is a charming story. For me it was particularly interesting since I spent a week in Kinvara a year ago. So I was familiar with the locale and even some of the people. There's even a glossary at the end to explain some of the words and myths.

Each chapter begins with a traditional tune ("The New Policeman" is just one of many) so it's fun for a trad. Irish music player to see familiar tunes and also some new tunes, and how the titles relate to the particular chapter.

Cheers, S. in Seattle

Subject: RE: The New Policeman - A book full of music
From: Stewart
Date: 13 Jan 06 - 07:30 PM

Ok, here's a review in The Guardian

And you can buy it at through Amazon.com

Cheers, S. in Seattle

Subject: RE: The New Policeman - A book full of music
From: GUEST,sorefingers
Date: 13 Jan 06 - 11:55 PM

Confusingly there's two Kate Thompsons writing Irish fiction today, the one here is a blow-in from Yorkshire ( I think but it's definitely UK not Oirish ), the other a Belfast lass and a bit of star to boot, ex theater/showbiz, but a cracking good story teller.

The New Policeman is a fair shot at grabbing easy money but I would not be surprised to see it in the bargain bin by the end of the year. Maybe this lady should have stuck to what she knows best, horses!

Subject: RE: The New Policeman - A book full of music
From: JulieF
Date: 15 Jan 06 - 11:15 AM

Lost me there.   A book that wins the Whitbread Kid's fiction prize is a shot at grabbing easy money?   Have you read it ? And if you have read it do you actually like kid's fiction anyway.

It seems to me reading it - she's writing about stuff she loves.

J

Subject: RE: The New Policeman - A book full of music
From: GUEST,sorefingers
Date: 15 Jan 06 - 11:25 AM

Excuse me Miss Julie, and what the bullazes would you know about Irish Lit?. Anyway, prizes are often awarded to authors for 'thier' craft and that does not, definitely NOT, make a book good any other, esp Irish, standards.

Subject: RE: The New Policeman - A book full of music
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Jan 06 - 11:54 AM

Forgot - here's a link to "Ireland's Own", the established press for Irish writers writing about Ireland and elsewhere. It contains the material that yer wan above butchered.

http://www.finnvalley.ie/irelandsown/sub.html

Subject: RE: The New Policeman - A book full of music
From: JulieF
Date: 15 Jan 06 - 12:16 PM

Don't make asumptions about what I do or don't know and if you don't actually say what your gripes with a book are then how are we to determine if any of us agree with them.

From the point a view of craft it is a very good kid's book and will give many children a few hours or joy and perhaps send them towards music or the great stories of Irish Mythology

From the point of view of where it stands in Ireland rich literature and mythology and that's totally up for discussion and it is quite legitimate to say that it is not an Irish book in that sense.   

I would be more than happy for you to point me at other writers who you feel deal with aspects of mythology and music is a more authentic and rigerous manner. If you feel that there are people who are being overlooked by the publicity for this books. Lets give them a platform here.

Finally please don't call me miss julie it makes me feel like a maiden aunt and as my daughter approaches her 21st birthday I'm a little senstive about that.

J

Subject: RE: The New Policeman - A book full of music
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Jan 06 - 01:23 PM

What do you know about spelling? "Thier" ? (sic).

Subject: RE: The New Policeman - A book full of music
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Jan 06 - 02:33 PM

Somewhat like, but better than, "this books".

QED!

Subject: RE: The New Policeman - A book full of music
From: JulieF
Date: 15 Jan 06 - 03:28 PM

I've inherited my dyslexia from my daughter and we are entitled to make spelling mistakes on a sunday afternoon. What's the odd extra letter between friends.

Subject: RE: The New Policeman - A book full of music
From: Stewart
Date: 15 Jan 06 - 04:59 PM

Against my better judgement I'll get into this again. I'm quite dismayed that this has turned into a diatribe against the author's country of origin and misspelling rather than any enlightened discussion of the book. It's interesting that a similar post on "The New Policeman" came up recently on TheSession.org. The Irish traditional musicians there thought it was a good book, and particularly enjoyed the references to traditional tunes. And it was a very polite discussion.

Cheers, S. in Seattle

Subject: Review: book 'New Policeman'
From: dulcimer42
Date: 27 Feb 06 - 06:01 PM

Have any of you read the book, "New Policeman?" written by Kate Thompson, published in Great Britain. A story about a young boy, his music, his connection to the fairy world. I generally do not read fantasy type stories - and I'm not certain this would be classified as such; but I was enthralled with this story of music, how music can be a part of ones soul and the driving force in ones life, and much more.   Also included are music scores for the music! I highly recommend this book!!

Subject: RE: Review: book 'New Policeman'
From: Stewart
Date: 27 Feb 06 - 06:20 PM

I'll second that. It's a children's book but also for adults. It helps if you know a little about Irish mythology, but there's a glossary in the back that explains. It's also great if you know a little about the Irish session scene. I spent a week in Kinvara (the scene of the story) and could recognize some of the places and even the people. It's a good book. Review of "New Policeman"

Cheers, S. in Seattle

Subject: RE: Review: book 'New Policeman'
From: dulcimer42
Date: 27 Feb 06 - 10:18 PM

I never would have guessed it to be for children - perhaps for older children. Anyone interested in Irish Music would love it.

Subject: RE: Review: book 'New Policeman'
From: Mo the caller
Date: 28 Feb 06 - 09:33 AM

Why do I get the feeling I've read this thread before?

Subject: The New Policeman
From: MAG
Date: 17 Mar 07 - 08:00 PM

... is a fun teen fantasy novel which involves Irish dqnce tunes as well as The Good Folk.

Our friends east of the pond may already know about it, as it won the Whitbread Award in '05.

Since it is set in Ireland, this seems the appropriate time to say something about it.