Author Archives: alasdairflett

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About alasdairflett

German & English Literature graduate. From Orkney. Interested in alternative and indie music, language, writing and politics.

My year in music: 2023

Posted on 25/12/2023 by alasdairflett

2023 has very much been a year of two halves professionally. In June I left my job working as a steward at Glasgow Cathedral and took up the role of paralegal at Digby Brown, becoming a trainee solicitor with them … Continue reading →

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Scrooge the Affective Altruist: ‘A Christmas Carol’ reviewed

Posted on 10/12/2023 by alasdairflett

I have a complicated relationship with Charles Dickens. He is the epitome of the Author. He was hugely prolific, massively popular, and has had a profound cultural impact on how Britain sees itself. How is it possible, then, to dismiss … Continue reading →

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The Sack of Thames-on-Singapore

Posted on 21/10/2023 by alasdairflett

Last weekend I finished one of the best books I’ve read this year. This is The Singapore Grip by JG Farrell. It is an epic novel and also a family saga of sorts. It’s about a business dynasty and a … Continue reading →

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Imperial sunsets

Posted on 23/09/2023 by alasdairflett

I first read J G Ballard when I was getting into the idea of the postmodern. His novel Crash is seen as a seminal (pun intended) text. Crash is a difficult book, conceptually and also because it is rather disgusting. … Continue reading →

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English Road

Posted on 30/08/2023 by alasdairflett

I wouldn’t exactly recommend the Camino Ingles in England, even though overall it was enjoyable. The route follows what is thought to be the path taken by pilgrims from the south before they departed from Great Britain and onto mainland … Continue reading →

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A Tale of Two Wheels

Posted on 20/08/2023 by alasdairflett

“Nice bike, pal,” a fellow Genesis owner heckles to me on the north bank of the Clyde as I make my way back to the office from Glasgow Sheriff Court. I quickly realise the reason for the compliment and mumble … Continue reading →

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The deserts of Scotland

Posted on 24/06/2023 by alasdairflett

I’d always wanted to read Walter Scott. In fact, I’d attempted to before – embarking on a free Kindle version of Waverley which was abandoned for whatever reason; probably the dense prose style that strains the attention of a restless … Continue reading →

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Well World

Posted on 04/06/2023 by alasdairflett

In three months I will start my legal traineeship which lasts two years and at the end of which I will become a qualified solicitor. Meanwhile, I will be known as a “trainee solicitor”. Before then, though, I’ve been asked … Continue reading →

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Ambiguous forks and subtle alienation

Posted on 01/05/2023 by alasdairflett

My trip to the Republic began in the Confederation. Specifically the Confederation of Helvetica or CH for short, otherwise known as Switzerland. Acceptable names for geographical entities would be one of the first things to learn as I disembarked from … Continue reading →

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A bestiary of Buendias

Posted on 29/04/2023 by alasdairflett

One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez is unlike any other book I’ve read. It took me some time to get into though. I wasn’t hooked by the first page by any means. There was time to tune … Continue reading →

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