Grating

Patrick de Witt loves his characters- even the killers, Ruth Rendell looks at hers as interesting specimens of the human genus. Moving from one of his books (French Exit) to one of hers (Adam and Eve and Pinch Me) is a grating experience.

Why Bother To Interview Such People When You Know In Advance What They're Going To Say?

Government Minister: "Of course I salute the committment of our young climate change protesters but I can't condone their missing out on a day's schooling..."

(Or words to that effect; I'm not a stenographer.)

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.....

Show a mainstream politician something fresh, something lively, something with a touch of youth about it- and he or she is bound to start tut-tut-tutting.

As well you may, Mr Government Minister, because, however ignorant and inarticulate they may be (they're kids after all) it's your world, your compromises, your comfort, your shaky grip on power that the young are marching against. The spirit is with them and not with you, and somewhere deep down I believe you know it...

And so it ever was...