The great Gadsby

Jon's favourite read

John McCombe

Jon hunkers down with his favourite book.

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What book does Avenues’ founding editor Jon Gadsby curl up with on a rainy day? We get a glimpse of his bookshelf.

Imagine that

I think perhaps my favourite book, or the one to make the most early impact on me, was Little Grey Men, by 'BB', a pen name for English author Denys Watkins-Pitchford. It's a beautifully written, beautifully crafted and evocative work. Essentially a children's book, I still think it's got a special magic for all ages.

It's the story of three gnomes, Dodder, Baldmoney and Sneezewort, who live under the roots of the old oak on the banks of the Folly Brook in rural England. Forget fairytales, forget Enid Blyton. These are very real, gritty gnomes, dependent for their survival as the last gnomes in Britain on their ability to find shelter, to fish and hunt, to gather and store food for winter, and to avoid predators - foxes, cats, hawks and people. It's enchanting writing. 

I first came across it in the Invercargill Children's Library when I was eight years old, and it made me realise the sheer beauty of words and the power of the imagination. It made me want to work with words and imagination one day. To work with storytelling, if you like, be it film, radio, television or print. It's all about storytelling - perhaps our most ancient craft. 

I've read Little Grey Men about 10 times, both as child and adult. In fact, I might read it again as a result of these reminiscences, and I would recommend it to anyone, regardless of age. Probably a good book to start on aged about eight or nine. It's certainly not a 'baby-book' and does not pull any punches, especially when it comes to nature and the survival of the fittest and best adapted. 

I've read quite a number of books by the same author and, though becoming somewhat dated, they're nearly all outstanding. Down the Bright Stream is the sequel to Little Grey Men - a much thicker book, but equally enchanting.

What are you reading now?

I'm currently reading The Essential Spike Milligan, a post-mortem Milligan collection. I love Milligan and I think I've read everything he wrote. I still think his Puckoon is one of the funniest books ever put to pen. In a rather odd juxtaposition, I'm also reading George Orwell's Burma Tales. Having visited Burma, it's haunting.

What music are you listening to the most?

As far as music goes, I pretty much like anything, apart from rap or hip-hop. Anything from Tchaikovsky to Dylan to Cohen to Christofferson. Dido writes a mean song, as do the Finn brothers. I think Alan Parsons' Project's 'Eye in the Sky' is about the best rock song ever. 

What television show can't you miss?

On television - enough said. Having been closely involved in some of the relatively early days, I find that what's happened to TV, both here and internationally, is a travesty and verging on the obscene (no, I don't mean rude; I mean mindless, brainless crap). I try not to miss Boston Legal, though; a pearl in the pigsty, if you like. 

What movie did you last see?

I hate to admit it, but the last DVD I watched recently was a re-release of HMS Defiant, a ripping naval yarn, now renamed Damn the Defiant. No, I'm not surprised you haven't heard of it. I still love The Big Chill and watch it probably once a year. How sad is that?