SPLENDID AS IT is in other ways, Angus Calder’s latest book proves of precious little use as a reference tool; its rubric is so broad, and its inclusive principle so idiosyncratic, that you’d seldom know when to consult it. Although alphabetically organised, it’s not so much a dctionary as a biographical anthology concocted with polymathic enthusiasm and published con amore. As such, I won’t hear a word said against it.

Literary Review

Dec 2003

Categories

David Profumo

No Cannes Do

‘A Born Loser’

Helter Skelter

Gracile but Ludic in its Martianism

Down on Hite

How to Tumble Your Drier

A Few of Their Favourite Things

Ocean University

Coming Out

A Very Important Subject

A Fearsome Dignity

Not Very Nice

What, Then, Is Wisdom

Life of O’Brien

From Pinocchio to ‘Pataphysics

The Angel’s Share

Buggering the Bittern

Dirty Work in the Memory Palace

From Oh Dear To Oh Homo

The Peace of Cod

Bathroom Safari

Caught and Released

Poking The Octupus

Coccolithophores Galore