WRITE AROUND THE WORLD (BBC 4)
The last episode in this excellent series featured Andalusia and writings thereon.
Throughout Richard E Grant has been a superb presenter: enthusiastic, well-informed and – above all – he does not get in between the viewer and the subject.
Blessed with a beautiful voice his readings were delightful too.
He reviewed bullfighting and Hemingway, two Britons who made a new life there – one Genesis drummer Chris Stewart and the other Emma Illsley a cookery expert.
Both had written of their experiences.
He read from the republican poet Lorca who was killed in the Spanish Civil War and his body never found. He cited another poet Laurie Lee who fought on the republican side.
He also read from Cocaine Nights , J. B. Ballard’s book on crime in Marbella.
Unlike the Amalfi coast and the Riviera, I don’t know Andalusia as well. I loved Seville, which has the best food in Spain, and marvelled at the Alhambra.
Grant reminded us that the Moors were benevolent rulers of Spain before King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella expelled them and the Jews.
He did not take sides when he spoke of the Spanish Civil War, nor did he comment when Chris Stewart railed against Mrs Thatcher.
I can see the basis and rationale for another series majoring on cities and their literature – London ( Dickens et al), New York, Dublin and Berlin spring to mind immediately.
