Middlefocus

This book was on the English Literature course when I studied it way back in the 1960s. I suppose its adventure theme, with deadly battles and buried treasure, was judged suitable to capture the interest of  16-year-old  boys. Boys and their reading - still a matter of recurring educational concern.   I came back to the book after having watched a TV programme in which it was referenced. The programme charted the course of the English novel and, as one of its themes, explored literature associated with Empire and colonisation. Hooked, I decided that it might be interesting to reread KSM after more than 50 years. An early front runner of this type of story there are many books of this genre today and this one is still easily available.   Stuck in my memory Some of the characters and situations had certainly stuck in my memory and as I met up with them  again,  I wondered why that was. Since they stuck, there must have been something that...

An indoor queue this time. The simple strips adhered profusely over the mall floor kept everyone well apart. No jostling, no creeping forward. The shoppers waited patiently for each to be called forward in turn. Respectful distancing. Seems like we've all got the message. Complying. Toeing the line.