Hey Billy Budd

[Matthew]

I just finished reading Billy Budd; I thought it was preety intresting, and I can understand Morrissey's allusion to it in the song by the same name. I was wondering if any one else has read? Also, I am wondering what they think about it. In addition, I read Brighton Rock--Morrissey stills several name from the book and uses them and one of my favorite songs, Now my heart is full. This book seemed just a wondeful piece of pulp, and I am wondering what people think about it, too? Finally, does anyone else know what other books Morrissey alludes to or simply enjoys--beside the obvious Oscar Wilde stuff.

thanks

[Sarah]

who are the authors of these books? I'm interested in reading them...sorry i can't give you any feedback...

[Lifeguard Sleeping]

> who are the authors of these books? I'm interested in reading¿ them...sorry i can't give you any feedback...

I think Morrissey was more enamored of the film version of "Billy Budd," as it starred a favorite actor of his, Terance Stamp (who was also featured on the "What Difference Does It Make?" sleeve).

I looooved Brighton Rock, particularly because of how much I found myself identifying with Pinkie's feelings about love and sex (I know - scary, right?). I've never come across a character such as his before.

PS: "Billy Budd" was written by Herman Melville, and "Brigthon Rock" was written by Graham Greene.

[ursula undress]

Hey. The only one I can think of right now off the top of my head is called "By Grand Central Station I Sat Down and Wept" By Elizabeth Smart. It's a brilliant book. Morrissey used some lines from it, and even more ideas. Besides the fact that Morrissey read this book, the life of Elizabeth smart was extremely interesting. She was a brilliant poet and novelist. You should read it, and as much of her stuff as possible. She's been forgotten somewhat, I think. She should never be forgotten.

UU¿ I just finished reading Billy Budd; I thought it was preety¿ intresting, and I can understand Morrissey's allusion to it in¿ the song by the same name. I was wondering if any one else has¿ read? Also, I am wondering what they think about it. In¿ addition, I read Brighton Rock--Morrissey stills several name¿ from the book and uses them and one of my favorite songs, Now my¿ heart is full. This book seemed just a wondeful piece of pulp,¿ and I am wondering what people think about it, too? Finally,¿ does anyone else know what other books Morrissey alludes to or¿ simply enjoys--beside the obvious Oscar Wilde stuff.¿ thanks

[MPC]

BRIGHTON ROCK is Graham Greene's response to Charles Dickens' OLIVER TWIST. Greene, one literature's best ever critics, wrote an article alluded to this in an excellent article about OT.


the Times

[Ian Edwards]

Herman Melville's novels have always been very beloved to me. Billy Budd was not one of my favorites, I think the novella "Bartleby" holds that distinction. Hmmmm...THe film with Terence Stamp in the Billy role. I watched it as a little kid, and remember it was the first movie I ever cried in.




la luna (reluce en el dia)

[Stefan Johnsson]

> I just finished reading Billy Budd; I thought it was preety¿ intresting, and I can understand Morrissey's allusion to it in¿ the song by the same name. I was wondering if any one else has¿ read? Also, I am wondering what they think about it. In¿ addition, I read Brighton Rock--Morrissey stills several name¿ from the book and uses them and one of my favorite songs, Now my¿ heart is full. This book seemed just a wondeful piece of pulp,¿ and I am wondering what people think about it, too? Finally,¿ does anyone else know what other books Morrissey alludes to or¿ simply enjoys--beside the obvious Oscar Wilde stuff.¿ thanks

I have said it before and I'll say it again Brigthton Rock is the best book ever written. Billy Budd is also a
grate novel, but I think that Moby Dick is Herman Melville masterpiece.

If you haven't read Shelagh Delaneys plays yet you really must read them. You will love them. Well, then
you have Keith Waterhouse, the author of Billy Liar, Morrisseys inspiration to so many of The Smiths
lyrics.

Truman Capote, the cover star of The boy with the torn in his side, is also a grate writer. I can definitely
recommend his early novel, Other Voices, Other Rooms, about alienated youth. I also liked his more
famous novel Breakfast at Tiffany's.

I can also recommend all novels by Virginia Woolf. She is simply brilliant, but if you want something with a
Morrissey reference you should read her essay A room of one's own. In this essay she asks the question:
What would have happened if Shakespeare had a sister?

You might also like Spend! Spend! Spend!, Vivian Nicholsons autobiography. In Spend! Spend! Spend!
you can find the wonderful line "Under the bridge we kissed I ended up with sore lips"

My favorite writer is Thomas Hardy. His novel Jude the Obscure is so sad and beautiful it makes you cry.

I would also like take the opportunity to recommend the swedish poet Karin Boye. If you like Belle and
Sebastians lyrics you will love Karin Boye.

"Gracie Fields funning, The gangsters gunning,
Talk of our love"
Graham Greene, Brigthton Rock


so many illustrations

[sal]

> I just finished reading Billy Budd; I thought it was preety¿ intresting, and I can understand Morrissey's allusion to it in¿ the song by the same name. I was wondering if any one else has¿ read? Also, I am wondering what they think about it. In¿ addition, I read Brighton Rock--Morrissey stills several name¿ from the book and uses them and one of my favorite songs, Now my¿ heart is full. This book seemed just a wondeful piece of pulp,¿ and I am wondering what people think about it, too? Finally,¿ does anyone else know what other books Morrissey alludes to or¿ simply enjoys--beside the obvious Oscar Wilde stuff.
alan sillitoe has books that were made into movies called saturday night and sunday morning and the loneliness of the long-distance runner plus edith sitwells poetryand in particular you must read the english eccentrics, he is said to also like sherlock holmes mysteries, there really are too many books and films and songs to name, research, research, research!!! i hope you have fun!

good luck and stay charming,
SAL

[Grrrl's Slave]

I could be wrong, but I think Morrissey has very likely read Denton Welch, a very interesting writer who died shortly after the end of the second world war.


Literary Influences