Stand and Deliver

I recently read David Mitchell's Black Swan Green, which I enjoyed, but not as much as Cloud Atlas, which I enjoyed but not as much as I should have.  The Cloud Atlas stories slowly drew me in and by the time I finished Sloosha's Crossin' an' Ev'rythin'  I was hooked, wound'n bound. Then in all started to unravel, the cleverness of the structure somehow getting in the way of the storytelling.

Adam Ant

There is a scene in Black Swan Green where the protagonist is at a school disco, 80s hits on the dance floor, including Adam and the Ants. It reminded me of my school days, particularly the bitter experience of failed French lessons where the only fun I remember was eating chocolate in fresh baguette on Bastille Day and using Prince Charming for a translation exercise.

I'm the dandy highwayman so sick of easy fashion

The clumsy boots, peek-a-boo roots that people think so dashin'

So what's the point of robbery when nothing is worth taking?

It's kind of tough to tell a scruff the big mistake he's making.

from Adam and the Ants Stand and Deliver

 Stand & Deliver, Ocabini style
 Clockwise from top left: Ocabini cashmere cardigan, Alexander Mc Queen scarf, TheOutNet ruffled cotton top, House of Harlow sunglasses, Roberto Cavalli brocade pants,  Eugenia Kim beret, Alaia zip-edge belt, Aurielie Bidermann gold dipped feather earrings , Laurence Dacade boots,  Joan Shepp ruffle blouse, Mat & Nat faux leather studded bag.