A Sardonic Look at Life's Vagaries

A Collection of short stories, poems and a play by Nigel Johnson

This book is a collection of stories and poems Nigel wrote for his writing group Wayward Writers in Mynydd Isa.

Once a fortnight, he would unfailingly delight members with his carefully honed observations on childhood, school days, life's disappointments and triumphs, faded gentility, theatre, the human frailty of unequal ambition, the savagery of war and the power of education each populated by finely-drawn and superbly named characters. Also included here is a rare play script. Think Alan Bennett meets Barbara Pym meets Graham Greene's Henry Pulling in Travels with My Aunt.

The title of this collection, A Sardonic Look at Life's Vagaries, is taken from A Laudation to Betty, Gilly and Inge fellow writers of the group - and pretty well sums up Nigel's style, drawn perhaps from 'Endless reading and the quirks of life itself' (from Why Do I?). Look to Grandfather for an exquisite portrayal of family life. And, once or twice in this collection, Nigel shows us his deep compassion for the horrors of the world at large, none better than The Other Side.

All these pieces embody Nigel's trademark wit and compassion, humour and humanity.

This book is published by his friends in honour and remembrance of a wonderful man who delighted, charmed and influenced all he met.

Dettagli