British writer Alan Sillitoe has passed away in London at the age of 82. Branded one of the 'Angry Young Men', a few of his books have been adapted for the big screen, the first two were part of and initiated cinema's "kitchen sink drama". Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (directed by Karel Reisz, produced by Tony Richardson), and The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (directed by Tony Richardson) were adapted by the author and are today considered classics. As a matter of fact, TVOntario played Loneliness a few weeks ago as part of "Saturday Night at the Movies".I admit that I have not read any of Sillitoe's stuff... maybe it is time to explore. (I've seen the movies: Does that count? They are outstanding. Saturday Night and Sunday Morning is great. My cup of tea.)
What is it about growing up dirt poor that encourages the pen? Sillitoe grew up in authentic working-class poverty.
Ignore those who claim to have come from an underprivileged background but, as any inquisitive journalist discovers, in fact sprung from either affluence or comfortable digs. Not that you have to be born poor to be a great writer, but why invent?
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