Modern Delights

Book review

by Ingela Richardson

What delights you? The word is very well chosen. Not what you love or like, but what gives you delight? This book is a selection of short pieces to describe what delights a variety of human beings - from actors and entertainers to writers, presenters and "national treasures" from the UK.

It is a delight to read because it celebrates everything from the simplest of pleasures to the most awe-inspiring that bring delight to people. You can dip into the book here and there - like choosing your favourite chocolates from an assortment - or devour it whole. And it will leave you feeling a wonderful sense of upliftment and recognition that being human does not only mean the drudgery of work and routine but is full of delightful moments.

One of my favourite pieces is titled, "Children dancing" by Roy Hudd. He begins: "I love to see little children dance. I don't mean the strait-jacketed, polite routines they learn at dancing school, but the strange steps they do when they're alone. When they think no one is watching. They will suddenly, for no reason at all, throw an arm into the air, try to look at their heels over their shoulders, and best of all, kick a leg out: backwards, forwards, sideways, upwards or downwards. They display steps no dance director could ever invent".

This is so true and so wonderfully delightful to see. That lack of inhibition fades all too quickly from childhood.

But there are so many delights described, including: "The perfect vodka tonic," "Ducklings", "My grandson", "When anything goes right", "Cycling downhill", "Beer at midday" and who would deny delighting in "The last roast potato"?

This little book is great fun. Published by Waterstones, all proceeds from sales go to Dyslexia Action and the London Library. It will leaving you thinking about all the things you delight in, but too seldom acknowledge. Lots of warm, fuzzy feelings, lots of laughs, lots of "Mmm, I'd forgotten that!"