Maybe we have made our peace with the idea of success, of recognition. Or maybe Clive James was just exempt.
Maybe we have made our peace with the idea of success, of recognition, of some of us being particularly excellent and worthy of acclaim.
But how we howled and struggled and pushed back against the small victories and international triumphs of our true superstars: so many sneering column inches; so much snarling commentary. But there was one who seemed exempt from this sulking inferiority; one who made us feel funnier and smarter just by knowing that he came from our shores, and who was the cleverest of them all.was allowed to be every bit as educated, thoughtful, deeply engaged with ideas, the classics, philosophy and books as ever he wanted to be — but we knew that his erudition made us no less intelligent. It lifted us up.
And he was funny. He was snort-your-coffee-through-your-nose funny. And he loved the telly. And he loved culture high and so very low — and he made a place for us in it. And that’s why, even though his was a death long foretold the news this week of Clive James' death from leukemia felt like our most brilliant friend had left the party, and now there was no point staying any longer.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Talking through the generations: Why Australia is known as a 'graveyard of languages'Migrant languages tend to disappear by the third generation. It's an alarming trend — and one these people are fighting.
Read more »