The Ordeal of Gilbert Pinfold is a novel by the British writer Evelyn Waugh(pictured), his next-to-last full-length work of fiction, first published in July 1957. He called it his "mad book"—a largely autobiographical account concerning the early months of 1954 when he was hallucinating as a result of his addictions. In search of a peaceful environment in which he could resume writing, he had embarked on a sea voyage, but was driven to the point of madness by imagined voices. These experiences are mirrored in the novel: Pinfold, as an antidote to his weariness and chronic insomnia, is dosing himself with a mixture of barbiturates and alcohol, and hearing voices that insult, taunt and threaten him. He is advised that the voices are imaginary, but Pinfold ascribes his rapid cure to a private victory over the forces of evil, not to the cessation of his drug habit. General critical reception to the book was muted; some reviewers admired the opening self-portrait of Waugh, but generally not the ending. The book has been dramatised for radio and as a stage play. (Full article...)
... that "Danke", one of Germany's best-known sacred songs, was considered a sin against music and religion when first released?
... that Monique Luiz, star of the famous 1964 political advertisement Daisy, did not see it for herself until 2000?
... that the 308th Infantry Regiment was the first United States National Army regiment in the First World War to be presented with its regimental colors?
An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8 strikes near Kaikoura, north of Christchurch, New Zealand, triggering tsunami warnings, causing widespread damage, and killing at least two people.
Canadian singer, songwriter, and poet Leonard Cohen(pictured) dies at the age of 82.
A tram derails on the Tramlink in Croydon, London, killing seven people and injuring more than fifty others.
1980 – An earthquake struck the Irpinia region of Italy, killing 2,914 people, injuring more than 10,000 and leaving 300,000 homeless.
1996 – Ethiopian Airlines Flight 961 was hijacked, then crashed into the Indian Ocean near the Comoros after running out of fuel, killing 125 of the 175 people on board.
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