Will you try to get published? Or self publish? You really are good enough you know. Good to see you stretching yourself into new realms. Coming from deepest darkest Cornwall though…you’re going to have to let me in on what bacon ribs are 😂
They’re just pig ribs. Most butchers down south don’t sell them. They need soaking and rinsing to get rid of the salt then boiling up with onions, carrots and split peas to make a thick soup. The ribs are then taken out and eaten with cabbage and boiled potatoes with butter. Plates and bowls full of goodness for a tiny cost.
My Grandma was one of 5. There were 3 girls and the twins Peter and Mary. The girls always fussed over Peter. My mum said they felt bad for him. Their little sister Mary died before she was 4. Fell out of an upstairs window. My Grandma never forgot it. She’d go mad if people left windows open with toddlers in the house. Trauma never leaves you, it just becomes a buried memory.
This is really superb Julie. You captured the Northern childhood well. Can’t beat bacon ribs and a bit of pea whack. Poor peoples food and I’m grateful for it.
I remember the gravestones too. The huge monuments at Anfield cemetery. All belonging to the Chinese. The angels weren’t for the likes of us either. We’d have a small respectable headstone courtesy of a co-op plan. But there would always be family to pull up the weeds and place you flowers on the special occasions; a Christmas wreath or some fresh daffs.
My dear old grandma. Stuck in a Liverpool cafe home through Covid. Crossed the East Lancs three times before falling. Champion escapologist she was. Stupid Covid meant I never got to say goodbye. God rest her soul.
You’ve only gone and made me cry now!! Brilliant piece of writing. I’ll buy you a coffee when I get paid xxx
Thank you Julia. I felt nervous to post that as it’s so long compared to things I usually write/post but it’s all uncomfortable growth and growth is good! I know it won’t get as many interactions because of the length/commitment required but that’s when you really have to ask yourself “what do I really want from this experience here on substack?”
I think you should use Substack any way you want, and you never know how people will react to what you put out. You've had tremendous feedback for this one, so that's some indication. It's good to try new things if the urge takes you. Well done x
Oh Julie, this is phenomenal. When I saw the banner saying 24 min read, my heart did skip a beat, knowing you had something substantial for us all. I was right to feel that way.
This reminded me of the horror writing of Garth Ennis, which somehow always seemed to have been informed by the grisly, bleak public information films of the 1970’s. You built an impending sense of doom from the start, like every episode of Casualty rolled together, but with touches of Alan Bennett style banal reverie that helped to pace the whole thing - the branch on the bus window; the cloud dumpling; the piss you have to work at.
You inhabited the character of Jim really well, though the narrator seemed to separate from him and transcendently mock him with barbed cruelty. This just foreshadowed the revelation that he has led a life of self recrimination.
All the characters come to life for their brief moments. A North Manchester Huckleberry Finn indeed. I can see this as a graphic novel, or perhaps the most challenging episode of Inside No9.
Of course, I’ve said this before, but you really are very, very, very good at this. Macabre as it is, I shall definitely be returning to Tiger’s Tooth in the future.
24 mins does sound like a TLDR, as the TikTok generation might say. I gotta ask, is it somewhere that is still accessible as an actual landmark, or was it just known to local kids? I might rock up there on my travels.
I don’t actually know. I’ve a vague idea where it was/is, I don’t think that place is a monastery anymore although I could be wrong but it was once and I’ve seen that and the pear trees with my own eyes.
Julie you are an incredible storyteller. This is a darkly brilliant, moving tale, with some unexpected twists along the way that made me gasp… also it’s a proper trip down memory lane, your writing often evokes imagery and experiences from my childhood that I might never have revisited if it weren’t for you. As others have said I’d love to read your stories compiled in a book form, sorry to sound like a broken record!
Well the whole pilchard (aka sardines) but it had the heads sticking out gazing at the stars. I’ve never met or known any Cornish person making it tbh. Wannabe Cornish chefs like Stein would probably do it, thinking it would enhance their faux Cornish credentials. Cornish pasty though…..now you’re talking,! 😝
Oh thank you for that. Sounds tasty. Interesting to learn about regional food variations. My family were (still are) fishermen so we ate a lot of fish but I remember helping my granny make pigs head brawn and pressed cows tongue. (Sorry Julie 🤢)
I bought a Cornish cookbook once and it had a recipe called ‘Stargazy pie’ which I thought sounded awfully romantic. Turns out it was a pie made from fish heads. Looked grim AF, I didn’t make it😂😂
Couldn’t put it down til I got to the end! I didn’t see the ‘time to read’ bit anyway! You did a really good job transposing yourself into an older man sitting in his chair. We are all collections of memories and when we leave those memories leave with us. X
I wrote this thinking back to my mum’s childhood and things she’s told me about where she grew up.
The story about the cat is completely true. It happened when my mum dropped it.
The other part isn’t, she’s not dead - but the landmark is real.
I wanted to stretch myself writing this.
It’s easy for me to write first person, as myself, my own stories but I want to grow.
So I challenged myself to become an old man in a completely different era.
It’s also the longest story I’ve ever written.
Who knows if it works but there it is, eh? Uncomfortable growth!
Will you try to get published? Or self publish? You really are good enough you know. Good to see you stretching yourself into new realms. Coming from deepest darkest Cornwall though…you’re going to have to let me in on what bacon ribs are 😂
Ta, lovely x
My mum used to make em when I was a kid. I don’t really know as I stopped eating meat when I was about 12😂😂
They did taste nice though from what I remember, a bit gammony.
They’re just pig ribs. Most butchers down south don’t sell them. They need soaking and rinsing to get rid of the salt then boiling up with onions, carrots and split peas to make a thick soup. The ribs are then taken out and eaten with cabbage and boiled potatoes with butter. Plates and bowls full of goodness for a tiny cost.
Better than Willy Russell.
My Grandma was one of 5. There were 3 girls and the twins Peter and Mary. The girls always fussed over Peter. My mum said they felt bad for him. Their little sister Mary died before she was 4. Fell out of an upstairs window. My Grandma never forgot it. She’d go mad if people left windows open with toddlers in the house. Trauma never leaves you, it just becomes a buried memory.
This is really superb Julie. You captured the Northern childhood well. Can’t beat bacon ribs and a bit of pea whack. Poor peoples food and I’m grateful for it.
I remember the gravestones too. The huge monuments at Anfield cemetery. All belonging to the Chinese. The angels weren’t for the likes of us either. We’d have a small respectable headstone courtesy of a co-op plan. But there would always be family to pull up the weeds and place you flowers on the special occasions; a Christmas wreath or some fresh daffs.
My dear old grandma. Stuck in a Liverpool cafe home through Covid. Crossed the East Lancs three times before falling. Champion escapologist she was. Stupid Covid meant I never got to say goodbye. God rest her soul.
You’ve only gone and made me cry now!! Brilliant piece of writing. I’ll buy you a coffee when I get paid xxx
Aww that’s made my day. It’s hard to try new things, get vulnerable but when I push through that, I gain new confidence. Xx
Just as good as I expected it to be. More! 👏
Thank you Julia. I felt nervous to post that as it’s so long compared to things I usually write/post but it’s all uncomfortable growth and growth is good! I know it won’t get as many interactions because of the length/commitment required but that’s when you really have to ask yourself “what do I really want from this experience here on substack?”
I think you should use Substack any way you want, and you never know how people will react to what you put out. You've had tremendous feedback for this one, so that's some indication. It's good to try new things if the urge takes you. Well done x
Oh Julie, this is phenomenal. When I saw the banner saying 24 min read, my heart did skip a beat, knowing you had something substantial for us all. I was right to feel that way.
This reminded me of the horror writing of Garth Ennis, which somehow always seemed to have been informed by the grisly, bleak public information films of the 1970’s. You built an impending sense of doom from the start, like every episode of Casualty rolled together, but with touches of Alan Bennett style banal reverie that helped to pace the whole thing - the branch on the bus window; the cloud dumpling; the piss you have to work at.
You inhabited the character of Jim really well, though the narrator seemed to separate from him and transcendently mock him with barbed cruelty. This just foreshadowed the revelation that he has led a life of self recrimination.
All the characters come to life for their brief moments. A North Manchester Huckleberry Finn indeed. I can see this as a graphic novel, or perhaps the most challenging episode of Inside No9.
Of course, I’ve said this before, but you really are very, very, very good at this. Macabre as it is, I shall definitely be returning to Tiger’s Tooth in the future.
Fucking hell did it say 24 minute read?? I was trying to see that bit.
That’s some commitment 😂😂
I very much appreciate your comments Christian.
I’m trying to challenge myself and grow
I wanted to write something that sandwiched the existential angst we all have within us, even as children, with the banality of everyday living.
24 mins does sound like a TLDR, as the TikTok generation might say. I gotta ask, is it somewhere that is still accessible as an actual landmark, or was it just known to local kids? I might rock up there on my travels.
I don’t actually know. I’ve a vague idea where it was/is, I don’t think that place is a monastery anymore although I could be wrong but it was once and I’ve seen that and the pear trees with my own eyes.
And I have no idea whatTLDR means
Too Long, Didn’t Read. Not something you’re ever likely to hear from your followers, I would hope.
Julie you are an incredible storyteller. This is a darkly brilliant, moving tale, with some unexpected twists along the way that made me gasp… also it’s a proper trip down memory lane, your writing often evokes imagery and experiences from my childhood that I might never have revisited if it weren’t for you. As others have said I’d love to read your stories compiled in a book form, sorry to sound like a broken record!
Aww thanks so much. I’m trying to try my hand at writing longer pieces.
Well the whole pilchard (aka sardines) but it had the heads sticking out gazing at the stars. I’ve never met or known any Cornish person making it tbh. Wannabe Cornish chefs like Stein would probably do it, thinking it would enhance their faux Cornish credentials. Cornish pasty though…..now you’re talking,! 😝
Love a Cornish pasty
Great piece. Enjoyed it. Life’s journey eh!
Appreciate that, Anthony :)
Oh thank you for that. Sounds tasty. Interesting to learn about regional food variations. My family were (still are) fishermen so we ate a lot of fish but I remember helping my granny make pigs head brawn and pressed cows tongue. (Sorry Julie 🤢)
I bought a Cornish cookbook once and it had a recipe called ‘Stargazy pie’ which I thought sounded awfully romantic. Turns out it was a pie made from fish heads. Looked grim AF, I didn’t make it😂😂
Couldn’t put it down til I got to the end! I didn’t see the ‘time to read’ bit anyway! You did a really good job transposing yourself into an older man sitting in his chair. We are all collections of memories and when we leave those memories leave with us. X
Glad you enjoyed it. :)
Sometimes I’d love a clean slate. Get rid of em all!
Fantastic! I was gripped!!
Oh thanks Victoria, that means a lot :)
The bit about smuggling food into the home is real too, my mate used to do it when she worked in one.