There was high praise for the canapés at Howard Jacobson’s book launch last night. This was no crisps and warm white wine in Waterstone’s affair – Jacobson’s esteemed guests were treated to caviar blinis, cacio e pepe arancini and crab taquitos, all in the opulent gold setting of the Fitzrovia Chapel. But one person who would not touch the tasty morsels with a barge pole? Nigella Lawson. “I don’t like eating canapés at parties. I like to focus on my food,” she said with gravitas. Perhaps a cocktail sausage is best consumed in the privacy of one’s own home.
We caught up with Grayson Perry, who said he is having a wonderful time writing a musical about his life which will debut in Birmingham next year. “We’re going for full on Broadway type of music, we’re not going for anything arty,” said the artist-turned-lyricist. They have not yet decided who will play Perry, but he does have a few requirements. “They have to be a really good singer. And not too beefy – I’m relatively svelte”. He added that the secret to shapely calves is to cycle everywhere – especially in heels.
What Will Survive of Us is Jacobson’s paean to love. He said that the book is all about “what the intensities of love are, what the pains are, how hot it can be, how un-hot it can be”. The 81-year-old author does not shy away from some raunchy scenes, but insists that the book is more high minded than a chick lit; he prefers the term “straightforward romance”.
