miranda seymour

Biographer and critic. My latest book is about the astonishing White Creole writer, Jean Rhys, called I Used to Live Her Once

[miranda seymour @mirandajseymour]

‘Forgotten’ award-winning author Jean Rhys to be remembered and celebrated at public event https://t.co/12xzUEI8k6 An amazing occasion. The copyright holder gave a one-off, first permission for readings from Rhys's work. Marvellous contributions by all

[miranda seymour @mirandajseymour]

@Thomas_ades @guardian @thetimes @BBCNews Wonderful

[miranda seymour @mirandajseymour]

Hey! I'm thrilled

[all about maye 🚀❤️ @allaboutmayetml]

@mirandajseymour I mention & recommend your wonderful #TheBugattiQueen in my brand-new @Motor_Sport column (click below).
https://t.co/aJfyNGf0tc

[Tom Holland @holland_tom]

“A trail-blazer for Michael Gove.”

Alistair Jack hosts a reception in Dover House, late the home of Lady Caroline Lamb & now the Scottish Office, in honour of Lord Byron, Aberdonian party animal.

2024 is a big year for Byronists: the 200th anniversary of his Lordship’s death

[Julia Hartley-Brewer @JuliaHB1]

He's here. Where are @RishiSunak @Keir_Starmer and every other British politician? Why aren't they standing in solidarity with British Jews today? #EndAntisemitism #NeverAgainIsNow

[miranda seymour @mirandajseymour]

It was a model for what a march should be

[Never Again @Never_Again2020]

105,000 people, many of them Jewish, but a lot who aren't. No trouble, no racist banners, no support for Hamas and Iran, no calls for jihad or intifada, no intimidation and no hate-filled, snarling faces. We're not the few, we're the many and our values are Britain's values.

[miranda seymour @mirandajseymour]

And a curious fact that the BBC reported a presence of 60, 000. We heard over and again that's the true figure was 105, 000 but perhaps the Beeb-counters had gone home to bed

[Marika Cobbold @Marikacobbold]

Smiling faces at the #MarchAgainstAntisemitism

[Jake Wallis Simons @JakeWSimons]

A few reflections on the march against antisemitism today, the biggest since the Battle of Cable Street.
There was not a single masked face; not a single act of intimidation or vandalism; not a single call for death or genocide; not a single desecration of our monuments or statutes; and not a single bad-tempered interaction with the police. (I did however see a placard about chicken soup, one about Jewish mothers not being monsters, one asking people to become anti-Marmite rather than antisemite, and one declaring a desire for a Jewish husband, including a phone number.)
It was all very good-humoured and moving. The police were there to protect those attending, not to defend society against them. Officers were all smiles and everything was smooth and easy. The @metpoliceuk was thanked at the end, as was the glorious @CST_UK.
I especially valued seeing the proud Iranians there, flying their flags and standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel and Jews against fanatical jihadism and the theocratic regime in Tehran.
Old Tommy Robinson was carted off shortly after he arrived, and good riddance. As the march got going, the atmosphere was at times quite quiet. We ordinary folk are not activists. We are not used to this sort of thing, did not have ready-made chants and felt a little embarrassed by raising our voices. When we did, however, we called for the release of the hostages, the prosecution of those guilty of hate crimes and peace. @Roxanna04749331 and I overcame our Englishness to lead several rounds of “bring them home.” We were slightly over-caffeinated. We sang traditional Jewish songs asserting the right of the people of Israel simply to live and calling for peace. One poignant sign read “I’m allowed to be proud of being Jewish,” as if the bearer was almost trying to convince himself.
In Parliament Square, the statue of Winston Churchill stooped above us like an ally. There were many chants and songs for peace, repeated frequently and with much feeling. In the @chiefrabbi’s wonderful and moving speech, which stood out magnificently from the rest, he made it utterly clear that every innocent Palestinian death — fetishised by Hamas — is a tragedy. He made it clear that this was a war that Israel did not ask for or want, and we raised a universal prayer for peace.
We did feel the absence of political support. It was wonderful to see @TomTugendhat, @RobertJenrick, @peterkyle and others, but there should have been so many more politicians standing up for Jews, including party leaders and front benchers. It was also baffling to see that while the @JLC_UK came out to bat, the @BoardofDeputies failed dismally to wholeheartedly support the rally. This shouldn’t have been controversial. It was a matter of fundamental British and Jewish values.
But let’s not focus on the negatives. I can say with all confidence that not one of the 105,000 people there wished anything but peace and prosperity to Palestinians and Muslims. There were no hate chants, no calls for violence and absolutely no racism. If there were any extremists there, I didn’t see them and they were utterly insignificant in number.
On the streets today were people from all backgrounds, religions and walks of life. There were many bobble hats. (Many excellent @JewishChron people.) This was unmistakably the silent majority finally discovering its voice. There was much camaraderie and good humour. One lady gave my step-daughter a yellow ribbon to demand the release of the hostages, and tied it into her hair. Many people recognised me and expressed their love and support. It was a unification of Jews and non-Jews alike, marching in favour of tolerance, freedom, liberalism and justice. And standing against jihadism.
Great Britain: 105,000 of you turned up in the cold and wet today and did us bloody proud. We can all hold our heads a little higher tonight. Thank you @antisemitism, led by the heroic @gideonfalter, for organising such a powerful and historic moment. עם ישראלַ חי

[Prof. Rivka Isaacson @rli22]

An utter privilege to attend the #premiere of #mysteryofmremovie just now #funforallthefamily 2 adults & 2 kids all enjoyed it so much. 9yo took this #starstruck pic & accosted the 'murderer'! 11yo said it was the best thing she's seen in her life! Thank you #sophiehannahwriter

[miranda seymour @mirandajseymour]

@KatyaTaylor It's going around, I'm told. Glad you got it after your festival, not before. Love the book

[miranda seymour @mirandajseymour]

For anyone who is addicted to summer reading weeks (a la Lytton Strachey) and likes revisiting admired books, Carol Shields' tragicomic Unless (2002) has the funniest scene between an author and her know-it all new editor that I have ever read.

[miranda seymour @mirandajseymour]

On this occasion, I somehow doubt it.

[Giles MacDonogh @GilesMacDonogh]

I assume Putain will organise a state funeral for his friend Prig?

[Giles MacDonogh @GilesMacDonogh]

Walked too close to the window sill?

[miranda seymour @mirandajseymour]

@MathewJLyons I agree. It's rather strange feeling, and not comfortable. I hope the curator is not being made into a scapegoat....he just sounds so honourable and incapable of such acts and if not, a ruined life....

[miranda seymour @mirandajseymour]

@KatyaTaylor @mary_robson @Damian_Barr @edbookfest @eca_edinburgh Wish I could be there to toast you and your book! Across the ether waves...!

[SUSAN HILL @susanhillwriter]

Priests and friends of every faith. Prayers please for an old, & good friend for half a lifetime. Secondary cancers of a very aggressive form. No more treatment. Not a person of faith but pray he is sustained, strengthened & upheld on his journey.

[The Romanticism blog @Wordsworthians]

Today's picture: One of Byron's baby socks #cute

@Newstead_Abbey

[miranda seymour @mirandajseymour]

@LauraNMeyer Perfection

[miranda seymour @mirandajseymour]

Just installed Wikiwand, it's an awesome new interface for Wikipedia, check it out: and this is genuinely Miranda S, feeling very warmly about it https://t.co/Wgzt5lBSUl #wikipedia #ux #design

[miranda seymour @mirandajseymour]

@oxfordlitfest can't wait to talk with wonderful Suzy Feay about the crazy life and wonderful works of Jean Rhys. This Thursday, with a surprise in store