Raymond G. Taylor
Bio
Author living in Kent, England. Writer of short stories and poems in a wide range of genres, forms and styles. A non-fiction writer for 40+ years. Subjects include art, history, science, business, law, and the human condition.
Stories (641)
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Barbie: nice movie...
Don't get me wrong. Barbie is a great film, with bags of humor and lots of funny references to other films... for those old enough to remember 2001: A Space Odyssey. Problem is, it didn't know where to end. There is only so much existentialism a theatre audience can take.
By Raymond G. Taylor2 years ago in Critique
Mamma Mia!
Hate musicals, not an Abba fan. Why then did the Mama Mia! stage show, which I attended reluctantly with work friends, delight me so? Was it the sumptuous Novello Theatre on London's Aldwych? Was it the stylish bar? Was it the upbeat crowd? Whatever it was, the production was excellent.
By Raymond G. Taylor2 years ago in Critique
Oliver Twist is a sham. Runner-Up in Critique Challenge.
Characters are wooden and two dimensional. The book imbued with Victorian hypocrisy. Oliver Twist, far from shining a light on inner city poverty and crime, is voyeuristic and nauseatingly sentimental. In the end, Oliver is plucked from London's 'wickedness' only to join his benefactor in a life of rural privilege.
By Raymond G. Taylor2 years ago in Critique
Of phones and photographs. Top Story - August 2023.
Was a time I considered myself a photographer. Two Pentax manual SLR bodies, four lenses, lens hood, filters, tripod, camera bag, rolls of Kodachrome, Fujichrome, Ilford monochrome. A keen eye and a willingness to try out new things.
By Raymond G. Taylor2 years ago in Photography
Art for our sake: five
For my fifth venture into the wonderous world depicted by the wonderful creators submitting their stories to the Vocal Art community, I have included some embedded links. Please let me know what you think. Is it too much or does it help give a useful preview of the works reviewed?
By Raymond G. Taylor2 years ago in Art
1995
Midway between new born and four-score-ten. What did it mean? Born at the end of the 1950s, by a few days, I was now 35 years old. A year older than this time last year. Was I any wiser? As editor of a low-key trade magazine I guess I was at the top of my chosen profession. Reasonably good wage, treated quite well in the organisation, small team of dedicated professionals behind me. I was a married, mortgage-paying dad of two. Or at least would be that summer as we happily awaited, at the start of the year, our new arrival. A lot would change over the coming years.
By Raymond G. Taylor3 years ago in Chapters
Cottage in the forest
For many days I trekked through the King's forest known as Sherwood, in Nottinghamshire, fearing I was walking in circles. I was also nervous, for the paths I trod were reputed to be patrolled by vagabonds and cut-throats, not least the notorious outlaw know locally as Robin in the Hood. I was heading for the city of Nottingham, wherein my betrothed awaited me.
By Raymond G. Taylor3 years ago in Fiction
The Man in the High Castle
Philip K. Dick's novel, about an alternative ending to the Second World War and defeat for the allies, begins and ends with an inversion of the truth. This upsetting of history and blurring of reality is a constant theme, running throughout the narrative.
By Raymond G. Taylor3 years ago in BookClub
The first piece
First piece I ever wrote professionally was a survey of uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) in 1987, for a publication aimed at specialist computer equipment manufacturers. Not the most interesting subject for a young business and technology journalist, but I felt I had done a good job.
By Raymond G. Taylor3 years ago in Writers
