iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Jonathan Coe @jonathancoe.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

@ottoenglish.bsky.social being nicely displayed at the Libraria St. O. Iosif in Braşov, Romania.

Jonathan Coe @jonathancoe.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

This is an excellent and moving tribute to Jeremy Thomas. I feel very lucky to have known him, and very guilty that because of me (in part) he spent so much time towards the end of his life on a project that ended up going nowhere. www.screendaily.com/features/a-h...

3426

Jonathan Coe @jonathancoe.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

One of the reasons I've largely given up on music/spoken word combinations is that actors often don't like them - they feel the music interferes with or inhibits their performance. But some years ago at Bath Festival Stephanie Cole brilliantly read extracts from my novel The Rain Before It Falls ...

3304

Jonathan Coe @jonathancoe.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Authors! If you must respond to your bad reviews, do it as graciously as Oliver Hardy when Walter Winchell trashed the film 'Nothing But Trouble' in 1945. (Bookmarking this post in case I need it in November.)

410625

Jonathan Coe @jonathancoe.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Thank you so much to @stuartmaconie.bsky.social and Clare Chambers for these extremely generous comments about LESSONS IN HARMONY. Out in two months! www.penguin.co.uk/books/476261...

3301

Reposted by Jonathan Coe

Bethany Black @bethanyblack.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

I really need journalists to learn that every time OpenAI or Anthropic or xAI says that their model has broken containment and could destroy humanity that it’s a marketing pitch by companies running out of cash with high overheads and no profitable business model wanting more investment.

1853276

Jonathan Coe @jonathancoe.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

There now seem to be at least three artists (Zopp, Tom Penaguin and Fuzz Kitchen) whose mission is to recreate the 1970s Canterbury sound as exactly as possible. These guys might be the best. The resemblance to Hatfield and the North during the instrumental parts is uncanny. Lyrics are witty too.

fuzzkitchen.bandcamp.com

Song of Canterbury (Part One), by Fuzz Kitchen

from the album FUZZ KITCHEN

13443

Jonathan Coe @jonathancoe.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Issue One (Autumn 1991) of The Modern Review is now online, with more to follow, if anyone fancies a glimpse into a bygone cultural era.

modernreview.substack.com

ISSUE ONE

AUTUMN 1991 VOL 1 ISSUE 1

1184

Jonathan Coe @jonathancoe.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Two whole months of Wilder at the bfi! Really looking forward to this, of course - not least my own participation, at a discussion event with @christinalefou.bsky.social and season curator Ruby McGuigan on November 4th.

35811

Jonathan Coe @jonathancoe.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

What a great little introduction to last night's screening of Penda's Fen by actor Spencer Banks. You can sense his nervousness in front of the camera but he speaks with such clarity and insight.

bbc.co.uk

Remembers... - Spencer Banks Remembers... Penda's Fen

Actor Spencer Banks reflects on his leading role in the 1974 Play for Today Penda's Fen, a remarkable coming-of-age story written by David Rudkin and directed by Alan Clarke.

14210

Jonathan Coe @jonathancoe.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

LESSONS IN HARMONY, my novel about the friendship between Ravel and Vaughan Williams, will be published in November. This thread is for anyone who's bought, or is thinking of buying, one of the signed editions available from Waterstones or an indie bookshop. (They won't be available from Amazon.)

69428

Jonathan Coe @jonathancoe.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Now watching the late 70s remake of The Lady Vanishes (courtesy of @talkingpicturestv.bsky.social) and marvelling that Angela Lansbury, playing the sweet old lady Miss Froy, was 53 at the time. (Twelve years younger than me.)

3391

Jonathan Coe @jonathancoe.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

The world may be going to shit and fascism may be on the march but let's be thankful for small pleasures - Colin From Accounts Season 3 is up on iPlayer and the writing is sharper than ever. What joy to see a comedy show that actually makes you laugh.

6825

Jonathan Coe @jonathancoe.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Hoping that this signifies enthusiasm for the audio piece that Danny and I put together all those years ago.

180

Reposted by Jonathan Coe

johnw60.bsky.social @johnw60.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

And yet more… bsky.app/profile/irri...

01210

Jonathan Coe @jonathancoe.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Farage's grinning response says it all. Every day Reform and its supporters reveal themselves for who they are and yet the media continues to treat them as just another normal political party.

191166432

Jonathan Coe @jonathancoe.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Here's a thread of recommendations for some music I've enjoyed (or been involved with) on Bandcamp lately. You can listen to all this stuff for free, of course, but as it's Bandcamp Friday you could also consider buying some tracks or albums for download and slinging the artists some money.

190

Jonathan Coe @jonathancoe.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Remember the protestor who interrupted Jacob Rees Mogg at the 2023 NatCon conference, stepping onto the stage to warn about 'the dangers of fascism'? That was musician Dirk Campbell, formerly of Egg and National Health. He is still making music, and his latest album is wonderful.

dirkcampbell.bandcamp.com

Erosion, by Dirk Mont Campbell

from the album Long Time Gone

1387

Reposted by Jonathan Coe

Carole Cadwalladr @carolecadwalla.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Stop whatever you’re doing & watch this now! Reform’s magic money tree has been bust wide open. Huge kudos to undercover reporters Verbatim via @channel4news.bsky.social youtu.be/aXut3s90rUI?... huge

youtu.be

Undercover: Exposing Reform's secret donations plot

YouTube video by Channel 4 News

802530933

Reposted by Jonathan Coe

Helen Warrell @helenwarrell.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

James Orr: Reform’s head of policy, Cambridge theologian, architect of the new British right. Our profile for @ftweekend.com looks at his links to the Maga movement, Silicon Valley & European populists, and his life as a Cambridge lecturer with @ramshodgson.bsky.social www.ft.com/content/c2d0...

ft.com

James Orr and the gospel of the new British right

Reform’s policy head is a Cambridge theologian with an enviable contact book and a belief in ‘faith, family and flag’

129357

Jonathan Coe @jonathancoe.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Goodness. That review’s 34 years old.

3121

Jonathan Coe @jonathancoe.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Interesting @john-self.bsky.social piece about publishing trends, including the ‘cosy’ phenomenon which no longer seems to be confined to crime. www.theguardian.com/books/ng-int...

3120

Jonathan Coe @jonathancoe.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Mentioned to someone yesterday that Tim Curry had died, and today they told me that they thought I'd said Tim Rice. OK, I can see the connection, but ...

7363

Reposted by Jonathan Coe

Vaughan Williams Foundation @vwfndn.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

On this day, we remember Ralph Vaughan Williams, who died 68 years ago. His works continue to speak with extraordinary warmth, humanity and imagination -from The Lark Ascending to his symphonies, choral music and operas. His music remains alive, resonant and appreciated 🎶

2447

Jonathan Coe @jonathancoe.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Latest film season at home: movies adapted from novels by Sébastien Japrisot. First off: A Very Long Engagement (2004). Strong, faithful adaptation of this intensely convoluted WW1 story, marred only by some overly whimsical directorial touches, and a botched amendment to the ending.

3131

Jonathan Coe @jonathancoe.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Currently reading: The Life of Emile Zola, by Jack Hughes. (Time to log off for a bit, I think)

4161

Reposted by Jonathan Coe

Chris Weston @westonfront.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Let me remind you about Carl Douglas' follow-up to Kung Fu Fighting: "Witchfinder General"! Sample lyric: "Says he's got a thing about burnin' witches. Ooh, some of these were mighty fine bitches!" Carl, mate... www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdx-...

youtube.com

Carl Douglas - Witchfinder General (Official Audio)

YouTube video by Carl Douglas

65311

Jonathan Coe @jonathancoe.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Does the narrator of the song '24 Hours from Tulsa' ever say where he actually is? You can get a hell of a long way from Tulsa by car in 24 hours. He could be in San Francisco or even Ottawa ... And if he's 'only' 24 hours from Tulsa, where's he coming back from? Australia?

2114415

Jonathan Coe @jonathancoe.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Standing ovation last night for Christine Lahti after her one-woman show at the Marylebone Theatre. Fearless writing in the service of a family history at once warm and bleak, funny and heartbreaking. Her virtuoso performance negotiates these tonal shifts brilliantly. One week of the run left - go!

marylebonetheatre.com

The Smile of Her at Marylebone Theatre

The Smile of Her at Marylebone Theatre from Jul 10, 2026 to Aug 28, 2026.

3265

Jonathan Coe @jonathancoe.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Apparently this is the list of British films included in the booklet accompanying the British Citizenship test. Unfortunately, if familiarity with the films on this list is one of the criteria for being a British citizen I think we're going to have to deport everyone under the age of 50.

79961200

Reposted by Jonathan Coe

Philippe Auclair @philippeauclair.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

They should be if there is any justice. A wonderful, funny, engaging and moving book, written with a very English kind of "pudeur" that suits its protagonists perfectly, whilst capturing qualities of theirs which are often ignored: their impishness (Maurice) and sensuality (Ralph).

0183

Jonathan Coe @jonathancoe.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

39 years ago, in hardback, my first novel was priced at £9.99 (£36 in today's money). My new one will be £20 if you pay full price. Books have become such a ridiculous bargain, really. (Thought prompted by visiting the booking site for a West End play where the few remaining tickets are £215 each.)

613015

Jonathan Coe @jonathancoe.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Gail makes all sorts of things - mugs, notebooks, cards, T-shirts - and the designs are really quirky and stylish, with a retro slant. Prompt service too! I highly recommend.

55526

Jonathan Coe @jonathancoe.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

An early response to LESSONS IN HARMONY which gets exactly what it's about. I'll be very happy if any of the print reviews are as empathetic as this.

endsoftheword.blogspot.com

Lessons in Harmony by Jonathan Coe

Review of Jonathan Coe's novel "Lessons in Harmony" about Maurice Ravel and Ralph Vaughan Williams

2296

Jonathan Coe @jonathancoe.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

When it first came out I looked down on this version, for not measuring up to the Hitchcock original. Seeing it again recently, it seemed to belong to its own lost world of elegant film-making.

8487

Jonathan Coe @jonathancoe.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Full marks for the typo. Chef’s kiss for the reply.

81614305

Reposted by Jonathan Coe

Sarah Murphy @13sarahmurphy.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Why isn’t there a total moratorium on all reporting on Reform until after the multiple investigations into their finances have been completed? Free propaganda for potentially corrupt liars should be banned. It might make them think twice before breaking rules and taking the piss out of all of us.

732252571

Jonathan Coe @jonathancoe.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Thanks for speaking to us, Adrian - and for your kind words! "There’s a level of musical sophistication and technical virtuosity evident in both their albums ... The sound is cool, wordy and sophisticated - nodding to the more thoughtful end of 80s synth pop."

051

Jonathan Coe @jonathancoe.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

I don't know if it's possible for a book about two classical composers to be less 'Amadeus-like'. Anyway, thanks to the Times for giving me a plug yesterday.

3302

Reposted by Jonathan Coe

Musa Okwonga @okwonga.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Yes, Farage leaves his voters materially worse off. Also: don't underestimate how good the hate feels, how nourishing it is, how it makes financial loss feel worth it. That's what he offers his base, a chance to hate with purity. A huge selling point. We saw it with Trump and we see it with him.

1526550

Reposted by Jonathan Coe

James Ball @jamesrball.com · 16/08/2026

A former director of BBC News speaks:

482560958

Jonathan Coe @jonathancoe.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

A slightly surreal experience to do this with Jeremy - The Peer Group’s first interview in its 41-year existence! Thanks to Adrian for hosting us.

291

Jonathan Coe @jonathancoe.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Thanks to @stuartmaconie.bsky.social for playing our song 'Bernard Levin' on the Freak Zone last night, and placing us between Aphrodite's Child and Soft Machine to make us sound more modern. The album is now selling like hot cakes!* *(NB turns out sales of hot cakes aren't great during a heatwave)

thepeergroup.bandcamp.com

Breath Of Stone, by The Peer Group

10 track album

1270

Reposted by Jonathan Coe

Jonathan Coe @jonathancoe.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

41 years after our first rehearsal, my student band The Peer Group has released its 2nd album! Ten songs, seven of them written by me (music only - the lyrics are by our drummer Ralph), most of them dating from the 1980s. Bandcamp is one place to hear it, but it's on all the streaming platforms.

thepeergroup.bandcamp.com

Breath Of Stone, by The Peer Group

10 track album

56410

Jonathan Coe @jonathancoe.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

thepeergroup.bandcamp.com

Breath Of Stone, by The Peer Group

10 track album

56410

Jonathan Coe @jonathancoe.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Me, to shop owner: Nice background music! Shop owner: [blank stare] Me: The Poulenc piano concerto. Great choice! Shop owner: There is no background music. Me: [realises iPhone is playing in my pocket]

71603

Jonathan Coe @jonathancoe.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

I forgot to repost this so I hope BlueSky’s Celia Fremlin fans didn’t miss it. The Hitchcock Hours are also on Now TV if you have access to that.

2201