Thanks to Jonathan for sharing this review of a recent book-signing at Ryde Library. Ed
This week I attended a book-signing and talk by the author Clive Chabrier at Ryde Library.
I was intrigued by the item on Events.OnTheWight, with its tagline – “An epic true story of jiving at Aldershot Palais, a career in the Foreign Legion, escape, stowing away, and a life as a fugitive in the Wild North West”. Who could not want to learn more?
An Islander, now returned
Mr Chabrier was born and went to school on the Wight, and is now a resident again.
In between he was in the Merchant Navy, then lived through the events described in his book ‘The Compass of Naivety’, and after many more adventures he was principal of a Therapeutic Massage school, until he retired.
Not quite buying eggs
He’s a charming man with copious white hair and a full beard and moustache, and he wears a cap of unknown origin on his head. He regaled a spellbound audience with stories of his childhood and education (not entirely a success) and his brief career in the Merchant Navy.
He had already had many adventures by the time he was 19 in 1958 and staying with his mother again near Aldershot. When she asked him to go and buy some eggs, a series of happenstance events led him to a Foreign Legion garrison in France, too scared to extricate himself.
He spent time with the Foreign Legion in Algeria during the vicious war of independence, then deserted and became a fugitive, stowing away on a ship to Australia. All this was related with a sparkle in his eye and an honest admission that it seems like a strange path to take. But part of Mr Chabrier’s charm is that he readily admits to a tendency to take up an opportunity that appears before him.
A fascinating evening
This would not be to everyone’s taste as a way of life, but for Mr Chabrier it has worked out very well. He’s a fascinating man and this promises to be a fascinating book. He signed my new copy, and I shall read it with great anticipation.
If this has interested you, you can read reviews (and buy it) on Amazon, and I’m informed that they stock it at Angel’s Grace, on Union Street in Ryde, or at the Tollgate Café in Bembridge. But if you get the chance you should go and see Clive Chabrier, because he’s well worth meeting and listening to.
Image: © The Compass of Naivety Facebook
