Raymond Briggs RIP ??

I loved his graphic books, appealing very much to adults not just children.
I get what you are saying Baggs about a natural not “sad” process, but is it an element of sadness about loss of our past that are represented by some who have recently died, such as Raymond Briggs, popular vocalists, comedians, actors, and others of our era?

He has brought so much joy to so many people

Found the writer, annieb. I don't agree with John Donne's sentiment on death either. I think it's over-sentimental.

Naturally, deaths diminish individuals who are affected directly, but something like 150,000-160,000 people die every day worldwide. I cannot honestly say I am affected by all those deaths. I already know that people (and every other life form) dies. Death is part of life.

Farzanah

I loved his graphic books, appealing very much to adults not just children.
I get what you are saying Baggs about a natural not “sad” process, but is it an element of sadness about loss of our past that are represented by some who have recently died, such as Raymond Briggs, popular vocalists, comedians, actors, and others of our era?

I agree with this up to a point but in the modern world we lose far less of our culture because of recording techniques – books, songs and other music written, films, etc.

We haven't lost the music of famous composers from long ago, nor the literature of writers, nor the art of artists, and so on.

The joy that Raymond Briggs brought to so many people is not lost either (nod to janejudge).

So, it's not sad when someone like Raymond Briggs dies. Not to me. It's just a sign of the passing of time.

I'm still really glad he created what he did and really glad we still have it.

He reached a great age and left behind a wonderful legacy with his books and films. I’m sure they will be enjoyed by many for years to come. We get The Snowman and Father Christmas films out every year, the GC love them just as their parents did. My mum absolutely loved the Ethel & Ernest film.
RIP

That is a wonderful way of putting it, SachaMac. Full of appreciation but no mention of sadness.

FannyCornforth

Boz

Love "Ethel and Ernest" his homage to his parents. This is available on Prime but maybe it will get an airing mainstream now.

Oh, I didn’t know that it was a film. I bought the book when it first came out (1999?)

Whitewave, I love your term ‘British pessimism’ (I could get a bit political here, but of course, I won’t!)

Ethel and Ernest is on BBC2 tonight. Well worth 90 mins of your time.

Thank you Boz. I've seen it but I'll watch it again. It's lovely.

Slightly off subject, but John Donne is anything but sentimental about religion, life, sex and death! You are of course entitled to your opinion about the death of a well loved writer and Illustrator Baggs. He had a long and fruitful life and we can celebrate that, as well as feel sadness that his creativity has come to an end

Baggs

Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind. And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.

No Man is an Island
John Donne

Ethel and Ernest is one of the most charming, heartwarming, poignant things I've ever seen.

My girl and I watched it quite by accident, and loved it; I could cry thinking about it - a must watch!

Ethel and Ernest is my favourite it never fails to cheer me up and bring a tear to my eye at the same time reminds me of how simple and happy life used to be.