I was saddened to learn yesterday of the death of the author, painter, broadcaster and critic John Berger. It was only recently I was watching an excellent film on him on the BBC and thinking what a wonderfully trenchant thinker he was, and so this is another blow to the world of the arts.
I’ve been aware of Berger for a long time, through his seminal TV programme “Ways of Seeing”, but it’s only recently that I’ve started reading his books.
I thought very highly of his first novel, “A Painter of Our Time”, a wonderful book which gave much insight into the art world of the 1950s as well as making me consider how little we actually know about each other. I also have “Ways of Seeing” lurking and I really *should* bump it up the TBR pile.
I also read and loved “Bento’s Sketchbook”, a beautiful fusion of images and words, featuring Berger’s sketches, reminiscences, thoughts and musings. I said at the end of my review that “I came to the end of Berger’s book intrigued, interested, thoughtful and oddly reassured – while there are minds like his in the world there is still hope.” Alas, we have lost another good mind and the world is a lesser place because of it.
Kaggsy's Bookish Ramblings 
Jan 03, 2017 @ 10:37:45
I studied John Berger’s work on rural communities from an anthropological perspective – Pig Earth was an assigned text, although it was fiction – and I know he was a ‘neighbour’ of mine, living in Haute Savoie, not a million miles away from where I was living in France. I didn’t expect him to be well-known in the UK though.
Jan 03, 2017 @ 10:42:40
I suspect he’s mostly remembered over here for “Ways of Seeing”, and his left wing views probably alienated much of the media in England. But he had a fascinating mind and kudos to Verso, his publishers, for keeping his work in print and promoting it.
Jan 03, 2017 @ 11:42:24
Lovely reminiscence of a great author, artist and poet.
Jan 03, 2017 @ 15:38:11
Thank you.
Jan 03, 2017 @ 11:43:38
I was not familiar with him when I came across the notice today online that he had died. There was a video attached with a blurb he made in an excerpt from a political speech. I thought when I listened to it, “wow, what a mind.” I will have to read something of his as I am sure I would admire it.
Jan 03, 2017 @ 15:38:04
He had quite an intellect, and I’ve enjoyed the books of his I’ve read. He’s left a strong legacy.
Jan 03, 2017 @ 19:47:42
I was saddened as well and happy to find two of his books on my piles. I restarted one right away and was captivated again.
Jan 03, 2017 @ 20:01:47
Yes, thankfully we still have his books – his was a compelling voice.
Jan 04, 2017 @ 04:03:08
I was not aware of Berger until fans of his writing posted on Instagram upon hearing the sad news. I would love to explore his works some day.
Jan 04, 2017 @ 09:07:43
They’re definitely worth reading – and see if you can track down Ways of Seeing to watch as well. I believe it’s online somewhere.
Jan 04, 2017 @ 08:30:13
I read Ways of Seeing many years ago and it made a big impression. Heard about his death on the radio yesterday – a fine man, I’d like to read more.
Jan 04, 2017 @ 09:05:11
He was indeed a fine man and a trenchant thinker. His work is most definitely worth reading.
Jan 04, 2017 @ 09:00:28
Thank you for posting about him, I was really sad to hear of his passing, although a long life well-lived, etc. Ways of Seeing was a stand-out read to me many years ago, too.
Jan 04, 2017 @ 09:04:37
It was indeed sad, but you’re right – he had had a good long life and done much with it.
Jan 04, 2017 @ 10:24:05
I read Ways of Seeing when I was a student, and it changed the way I saw the world. The recent Beeb documentary was a wonderful reminder and left me questioning why I’ve never read anything else by Berger – a tragic oversight that I must remedy soon.
Jan 04, 2017 @ 13:19:06
Luckily, there’s so much of his work out there – Verso has a huge selection which is worth exploring.