They All Love Jack Review

[Simon Wood]

Hi Caz,

By Diarist, I was referring to those who, twenty-something years on, cling to the stubborn belief that the diary is the real deal.

That's all.

Be well.

Simon

[rjpalmer]

In regards to this curious belief in the diary, the only thing I can figure is that these earnest believers must hear a tone of menace or rage in the text of the diary that is so compelling to them, and so real, that they circumvent the more critical centers of their brain. Rational argument will not move them; they can still hear this 'real' rage, and thus believe us skeptical types are simply dense fools that can't appreciate what they are hearing.

I confess I can't pick up the necessary vibration of belief. I am deaf to the diary's menace and plausibility, just as I am deaf to what I am being told are the many excellencies of the **** that now passes for good music.

[caz]

Hi Caz,

By Diarist, I was referring to those who, twenty-something years on, cling to the stubborn belief that the diary is the real deal.

That's all.

Be well.

Simon

Really? I'd never have guessed, dear Simon.

How many are we talking, and what do you mean by the 'real deal'?

A belief - even a stubborn one - would still be a belief, and I can't imagine anyone would be insane enough to come to this place and pretend to cling to a belief that would invite such scorn, while suspecting or believing deep down that the diary was a modern Barrett creation.

I've been called a diary defender, who is suspected on the one hand of secretly believing the diary was written by James Maybrick, but refusing to admit it [presumably because I'd get even more grief than I already do for merely rejecting the Barretts as hoaxers], while on the other hand of secretly knowing the Barretts were behind it, but refusing to admit that either, for some unfathomable reason. I don't know how I am meant to hold both positions, when in fact I hold neither, but there we are. Diary world is full of such imponderables. But I do know I bring a little bell with me and shout "unclean" for daring to go against the status quo [despite the fact they did a cracking number about Sweet Caroline] that has Mike Barrett down as capable of producing a hoax, which anyone in their right mind would have seen through instantly had he actually done so.

Love,

Caz
X

[Simon Wood]

Hello Caz,

Slow down. You appear to be getting a little paranoid. So before the white van arrives to speed you away to a lonely place where everything is as calm as nembutal, grab some of your favourite highland hooch and repeat the mantra—"A bottle in front of me is better than a frontal lobotomy."

I know the diary wasn't written by James Maybrick or his brother Michael. I don't know [and really don't care] if it was transcribed by Mike Barrett, his wife, their lodger, or the guy who came around on Thursdays to clean out the parrot cage.

But I do have a shrewd idea who conceived it.

However, my lips must remain sealed. Maybe, in true Victorian fashion, I'll leave behind a ribbon-bound and wax-sealed envelope.

By the way, the "real deal" is the genuine article.

You always send love to your correspondents, so allow me to reciprocate.

Love,

Simon

[caz]

Hello Caz,

Slow down. You appear to be getting a little paranoid. So before the white van arrives to speed you away to a lonely place where everything is as calm as nembutal, grab some of your favourite highland hooch and repeat the mantra—"A bottle in front of me is better than a frontal lobotomy."

Hi Simon,

I'm so sorry you needed that mantra yourself. I was introduced at the age of fifteen to Cuba Libre, so I've been chilled ever since. And that's a looong time. I can't even remember when I last took a headache tablet, so I have no use for chill pills.

I know the diary wasn't written by James Maybrick or his brother Michael. I don't know [and really don't care] if it was transcribed by Mike Barrett, his wife, their lodger, or the guy who came around on Thursdays to clean out the parrot cage.

That's grand, Simon. Better than believing it was written by Mike Barrett's ambidextrous wife over 11 days in April 1992. That would be just asking for the white van to whisk you off.

But I do have a shrewd idea who conceived it.

However, my lips must remain sealed. Maybe, in true Victorian fashion, I'll leave behind a ribbon-bound and wax-sealed envelope.

By the way, the "real deal" is the genuine article.

You always send love to your correspondents, so allow me to reciprocate.

Love,

Simon

That's very sweet of you. I have lots of love to give everyone I correspond with. I put it down to the rum and coke, and more recently the Freddy Fudpuckers.

Let me reassure you that your shrewd idea is one that has been under investigation for many years and I can certainly see why your lips have to remain superglued [I presume your highland hooch is administered intravenously?]. Names can't be named, obviously, as your idea concerns four authors – half of them dead and the other half presumably brain dead. I'm sure you also have a shrewd idea of why on earth this quadrumvirate chose to involve Mike Barrett, and how they got the diary into his hands.

Do you have a shrewd idea that evidence of a modern hoax will therefore have been destroyed?

Oh, sorry, I nearly forgot your superglued lips.

Have a fun weekend with the IV drip.

Love,

Caz
X

[kwanitaka]

Hi kwanitaka,

Before continuing, could you please decide on the author's surname.

Regards,

Simon

After all I wrote, you criticize a small misspelling of the name of the author? You must have constant mini strokes reading newspapers online. Even the NYT has misspellings. Have you ever read Daily Mail UK? It’s hilarious the amount of errors. But good luck contacting all the sites with misspellings. You are right of course and I am sorry I offended you. Now, should I check everything you posted here?

[Herlock Sholmes]

Opinions differ of course but my review of They All Love Jack would be much shorter.

”Conspiracist junk.”

[Ms Diddles]

Opinions differ of course but my review of They All Love Jack would be much shorter.

”Conspiracist junk.”

Ha! I'm on the other side of the fence on this one.

I loved that book.

Do I think it was Michael Maybrick whodunit?

No chance, but I really enjoyed the story telling and writing.

[Herlock Sholmes]

Ha! I'm on the other side of the fence on this one.

I loved that book.

Do I think it was Michael Maybrick whodunit?

No chance, but I really enjoyed the story telling and writing.

It was enjoyable to read even though I found his style a little strange.