Nick Cave has a way of writing about unimaginable grief that is warm and conversational enough to make the feeling palpable. He also has a way of writing about silly things in ways that can be shockingly moving. Cave regularly does both in his Red Hand Files newsletter, and his latest update is a sharp, invigorating example of this. Even asking if Cave watches Love Island, the hugely popular British dating show, can prompt him to write something that can shake you up.
In his latest Red Hand files, Cave answers two questions – one about whether he watches Love Island and another about the biggest differences between him and wife Susie Bick. As it turns out, Cave doesn’t watch Love Island, but Bick does. She’s interested because one of this year’s contestants, a kid named Luca, was friends with Cave and Beak’s twin sons Arthur and Earl.
A few years ago, Cave’s son Arthur died suddenly. In this Red Hand Files, Cave writes that Luca’s mother was a huge source of comfort: “She was the one constant during a time of terror and confusion when scores of desperate and sympathetic people came and went. We will never forget her kindness. Even in the first week, when the world seemed suddenly and shockingly defined by unspeakable and distorting cruelty, Maria reminded us that there is good in the world.
Cave also leaves us with this: “These people, Luca’s parents, are as good as people can be, and they love their son, Luca. So Susie watches Love Island and cheers him on, and hopes he wins. I also hope Luca wins, and soon, because then I can get my fucking TV back.” son of a bitch He did it again. Read The Red Hand Files here.
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