The King of Wansay finally closed yesterday, having served
her mother used the time to write a book; a work of non-
food for only three months. I saw its owner, his wife and their
fiction entitled ‘Famous Parties’ which did exactly what it
son in the park, but I was unable to gauge their mood. Possibly
said on the tin. Rich in anecdote, it served well as a bedside
they were slightly relieved that it was all over, though no doubt
table book. I especially enjoyed the second chapter, all about
they’d lost money over it. They would have been disappointed, of
guest lists: who’d been famously left off, either intentionally or
course, and I must say that I have every sympathy for them,
by mistake. It proved to be an entertaining subject, combining
but ultimately I wonder whether they ever had any chance of
humour and pathos. Many of the stories are ones of which you
success. There are many people in this community who will be
have probably encountered yourself, but the one that most amused
pleased to see them go – that’s the sort of place this is. It
me was one of the least well-known, concerning the occasion
didn’t matter to these people how tirelessly they worked, nor
when the beautiful Queen of Sie Wan neglected to invite her
were their heart strings pulled when it became obvious that the
husband to her coronation party. The event was held at
restaurant was having trouble. To most people it was just another
a private location and, for one reason or another, the King arrived
failure. Personally, I find this sort of attitude sickening. Who’s
alone, only to be rejected at the door and, after some resistance on
to say that this exotic restaurant didn’t deserve a little success?
his part, awarded a black eye by a bouncer. Elsewhere, the author
Not that I never visited it myself. Simply can’t stand foreign food.
surmises that 5% of suicides can be traced back to guest lists.
(Pierre Monceau and Jean-Pierre Sertin)
