Bermondsey resident Mortimer Mouse has been described as the world’s leading optimistic philosopher.
In his new book Keep Squeaking Through he shows why he earned the title as a composer of motivational maxims. It is a sparkling collection of his personal favourites, some in songs and poems, sumptuously illustrated by Amina Art Ansari and edited by his landlord, Richard Heller. It also tells his personal story and introduces his famous literary relatives Mousehole Proust, Terence Ratagain and Albert Camouse.
Some maxims by Mortimer Mouse
- “The colder the night the brighter the stars”
- “Some people can see the light at the end of every tunnel. Others put a tunnel in front of every light”
- “No matter how slippery, any slope goes up as well as down”
- “For your New Year’s resolution, why not give up giving up?”
- “Life is just the bread in your sandwich of dreams”
About Mortimer Mouse
Mortimer Mouse was formerly the head Cheese Taster at Fortum & Mason, a post which ended over a disputed Camembert. He now lives with the author and man of letters Richard Heller and the cockroach poet kafkaa, cousin to the famous archy. In the heady air of Bermondsey, Mortimer discovered his unique gift for composing uplifting homilies. His work has appeared inside greeting cards and Christmas crackers and even in politicians’ speeches, ghost-written under the name of Don O’Vanewera but Keep Squeaking Through is his first book.
About Richard Heller
Richard Heller is the author of The Prisoner Of Rubato Towers, which tells the story of his dramatic meeting with Mortimer and of their early life together. He has also written two cricket novels A Tale Of Ten Wickets and The Network. With Peter Oborne he wrote White On Green, celebrating the drama of Pakistan cricket, and they have presented a regular cricket-themed podcast. He was chief of staff to Denis Healey, then Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, and later to Gerald Kaufman, then Shadow Home Secretary. He has worked in the movie business as a screenwriter and story analyst and once contributed additional dialogue to a motion picture called Cycle Sluts Versus The Zombie Ghouls. He has also twice been a finalist on BBC Television’s Mastermind. www.richardheller.co.uk
About Amina Art Ansari
Amina Art Ansari is a British-Pakistani visual artist born in London. Her rich academic journey includes studies at Central Saint Martins, London College of Printing, and the National College of Arts in Lahore, Pakistan.
Keep Squeaking Through by Mortimer Mouse, edited by Richard Heller, is published by Xerus Publishing on Wednesday 24 January 2024 and is obtainable from the usual outlets
All inquiries to Richard Heller:richardkheller@hotmail.com – +44(0) 7796 174752
