Tribute to Star Columnist Peter Rhodes: A World Dimmed by His Passing
Academic and writer Roshan Doug has paid a moving tribute to the late Star columnist Peter Rhodes, whose death has left the world feeling slightly dimmer. Doug reflects on their deep friendship and the profound impact Rhodes had on his personal journey of self-discovery.
A Memorable First Encounter
The first meeting between Doug and Rhodes occurred in 1996, shortly after Doug published his debut poetry collection. Rhodes arrived at Doug's workplace for an interview, hoping to understand what he memorably called this 'grand stage of fools.' At the time, Doug admits he wasn't sure what Rhodes meant, nor did he believe he possessed anything as grand as a 'world view.'
Peter Rhodes made an immediate impression - softly spoken with Received Pronunciation, immaculately dressed in suit and tie, composed, attentive, and courteous. Their conversation over coffee lasted two hours, with Rhodes listening far more than he spoke, occasionally jotting down words or phrases while nodding gently as if affirming something he had already intuited.
Seeing What Others Missed
When the article appeared - thankfully flattering - Doug realized what Rhodes had seen in him. The columnist had picked up on themes Doug had barely articulated to himself: his sense of belonging, cultural identity, and national allegiance. Rhodes perceptively suggested Doug was in 'cultural transit - looking east, facing west,' an observation that stayed with Doug for years.
Rhodes seemed to recognize aspects of Doug's history that he himself had overlooked, helping him confront a paradox he had long lived with but never fully acknowledged - that feeling of being neither entirely here nor there. As a full-time practitioner of English language and literature who spoke Punjabi with his mother at home, this duality fascinated Rhodes, who often asked about Doug's mother in subsequent conversations as though she were central to understanding him.
A Journey of Self-Discovery
In the years following that initial encounter, Doug began a deeper journey of self-discovery, thanks in no small part to Rhodes' quiet prompting. He started exploring his place in Britain more consciously while reflecting on his relationship with its history and traditions.
Simultaneously, Doug turned his attention to India, immersing himself in its history and Hindu philosophy, which he had previously neglected. He developed perspectives that were sometimes contrarian or contradictory, particularly regarding English literature and language that had shaped him so profoundly. Alongside this, he grew increasingly drawn to his mother's vivid, anecdotal stories - her memories, voice, and lived experience.
Chronicler of Ordinary Life
Peter Rhodes was never just an observer of individuals; he was, above all, a chronicler of ordinary life. He possessed a rare gift for writing in ways that resonated with everyday readers, using accessible, evocative language rooted in common experience. Whether addressing local concerns or national debates, he captured his readership's mood with subtle, understated humor - often delivered with the lightest touch of a raised eyebrow.
His columns reflected deep understanding of ordinary existence's rhythms: the working week, small rituals, and comfort of familiarity. He wrote not for the chattering classes or intellectual elite, but for men and women who worked nine to five, unwound with a pint at their local, and looked forward to fish and chips - mushy peas included - on Friday nights.
Honesty and Warmth in Memoir
When Doug later reviewed Rhodes' memoir, Bloody Adjectives, he was struck by its honesty and warmth. The book brims with stories from Rhodes' journalism career - encounters with notable figures, event observations, and reflections on the craft itself. Doug had the pleasure of interviewing Rhodes over lunch in his Kenilworth hometown, where his candor was as evident in conversation as on the page. Rhodes spoke openly about journalism, acknowledging at times the tension between truth and convenience, especially under deadline pressures.
Final Conversations and Acceptance
The last time Doug spoke with Rhodes was just months ago, after Rhodes received his cancer diagnosis. What struck Doug most was not despair, but remarkable calm. Rhodes spoke candidly about life, family, and - perhaps most surprisingly - his decision not to pursue treatment.
There was no bitterness, only quiet acceptance and near serenity, as though he had come to terms with something fundamental. One remark particularly stayed with Doug: after a lifetime writing about everything under the sun, Rhodes said one realizes - when faced with death - that much of it is ultimately meaningless. Nothing, he suggested, is quite as dark as we imagine, with the indifferent, enduring world carrying on long after we're gone.
A World Dimmed
Rhodes was right, of course. Yet when someone like Peter Rhodes leaves us, it's hard not to feel the world dims, if only slightly. For all its continuity and relentless forward motion, something of its warmth - its wit, its humanity - departs with him, leaving this grand stage of fools just a little poorer than before.
