Global Warning Shallow pools of meltwater reflect high summer sun in the empty immensity glazing the top of our world. Winds and currents conspire to generate imperceptible drifts, journeys that will last years. And as the … Continue reading Global Warning
Category: Blog
“The Long Take”
Atmospheric. If we ignore the format for a moment, I have to say that Robin Robertson's "The Long Take" is tremendously atmospheric. It paints a picture of post-war America - and the brutality of the D-Day landings of WW2 - brilliantly, weaving the two within the darkness of a Veteran's internal struggles and the rebirth … Continue reading “The Long Take”
“An Infinity of Mirrors”
"An Infinity of Mirrors" is now published and available through your local bookshop (on order) and from on-line retailers such as Waterstones.com and Amazon. Don't be put off by any 'not in stock' messages; currently the book is printed on demand, so they can't have any in stock! "After the Rehearsals" and "Degrees of Separation" … Continue reading “An Infinity of Mirrors”
“The Heart’s Invisible Furies”
First thing to say is that there isn't anything wrong with the writing. But I gave John Boyne's book 200 pages and then had to give up. I'm afraid the subject / genre / style just wasn't for me. I was reminded of J.P.Donleavy's marvellously funny and bizarre books - which I loved and need … Continue reading “The Heart’s Invisible Furies”
“History of Wolves”
Emily Fridlund's book, "History of Wolves" is good in many ways: well written, a slightly off-beat story, a narrative that draws you in and keeps you tied to it. It's nowhere near a 'whodunit' - it's not that genre - but it does keep you thinking that something is about to turn up / happen … Continue reading “History of Wolves”
Writing Diary – update
Way ahead of schedule, so great progress! Update 18th April: Novel - "An Infinity of Mirrors": proof copy arrived, awaiting final review Short Story collection - "Degrees of Separation": draft finished; proof copy to be ordered Poetry - "After the Rehearsals": draft finished; proof copy ordered and awaiting delivery I can now think about planning … Continue reading Writing Diary – update
Detachment (a draft)
“When we found them initially, hopping around in a lab homely & ungainly & quite ordinary, it seemed their behaviours were written into genes like automatons - though that may not be the perfect analogy. or Animals, surely. The defenceless victims of our increasingly elaborate experiments. Small, furry, the kind of four-legged friend that you … Continue reading Detachment (a draft)
“Three Poems”
At last! A book of great poetry. Hannah Sullivan's "Three Poems" is packed with line after line of tremendous imagery, all weaving in and out of a really strong narrative too. Of all the volumes of poetry I have read recently, "Three Poems" is surely one I will return to. Reading
Hot off the press!
Just arrived from the printers. Time for a final check before it goes on sale!
“Midwinter Break”
It is perhaps unfortunate that I read "Midwinter Break" after "Lincoln in the Bardo". Having said that, perhaps any 'conventional' novel was always going to feel a little dull and uninspired after "Bardo"... Bernard MacLaverty's book is a perfectly well-written and competent novel. The pictures he paints of the two protagonists are comprehensive enough, and … Continue reading “Midwinter Break”
Ian Gouge - Writer 