You probably don't want to read John William's "Nothing but the night" if you are in any way depressed. Or feeling overwhelmed. Or existential. It won't help lift your mood. Nor if you're looking for a happy ending. Williams dangles one before us, tantalisingly suggesting redemption, then in the last 20 pages rips that possibility … Continue reading “Nothing but the night”
Category: Blog
Upcoming performances
I have secured two slots to read at the 'Word Fest' event, to be held in Market Rasen on Saturday 6th July. More exciting than that is the prospect of performing Crash again in the autumn! Hopefully checking out a potential venue next week - about which I'm really excited! After that I can start … Continue reading Upcoming performances
Coming soon – “The Red Tie”
“Books talk to the inner person, the secret person; they can make direct contact with all those subterranean feelings and desires you speak of.” Vincent edits books. It is modest and quiet occupation - yet one which is about to be thrown into turmoil thanks to the arrival of woman, her gift to him, and … Continue reading Coming soon – “The Red Tie”
“Wildlife”
Perhaps the most interesting thing about Richard Ford's "Wildlife" is how little actually happens. It covers a three day period during which.... But I don't want to give it away! The journey (shouldn't there always be a journey?) is for the teenage boy, Joe, and we see the whole thing through his eyes. What's also … Continue reading “Wildlife”
Some new things for you to read…
Curated from my Substack site - 'Writing until the light goes out' - here are some recent pieces for you to enjoy. Just click on the image... Subscription is option - though I'd love it if you did!
“Baby Schema”
I'm afraid Isabel Galleymore's collection Baby Schema just isn't for me. It annoyed me, and I ended up skim-reading the last few poems. Partly this was because of the mono-theme underlying the work throughout (sadly a common approach for some modern collections); the reader gets little relief. Also, in general I struggle with self-indulgent poems … Continue reading “Baby Schema”
Some of last week’s posts elsewhere…
And there are more free posts - including additional draft chapters from 'The French Story'. To find them just click on the link below. My Substack site
“The Piano Tuner”
"The Piano Tuner" is splendid - just like Daniel Mason's "The Winter Soldier". You might argue that it is slightly too drawn-out in the middle, but perhaps that is a textual parallel to the situation in which the central character finds himself. Overall, the writing is - of course - rather fine. The reader is … Continue reading “The Piano Tuner”
New books published today!
Please note: on publication date the Amazon site is showing the 17 Alma Road ebook - 9781738469390 - as a paperback, but at the ebook price. Please do not order 9781738469390 if you want a paperback and think you are getting a cheaper version. You may get an ebook! I am on to Amazon to … Continue reading New books published today!
Virtual book launch TODAY!
This evening I am having an on-line launch of my most recent books - both of which are published tomorrow - with a short reading from each of them: - Grimsby Docks ~ A series of twenty-five poems, each written in response to photographs taken during a single morning. In the mid-19th century, Grimsby docks was perhaps … Continue reading Virtual book launch TODAY!
Ian Gouge - Writer 