There is an immediacy about childhood. We are impatient, fickle; we want today's new thing, an ice cream, to go to the park. And we always want them now. For young children, tomorrow simply doesn't exist. Then things change. School does that to us. It introduces us to "school days", "weekends", "holidays"; eventually it becomes … Continue reading Short-term, long-term, short-term; the Shifting Horizons of our lives
Category: Blog
“Summer”
The final instalment of Ali Smith's quartet, "Summer", is lorded on the front cover of my copy as 'a tour de force' - and for once the publishers are not wrong. In many ways "Summer" is an extraordinary achievement: stylistically inventive, politically astute and opinionated, accomplished in the depiction of character and relationships... Yes, it … Continue reading “Summer”
“Redhead by the Side of the Road”
It would be a little disingenuous for me to say that I've no idea why I chose to read Anne Tyler's "Redhead by the Side of the Road". I chose it because the front cover boasted Booker long-listing; the back cover made it sound interesting; and it was on the 'buy-one-get-one-half-price' table at Waterstones. There. … Continue reading “Redhead by the Side of the Road”
“On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous”
Ocean Vuong's novel, "On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous", pulls few punches. The subject matter almost demands it does not: homosexuality, the Vietnam war, being a post-war Vietnamese resident in the US, old age, love and death. Not a cocktail of subjects which lends itself to kid gloves perhaps. And given that cocktail, there could be … Continue reading “On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous”
Home is (not) where the sales are…
With the exception of a couple of short stints in Europe and the Far East, I have lived in the UK all my life. This is where my - extended - family lives, and is home to the vast majority of my friends and ex-work colleagues. Two weeks ago I published my latest novel, On … Continue reading Home is (not) where the sales are…
Music: the barometer of your Happy Place?
If you're like me, there will be music you listen to which reflects your mood - particularly at the extremes. Right now The Cure's "Galore" is blasting out of my stereo, one of my 'go to' albums when I'm in a really good mood. Today the weather's great, I went for a run first thing, … Continue reading Music: the barometer of your Happy Place?
Is it acceptable to say ‘Thank You’?
Whether conventional or not, I'd just like to recognise those people who have bought my latest novel, "On Parliament Hill", in the last week. So, "Thank you". It means a lot to me. When you don't have some massive publishing behemoth behind you driving publicity, working with bookshops etc., your readers - inevitably in smaller … Continue reading Is it acceptable to say ‘Thank You’?
“Night Boat to Tangier”
Kevin Barry's "Night Boat to Tangier" is, in many ways, an exceptional book. The first thing that hits you is the style in which it is written: unconventional; short, punchy sentences; lacking much of the traditional format of a novel. To be honest, this can be off-putting. For example, initially I was annoyed by the … Continue reading “Night Boat to Tangier”
“10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World”
While I enjoyed Elif Shafak's unique "10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World", I have to be upfront and say that I'm not sure how it made it to a Booker Prize shortlist. I couldn't help but think that the conceit which provides the structure for the first part of the book - that … Continue reading “10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World”
Published today! “On Parliament Hill”
My latest novel, "On Parliament Hill", has now been published! Her voice is a trigger; a voice which forces Neil to relive the crises and failures of his past - one which offers him the possibility of a positive new future. But before he can decide on what he wants the life ahead of him … Continue reading Published today! “On Parliament Hill”
Ian Gouge - Writer 