Usually I really like Philip Roth's work, but I'm afraid "Portnoy's Complaint" didn't quite hit the spot. Written as one huge monologue, the language used - relaxed, conversational - certainly fits the bill; and having been promised something explosively funny, there were undeniably 'laugh out loud' moments. Having said that, however, the book poses a … Continue reading “Portnoy’s Complaint”
Category: Blog
Why you shouldn’t believe everything an Amazon page says about a book…
As a writer and Indie Publisher I am always grateful that my distributor and the Nielsen book registration service have direct feeds into major on-line retailers. This facility means that, as soon as a book is published, it usually appears on global websites within 24-48 hours. However, what appears is only as good as the … Continue reading Why you shouldn’t believe everything an Amazon page says about a book…
“About Grace”
I hesitated before deciding to read Anthony Doerr's "About Grace"; the blurb on the back cover suggested a novel that explored some dark and difficult emotional territory. And it did. I expected pain, helplessness, a sense of loss - all of which the novel delivered. And some of it was beautifully rendered: Winkler's panic early … Continue reading “About Grace”
“in the event”
John Birtwhistle's latest collection of poetry, "in the event", is an intriguing and eclectic mix; a real pic'n'mix of the traditional and modern, the poetic and the prosaic. It is a 'something for everyone' kind of book. Which, in a way, is both a strength and a weakness. There are 'statement' pieces - the more … Continue reading “in the event”
A short memory of Jacques Berthoud
A few weeks ago, I attended - virtually, of course! - the Carcanet launch of John Birtwhistle's latest poetry collection, "in the event", with John himself reading. I met John just over forty years ago at the University of Southampton where I was studying English and John was 'writer-in-residence', or some such. There were writing … Continue reading A short memory of Jacques Berthoud
“Sag Harbor”
[Spoiler alert, from the start.] There's a famous quote from Alfred Hitchcock which goes something like: "if you show the audience a gun in Act 1, it has to be fired in Act 3". Nothing should be superfluous. So when, about mid-way through "Sag Harbor", Colson Whitehead's main character references that one day he'll be … Continue reading “Sag Harbor”
“Paper Aeroplane”
As my first real foray into the work of Simon Armitage, our Poet Laureate, I had expected fireworks from "Paper Aeroplane"... Unfortunately I found it more 'Sparkler' than giant 'Roman Candle'. Several things struck me about this volume, a collection culled from twenty-one of Armitage's other books: There didn't seem to be any consistent 'voice' … Continue reading “Paper Aeroplane”
“Everyman”
It seems to me that Philip Roth sits squarely within a tradition of great story-telling. I can imagine being in a quiet room with him and then he leans over and says "Let me tell you about this guy I know..." His work is conversational, relaxed; it is unfussy, unpretentious. Yet none of this stops … Continue reading “Everyman”
“Men Without Women”
I have, in the not too distant past, been less than complimentary about Ernest Hemingway (To Have and Have Not). Undaunted, I decided to try "Men Without Women", and I confess to be really pleased to have done so. The stories are lean and enigmatic. The medium seems to suit Hemingway's somewhat 'punchy' style, and … Continue reading “Men Without Women”
“The Gallows Pole”
It's my own fault. The cover was plain enough: 'Winner of the Walter Scott Prize'; 'Historical fiction at its best'. And I never read historical fiction. So what was I doing with a copy of Benjamin Myers' "The Gallows Pole"? I mean, really? And early doors my initial fears appeared to be justified. Some the … Continue reading “The Gallows Pole”
Ian Gouge - Writer 