Amit Chaudhuri's Sojourn is an odd little book. A curio. It's like a series of Polaroid photographs strung together to make an album - though obviously made up of words. Those snapshot images represent a journey through Berlin; less so a physical journey than a metaphysical one. The protagonist learns and forgets things along the … Continue reading “Sojourn”
Category: Fiction
“A Girl is a Half-formed Thing”
Eimear McBride's A Girl is a Half-formed Thing is a difficult book to read. Firstly this is because of the style in which it is written: fragmented, jerky, linguistically inaccurate, often illiterate. It seems like stream of consciousness with about a quarter of the words removed. And with stuttering where there are words. Impossible for … Continue reading “A Girl is a Half-formed Thing”
“High Ground and other stories”
Is it impossible not to think of James Joyce and "Dubliners" when reading the first story in John McGahern's "High Ground and other stories"? I was instantly transported - and instantly enthralled. Wonderful stuff. And if I worried that the effect would be temporary and I might find everything was downhill after that, then I … Continue reading “High Ground and other stories”
More reviews from the “17 Alma Road” ‘book tour’
Ian Gouge has written a delightful novel that reminded me of the writing style of Virginia Woolf and Ernest Hemingway. I’m my opinion this novel deserves to be up there with these literary greats. - Persephone Sometimes a house is even more than a home. Have you ever visited a house that shines so brightly it … Continue reading More reviews from the “17 Alma Road” ‘book tour’
“The Red Tie” – published tomorrow!
“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 a modest and quiet occupation - yet one which is about to be thrown into turmoil thanks to the arrival of woman, her gift to him, … Continue reading “The Red Tie” – published tomorrow!
“The Paper Men”
William Golding's The Paper Men made me feel uncomfortable; no so much from the subject matter, but because it didn't 'feel' like Golding (who I generally think is superb). The main character's drunkenness didn't seem uniformly portrayed and in some places was unconvincing - though in others, brilliant. In too many places the book felt … Continue reading “The Paper Men”
First reviews from the “17 Alma Road” ‘book tour’ (1)
This was a very deep and descriptive novel that analyses the memories that houses hold and its told through fictional characters. I have great admiration for the way Ian Gouge writes and the wisdom he shares throughout this book. If you like a reflective novel that is a relaxed read then this is the book … Continue reading First reviews from the “17 Alma Road” ‘book tour’ (1)
“The Red Tie” – to be published on 9th April
“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 a modest and quiet occupation - yet one which is about to be thrown into turmoil thanks to the arrival of woman, her gift to him, … Continue reading “The Red Tie” – to be published on 9th April
“Malone Dies”
It's difficult to know what to say about Samuel Beckett's fiction. Bizarrely - and counter-intuitively - the obvious choices might tend toward the trite: "it's hard", "it's rubbish", "I didn't understand a word", "utterly profound" etc. You may know where you stand on this spectrum. And Malone Dies is no easier or harder than anything … Continue reading “Malone Dies”
My virtual book tour starts soon!
Really excited to have my virtual book tour starting soon - and to read the reviews of the tour's hosts. I will ensure I post the highlights here and on my Substack site!
Ian Gouge - Writer 