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”
Category: Reading
“egg / shell”
I need to be careful... Undoubtedly, there are some good poems in Victoria Kennefick's "egg / shell". Let's start there. The collection concerns itself with two profoundly serious topics: a woman's experience of miscarriage, and the dissolving of her marriage when her husband decides to make the transition away from being a man. I cannot … Continue reading “egg / shell”
“The Humbling”
The thing that strikes me the most about Philip Roth's "The Humbling" is how totally inappropriate the title is. Simon Axler, the lead character, isn't humbled - he's crushed. 'Humbling' suggests someone merely cut down to size, made to see the reality of their situation (but gently perhaps); it even hits at the possibility of … Continue reading “The Humbling”
“Nothing but the night”
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”
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
“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”
“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”
“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”
“The Forward Book of Poetry 2024”
I can't be sure (how can you be?) but I think this year's Forward Book of Poetry is better than last year's - whatever "better" means... But I am still dismayed by the gimmicks some people use in order to appear 'original', and consequently the work that can get labelled as 'poetry'. For example, there … Continue reading “The Forward Book of Poetry 2024”
“The Years, Months, Days”
I wonder if you are more conscious of cultural divides when one is separated by language above all else? It probably depends who you are. Many, I'm sure, would put religion or colour or politics at the top of that list - and then fight you for it. If I struggled with Yan Lianke's "The … Continue reading “The Years, Months, Days”
Ian Gouge - Writer 