First thing to say is that there isn't anything wrong with the writing. But I gave John Boyne's book 200 pages and then had to give up. I'm afraid the subject / genre / style just wasn't for me. I was reminded of J.P.Donleavy's marvellously funny and bizarre books - which I loved and need … Continue reading “The Heart’s Invisible Furies”
Category: Reading
“History of Wolves”
Emily Fridlund's book, "History of Wolves" is good in many ways: well written, a slightly off-beat story, a narrative that draws you in and keeps you tied to it. It's nowhere near a 'whodunit' - it's not that genre - but it does keep you thinking that something is about to turn up / happen … Continue reading “History of Wolves”
“Three Poems”
At last! A book of great poetry. Hannah Sullivan's "Three Poems" is packed with line after line of tremendous imagery, all weaving in and out of a really strong narrative too. Of all the volumes of poetry I have read recently, "Three Poems" is surely one I will return to. Reading
“Midwinter Break”
It is perhaps unfortunate that I read "Midwinter Break" after "Lincoln in the Bardo". Having said that, perhaps any 'conventional' novel was always going to feel a little dull and uninspired after "Bardo"... Bernard MacLaverty's book is a perfectly well-written and competent novel. The pictures he paints of the two protagonists are comprehensive enough, and … Continue reading “Midwinter Break”
“Lincoln in the Bardo” (2)
In the end, I really liked George Saunders' "Lincoln in the Bardo". It's easy to see why it tempted the Booker judges with its vibrancy, pace and structure. Especially its pace. But I liked it more as a writer than as a reader. I think what Saunders has done here is to open up form … Continue reading “Lincoln in the Bardo” (2)
Competition news (don’t get excited..!)
In the Fish Publishing 2018 Short Memoir Contest I was long-listed from an entry of 790. It was a short draft excerpt that I really hadn't done any polishing on at all. Not really a near miss, but it al least demonstrates I'm kicking the ball in the right general direction!
“The Stencil Room”
It's always a little tricky passing comment on books by people you know, and David is someone I enjoy working with regularly. His collection "The Stencil Room" is something of a geographical meandering evoking memories of many of the places he has visited. For me, having been to a nutmeg/mace factory in Grenada, the poem … Continue reading “The Stencil Room”
“Lincoln in the Bardo” (1)
What kind of book is Booker winner "Lincoln in the Bardo"? It's certainly not a novel, not in the conventional sense. There is a story there, for sure, but in form it most closely resembles a play. So is it a play, then? Well no. In a play, you are told who is speaking before … Continue reading “Lincoln in the Bardo” (1)
Free book giveaway
I have some copies of my first collection of poems available in ebook format to give away. No hooks, no catches, no nasty follow-ups! I'd just like more people to read my work. Simple as. All I ask is that, if you take the book and like it, you consider entering a rating / review … Continue reading Free book giveaway
“A Passage to India”
"A Passage to India" is the reason I went to University to study English. I read it for my 'A' levels and was completely over-whelmed. I'd never come across anything like it before. Of course the language is all very dated now, and you might say that it hasn't aged well, but for me it … Continue reading “A Passage to India”
Ian Gouge - Writer 