A few weeks ago I received a request from the Agency for the Legal Deposit Libraries for five copies of my novel, "Mirrors". The ALDL are responsible for harvesting copies of new books to be lodged with five of the greatest libraries in the UK and Ireland: the Bodleian Library at Oxford University, the Cambridge University … Continue reading And then I read this…
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“The Outsider”
It may be the translation in my admittedly rather old copy of Camus' "The Outsider", but the language is, very occasionally, decidedly archaic. [My copy is, I confess, nearly forty years' old - which is when I read it last. Its pages are yellowing at the edges..!] But the style is also incredibly sparse, even … Continue reading “The Outsider”
“The Woman on the Stairs”
I thought Bernhard Schlink's "The Woman on the Stairs" was excellent. My initial feeling was that the plot was a little contrived somehow, and there was a part of me that was vaguely uneasy, as if I was the subject of some kind of con. However all such feelings were dissipated partly by the way … Continue reading “The Woman on the Stairs”
My new book – out now!
My latest collection of poetry, "Punctuations from History" has now been published under the Coverstory books imprint. [ Coverstory books] Available on-line and on order through all good bookshops!!
“Dubliners”
It was many years ago I last read "Dubliners". If pushed, I would have to say late 70s or early 80s when I took a Short Story elective at University. I would also have to confess that I probably didn't know what I was reading at the time - nor indeed how to read. I'd … Continue reading “Dubliners”
Saltburn
This is taken from a first draft of a piece that may end up being a novel or novella - or something else entirely! * Eventually she decided she hated the coast. She particularly despised the way the snow fell there; it seemed either to fall as slush or ice, and nothing in between. Were … Continue reading Saltburn
Haiku – 1
Cautiously, he takes his life and shakes it, flakes in a fragile snow globe.
“Two Sketches of Disjointed Happiness”
Simon Kinch's book is described on the cover as 'pleasingly melancholic' and 'part...love letter to Europe' - and to a degree this is true. The book is, to my taste, well written, and your attention is held well-enough to make it very easy to rattle through. And in part it is a homage to Europe … Continue reading “Two Sketches of Disjointed Happiness”
Punctuations from History
My new volume of poetry, "Punctuations from History" is now at the printers and I'm waiting for my draft copy to arrive. It is currently slated to go on sale on February 5th. * I have decided to intersperse re-reading some favourite classics in between new fiction. Perhaps over forty years since I first read … Continue reading Punctuations from History
“Winter”
One of the most noticeable and effective stylistic devices Ali Smith uses can be seen when she's writing dialogue. She simplifies her writing in such a way - 1) by not using punctuation to distract the eye, and 2) by not using 'judgemental' adjectives to 'steer' the reader (i.e. there's no "she said angrily", or … Continue reading “Winter”
Ian Gouge - Writer 