They grew quickly. According to the details on the packet, his front garden - and where he intended to plant them, between the large grey slabs of his driveway - was far from ideal: it had the wrong aspect, was on a slope, was overhung by the large oak. In spite of his objections, the … Continue reading The Seeds
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Knocking-off time.
No-one was smiling. Knocking-off time on a Friday afternoon, the weekend ahead. Kids there to meet fathers; Jack in the foreground, ready to cycle all the way to Ongar to meet his lass. But no-one was smiling. I’d heard rumours about the accident of course. As I made my way along the road from the … Continue reading Knocking-off time.
“The Pier Falls”
I've never been tempted to read "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time", but after "The Pier Falls" I just might be. If this collection of short stories is really good, then it's because Haddon is a super story-teller. One or two may be a bit off-the-wall, or far-fetched, but that doesn't seem … Continue reading “The Pier Falls”
Veritas
Veritas They should have been devoted to the pursuit of truth but found themselves seduced by the ubiquity of lying and the common pressure to inflate their image, to manufacture a second self, deceptions to gain unjust rewards. Twisted by this blemish in nature and the roots of behaviour, even if we wanted to, we know countering with fact would be … Continue reading Veritas
“Days Without End”
I can see why Sebastian Barry's "Days Without End" has made it to the long-list for the Booker Prize. Once you get into the slightly strange arcane, slang language he uses, you stop noticing it and get swept along with a story that is powerful and moving. I started thinking out I wouldn't like it … Continue reading “Days Without End”
Book launch!
On Sunday 15th October, I am participating in a reading / book launch for "Human Archaeology". The free event is being held in The Old Deanery, Ripon (UK), 1300-1430. How exciting is that?!
“A Horse Walks into a Bar”
Not for the faint-hearted, "A Horse Walks into a Bar" is a difficult read. Not in the sense of the structure or the language, but in the depiction of the main character, and the relationship - undoubtedly somewhat ambiguous - that you are forced to have with him. Yes, there are jokes there - the … Continue reading “A Horse Walks into a Bar”
What a week!!
How often in a lifetime might you be able to say that you've published two books in the space of just 5 days?! Thought so... Of course it sounds as if you might have just rushed out some kind of rubbish in order to make the boast, whereas in this case these two books are … Continue reading What a week!!
New book published – part 2!!
My first collection of short stories, "Secrets & Wisdom", is published tomorrow, July 22nd! It will be available to order through any good bookshop (via their standard account with the publisher, Ingram - they should have one!) and via Amazon and other on-line sellers within a few days. Please take a look! “Secrets & Wisdom” This … Continue reading New book published – part 2!!
New Book Published!
My new collection of poetry, "Human Archaeology", is published today! It will be available to order through any good bookshop (via their standard account with the publisher, Ingram - they should have one!) and hopefully via Amazon and other on-line sellers within the next week or two. This is my first use of the IngramSpark … Continue reading New Book Published!
Ian Gouge - Writer 