Like so many books these days, Ali Smith's "Gliff" presents an immediate challenge to a reader expecting a traditionally formatted narrative: the text isn't justified. This may be a small thing, but it can throw you at first - that is, until you get used to it. And the way she handles conversation (no quotation … Continue reading “Gliff”
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January’s best posts
"when you see anything of mine that you don’t like remember that I’m sincere in doing it and that I’m working toward something." - Ernest Hemingway A selection of links to recent posts from my Substack site. "Writing until the light goes out" "Writing until the light goes out" And a link to my latest … Continue reading January’s best posts
“So Many Ways to Begin”
You simply must read something by Jon McGregor. Full stop. If you like well-written contemporary literary fiction, McGregor's work hits the spot. "So Many Ways to Begin" is typical McGregor: calm, understated, stylish - yet without shirking away from tackling difficult subjects (here the long-term affects of adoption, mental illness/depression, infidelity). And yet he manages … Continue reading “So Many Ways to Begin”
“rock flight”
Not for me, I'm afraid. Hasib Hourani's "rock flight" is a work of protest and politics. I have no issue with that. Indeed, given the state of the world - and some of the so-called 'leaders' in our world (our world, not theirs) - there should perhaps be more. But I do I have an … Continue reading “rock flight”
“Nausea” – and the experience of (and in) reading…
There aren't many belly-laughs in Jean-Paul Sartre's work... I should explain. I had just spent three years studying English Literature at University; three years where I was immersed in ‘the greats’, all the way from Chaucer, through Shakespeare and Milton, up to James Joyce. It was wonderful! But it was regimented — we were told … Continue reading “Nausea” – and the experience of (and in) reading…
Highlights from the end of 2024
"when you see anything of mine that you don’t like remember that I’m sincere in doing it and that I’m working toward something." - Ernest Hemingway A selection of links to recent posts from my Substack site. "Writing until the light goes out" "Writing until the light goes out" And a link to my latest … Continue reading Highlights from the end of 2024
“Songbook”
Joshua Idehen's "Songbook" is a difficult collection to categorise - which is perhaps a reflection on the source of the material: mainly musical collaborations / rap. Many of the poems contain QR links to Spotify tracks, and these further demonstrate the variety of the work: from the melodic to what seems to me at least … Continue reading “Songbook”
The year in numbers…
"Writing until the light goes out" When I was a child I was always good with numbers. Top in maths at school, that kind of thing. Gradually, as a love of literature and writing took over, my interest in numbers’ purity began to wane. I believe I can date the start of that decline to … Continue reading The year in numbers…
“The Four Books”
It is difficult to know whether Carlos Rojas' translation of Yan Lianke's The Four Books is as long as it is because of the size of the original text. Or maybe there's a tradition in Chinese literature which embraces repetition. Perhaps it's unavoidable. For my taste however, The Four Books is about 50% longer than … Continue reading “The Four Books”
“Agimat”
There is an awful lot to admire in Romalyn Ante's collection Agimat: some beautiful images, wonderful use of language, effective communication of emotion. She seems to treat all her subjects - even the difficult ones (and there are a few!) - with a kind of even-handed respect. And there is a haunting, lyrical quality about … Continue reading “Agimat”
Ian Gouge - Writer 