Thoroughly enjoyed this Maigret novel where he is drawn into investigating a case when visiting an old friend. Some great characterisation here, achinThoroughly enjoyed this Maigret novel where he is drawn into investigating a case when visiting an old friend. Some great characterisation here, achingly poignant at times, with a plot that unravels in a very satisfying manner. Another great read....more
I've always enjoyed Moore's short stories and also his column, "Into The Woods", which appeared in Black Static magazine, so when he announced this maI've always enjoyed Moore's short stories and also his column, "Into The Woods", which appeared in Black Static magazine, so when he announced this massive volume of (mostly) non-fiction I decided to pick it up. Not quite literally, as it's 694 pages and I didn't want to strain myself, but this is one of only a very few books that I decided to get on Kindle. Having finished a physical book whilst on holiday it seemed worthwhile digging in to while away the hours. I didn't expect to read (almost) everything so quickly.
Moore is a great raconteur but he never rambles unnecessarily, and amongst his stories (even non-fiction is story) there are peppered many words of wisdom. What we have here are his Black Static columns, various essays, articles on how to improve your own writing, recipes, a couple of lengthy 'fake website' columns, autobiographical pieces on his early childhood, a one-act play, and several other non-fiction pieces including Facebook posts and his Lately column. Other than the Black Static articles which I'd already read and some one-paragraph stories formed from single run-on sentences which I wasn't in the mood for, I devoured it all. There's too much to review individually, suffice to say that if you only have a passing interest in Moore or haven't heard of him before, there's still a great deal to enjoy here. And if you're familiar with some of his fiction and non-fiction then your reward will be quadrupled.
The highlight for me was the Jump Down the Hole section, featuring the text from two fake websites Moore created in 2000, especially the fake family page for Arnie Maddox which perfectly trod a line as faction and - for me - cemented the reason why I enjoy both his stories and non-fiction so much. There's heart in this work that creates deep connections.
As for the recipes, I'm looking forward to cooking them....more
Having finished a book whilst on holiday I turned to kindle (which I almost never do) for another fix late one night when I couldn't sleep...you can sHaving finished a book whilst on holiday I turned to kindle (which I almost never do) for another fix late one night when I couldn't sleep...you can see where this is going.
Each of these three tales are suitably creepy, with an artist's eye for detail. I enjoyed them all. Nevill has a knack of deftly applying the supernatural with a visceral sense of unease and the uncanny. They are very visual stories...those images will remain in my mind's eye for a while to come. Whilst the final story is lighter than the others and wholly expected, there remained an interest in the 70s conversion for those of us who lived there and that final paragraph didn't give cause to fall asleep. Recommended....more
It would be difficult to find a book with a worse title (unless it were self-published), and despite choosing an excellent character name it doesn't dIt would be difficult to find a book with a worse title (unless it were self-published), and despite choosing an excellent character name it doesn't do justice to the story. This is a literary novel where a handful of coincidentally odd things happen but where there's also no real resolution. On the plus side, it's an enjoyable read, has a few thoughtful moments and a few groans. I'm sure I won't remember it five minutes afterwards (whereas Ragtime has stayed with me for 40 years). Read it if you like....more
Well written but not providing an easy entrance point, I feel this chapbook would benefit from a second read to gain greater depth however I didn't quWell written but not providing an easy entrance point, I feel this chapbook would benefit from a second read to gain greater depth however I didn't quite feel up to it. Others might find differently....more
This novel is packed full of ideas and moves at a good pace, however the two main plot threads (there are two more!) don't quite gel together and someThis novel is packed full of ideas and moves at a good pace, however the two main plot threads (there are two more!) don't quite gel together and sometimes it felt as though I were reading two different books. Jones is a visionary who can see exactly one year into the future at all times (a trait which has both its positives and negatives), whilst in the meantime the government are creating mutant humans who might one day live on Venus. The main character, Cussick, has a role in both these threads and I enjoyed the ride, although it did seem rather slapdash at times. These central ideas redeem most reservations, however, and it's certainly well-worth a read....more
Thoroughly enjoyed this Maigret novel where he travels from Paris to London, encounters some culture differences along the way, and resolves an extremThoroughly enjoyed this Maigret novel where he travels from Paris to London, encounters some culture differences along the way, and resolves an extremely interesting and well-plotted crime. Definitely one of the best in the series....more
This is an anthology of eleven 'peculiar' short stories, ten from UK authors and one from overseas, in a long-running series from this publisher. LikeThis is an anthology of eleven 'peculiar' short stories, ten from UK authors and one from overseas, in a long-running series from this publisher. Like most anthologies different stories will appeal to different readers and I don't want to go dissect those I wasn't so keen on. My favourites, though, included Verity Holloway's "The Subtle Feast", Shona Kinsella's "Professor Flotsam's Cabinet of Peculiarities", Andrew Humphrey's "Hide and Seek", Ally Wilkes "Black-Eye", and Steve Toase's "Through The Ivory Gate" (which was amongst the most inventive, alongside Allen Ashley's "Lightbulb Moments"). Even amongst some of these, there was a tendency towards a tied-up horror ending, however generally there was a wealth of ideas here to make the journeys worthwhile. Recommended....more
I always choose Lonely Planet guides over any other and whilst we're only going to the South of Portugal next month, this filled in my knowledge gaps I always choose Lonely Planet guides over any other and whilst we're only going to the South of Portugal next month, this filled in my knowledge gaps and has set me up for the trip. Some interesting articles at the back of the book, too. Always recommended....more
Another strong entry in the Maigret canon. I enjoyed the contrast between Maigret's usual methods and his adaptation for these interactions with the AAnother strong entry in the Maigret canon. I enjoyed the contrast between Maigret's usual methods and his adaptation for these interactions with the American gangsters, but the ending felt rather rushed and expositional where it could have played out a little more smoothly. For that it drops a star. However the writing can't be faulted and I tore through the book (as usual). Onto the next!...more
I deliberated whether to give this 4 or 5 stars. In many ways, there's little more here than anecdotal material of climbers whose lives are no more noI deliberated whether to give this 4 or 5 stars. In many ways, there's little more here than anecdotal material of climbers whose lives are no more nor less than the sum total of the summit, yet the writing is so glittery perfect that it seems churlish to drop a star due to the absence of plot. I found myself re-reading sections to enjoy the prose which is absolutely spot on. Neither a page turner nor something I was reluctant to pick up each evening, "Climbers" embedded itself in my psyche and I realised whilst I was reading that it would all be about the end as to how much I could look back on and enjoy what came before it. Sort of looking back at where you've come from after a climb (not that I climb, but I do ramble, as you can tell from this review). Anyhow, the ending is perfect. Therefore, five stars....more
This is a well-written short story about a farmer who has decided to push against the modern world by taking things into his own hands. The difficultyThis is a well-written short story about a farmer who has decided to push against the modern world by taking things into his own hands. The difficulty I have is that it takes a while to get going, and by the time we wholly realise what's happening the ending becomes rushed. I'm also not keen on stories about rural areas that eschew progress, so this was always going to be a hard sell for me (city boy that I am). But it does deserve your attention and is a worthy addition to the Nightjar chapbook series....more
This slim volume about a nonsensical argument was frankly a struggle to read. Flashes of brilliance were insufficient to illuminate this beyond self-sThis slim volume about a nonsensical argument was frankly a struggle to read. Flashes of brilliance were insufficient to illuminate this beyond self-serving obsessions from both (unlikeable) characters. Not knowing them enough leant no weight to the argument, so the main section was only a turgid wade through insults. Tedious and sleep-provoking....more
I couldn't engage with this tale of jealousy and bats. One of those pieces where disbelief can't be suspended enough to accept the story.I couldn't engage with this tale of jealousy and bats. One of those pieces where disbelief can't be suspended enough to accept the story....more
I hoped for more from this book, however despite the interesting opening it falls into cliche very quickly. Poor little middle-class Iris has a time oI hoped for more from this book, however despite the interesting opening it falls into cliche very quickly. Poor little middle-class Iris has a time of it in the big city. She's an insipid, annoying character with no great insight, and those who surround her talk conversations which wouldn't happen. Whilst she might be a foil, there is little of substance here. Towards the end we have the revelation: "Everything is possible," I said. "Right now we can choose. We can decide to begin again." As if no character has said this ever.
The book is split into four mildly interlocking stories and this is suggestive of it being cobbled together as one. There is little to beguile here. A real disappointment....more
This is a great short story about culpability and regret and if the ending feels inevitable that's only because it is.This is a great short story about culpability and regret and if the ending feels inevitable that's only because it is....more
Enjoyed this short story. It's interesting how we attribute fears to the ordinary, how simple kindness and acceptance can assume something threateningEnjoyed this short story. It's interesting how we attribute fears to the ordinary, how simple kindness and acceptance can assume something threatening. There is a puzzle here, but it hinges on sadness and how men can struggle to deal with feelings. A thoughtful piece, the disquiet balanced by a knowing nod....more
A solid, understated short story about life and death choices. Whilst the ending is expected it's only because it's such a sewn tight tale. I enjoyed A solid, understated short story about life and death choices. Whilst the ending is expected it's only because it's such a sewn tight tale. I enjoyed it a lot. Suitably creepy....more
For a work of meta-fiction to be a page turner is a rare thing but "Invisible" is exactly that. An engaging book full of believeable characters who maFor a work of meta-fiction to be a page turner is a rare thing but "Invisible" is exactly that. An engaging book full of believeable characters who may or may not be unreliable narrators and with truth tantalisingly just out of reach, this is a mirror held up to real life in the sense that we all reinvent ourselves (willingly or not) in each new interaction. I haven't read Auster for a while and have enjoyed most of his other work, so picked this up a little anxiously. I needn't have been concerned. Auster is a master of getting it right when it comes to what I want to read. I'm glad I still have more of his work unexplored. Loved it....more
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