Books, Issue 698
9 articles
Sorted by popularity / date
Interview with Sam Thompson
25 Jun 2012
Author discusses favourite reads from sad Shakespeare endings to bizarre, inimitable tales
Sam Thompson in this issue’s debut author Q&A, whose first novel Communion Town is a meditation on a place through very different eyes. Give us five words to describe Communion Town? Many stories, one strange city. Name one author who should be…
2012 East Neuk Festival enters the literary fray
25 Jun 2012
Popular Fife festival boasts talks on literature, music and installations
While the East Neuk Festival across the wonderful landscapes of Fife is heavily focused on classical music (it developed into its current form after the Scottish Chamber Orchestra played some summer concerts in the area), the event has spread its wings.
Ben Lerner - Leaving the Atocha Station
25 Jun 2012
Nothing fresh or different in this rambling tale of a stoner writer
Adam is an American poet studying in Madrid where he’s supposed to be writing something brilliant. He isn’t because he spends his time stoned, drunk or spaced-out on tranquillisers. Tales based on drug-use were once shocking, but they aren’t now. To…
Cathi Unsworth - Weirdo
25 Jun 2012
Searching fourth novel examines 20 year old teen-on-teen crime in rural Norfolk
David Peace calls Cathi Unsworth, ‘the first lady of noir fiction’, and this fourth novel is a decent piece of evidence to back him up, at least in terms of the British writing scene. Set in rural Norfolk and split between events of 1983 and a cold case…
Robert Wringham - You Are Nothing
25 Jun 2012
'Thee fyrst and onlie hystorie of Cluub Zarahustra' puts eclectic comedy group into full 90s context
Normally, a book’s epigraph either gives us a sense of the diverse elements to its story or hints at something brilliant inside. With ‘Thee fyrst and onlie hystorie of Cluub Zarathustra’, Robert Wringham has opted to make the comedy outfit sound…
Robert Williams - How the Trouble Started
25 Jun 2012
Compelling read delves into head of troubled teenage boy
Boy next door, monster or both? Robert Williams returns to the theme of childhood for the follow-up to his award-winning debut Luke and Jon, and this compelling story of fractured families and kids that don’t fit is told with the light, unfussy flair…
Five reads to tickle your funnybone
25 Jun 2012
Humour books round-up featuring Justin Halpern, Gareth May and Michelle Witte
I Suck at Girls From the guy who gave us the international bestseller, Shit My Dad Says, comes another painful memoir of sorts. Justin Halpern dips into his contemptuously bad love life to recall his tortured teenage relationships. It’s David Sedaris…
Independent Scottish Comics round-up
25 Jun 2012
New graphic novels from Stephen Sutherland & Garry McLauchlin, Iain Laurie and more
The Scottish comic scene isn’t all about Grant Morrison, Mark Millar and Frank Quitely (however much we love their work) as there’s plenty talent on offer from Scotland’s small press. Taking Flight (Laser Age Comics) is a superhero tale from writer…
Michael Palin - The Truth
19 Jun 2012
Worthy but not heavy-handed novel exploring corporate greed and environmental ethics
It’s hard to read Michael Palin’s second novel The Truth, without the author’s voice creeping into your head. The calm, slightly amused but earnest tone that accompanies his many popular travel series is maintained throughout this book too. And though…
