A lot of people are unbearably snooty about genre fiction – especially SF, fantasy and horror. I’m not the first to remark on this – the debate rages daily across the interwebs. It seems there are lots of folk who feel this way, and I think I've finally worked out why. It’s all the fault … Continue reading Liking Science Fiction and Fantasy Makes You a Genius
Why Don’t Authors Switch Genre?
Cinema and literature. Movies and books. It frustrates me how people take for granted certain things in one, but not the other. Take genre. Movie directors – if they so desire – are allowed to tackle a range of genres. In the course of his career, Steven Spielberg has bounced from The Sugarland Express to … Continue reading Why Don’t Authors Switch Genre?
“Kraken” by China Miéville
China Miéville must be good with Lego. Give him a pile of bricks and he'd lock them together in ways you never thought of. That's what he does with words at any rate. In his novel Kraken his skill with language ranges from the deceptively simple - "his tongue flopped over, momentarily meatlike" - to … Continue reading “Kraken” by China Miéville
Disaster Attraction — The Eternal Appeal of the Apocalypse
Why crave the apocalypse? Why watch Charlton and Mel grapple doom-spawned vampires and leather-clad crazies? Why pursue the ash-strewn trails of Viggo and Don (Tiger too), only to end up hunkered down in a craterish bed sitting room waiting to thumb a lift from Ralph in his horse-drawn Rolls? If all is truly lost, why … Continue reading Disaster Attraction — The Eternal Appeal of the Apocalypse
“Inception”
During the Christmas holiday, I finally caught up with everyone else and watched Inception. What a ride. Another great performance from Leo, and I don't believe director Christopher Nolan dropped the ball once in the execution of his complex storyline. I say complex ... actually, you know, I think it's pretty straightforward. In a good … Continue reading “Inception”
“Horns” by Joe Hill
I pegged Joe Hill as one to watch after reading his wonderful Heart Shaped Box. Now I've read his latest novel, Horns, and the peg ain't moving from the spot. Horns defies categorisation - something I like in a book. Chances are you'll find it shelved under Horror, but it is by turns a mystery, … Continue reading “Horns” by Joe Hill
“The Walking Dead” and the Episodic Revolution
I blame Frank Darabont. It’s like this: I’ve become resistant to new TV shows. I think it’s partly because of the arc. Not Noah’s, nor that of the Covenant, but the one that means there’s no such thing as a series any more – everything’s a serial. I’m old enough to get nostalgic about all … Continue reading “The Walking Dead” and the Episodic Revolution
“Ash” by Mary Gentle
I just finished re-reading Mary Gentle's Ash, having devoured it joyously when I first got the paperback in 2001. The novel is an alternative history of the 15th century, told through the eyes of warrior-mercenary Ash, who's kind of a cross between Joan of Arc and Ellen Ripley. The period detail is compelling, but the … Continue reading “Ash” by Mary Gentle
“Ark” by Stephen Baxter
I first read Stephen Baxter when I picked up Voyage, his first 'alternative NASA' novel. Voyage posits a history in which Kennedy shrugs off Oswald's bullet and the Space Shuttle gets rejected in favour of a manned Mars mission. Voyage tracks that mission in obsessive detail and, along with The Time Ships, remains one of … Continue reading “Ark” by Stephen Baxter
Mystery Women Magazine Reviews Black Star Crime
Mystery Women magazine has published a nice review by Radmila May of the entire launch selection from Black Star Crime, the short-lived crime imprint created by Harlequin last year. The six titles are: A Narrow Escape by Faith Martin Double Cross by Tracy Gilpin Murder Plot by Lance Elliott Lost and Found by Vivian Roberts … Continue reading Mystery Women Magazine Reviews Black Star Crime
Graham Edwards – Author & Journalist 