books
BOOK OF THE MONTH
10 OF THE BEST Various authors (Parthian) As the latest in Parthian’s valuable Bright Young Things series, this fresh and contemporary collection of poetry is a welcome introduction to some of our most promising young Welsh poets. Even for those unfamiliar with a genre sometimes perceived as inaccessible for the average reader, 10 Of The Best handles modern life, pathos and biting contemporary comment, in the collection are Siôn Tomos Owen, Anna Lewis, Mab Jones, Alan Kellermann and M.A.Oliver. Each of whom bring their own style of poetry to an overall varied and beguiling read. Siôn Tomos Owen’s socio-
political poems carry weight, while Mab Jones’ humour permeates her sometimes darker work. This collection of intriguing Welsh work deserves a place on your bookshelf. GARETH LUDKIN
DEATH OF A POLAROID: A MANICS FAMILY ALBUM Nicky Wire (Faber And Faber) This nostalgic collection of Polaroids, taken and foraged by Manics bassist Nicky Wire, is a must for any self-respecting fan. Some Polaroids are more significant than others – such as their visit to Cuba and subsequent meeting with Fidel Castro – but the majority are almost like a family album with many unrehearsed shots of car journeys, late nights and band practices which personally I find more intriguing than those aforementioned. One for the coffee table collection. GH
FUNDERLAND Nigel Jarrett (Parthian)
Although it took me a couple of attempts to really dive into Funderland, Nigel Jarrett’s alert collection of short stories proves an intricate and compelling read. Rewarded with vivid tales of intense human emotion, violence, remembrance and sense of place, Nigel Jarrett’s imagination is matched by his vivid descriptive talents. As a writer and journalist based in Chepstow, there’s also a strong Welsh resonance running through many of Funder- land’s tales – particularly in Mrs Kuroda On Penyfan. A strong debut collection. GL
SLASH AND BURN Colin Cotterill (Quercus)
This is the eighth in the series of Dr Siri novels from Colin Cotterill and, having read all the previous novels, each time I read a new release, fear creeps in as I wonder about levels of repetition and how similar the storyline will be. However, I needn’t have worried: once again Cotterill brings new elements and surprises to the characters that readers have grown fond of and the fast-moving storyline doesn’t allow time for boredom. AB
THE DEDALUS BOOK OF GIN Richard Barnett (Dedalus) Perhaps brewed up to ride the wave of gin revivalism – the junipery spirit is highly in vogue, thanks to brands like Hendrick’s and more boutique efforts not carried by Tesco – this book might struggle to pass the sideboard accessory test, thanks to a jacket design more in common with a bottle of borderline Windex. It’s eminently readable, though, detailing the gin’s prehistory and 400-year journey across Europe, America and India; its changeable class associations and how it waylaid 19th century British communities. NG
MICROFICTION: CULT FICTION by ARDIE COLLINS
EMPERORS OF DREAMS: DRUGS IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY Mike Jay (Dedalus) First published in 2000, Emperors Of Dreams reappears at a time when its essential stance on the prohibition of narcotics, that it’s largely anachronistic and self-defeating, is more mainstream than ever thanks to figures like David Nutt. The 19th century saw nitrous oxide, opium, cannabis, ether, cocaine and mescaline introduced to Western appetites; Jay writes about each with flair and equivalence, fortunate enough to be able to quote literary caners from Coleridge to Baudelaire. NG
THE roar grew louder and the smoke billowed through the doorway that it had been attempting to seep through for the past few minutes. Malcolm was outside his door, and he was very angry. Stephen could see no way around the furious blaze before him and it was up to him to find another way out of the situation. With great, spluttering difficulty he closed his door and put down his little dog. He scurried over to his window, propped his fingers underneath the groove at the bottom of it and lifted it as wide as possible, staring down into the night’s darkness below him. This darkness was his only hope now. He removed his mattress violently from his bed and forced it out through his bedroom window, hearing a sound that would best be described with the sound of the word ‘plump’ as it struck the floor. He grabbed Elijah who had been barking rather unhelpfully throughout this whole situation and made his way back towards the gaping window. Stephen placed one foot onto the ledge and began to force his way out before his better judgment kicked in and told
BUZZ 46
DOUBLE DEXTER Jeff Lindsay (Orion)
Now adapted into a major TV series, Lindsay’s Dexter novels have birthed the brilliant character that is Dexter Morgan – a blood- splatter analyst who also happens to be a serial killer. As with the show, the books are in the first person, with Morgan narrating his inner thoughts, battling between his natural desire to kill whilst maintaining some sort of moral ‘code’ his father tried to instil in him. Wicked, provoking, it breathes new life into the thriller genre. GH
him to stop. He listened briefly. That is, until his even better judgement reminded him of just how angry Malcolm was and just how behind a wooden door he was. His even better judgement was struggling to overpower his better judgement until his best judgement emerged to clear up the whole situation. His best judgement addressed the squabble by explaining that he would definitely die if he stayed in the bedroom and that mattresses are fairly soft and welcoming. It was this judgement that got things to go its way, and Stephen felt himself jump out into the cold, night air.
This is an extract from the first chapter of Cult Fiction, Ardie Collins’ debut novel about a man who accidentally starts a cult, in which a fire named Malcolm is rather unhelpfully burning down Stephen Moore’s house. Ardie is a novelist and folk bawler based in Cardiff. Info:
www.ardiecollins.com
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