Ian Gouge's Blog

The Labours of Charles E. – a new novel

I am delighted to announce the publication of my new novel, The Labours of Charles E., on the 4th October 2025. Charles E. is not well. A ‘man of letters’ and regarded by some as a ‘National Treasure’, there are elements in his past which surely disqualify such an accolade — even if his somewhat unconventional beginning … Continue reading The Labours of Charles E. – a new novel →

“Crash” – upcoming performance

I am performing my poetic monologue Crash on the 4th October. For details: https://www.zerodegreeslouth.org.uk/h...

“Long Island”

When you start a review with “I like XYZ’s work” you know there’s a ‘but’ coming… So. I like Colm Tóibín’s work, but Long Island was disappointing. Pretty much nothing happens, and what does is entirely predictable. And then when you get to the end you’re left hanging with three possible outcomes available to you. … Continue reading “Long Island” →

“Mourning Diary”

A bit niche this one… After the death of his mother, Roland Barthes scribbled on the equivalent of Post-It Notes to keep an almost daily record of his grief / mourning. I have to say that, after reading a year’s worth of these, it all gets a bit cloying. I found myself wondering if he … Continue reading “Mourning Diary” →

“Crash” – October performance

“The Heart in Winter”

To be fair, it takes a little while to get into the 19th Century American-Irish language Kevin Barry uses in his novel “The Heart in Winter” – but it’s effort well-rewarded. A splendidly paced and rattling good tale, I have just sat and read the last 100 pages in a single sitting (which is about … Continue reading “The Heart in Winter” →

August’s Substack highlights

“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 recent posts from my Substack site.

“Post Office”

There is something raw, elemental and hypnotic about Charles Bukowski’s “Post Office”. And even though it probably fails some of the ‘measures’ for great literature, in doing so maybe it also challenges what we might consider ‘great’. Perhaps we are seduced by the book’s flaws: not only the flaws in craft or composition or layout … Continue reading “Post Office” →

“Barcelona”

There is much to admire in the stories of Mary Costello. Given my personal penchant for narratives which explore a character’s relationship with their past, “Barcelona” hits the spot time and again. There is a quiet lyricism about Costello’s work which is entirely admirable, and I have no hesitation in recommending this collection. Reading list

“Anil’s Ghost”

Okay, “Anil’s Ghost” isn’t “The English Patient”, but then is Michael Ondaatje ever going to be able to replicate TEP? Having said that, “Anil’s Ghost” is still a splendid book and, in trademark style, Ondaatje keeps us guessing as to the true motivation of one of the major characters right until the end. I was … Continue reading “Anil’s Ghost” →