Guy Portman's Blog, page 20

15 Bizarre Books

I am fascinated by bizarre books, and have devoted numerous blog posts to the subject in recent years. This week’s post consists of some of the highlights. Here are 15 books that I consider to be bizarre. I have added pithy comments/fictitious dialogue below each.

 

Gadsby: A Lipogram Novel

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This 50,000+ word lipogram novel claims not to use the letter e.

How many e’s can you spot on the front cover?

 

Nuclear War Fun Book

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Who would have thought nuclear war could be so much fun.

 

How To Mak...

What is a sociopath to do?

For a limited time only I am re-offering a FREE copy of my black comedy Necropolis to everyone who signs up to my humorous, monthly book-related newsletter. If you like dark humour you’ll love Necropolis. Click here to claim your Free Copy.

Necropolis is the first instalment of a proposed trilogy featuring Dyson Devereux, the sociopathic head of Burials and Cemeteries at his local council.

What is a sociopath to do?

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‘The book is full of razor-sharp satire’ – Crime Fiction Lover

‘… a mix bet...

My Reading List

As Frank Zappa once famously said, ‘So many books, so little time.’ I am sure many of you can empathise with that, I certainly can. As well as keeping busy writing (4 novels to date) I like to read. My writing genre is dark humour/satire. Because of this I tend to read a lot of books that fall into this category. However, I am something of an eclectic reader. Today, I would like to share with you a few books from my ever-growing TBR list.

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Yes, I am aware the above is a picture of a dog not a...

5 Controversial Transgressive Novels

I am an avid reader and writer of Transgressive Fiction, and the proud proprietor of the world’s largest resource for Transgressive Fiction (this blog). There are no doubt better claims to fame, but until I sell copious amounts of my books this will have to suffice. Before we get started congratulations to Paul, the winner of my Prize Draw (first edition, signed, hardback copy of Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk). The runners-up were Charlotte and Jason.

Because of the ‘deviant’ nature of their pro...

My Blogging Reflections

I have been doing this blog for over six years now. My first post on the 12th March 2012 was about my trip to Miami, a city which is everything I am not – sunny, loud, brash, beach-orientated. The post was followed four days later with another, dedicated to my first ever trip to Taco Bell. A Fort Lauderdale, Florida Taco Bell to be precise. Back at home in London, England I continued blogging on a weekly basis, every Friday afternoon. And I have been doing so ever since. Nowadays I live in th...

14 Fascinating Book Facts

This week whilst whiling away some time on the internet, I discovered some interesting and in some instances ludicrous book-related ‘facts’ that have not previously made an appearance here on my blog. Before I share them a quick reminder about my book prize draw (ends Apr 15th). Further details can be found at the bottom of this post. Without further ado here are the facts:

Ever wondered which is the most banned book in America? The Harry Potter books are said to be the most banned in Ameri...

6 Dark Fiction Reading Recommendations

I am an avid reader and writer of Dark Fiction. My Dark Fiction writing to date includes the black comedy Necropolis and its recently-released sequel, Sepultura (click on the links to find out more ).

I have previously devoted several blog posts to the subject of Dark Fiction. Here are six more Dark Fiction reading recommendations for you, some of which are humorous, some of which are not. Click on the links to read my reviews.

Definition: Dark fiction is concerned with the sinister side of h...

Transgressive Fiction: A History (Part 2)

Two weeks ago I wrote a blog post about the pioneer Transgressive Fiction authors. This week we turn our attentions to more recent and contemporary Transgressive Fiction authors.

For those not familiar with this literary form Transgressive literature is a genre that focuses on characters who feel confined by the norms and expectations of society and who break free of those confines in unusual and/or illicit ways …(more)

Before I begin a quick reminder about my dark reading matter prize draw (...

My Book Prizes Must Be Won

I am excited to announce that my prize draw starts today. As I am an avid writer and reader of dark humour, I have opted for prizes that reflect this.

1st PRIZE: A rare, signed, flawless, first edition, hardback copy of Haunted (2005) by Chuck Palahniuk (Worth: £122.21/$170.70). Haunted is one of the most provocative and controversial works of fiction ever written.

Two Lucky Runners-Up will receive the following three darkly humorous books, all of which I highly recommend. Post Office by Char...

Transgressive Fiction: A History

I am a big fan of Transgressive Fiction. Numerous Transgressive book reviews can be found in the ‘My Reviews’ section of my blog. I have written two Transgressive novels to date – Necropolis & Sepultura. Their protagonist is the darkly humorous sociopath Dyson Devereux.

This week’s blog post is devoted to the history of Transgressive Fiction. For those not familiar with the genre:

Transgressive fiction is a genre that focuses on characters who feel confined by the norms and expectations of so...