Callum McLaughlin's Blog, page 27

The Mist by Stephen King | Book Review

The Mist by Stephen King

Published by Scribner, 2017 (first published in 1980)

My rating:

[image error]In this classic from the master of horror, a town is engulfed by a dense, mysterious mist that hides a mass of deadly creatures. A group of survivors holed up in a supermarket must find a way to escape whilst navigating the growing tension within the group, fuelled by a religious zealot who believes nothing but a human sacrifice will end the bloodshed.

Unlike much of King’s work, The Mist is a fairly brief tale that drops readers into the action without fuss or fanfare. Though we are given slight hints as to the mist’s origins, the deliberate lack of context or resolution ensures the reader feels as unmoored as the characters. Despite the novella’s relative brevity, however, King still manages to create a tangible atmosphere. As with the best creature-based horror, it’s the culture of mistrust and the extremity of mankind’s selfish desire to survive that become the protagonists’ biggest threats.

Physical descriptions of the monsters are fairly scant, but that proves highly effective in this instance. With sightings often brief, frantic encounters amidst a haze of ‘thick as pea soup’ mist, we remain as tense and ill informed as the characters; the full extent of the horror left to the power of our imagination. The imagery we are given is more than enough to spark the desired fear and revulsion – tableaus that are sure to linger in the mind.

A needless sex scene aside, my only other critique of this feels unfair but unavoidable. Having seen the 2007 film adaptation many years ago, my reading experience was coloured by how truly haunting the film’s final sequence is. Unaware that things had been changed from page to screen, I was fully prepared for the utter devastation that unfolds in the movie. As such, I was caught off guard by the much subtler and more ambiguous ending presented here. Both work in their own ways, but I can’t deny the discrepancy between expectation and reality.

Taut, swift, visually evocative, and fun to read, it’s easy to see why this remains one of King’s most well-known offerings, and why it’s still worth checking out all these years later.

If you’d like to give The Mist a go, you can find a copy on Book Depository by clicking here. If you’ve already read it, I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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The Wall by John Lanchester | Book Review

The Wall by John Lanchester

Published by Faber & Faber, 2019

My rating:

[image error]John Lanchester’s Booker nominated The Wall is a solid and very readable offering. My only real complaint is that it’s so topical it runs the risk of underwhelming due to its lack of a new or interesting take on well-worn themes.

Set in the UK in the not too distant future, it’s a dystopian novel in which sea levels have risen to such an extent that the country has built a vast wall around the entirety of its land border. Movement between nations has been outlawed, and refugees (known as The Others) who attempt to breach the wall must be shot on sight. Our narrator is a young man at the beginning of his mandatory two-year service on the wall, where he will be trained to repel The Others. If at any time he fails to do so, he faces exile onto the open water.

If the book aims for subtlety with its themes and real-world parallels, it misses the mark quite considerably. If, however, Lanchester intended to tackle head on the issues of climate change, the mistreatment of migrants and refugees, and the hypocrisy of Trump’s wall, he certainly succeeds. I like that our narrator is presented as an everyman, and that his role as equal parts hero and villain shows how warped social norms have become (he adopts the killer instinct of a Defender very quickly, and he isn’t averse to using Help; surviving Others who have essentially been enslaved). That said, I don’t think Lanchester really has anything new to say with his world building or his narrative. There are no warnings to heed or solutions to consider that aren’t already part of the general discussion surrounding these issues in the present day.

One aspect I did think was handled really well, however, was the tension that simmers between young and old. Older generations are shown to feel a sense of shame for damaging the planet beyond repair. Their children, now grown up, resent that they are the ones having to bear the brunt of the impact by serving on the wall. This was one particular instance in which the ties to current events (the ongoing school strikes for climate, in which young people are calling for action from adults) felt woven into the story in a cleverly understated and meaningful way.

Split into three parts, the handling of the book’s pacing is interesting. The first third seems to deliberately drag, reflective of the dull, isolating, and monotonous way of life that dictates normal service on the wall. The second part, during which an inevitable attack from The Others takes place, becomes much more breathless. In the third part, things become largely melancholic and contemplative again; the icy and often devastating calm that descends in the wake of the storm. Though I felt the narrative beats hit throughout were easy to predict, I can’t deny that I remained invested.

Whilst The Wall may not be the most original or ground-breaking take on speculative dystopian fiction, it was a swift, easy read that lays bare some of the greatest obstacles we face as a global population. By forgoing sentimentality in favour of something decidedly more pragmatic, Lanchester pulls no punches in his critique of where we’re heading.

If you’d like to read The Wall, you can pick up a copy by clicking here or here. If you’ve already read it, I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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September Wrap Up

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The books I read in September

September was an odd month for me. For much of it, I felt as excited as ever about the many great books I want to get to, and yet strangely demotivated whenever I actually sat down to read. A mild slump, or a general feeling of apathy due to a succession of good but not fantastic reads throughout much of the year, who can say? I’m pleased to say the month ended on a high, however, and hope that some suitably gothic and creepy reads (which are right up my street) in October will get me back on track.

But in the meantime, here are some brief thoughts on each of the 10 books I read throughout September, with links to my full reviews if you’d like to know more.

Frankissstein by Jeanette Winterson

[ ] Complaining about a lacklustre reading month, then kicking things off with a five-star review: I am a contradiction. Winterson combines past, present, and future to great effect in this thematically rich riff on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Gender and identity, the role of AI, and the intersection of consciousness and biological matter are all explored here in a truly singular reading experience that was as enthralling as it was thought-provoking.

Turbulence by David Szalay

[ ] Stronger in concept than in execution, this series of loosely interconnected short stories looks at the universal struggles of being human, as strangers cross paths in a succession of journeys across the globe. The prose and use of structure as a means of storytelling were solid, but the time spent with each character was so fleeting that the book suffered slightly from a repeated lack of resolution.

The Only Girl in the World by Maude Julien (translated from the French by Adriana Hunter)

[ ] This stranger than fiction memoir details Julien’s harrowing childhood under the tyrannical rule of her physically and emotionally abusive father, who sought to create a new kind of ‘superhuman’ via extreme training and conditioning. Morbidly compelling, the book is testament to human resilience, but I felt it could have been even more powerful had it offered greater insight into Julien’s adulthood, post-escape.

La beauté sans vertu by Genevieve Valentine

[ ] An unsettling, satirical swipe at beauty standards and the hidden cruelties of the fashion world. I loved the haunting concept of this brief offering that blends speculative sci-fi and body horror, but felt the ending needed a little more oomph.

The Inner Room by Robert Aickman

[ ] Drawing on horror conventions, this novella builds atmosphere well as we move towards the climax’s arresting tableau, with imagery that lingers in the mind to great effect. That said, I felt things fizzled out somewhat; that final twist or gut-punch sadly lacking. A worthwhile little read, nonetheless.

A Murder Is Announced by Agatha Christie

[ ] This is arguably one of Christie’s better-known titles, but certainly not one of her best based on my experience. The hallmarks of the golden era of crime are still present, it captures the tense atmosphere of post-war Britain well, and she remained one step ahead as per usual. However, there were a number of implausible coincidences that flirted with farce, leading to an unexpected but not wholly believable ending. Still, Christie is always fun!

No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference by Greta Thunberg

[ ] This book collects a number of speeches by Greta Thunberg, the 16-year-old, headline-grabbing climate activist. Since they were delivered over a span of months to a number of different audiences, there is an element of repetition in her phrasing and statistics, but the core of her arguments is always accessible, eloquent, and laudable. Long may she speak out, and long may the world listen.

The New Testament by Jericho Brown

[ ] This collection of poetry combines the deeply personal with the powerfully political to explore themes of queerness, race, masculinity, and family. Brown draws on mythology, fairy tale, and Bible stories to create striking imagery, his use of language bold yet beautiful. I’m excited to explore more of his work.

A Spell of Winter by Helen Dunmore

[ ] Dark, gothic, and incredibly evocative, this was just the read I was in the mood for. Dunmore creates a quietly sinister atmosphere, and I was greatly impressed by the balance of readability and deeper themes; the book making interesting commentary on the likes of forbidden love, female autonomy, and the struggle to escape familial inheritance. A slight shift away from the gothic in the final third was all that held me back from a 5 star rating, but I really did love this.

The Victim by P. D. James

[ ] Another of the Faber Stories range, this strangely serene yet disquieting insight into the mind of a scorned lover as he plots his revenge is a great little read. There’s a clever twist at the end that shines new light on the story’s title and true meaning, which in turn poses interesting questions about obsession and power.

My total number of reads in 2019 now stands at 94, so I’m optimistic about hitting my 100 book goal for the year within the next month! What was your favourite read in September?

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Jericho Brown & P. D. James | Mini Reviews

The New Testament by Jericho Brown

Published by Picador, 2014

My rating:

[image error]The New Testament features one of the best opening poems I’ve encountered in a collection. It was the strength of this alone that convinced me to pick up the book, and though none of the other poems quite reached the dizzy heights of the first, I’m delighted to have discovered Brown’s work. Drawing on mythology, fairy tales, and Bible stories to comment on queerness, race, masculinity, and family, Brown’s use of language and imagery is bold and evocative. The poems I connected with on a personal level hit me in the gut, whilst others engaged in a deeply human, empathetic, and enlightening way. To create poems that lay bare raw emotion and individual experience, and yet provoke such social and political resonance is a real skill, but Brown pulls it off here with aplomb.

You can pick up a copy of The New Testament from Book Depository by clicking here.

The Victim by P. D. James

Published by Faber & Faber, 2019

My rating:

[image error]As I started reading this slim Faber Stories volume, I realised I had already read the story as part of a full collection by James. I was more than happy to revisit it, however. It offers strangely serene yet disquieting insight into the mind of a killer, who spends more than a year methodically plotting the perfect murder of his ex-wife’s new lover. This in itself makes for a compelling enough narrative, but it also poses interesting questions about power and obsession: If your very existence is sustained by the need for revenge, will exacting it ever be enough to feel satisfied? Per James’ signature style, there’s also a small yet clever twist at the end, which adds another perspective to the story and forces us to reconsider who the true victim is. A great little read.

You can pick up a copy of The Victim from Book Depository by clicking here.

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A Spell of Winter by Helen Dunmore | Book Review

A Spell of Winter by Helen Dunmore

Published by Penguin, 2019 (first published in 1995)

My rating:

[image error]Told in gorgeous prose, A Spell of Winter is a strangely beguiling tale that explores forbidden love, the burden of secrets, and the struggle to escape the cloying inheritance of family.

Set largely in the build up to WWI, the story is narrated by Catherine, a young woman who feels increasingly cut off from the outside world. Abandoned by her mother as a child, embarrassed by the mental breakdown of her father that led to his hospitalisation, and ignored by the grandfather who finds too much pain in her resemblance to his absent daughter, she clings to her brother, Rob, for comfort. Hunkering down for the winter in their secluded, crumbling mansion, their mutual misplaced need for love takes their relationship down a dark and dangerous path that will pit them against the few who remain close to them.

First and foremost, Dunmore’s prose is stunning. With her sumptuous use of words, she evokes a rich, gothic setting, and a quietly sinister and claustrophobic atmosphere that I adored. Her characters are complex, difficult to root for and yet oddly sympathetic for all their flaws. By presenting them and their often deplorable actions without judgement, she asks us to question human boundaries, allowing the reader to draw their own conclusions in many instances.

There’s a subtle yet deftly handled thread throughout that explores the construct of society, and how quickly we can revert to basic animal instincts when removed from its grasp. Though the house has a dominating presence, many of the book’s key moments – instances of sex, violence, conflict, and death – all take place in the surrounding wildlands. As the book progresses, nature begins to reclaim the old mansion, and Catherine finds satisfaction and meaning through her work on the land. I thought this understated yet powerful sense that we are not so far removed from the natural world was handled really well.

I also very much enjoyed the book’s unconventional look at the idea of female autonomy. Catherine – like her mother before her – takes charge of her life in unexpected ways that defy social convention. Both arguably felt ensnared and defined by their role within the family, and both must find their own ways to break the chain of inheritance, both literal and metaphorical.

I was all set to give this book five stars throughout the first two thirds or so. The rich, lilting quality instantly captured me, its use of gothic hallmarks right up my street. In the final third, however, there is something of a tonal shift. Whilst the book retains its sumptuous edge, the coming of the war redresses the characters’ focus and priorities. Whilst this makes complete narrative sense, I was so enraptured by the air of quiet eeriness that I couldn’t help but feel a little sad to see the goalposts shift somewhat.

All that said, this is a uniquely compelling read that ticked so many of my boxes, I won’t be at all surprised if it stays with me for quite some time. With its blend of beautiful writing, gripping narrative, and cleverly handled deeper themes, it’s easy to understand why this was the inaugural winner of the Women’s Prize for Fiction. Given that she has an extensive back catalogue of work to her name, I’m excited to see what else Dunmore went on to write.

If you’d like to read A Spell of Winter, you can find a copy on Book Depository by clicking here. If you’ve already read it, I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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Frankenstein | Theatre Review

Show: Frankenstein

Venue: Perth Theatre

Date: 20th September 2019

Director: Patricia Benecke

Writer: Rona Munro, adapted from the novel by Mary Shelley

Principal cast: Eilidh Loan (Mary Shelley), Ben Castle-Gibb (Victor Frankenstein), Michael Moreland (The Monster), & Natali McCleary (Elizabeth Lavenza)

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This original and ambitious take on the classic horror novel places its creator, Mary Shelley, at the very heart of the action. Weaving together fact and fiction is a clever and creative way to retell a story we all know and love, whilst exploring its fascinating origins and real-world thematic parallels.

Amongst the novel’s core themes were of course the nature of creation, and the complex relationship between a creator and their work. This adaptation dissects that dynamic even further, with the struggle between Frankenstein and his Monster mirrored in the mix of fear, wonder, social rebellion, and emotional anguish that fuel Shelley’s writing process. Placing an eccentric and snarky Shelley in the midst of her own work, pen scratching furiously at her notebook as she guides the audience through her thinking – and dissects the actions of her characters – serves to remind us of her remarkable youth and pioneering vision with regards to science, society, and literature.

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Eilidh Loan as Mary Shelley, Ben Castle-Gibb as Victor Frankenstein, and Michael Moreland as The Monster. Pictures courtesy of Capital Theatres.

The relatively small cast all put in solid performances, but the highlights were Moreland’s mix of grace and fury as The Monster, and Loan’s frantic energy as a writer coming to understand who the true monster of her work is. The striking set design was suitably gothic and haunting, and the excellent use of light and sound helped to deliver moments of genuine tension. More unexpected were the moments of humour peppered throughout; Shelley often relishing a sense of irony and omniscience as she toys with her characters’ fates. Whilst this means the play is engaging and entertaining throughout, it does lead to an inconsistency in tone. The show delivers both jumps and laughs with success, but it’s rarely quite as scary or as funny as it evidently wants to be.

You could argue that, since the play tries to balance both Shelley’s motivation behind the text, and the story of the book itself, neither half of the narrative is given the time it needs to breathe. This results in a whole that doesn’t quite deliver on the concept’s huge potential. Still, the production remains a playfully meta look at the creation process, a fresh take on an iconic story, and an inventive piece of theatre that is well worth experiencing.

Frankenstein’s opening run at Perth Theatre kicks off an extensive UK tour. Tickets and details can be found here.

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No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference by Greta Thunberg | Book Review

No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference by Greta Thunberg

Published by Penguin, 2019

My rating:

[image error]Five stars for the existence of Greta Thunberg, the importance of her message, and the passionate resilience she shows in her fight to change attitudes towards planetary conservation.

Given that these speeches were delivered across a span of months to various different audiences, there is some repetition in the phrasing and statistics used to hit home her point. This is understandable, and so isn’t a criticism, per se, but it does jar a little when reading the transcripts back-to-back in book form.

Thunberg’s use of simple language, direct address, and concise facts is the essence of her power: She proves that climate activism is a mantle that can and should be taken up by everyone. We don’t all have to sail across the world in an eco-friendly boat and speak in front of the US Congress, but we can all do our little bit. And, more importantly, we can all put pressure on businesses and governments to start implementing effective change that will lower emissions and safeguard the planet’s future. (As I’m posting this review, in fact, mass strikes and protests are taking place all over the world in support of climate action, spearheaded by Thunberg’s ‘school strike for climate’ initiative.)

Though only touched on briefly, I also love that she makes efforts to normalise Asperger’s. She explains that her social isolation and lack of a perceived grey area when it comes to right and wrong are actually what pushed her to start speaking out, thus seeing her ‘differences’ as a gift, rather than something that holds her back. This kind of visibility for such a misunderstood and victimised community is fantastic.

That one of the most important, reasonable, and listened to voices of 2019 belongs to a 16-year-old schoolgirl on the autism spectrum is pretty fabulous as far as I’m concerned. Long may she speak, and long may the world listen.

If you’d like to pick up a copy for yourself, you can find it on Book Depository by clicking here.

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A Murder Is Announced by Agatha Christie | Book Review

A Murder Is Announced by Agatha Christie

Published by HarperCollins, 2002 (first published in 1950)

My rating:

[image error]When an ad boldly announces an upcoming murder in the local newspaper, nosy neighbours flock to the appointed location expecting a silly parlour game or an elaborate prank. Rather, the lights cut out, a gun is fired, and someone drops down dead. In typical Christie fashion, we quickly begin to unravel a complex, tangled web of secrets and lies in pursuit of the killer amongst them.

This is a prime example of needing to know what you’re getting into before you pick it up. Lovers of sinister modern thrillers with subtle twists peppered throughout will likely roll their eyes at the numerous huge coincidences, the many flirtations with farce, and a conclusion that comes off suspiciously like an info-dump. In that respect, it’s not one of Christie’s best offerings, nor one I’d recommend starting with if you’re new to her work.

That said, the trademark charm of the golden era of crime lives on, making this a fun, easy read nonetheless. Consistently intrigued, the outcome alluded me throughout, as it so often does when I reach for Christie’s fiction. Despite thinking on several instances that I had it all figured out, she was always one step ahead; once again in great control over her many characters, plot threads, and red herrings. Even a lack of plausibility when it all came together wasn’t enough to dampen the enjoyment of watching Christie lead the reader down many a wrong path.

Though I felt this one failed to deliver the brilliantly punchy dialogue that elevates much of Christie’s work, I did very much enjoy the way it captured the social landscape of post-war Britain, with a particular focus on the sense of fear and mistrust levied at foreigners.

So, whilst there are better examples of what Christie and the genre can do out there, if you’re already a fan of either, this is well worth the read.

If you’d like to give A Murder Is Announced a go, you can pick up a copy with free shipping from Book Depository by clicking here.

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Genevieve Valentine & Robert Aickman | Mini Reviews

La beauté sans vertu by Genevieve Valentine

Published by Tor Books, 2016

My rating:

[image error]One of the shorts made available for free through Tor.com, this offering from Genevieve Valentine is an unsettling, satirical swipe at beauty standards, and the hidden cruelties of the fashion world. Speculative sci-fi that flirts with body horror, the story explores a concept more than it tells a narrative, as we see the build-up to and aftermath of a catwalk show. With the pursuit of eternal youth having reached horrifying heights, it is now common practice for models to undergo disturbing surgeries, including full limb transplants courtesy of deceased, adolescent donors.

Though Valentine’s critique of the beauty world is clear from this setup, and there is indeed a feeling of unease of pathos throughout, I felt it could have ended with a little more punch. Visually striking and well written, however, I would certainly read more from this author.

If you’d like to give it a go, you can get La beauté sans vertu as an ebook from your usual retailer, or read it online for free by clicking here.

***

The Inner Room by Robert Aickman

Published by Faber & Faber, 2019 (first published in 1968)

My rating:

[image error]One of the Faber Stories range, this novelette sees a woman reflect on the strange, ornamental dollhouse that both fascinated and disturbed her as a child. Now, as an adult, she stumbles upon a secluded mansion that seems to be an exact replica.

This is another example of a fantastically well-realised concept, and a disturbing tableau that draws on horror conventions to great effect. The prose is solid and the atmosphere builds well towards the heroine’s final confrontation with her own nightmares. Again, I felt the ending could have had a little more impact, rather than the quiet fizzling out we were given, but as far as literary horror goes, and the creation of imagery that will linger in the mind, this is a great little contribution to the genre. Just be prepared for the kind of story that poses questions more than it offers answers.

If you’d like to give The Inner Room a go, you can find a copy here or here.

***

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The Only Girl in the World by Maude Julien | Book Review

The Only Girl in the World by Maude Julien | translated from the French by Adriana Hunter

Published by Oneworld Publications, 2017 (first published in 2014)

My rating:

[image error]A classic example of a ‘stranger than fiction’ memoir, The Only Girl in the World recounts the horror of Maude Julien’s childhood, which was dominated by the strict rule of her tyrannical father. In his quest to create a new breed of ‘superhuman’, he forced his daughter to endure intense physical and emotional abuse, disguised as a series of bizarre trials, lessons, and training schemes. This book documents Maude’s efforts to endure, resist, and escape.

Harrowing and morbidly compelling to read, the book functions as an ode to the resilience of the human spirit, and the struggle to forge your own identity when so much of who and what you are is dictated by another.

I do think there are some flaws in the book’s construction, however. Written in first-person present tense, the author’s experiences are relayed to us as though from her younger self, but I found her sense of analysis and perception too vast to be believable as a child narrator speaking at a time of great trauma – not to mention that she was, at that point, almost entirely isolated from the outside world. In short, Julien’s adult retrospection clashes with her narrative approach. I also would have appreciated greater insight into Julien’s adulthood, post-escape, which is relegated to a brief epilogue. Exploring the lasting impact of her disturbing childhood could have been particularly fascinating and powerful. Instead, we got a lot of telling, rather than showing, as we moved through a succession of cruel tortures and betrayals inflicted upon a young girl.

All that said, the book ultimately aims to inspire, and for all its visceral upset, it manages to do so. I especially liked her insight into the wonder of literature, music, and animals when it comes to seeking comfort and solace. Far be it from me to judge which parts of her extraordinary life Julien chooses to share with us. Whilst from an impartial reader’s perspective, I felt the structure and narration could have served her story better, I applaud her for the openness and bravery that allowed her to defy the odds.

***

If you’d like to give The Only Girl in the World a go, you can pick up a copy from Book Depository by clicking here. If you’ve already read it, I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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