First Review of Ocellus

There is no worse feeling than opening a present to find it isn't quite what you were expecting. Not that it's all bad; just not altogether as bright and shiny as you had hoped.

The Crack is a well-established and widely read free listings magazine in Newcastle. Amongst the books reviewed in the November issue is Ocellus by me. It starts badly, with the reviewer slamming the jacket design (okay, I take the blame for this, lesson learned) and 'slightly clunky typeface'. The latter is a surprise, but I guess it is a little square. It gets better though. Having lamented the outside the review goes on to say: '...but the contents within have a lofty ambition which, while not wholly successful, can only be applauded.'

What is most disappointing is the lack of breadth, which leads me to think the reviewer skimmed. Unsurprisingly, there is mention of one (over)long sentence near the beginning which is C&P'd in full. Lazy? I think I'm allowed that much of a gripe. Our reviewer concludes with the question: 'Is the author aiming for a Joycean style, or is the grammar here as stretched as the cover image?'

Eh, no.