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Stuff
A novella from critically acclaimed novelist Charlie Hill...
40 pages, Paperback
Published September 23, 2016
6 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 16, 2017
Stuff, by Charlie Hill, is a short novella that takes the reader through a week in the life of a thirty-something year old man who has been struck by the understanding that his impetus to progress through life has stalled without warning. Having survived what he describes as a rocky patch when he was younger he had reached a place where he could derive pleasure from his simple day to day experiences. He could walk from his small flat to the local supermarket and see colour in the people and places he passed by on the way. He could cope with his job and the perverse changes being enacted. He spent time with his girlfriend and enjoyed their quiet existence.
And then something changed. He realised that
“The blaze inside me must have been dying for some time […] I just hadn’t realised.”
No longer could he find reasons for putting up with the curveballs thrown his way. The gratification he found in the small things – a chance meeting, a colourful butterfly or flower that he couldn’t name but wished to learn – was no longer there. There seemed no point to his existence and he lacked the energy to find a way to kick-start his being.
He turns to an old friend and to his girlfriend but realises that they are not responsible for helping him out of his discombobulation. He confesses to his mother, feeling safe in doing so due to her advanced dementia.
Something must be done. He cannot continue in this oppressive grey.
The writing is subtle and poignant. An ordinary life is depicted with its sensitivity to variances of mindset, sometimes difficult to reason with or control.
The denouement is chilling yet not without hope. This is an intimate, affecting read.
My copy of this book was provided gratis by the author.
And then something changed. He realised that
“The blaze inside me must have been dying for some time […] I just hadn’t realised.”
No longer could he find reasons for putting up with the curveballs thrown his way. The gratification he found in the small things – a chance meeting, a colourful butterfly or flower that he couldn’t name but wished to learn – was no longer there. There seemed no point to his existence and he lacked the energy to find a way to kick-start his being.
He turns to an old friend and to his girlfriend but realises that they are not responsible for helping him out of his discombobulation. He confesses to his mother, feeling safe in doing so due to her advanced dementia.
Something must be done. He cannot continue in this oppressive grey.
The writing is subtle and poignant. An ordinary life is depicted with its sensitivity to variances of mindset, sometimes difficult to reason with or control.
The denouement is chilling yet not without hope. This is an intimate, affecting read.
My copy of this book was provided gratis by the author.
April 10, 2017
Stuff by Charlie Hill was published in paperback by Cinnamon Press on 3 October 2016.
Stuff is a very short story, a novella, and is just thirty pages long. When the author contacted me to ask if I would consider reading his book, I was intrigued. I told him to send it over, he did, I read it. I am perplexed.
Why am I feeling perplexed? Well, Stuff is a highly original story, the writing is tight and flows well, the reader is thrust into the world of the narrator, but there is no plot. There is a beginning, a middle and an end, but no crime, or love story, or major event. No, Stuff is the thoughts of the narrator as he describes his house, his neighbourhood, his relationship with his girlfriend, his friend and his mother.
It is fascinating, and compelling, with a darkness that is unsettling. There's a feeling of doom about the lead character, a restlessness, a desire to find more in life.
The narrator is confused and confusing. He's reached some sort of crisis in his life, and realises as he stands in his kitchen making toast. He can't remember leaving home to buy the bread, he has become consumed with 'stuff' and it has overwhelmed him. He goes on to describe in minute and intimate detail his daily life, which in reality, is quite ordinary, but Charlie Hill's writing is so precise and colourful that the reader experiences every step of his walk so vividly.
It's difficult to write a great deal about something that is so short, my advice is for readers to buy a copy, take a seat and read it. It's harshly delicate, packed with nuance and emotion, it's very clever.
I enjoyed Stuff very much, even though I am perplexed by it. It has stayed with me, it has made me think, it has made me look around and notice the stuff.
http://randomthingsthroughmyletterbox...
Stuff is a very short story, a novella, and is just thirty pages long. When the author contacted me to ask if I would consider reading his book, I was intrigued. I told him to send it over, he did, I read it. I am perplexed.
Why am I feeling perplexed? Well, Stuff is a highly original story, the writing is tight and flows well, the reader is thrust into the world of the narrator, but there is no plot. There is a beginning, a middle and an end, but no crime, or love story, or major event. No, Stuff is the thoughts of the narrator as he describes his house, his neighbourhood, his relationship with his girlfriend, his friend and his mother.
It is fascinating, and compelling, with a darkness that is unsettling. There's a feeling of doom about the lead character, a restlessness, a desire to find more in life.
The narrator is confused and confusing. He's reached some sort of crisis in his life, and realises as he stands in his kitchen making toast. He can't remember leaving home to buy the bread, he has become consumed with 'stuff' and it has overwhelmed him. He goes on to describe in minute and intimate detail his daily life, which in reality, is quite ordinary, but Charlie Hill's writing is so precise and colourful that the reader experiences every step of his walk so vividly.
It's difficult to write a great deal about something that is so short, my advice is for readers to buy a copy, take a seat and read it. It's harshly delicate, packed with nuance and emotion, it's very clever.
I enjoyed Stuff very much, even though I am perplexed by it. It has stayed with me, it has made me think, it has made me look around and notice the stuff.
http://randomthingsthroughmyletterbox...
October 28, 2016
A great 30 page 'descent' story, like Gerard Donovan's 'Harry Dietz' story, or a number of Becketts (there's a direct link in the final sentences). Ennui leading to an existential crisis, but involving Stirchley Bowl, work emails and cold water prawns. I loved it, couldn't see how it could be improved.
March 28, 2017
I loved Books, Charlie Hill's most recent novel, and I had high hopes for this novella. I wasn't disappointed. The delicate balance of a life thrown inexplicably out of kilter, described in subtle, flexible and deliberately unshowy prose. Highly recommended.
January 29, 2019
It was okay I guess, nothing to hate, but equally I found there to be nothing to love. I understand what the novella was trying to portray to the reader, but I found the writing style to just be longwinded to a point where I considered not finishing the book at all- and it only being 40 pages I feel like that is saying something.
Maybe I am being overly harsh because I did find the story picked up about halfway through the novella, but without the character drive I still found little motivation to enjoy the book.
Overall it all seemed just a little too brief for me to be able to get into it .
Maybe I am being overly harsh because I did find the story picked up about halfway through the novella, but without the character drive I still found little motivation to enjoy the book.
Overall it all seemed just a little too brief for me to be able to get into it .
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews