Compression: A novel of sex, drugs, punk rock and dark, hidden secrets.

by Tim Cundle, Rachel Evans (Illustrator), John Robb (Foreword)

Compression is a high-octane, true crime novel. A mixture of autobiography wish fulfilment and twisted fantasy. The story unfolds over the space of 24 hours and sums up the spirit of the punk movement in a fictional novel. Compression tells the story of Flanagan, a man who, having cracked the music biz with the punk band he started while at school, returns to his old school reunion in the small town he grew up in. However, returning to his old stamping ground brings back a lot of memories, many of them disturbing, and some pertaining to his part in the death of a homeless man. Things get really complicated when it transpires that the police investigation has just re-opened… Written with tremendous feeling, and the anger of the author reaches out to grab the reader by the throat and doesn’t let go’. Ian Glasper, Terrorizer Magazine ‘…deliciously descriptive and compulsive’. Keith Thomas, Subba-Culture ‘…a definite way with words. I’d recommend you seek this out’. Virginia Black, Rock Sound Magazine ‘Compression is a riveting and original read, just the right size to fit into a Christmas stocking for the be-mohawked one in your life’. Eddie Thomas, Caught in The Crossfire ‘I found myself absorbed after the first few pages and it’s a solid piece of work’. David Stuart, Fracture Magazine.

Kindle Edition

Published September 19, 2019

Reviews

[Horror DNA · Rating 3 out of 5]

For those who escaped the dreary small town of your childhood only to return years later and discover nothing has changed, then Compression will surely resonate with you. I grew up in a dreary coastal town in the north of Scotland and upon my occasional journey north find the place to be full of ghosts, derelict pubs, unemployment, and the occasional familiar face who does not realise I left for pastures new over thirty years ago. This novel, with an authentic punk-rock vibe vibrating in the background, is set in a similar seaside town where the locals who have any imagination dream of breaking free, never to return.

You can read Tony's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.

[Gary Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've heard that the sign of a good book is that it can grab you and not let go. You find yourself turning page after page because you are caught up in the story. If that's true, then this must be a great book, because it's a real page turner. It also flows well. Those two things combined make it a quick, but compelling read. The book is described as a punk rock novel, and I think that fits. It's a tale that has a lot of ugly built into it, but somehow it's turned into a thing of beauty. In a lot of ways that describes punk rock. It is a story of a group of friends who are torn apart, yet pulled together, by a terrible secret. That secret has damaged all of them in different ways. It's also a story of justice (of a sort) and redemption. I heartily recommend this book.

[Georgios Virvilis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an earlier Tim Cundle novel and one I wasn't able to find. Its a very solid book. This is an angry book by an angry young man. You can already tell that the author tries to wrap himself around existential questions,the narrative acting as a backdrop towards the emotions experienced by the main character whose transformation is the main theme of the novel.my only issue is id like to have some more POVS by other characters in the novels especially the women.Once again the artwork for this is absolutely amazing,though more restrained .
Loved it.

[Jim Johns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable, well paced story, with identifiable small-town characters and a music scene backdrop, which doesn't overshadow the rest of the story but contextualises the main character perfectly.