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Dreams of Sex and Stage Diving
Elfish’s friends live hand to mouth in a bleak section of London, squatting, seeing local bands, getting high, and feeling bitter over lost ambitions. Except Elfish, who pursues exactly what she wants with demonic single-mindedness.
Elfish rarely eats, never washes, and is devoted to Queen Mab — both the Shakespearian fairy, “deliverer of dreams,” and her thrash metal band, formed with her attractive but dimwitted lover, Mo. When Mo jilts her and calls his new band Queen Mab, Elfish is determined to keep the name for her own band and sets about getting revenge. To stop Mo, Elfish is obliged to steal, cheat, and lie to everyone around her. Happily, Elfish is a compulsive liar, and quite fond of cheating and stealing.
On the night Mo’s band is to play, he and his friends laugh cruelly around her. The people she has deceived turn on her viciously. It is up to Elfish whether to give up hope or to rally, proving to all the power of her will.
A fearless stage diver and shameless purveyor of bad sex, Elfish stands alone. Surrounded by people who have given up hope, only she will not put down her guitar. Only she refuses to stop dreaming.
Elfish rarely eats, never washes, and is devoted to Queen Mab — both the Shakespearian fairy, “deliverer of dreams,” and her thrash metal band, formed with her attractive but dimwitted lover, Mo. When Mo jilts her and calls his new band Queen Mab, Elfish is determined to keep the name for her own band and sets about getting revenge. To stop Mo, Elfish is obliged to steal, cheat, and lie to everyone around her. Happily, Elfish is a compulsive liar, and quite fond of cheating and stealing.
On the night Mo’s band is to play, he and his friends laugh cruelly around her. The people she has deceived turn on her viciously. It is up to Elfish whether to give up hope or to rally, proving to all the power of her will.
A fearless stage diver and shameless purveyor of bad sex, Elfish stands alone. Surrounded by people who have given up hope, only she will not put down her guitar. Only she refuses to stop dreaming.
214 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
4 people are currently reading
204 people want to read
About the author
Martin Millar
50 books513 followersMartin Millar is a critically acclaimed Scottish writer from Glasgow, now resident in London. He also writes the Thraxas series of fantasy novels under the pseudonym Martin Scott.
The novels he writes as Martin Millar dwell on urban decay and British sub-cultures, and the impact this has on a range of characters, both realistic and supernatural. There are elements of magical realism, and the feeling that the boundary between real life and the supernatural is not very thick. Most of them are set in Brixton, Millar's one-time place of residence. Many are at least semi-autobiographical, and Love and Peace with Melody Paradise and Suzy, Led Zeppelin and Me both feature Millar himself as a character.
As Martin Scott his Thraxas novels are a fusion of traditional high fantasy and pulp noir thrillers.
In 2000, he won the World Fantasy Award for best novel for Thraxas.
The novels he writes as Martin Millar dwell on urban decay and British sub-cultures, and the impact this has on a range of characters, both realistic and supernatural. There are elements of magical realism, and the feeling that the boundary between real life and the supernatural is not very thick. Most of them are set in Brixton, Millar's one-time place of residence. Many are at least semi-autobiographical, and Love and Peace with Melody Paradise and Suzy, Led Zeppelin and Me both feature Millar himself as a character.
As Martin Scott his Thraxas novels are a fusion of traditional high fantasy and pulp noir thrillers.
In 2000, he won the World Fantasy Award for best novel for Thraxas.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
May 13, 2010
this was an interesting book. the lead character (elfish) is a completely unlikable bitch of a character...and yet you find yourself strangely drawn to what she is trying to accomplish. she is an unlovable/unlikable character who is trying to "win" the name of queen mab for her band and she will do anything and screw anyone over to do that! what ends up taking place is an interesting look into the angst and laziness of a generation of metal/punk youth.
November 20, 2011
I loved this book....It was a good quick read and I loved how the main character was mean,insensitive,dirty,stubborn and manipulative and yet all at the same you wanted her to win and you almost even liked her evil ass.
June 30, 2012
Elfish is amoral, ego-centric and absolutely fascinating. Elfish is obsessed about claiming the name Queen Mab for her band (which currently has no members) before her ex-boyfriend can claim it first. While plotting a way to claim the name by reciting the entire monolog from Romeo and Juliet while playing on stage, she engages in odd behavior like calling up said ex-boyfriend and pretending to be her ex-friend. And then there is her quest to sleep with as many of his former lovers as possible. It's an odd story full of odd, yet richly engaging characters. How can you not love a book that describes it's main character thusly, " As a friend of the human race, Elfish is a failure. As a stage diver, she is a complete success"?
December 9, 2012
A tale of 90's Brixton, starring Elfish - a spectacularly filthy (not just long unwashed, but prone to vomiting and urinating all over herself and still not washing or changing, and yet still able to find people willing to go down on her!), lying and manipulative, completely appalling person who has a dream: to stop her ex-boyfriend from claiming the name Queen Mab for his band by reciting the Queen Mab speech from Romeo & Juliet before his gig.
Bullying and deceiving whoever could help her on her way, it's odd to find yourself hating the main character as much as I did, and yet still enjoying the ride...
Bullying and deceiving whoever could help her on her way, it's odd to find yourself hating the main character as much as I did, and yet still enjoying the ride...
May 18, 2011
I don't know what it was about this book. the main character was disgusting and a deplorable human being. and yet i fell in love with the story telling and the world martin miller wove for this book. I"m really really excited to read some of his books that are more fantasy leaning, specifically Lonely Werewolf Girl and the Good Fairies of New York.
October 1, 2012
Millar is a master of making you hate, even loathe, his characters and through pace, language, and nuance of everything style, I felt their incredibly soul-sapping existential pain... Then, suddenly and without realizing it, I was somehow caught up by Elvish and the chance to overcome that pain... Completely brilliant.
August 21, 2017
una morale discutibile ma tutto sommato a buon fine, un paio di scene di sesso divertenti, personaggi che sembrano usciti da un documentario sul mondo crust a cavallo tra gli '80 e i '90 e a dirla tutta il videogioco di aran è un'ottima trovata. però sto romanzo proprio non sta in piedi, e nonostante tutta la simpatia che ho per le cose sopra elencate (e per "fate a new york", l'altro romanzo di millar che ho letto) e per lo stile che comunque c'è, non riesco a trovare un motivo per salvarlo...
May 7, 2018
Was automatically hooked on this book from the very first page. An exact interpretation on how far we are willing to go just to get what we want or reach our dreams even if it's in a not so legit way and even if we hurt people along the way.
March 7, 2019
Just eh. I think I’ll stick to Millar’s fantasy stuff. This could have been greatly improved with the addition of some magical characters. I hoped Queen Ma would eventually appear but I guess she never got around to it.
August 8, 2022
The selfish and manipulative Elfish, a noted stage diver, goes out of her way to help others help her get what she wants, which is to secure the name Queen Mab for her band as part of a bet with her ex-boyfriend. Fun, dirty, punk scene antics from an era that will never return.
June 8, 2021
As intricate and convoluted as all of Millar's fantastic books, this is another reread for me, I've read this one numerous times, and it is still as wonderful as I remember.
August 4, 2021
Reminded me of the cult novels of the 70s/80s. Like skinhead etc. Quirky punky characters. If you like this style you’ll like this. Fun easy read.
February 3, 2025
Almost gave up very early on, but it was worth persevering to the end. Elfish is monstrous but compelling.
September 19, 2014
I was so close to giving this book 5 stars, up till the last few pages. It seems like the author lost his faith in the readers' intelligence all of a sudden and felt the need to spell everything out for us. Still, I really liked this book.
It's essentially about how a selfish and conceited a person like Elfish can have a positive effect on the lives of several people (which Millar hints at very elegantly at first and then rubs in your face at Elfish's gig, sigh). What makes it even more delicious is that Elfish doesn't think much of the people she accidentally helps. Had she realised she was actually doing something good she would have been far from pleased.
By far my favourite thing about this book was the general c'est la vie/shit happens attitude that was there in the air at all times. The bleakness of human life is shown in all its glory, yet the characters simply live with it and keep on going on.
It's essentially about how a selfish and conceited a person like Elfish can have a positive effect on the lives of several people (which Millar hints at very elegantly at first and then rubs in your face at Elfish's gig, sigh). What makes it even more delicious is that Elfish doesn't think much of the people she accidentally helps. Had she realised she was actually doing something good she would have been far from pleased.
By far my favourite thing about this book was the general c'est la vie/shit happens attitude that was there in the air at all times. The bleakness of human life is shown in all its glory, yet the characters simply live with it and keep on going on.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2010
A simple linear plot, with so many different and absorbing characters hung off the main antagonist, Elfish.
Elfish has few redeeming features, and in many ways should be a totally unlikable character, yet I found myself rooting for her to achieve her goal and attain the name of Queen Mab.
Interspersed between the Machiavellian machinations of Elfish are small vignettes of life in the early 90s, and some wonderful poetry quotes about Queen Mab.
The book tears along at a frenetic pace, which works well given Elfish's impending deadline looming ever closer. The short sharp chapters reflect the chaotic and turbulent lives of the characters well.
Elfish has few redeeming features, and in many ways should be a totally unlikable character, yet I found myself rooting for her to achieve her goal and attain the name of Queen Mab.
Interspersed between the Machiavellian machinations of Elfish are small vignettes of life in the early 90s, and some wonderful poetry quotes about Queen Mab.
The book tears along at a frenetic pace, which works well given Elfish's impending deadline looming ever closer. The short sharp chapters reflect the chaotic and turbulent lives of the characters well.
July 3, 2012
Really enjoyable book to read. Loved his characters as I always do. His descriptions are so real and clear. I like how he wove in such odd and fanciful ideas into the story (e.g. hardcore rock bands quoting Shakespeare etc). Much as I love Millar, the ending left me a little disappointing. It was a little too scripted (is that the right word??) and definitely too predictable, which normally I wouldn't mind because his writing style is so involving and captivating but I guess this time it didn't hold my attention in those final few pages.
Do still love Martin Millar though and would still highly recommend this book!
Do still love Martin Millar though and would still highly recommend this book!
February 1, 2011
Ever have one of those narcissistic friends that you can't help... staying friends with? That's Elfish. She is a rather horrible person that will do anything to achieve her one goal (to have the name Queen Mab for her non-existent band). This leads to Elfish lying, stealing, and messing with everyone in her life in any way possible. And throughout... I found myself cheering for her (while also hoping that she gets what's coming to her). That's impressive writing, Martin Millar. Plus, it's pretty funny.
December 10, 2012
The book was a fun little story that drifted between gritty realism and an adult fairy story. Set in Brixton in the 90s among squatters unable to fulfill any of their dreams, it was full of characters who were upset of relationships, and their inability to get anything done. There was also a very cool video game that was being written by the main characters brother which was definitly the funniest part of the story. It was an enjoyable book, and much better than most modern fiction I've read lately, but I'm not sure I'm going to rush out and read anything else by Miller.
August 16, 2014
My least favorite of Martin Millar's books. He's funny. Bits of the book are funny - but the main character, Elfish is missing the letter "S" before her name. With it, this could be some sort of morality tale.
I really could have done without the graphic descriptions of sex, and how filthy Elfish got. Without it, well, I guess the title would make way less sense.
Everyone's entitled to a dud, and this one is it for me. I'm sure I'm missing some biting, brilliant commentary on the social order of Brixton and how it's affected the youth.
I really could have done without the graphic descriptions of sex, and how filthy Elfish got. Without it, well, I guess the title would make way less sense.
Everyone's entitled to a dud, and this one is it for me. I'm sure I'm missing some biting, brilliant commentary on the social order of Brixton and how it's affected the youth.
November 6, 2011
Uno dei pregi di questo libro è il saper creare un piccolo universo, dove tutti conoscono tutti e nutrire la lettura di una sorta di empatica e rapida familiarità con i personaggi...
Un libro scritto bene e con il linguaggio di un amico, i personaggi curiosi, fisici, poetici, una trama fatta di piccole grandei gesta... e poi c'è la Regina Mab, la Queen Mab, che vi insegnerà a non "far finire i vostri sogni sulla luna"...
June 2, 2013
This was a hard book to get into. Elfish, the protagonist, is deplorable and I wanted nothing more than to see her fail. Even with that, Elfish is a vehicle of change throughout the boom. The entire cast of characters are in some state of duress until Elfish lies to get her way.
Once I got about halfway through, I had no problem finishing this book. But until that point, I seriously considered not finishing it. Ever.
Once I got about halfway through, I had no problem finishing this book. But until that point, I seriously considered not finishing it. Ever.
July 26, 2011
Disliked the characters and wished they would crack there heads open on the pavement. I think if the main character was likeable ever an shred of humanity in her then I would of been able to enjoy this book, however she was a self-centered bitch that I wish would just die so the world would be a better place.
July 24, 2011
Absurd alt-punk-youth culture, and cool, snappy, and biting.
January 25, 2012
It is kind of weird but funny too.
August 22, 2012
Drugs, Sex and Rock 'n' Roll, what more can I say! Great story.
October 15, 2013
Really fast read; has the hallmarks of Millar; wish I could wipe my brain and reread.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews