Kye

by Lukas Tomin, Alf Van Der Plank (illustrator)

Kye is in many ways the sequel to Ashtrays, Tomin's previous novel. Rather than Paris, where there was an exuberence in indulging oneself, the setting is London, where the organism senses it is out of balance and is acutely aware of its decay. The euphoria has long passed as Kye is unable to break the inertia of his drinking, smoking, and unfulfilled sexual fantasies. As such, Tomin explores the trap exile has become for him, making clear his identity as Czech. Gradually overcome by his impotence to act decisively, Kye reflects on all that was left and lost back there.

Genres: Fiction

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Chris]

Exactly the quality insanity I would have expected Lukas, you sweet mad bastard!

[Hubert]

Finally finished this after many years. Had a copy that I started only reading a few years ago. Was duly impressed with the experimental nature of the writing; Tomin is a Czech author, here writing in a second language, mirroring the dislocation his narrator feels throughout the book. The prose is dreamy, unsettling, the main character lost, but always engaging. Needs to be reread a few times.