A book collection by John Travis! Log Out | Topics | Search
Moderators | Edit Profile

RAMSEY CAMPBELL » Discussion » A book collection by John Travis! « Previous Next »

Author Message
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Des (Des)
Username: Des

Registered: 06-2008
Posted From: 86.166.189.17
Posted on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 - 12:52 pm:   

travis

Mostly Monochrome Stories
by John Travis
The ExaggeratedPress 2009
================================================
I anticipate many here loving this book, including me!
Having just bought this book, I intend to write one of my real-time reviews here: http://weirdmonger.blog-city.com/mostly_monochrome_stories__by_john_travis.htm
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Zed (Gary_mc)
Username: Gary_mc

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 213.219.8.243
Posted on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 - 12:54 pm:   

I posted this elsewhere but it bears repeating:

I'm a big admirer of Travis's unique work. He combines humour with the fantastic in a way that is intriguing and often creepy as hell. There's also a nice dose of surrealism in his stuff. The closest comparison I can think of is the TV series "One Foot in the Grave", and I know JT is a huge fan. His stories - stories about things like haunted sausages, haunted slippers and talking animals - have the same unsettling humour.

Highly recommended.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Mick Curtis (Mick)
Username: Mick

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 194.106.220.19
Posted on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 - 01:32 pm:   

This is excellent news. John was telling us about this at last year's FantasyCon. In fact, when I asked him if he was doing a reading last year, he said no, but that if his book came out during 2009 he would give a reading at 09's FCon...
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Allybird (Allybird)
Username: Allybird

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 79.70.70.206
Posted on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 - 01:49 pm:   

Just started dipping in. Really like The Other Exhibition – so surreal and Dance of the Selves -good and very weird.

John read for the first time at an event in Penistone last year and he is so good at it - perhaps he will read at Fantasycon.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Des (Des)
Username: Des

Registered: 06-2008
Posted From: 86.166.189.17
Posted on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 - 05:05 pm:   

Well, I've now reviewed the first two stories.
Anyone heard of a group called the Pixies?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Mick Curtis (Mick)
Username: Mick

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 86.177.13.44
Posted on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 - 05:16 pm:   

Anyone heard of a group called the Pixies?

On here, I'd say at least gcw, Zed and me...
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Zed (Gary_mc)
Username: Gary_mc

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 213.219.8.243
Posted on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 - 05:34 pm:   

Yes, and JT is a massive fan - he and I have discussed the merits of "Surfa Rosa" over "Trompe le Monde" on several occasions.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Mick Curtis (Mick)
Username: Mick

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 86.177.13.44
Posted on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 - 05:54 pm:   

Erm, where can I buy this book? I've not heard of Exaggerated Press and I'm unable, with a cursory search, to find their site.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Weber_gregston (Weber_gregston)
Username: Weber_gregston

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 194.176.105.47
Posted on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 - 06:01 pm:   

Very good band the pixies. Where is My Mind is a cracking tune (although I think Placebo did it better)
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Zed (Gary_mc)
Username: Gary_mc

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 213.219.8.243
Posted on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 - 06:12 pm:   

Mick - it's only available on Lulu.com, or from JT direct.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Des (Des)
Username: Des

Registered: 06-2008
Posted From: 86.166.189.17
Posted on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 - 06:12 pm:   

Mick, according to this book (that I bought direct from John), it is run by my old friend Terry Gates Grimwood (who had a great story in Nemonymous One in 2001) - and the email addres in this book is:
terrygatesgrimwood@msn.com
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Stu (Stu)
Username: Stu

Registered: 04-2008
Posted From: 86.29.105.4
Posted on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 - 06:35 pm:   

Hey, everyone. I wanted to be the first to announce that John Travis has got a new -- Oh. Never mind.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Mick Curtis (Mick)
Username: Mick

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 86.177.13.44
Posted on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 - 07:43 pm:   

Cheers Zed & Des - I've just emailed John to see about buying it direct from him.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Mick Curtis (Mick)
Username: Mick

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 86.177.13.44
Posted on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 - 09:21 pm:   

...and sorted.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Des (Des)
Username: Des

Registered: 06-2008
Posted From: 86.166.189.17
Posted on Thursday, May 28, 2009 - 11:20 pm:   

Here is a quote from this book (in a story that was first published in 2006):
"Looking from the windows I saw a group of men and women attacking a man in an expensive suit. Looking closely I recognised him as the local MP. That made me laugh, at least.”


I've now reviewed the first five stories.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Zed (Gary_mc)
Username: Gary_mc

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 81.96.241.143
Posted on Monday, June 01, 2009 - 12:04 am:   

Just ahead of you in reading this collection, des, and I have to disagree regarding
"The Arse of Dracula". I thought it was hilarious; the final coda made me laugh out loud.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Steve Bacon (Stevebacon)
Username: Stevebacon

Registered: 09-2008
Posted From: 90.208.112.230
Posted on Monday, June 01, 2009 - 12:18 am:   

The story 'Nothing' (which I think was also originally in Nemonymous) is heartbreaking. The sense of bereavement really struck a chord.

'The Strainer' unsettled my stomach (you'll know if you read it).
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Des (Des)
Username: Des

Registered: 06-2008
Posted From: 217.43.30.36
Posted on Tuesday, June 02, 2009 - 04:28 pm:   

I've now completed my review:
http://weirdmonger.blog-city.com/mostly_monochrome_stories__by_john_travis.htm
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Huw (Huw)
Username: Huw

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 218.168.191.95
Posted on Thursday, June 04, 2009 - 11:23 am:   

I'm probably the odd one out with this, but 'Doolittle' was always my favourite Pixies album. I love 'Bossanova' too. At the beginning of the '90s all my friends were raving about Nirvana and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and I was constantly trying to explain to them how the Pixies and Jane's Addiction were so much more original and talented...
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Zed (Gary_mc)
Username: Gary_mc

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 213.219.8.243
Posted on Thursday, June 04, 2009 - 11:29 am:   

When Kurt Cobain first heard Pixies, he knew immediately what he wanted Nirvana to sound like. I remember when Smells Like Teen Spirit first came on the radio; I thought it was a new Pixies song.

Doolittle is one hell of an album, Huw. I fluctuate between that and Surfa Rosa being the best.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Huw (Huw)
Username: Huw

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 218.168.191.95
Posted on Thursday, June 04, 2009 - 11:57 am:   

Me too, to be honest - Surfer Rosa and Come On Pilgrim (I have them on one disc) make for an amazing album. I wasn't so fond of the very late stuff, but even that is much better than most other bands' best efforts.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Steveduffy (Steveduffy)
Username: Steveduffy

Registered: 05-2009
Posted From: 86.156.195.99
Posted on Thursday, June 04, 2009 - 12:31 pm:   

Doolittle for me, though SR/COP is also fine. Quiet bit / LOUD BIT is an enduring style!
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Zed (Gary_mc)
Username: Gary_mc

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 213.219.8.243
Posted on Thursday, June 04, 2009 - 12:32 pm:   

Pixies are unique - in the true sense of the word. You know a Pixies song from the opening bars. I can't think of any other band I can say that about...
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Gary Fry (Gary_fry)
Username: Gary_fry

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 86.26.61.140
Posted on Thursday, June 04, 2009 - 01:04 pm:   

Black Lace.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Zed (Gary_mc)
Username: Gary_mc

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 213.219.8.243
Posted on Thursday, June 04, 2009 - 01:49 pm:   

You and cool live on different streets, don't you? Nay, different planets.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Gary Fry (Gary_fry)
Username: Gary_fry

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 86.26.61.140
Posted on Thursday, June 04, 2009 - 02:07 pm:   

Yeah, but my neighbourhood is chav free.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Zed (Gary_mc)
Username: Gary_mc

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 213.219.8.243
Posted on Thursday, June 04, 2009 - 02:11 pm:   

It was before you moved in.

(Oh, bull's eye, sir. Bull's eye.)
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Gary Fry (Gary_fry)
Username: Gary_fry

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 86.26.61.140
Posted on Thursday, June 04, 2009 - 02:32 pm:   

You is well out ov order, man. You is disrespecting me. I could sue you for that, for real.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Allybird (Allybird)
Username: Allybird

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 80.47.90.63
Posted on Thursday, September 17, 2009 - 10:02 pm:   

Trying to catch up with books and have just been reading Mostly Monochrome Stories by John Travis. Excellent collection. Three really caught my attention...Dance of the Selves..The Other Exhibition and Ode to Hermes #54. It will be on the Screaming Dreams table at Fantasycon tomorrow.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

John Llewellyn Probert (John_l_probert)
Username: John_l_probert

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 194.176.105.47
Posted on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 - 09:32 am:   

Just wanted to mention here, as I think I did very loudly in the curry house, that after Mr Travis recommended it to us, I dragged Kate off for a private JLP performance of The Arse of Dracula, which is absolutely one of the funniest and most affectionate movie tributes I have ever read. Partly in a West Country accent.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Kate (Kathleen)
Username: Kathleen

Registered: 09-2009
Posted From: 93.96.181.75
Posted on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 - 12:00 pm:   

Yes, it was brilliant - both from the reading and the performance. I was in stitches.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Steve Jensen (Stevej)
Username: Stevej

Registered: 07-2009
Posted From: 82.0.77.233
Posted on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 - 12:18 pm:   

Gawd, I always miss out on the best things *cries*...I'm still laughing at Lord P consoling the 'woman' who read his Coffin Nails:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VL-0Re9zCQA



I'd have loved to have seen John's performance, and the awards presentation. :-(
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Gcw (Gcw)
Username: Gcw

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 86.156.38.102
Posted on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 - 06:42 pm:   

Johns' book was one of the (many) I picked up, it looks great frankly -looking forward to reading it!

gcw
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Martin Roberts (Martin_roberts)
Username: Martin_roberts

Registered: 06-2008
Posted From: 86.5.239.91
Posted on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 - 11:27 pm:   

Thanks for posting my video links Steve... I only wish I'd had the chance to capture John's reading.

At least I got to see most of it whilst waiting to close down another room on the 10th floor.

I've got a few more video clips of the awards to add, but I've just ran out of steam this evening - first day back at work.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Steve Jensen (Stevej)
Username: Stevej

Registered: 07-2009
Posted From: 82.0.77.233
Posted on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 - 11:41 pm:   

Thank you for filming the ceremony, Martin - seeing as I couldn't attend FCon, I'm really grateful that you made the videos available. :-)
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Martin Roberts (Martin_roberts)
Username: Martin_roberts

Registered: 06-2008
Posted From: 86.5.239.91
Posted on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 - 11:46 pm:   

No problem Steve... and I just realised we seem to have hijacked John's thread about his short story collection... but I'm guessing he'll let me off since I brought this on Sunday
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Allybird (Allybird)
Username: Allybird

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 80.47.222.21
Posted on Monday, October 12, 2009 - 09:30 pm:   

I managed to catch a few readings but I missed John's story - double damn.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Ian Alexander Martin (Iam)
Username: Iam

Registered: 10-2009
Posted From: 99.199.107.118
Posted on Monday, October 12, 2009 - 09:56 pm:   

I'm reading this collection next.

Mr. Travis' first novel The Terror and the Tortoiseshell is coming out in March next year. Simultaneous to that is John Llewellyn Probert's <s>Fifth</s> Fifth Collection of stories: Wicked Delights. Both are hardbacks and both can be pre-ordered from Atomic Fez Publishing.

So, you see, it all gets wrapped up and back together again: it started with John, then John got involved, then we mentioned John again, and now they're all in this post. Isn't it wonderful? Let's have a group hug.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Allybird (Allybird)
Username: Allybird

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 80.47.222.21
Posted on Monday, October 12, 2009 - 10:43 pm:   

Glasses raised to both Johns!
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Des (Des)
Username: Des

Registered: 06-2008
Posted From: 81.155.31.72
Posted on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 - 02:55 pm:   

Are there any other reviews of the Travis book - and the Grimwood one - (both ExagerratedPress) - oher than my reviews of them?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Allybird (Allybird)
Username: Allybird

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 80.43.214.156
Posted on Sunday, December 20, 2009 - 12:52 pm:   

Just seen one about MM!
http://www.kissthewitch.co.uk/seinundwerden/monochrome.html

Add Your Message Here
Post:
Bold text Italics Underline Create a hyperlink Insert a clipart image

Username: Posting Information:
This is a private posting area. Only registered users and moderators may post messages here.
Password:
Options: Enable HTML code in message
Automatically activate URLs in message
Action:

Topics | Last Day | Last Week | Tree View | Search | Help/Instructions | Program Credits Administration