| Author | Message | ||
     Frank (Frank) Username: Frank Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 213.158.199.76 |
I came across a copy of New Terrors Omnibus in a charity shop this summer and have only now had the chance to read it. I was delighted to finally see The Ice Monkey among the contents. I've heard a lot about M. John Harrison's work, but have never had the chance to read anything by him till now. I heard many good things about this story, but didn't know what to expect on account that perhaps too much had been said already...maybe I would find it disappointing, unable to live up to its reputation. Thankfully, it was everything I had been told it was. I can see why the story is often cited as one of the favourites among other writers. It's a writer's writers story, something akin to 'In Cold Blood' as for the amount of saliva spent drooling over the delicious prose, and masterful revelatory power. It moves with such grace, a sinuous beast of a story, that the delicateness by which the ending comes is so carefully orchestrated that it is beautiful, bold and yet...as fine an exponent of tradition and contemporary brilliance all rolled into one. From now on I will be seeking out Mr Harrison's other work. | ||
| Huw (Huw) Username: Huw Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 218.168.189.109 |
Frank, Things That Never Happen is the one to go for, if it's his short stories you're after. I loved 'The Ice Monkey' too! 'The New Rays', 'Running Down' and 'The Great God Pan' are also excellent. I have never read any of his novels, though. I hear they are good... | ||
| Zed (Gary_mc) Username: Gary_mc Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 81.96.240.106 |
What Huw said. Harrison's stuff is strange, elusive, oddly poignant and numinous. | ||
| Des (Des) Username: Des Registered: 06-2008 Posted From: 86.171.167.39 |
Some writers' stuff is so numinous, it don't exist at all. | ||
| Gary Fry (Gary_fry) Username: Gary_fry Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 81.110.23.32 |
I wish Shaun Hutson was numinous. | ||
| Joel (Joel) Username: Joel Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 91.110.169.140 |
The Ice Monkey is one of my favourite books. 'Egnaro' and 'Running Down' in particular are stunning. | ||
| Karim Ghahwagi (Karim) Username: Karim Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 217.10.20.129 |
His novel 'Light' was excellent as well. Have not read the sequel though... |