Afterthoughts: Burning Secret by Stefan Zweig

In a Nutshell: Written with pin sharp perception and translated by one of best in the business (Anthea Bell), Burning Secret is likely to give you one of your most incredible reading experiences ever.
*****
A few years ago Vienna-born Stefan Zweig was largely unknown (the fact that he tragically took his own life [...]

Afterthoughts: Mysteries by Knut Hamsun

In a Nutshell: Dense and somewhat odd, Mysteries is a novel best suited to the more patient and thoughtful reader. Perseverance with this one can bring reward however, as Mysteries emerges as one of those few novels which has the ability to change a person after reading.
*****
Well dear reader I’m done and dusted with [...]

Afterthoughts: Extra Ordinary – Words by Supermundane

Produced by indy publishing house Present Joys, Extra Ordinary: Words by Supermundane (real name Rob Lowe), is a publication that certainly rings true to its name. Contained within a 20 page booklet are 55 ‘micro dramas’, which are probably best described as extremely short pieces of flash fiction, much in the same vein as [...]

Afterthoughts: A Life Apart by Neel Mukherjee

In a Nutshell: Despite suffering slightly from being overambitious in its scope, this is a stunning debut novel from Neel Mukherjee – one which throbs with poetic and cultural resonance.
And so I’ve come to the end of what has been something of a remarkable journey with Neel Mukherjee’s A Life Apart (Constable & Robinson), [...]

Afterthoughts: The House of the Mosque by Kader Abdolah

In a Nutshell: Once read never forgotten, The House of the Mosque is one of these rare titles that both nurtures the soul and informs at the same time. It’s perfect for those wishing to learn a little about one of Iran’s most tumultuous periods, without getting bogged down in scholarly text.
Before I began [...]

Afterthoughts: All That I Have by Castle Freeman

In a Nutshell: Although All That I Have won’t win any prizes for being an all-out action-packed thrillfest any time soon, it stands out as being a very well written crime thriller which comes with delicious literary undertones and a delightful infusion of ‘small town’ philosophy. Very highly recommended!
Well, All That I Have (Duckworth) [...]

Afterthoughts: Soothing Music for Stray Cats by Jayne Joso

In a Nutshell: Soothing Music for Stray Cats turns out to be an absolute gem of a novel. Fresh, invigorating, engaging – and coming with one of the most triumphantly realised characters out there – Joso’s novel stands as a prime example of why readers should never shy away from the literary creations of [...]

Afterthoughts: Bequest by Anna Shevchenko

Worth its weight in Cossack gold or nothing but a pile of old slagheap?

Afterthoughts: ‘Killer’ by Dave Zeltserman

Once a hitman, always a hitman? Time to find out in Zeltserman’s latest noir novel, Killer, published by Serpent’s Tail

Afterthoughts: The inaugural quartet from Madras Press

Rob’s back and I’m kicking things off with my afterthoughts on the opening quartet from ‘new kid on the block’, Madras Press

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