Afterthoughts

Afterthoughts: Atlas of Remote Islands by Judith Schalansky

August 13, 2011 By Rob 1 Comment

In a Nutshell: Finally, a coffee table book that's worth its weight in gold. Well written and beautifully presented, Atlas of Remote Islands is a perfect companion for anyone wishing to escape their dreary surroundings to indulge in a spot of remote … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Afterthoughts, Book Reviews, Feature Story, Translated Fiction, Translated Fiction Afterthoughts Tagged With: Edinburgh Book Festival, Judith Schalansky, Newton First Book Award, Particular Books

Afterthoughts: There Are Little Kingdoms by Kevin Barry

August 3, 2011 By Rob Leave a Comment

In a Nutshell: If you're looking for a sharp, witty and entertaining look at the more marginal side of life on the Emerald Isle, then you won't go far wrong in picking up this collection. With There Are Little Kingdoms Kevin Barry shows himself to be … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Afterthoughts, Book Reviews, Feature Story, Short Fiction, Short Fiction Afterthoughts Tagged With: book review, Kevin Barry, short story collections, short story review, Stinging Fly Press

Afterthoughts: Bristol Short Story Prize Anthology Vol. 3

June 27, 2011 By Rob Leave a Comment

In a Nutshell: Coming with content that always feels fresh and original, this third offering from the Bristol Short Story Prize is about as close to the perfect short story anthology as it's likely to get. There really is something in here for … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Afterthoughts, Book Reviews, Short Fiction, Short Fiction Afterthoughts, short stories Tagged With: Bristol Review of Books, Bristol Short Story Prize, short stories, short story anthology, Valerie O'Riordan

Afterthoughts: The Secret Lives of People in Love by Simon Van Booy

June 22, 2011 By Rob Leave a Comment

In a Nutshell: The Secret Lives of People in Love is one of the most deeply absorbing and touching story collections I've ever read. Van Booy has an incredible ability to find beauty and insight in almost anything, and the way in which he turns those … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Afterthoughts, Book Reviews, Feature Story, Short Fiction, Short Fiction Afterthoughts, short stories Tagged With: Afterthoughts, Beautiful Books, book review, Harper Perennial, short stories, Simon van Booy

Afterthoughts: The Birth Machine by Elizabeth Baines

June 14, 2011 By Rob Leave a Comment

In a Nutshell: A good novel but one, due to the subject matter, that is probably best appreciated by a female audience. Some willpower is needed to stick both with the complexity of an ever increasingly abstract narrative, and a ceaseless bombardment … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Afterthoughts, Book Reviews, General Fiction, General Fiction Afterthoughts Tagged With: Elizabeth Baines, Salt Publishing

Afterthoughts: Earth and Ashes by Atiq Rahimi

September 16, 2010 By Rob 6 Comments

In a Nutshell: Don’t let the small size of this novel put you off. Atiq Rahimi packs an awful lot of story into a small space, and he does so with much elegance and poise. As far from a ‘feel good’ novel as you’re likely to get, Earth and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Afterthoughts, Book Reviews, Feature Story, Translated Fiction, Translated Fiction Afterthoughts Tagged With: Afghan literature, Atiq Rahimi, Chatto and Windus, Erda? Göknar, Other Press, Translated Fiction, translated literature

Afterthoughts: Kapitoil by Teddy Wayne

September 13, 2010 By Rob 5 Comments

In a Nutshell: A very readable novel made all the more enjoyable by the presence of a wonderfully crafted main character. If you think this novel is all about corporations and oil then think again. It’s so much more than that. Highly recommended! … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Afterthoughts, Book Reviews, Feature Story, General Fiction, General Fiction Afterthoughts Tagged With: Duckworth, Forethoughts, Harper Perennial, Teddy Wayne

Afterthoughts: Burning Secret by Stefan Zweig

July 5, 2010 By Rob 12 Comments

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 … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Afterthoughts, Book Reviews, Feature Story, Translated Fiction, Translated Fiction Afterthoughts Tagged With: Afterthoughts, Anthea Bell, Austrian literature, book review, Pushkin Press, Stefan Zweig

Afterthoughts: Mysteries by Knut Hamsun

April 21, 2010 By Rob 6 Comments

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 … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Afterthoughts, Book Reviews, Feature Story, Totally Knut, Translated Fiction, Translated Fiction Afterthoughts Tagged With: knut hamsun, Norwegian literature, Souvenir Press, Totally Knut

Afterthoughts: Extra Ordinary – Words by Supermundane

March 29, 2010 By Rob 1 Comment

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 … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Afterthoughts, Book Reviews, Short Fiction, Short Fiction Afterthoughts Tagged With: Afterthoughts, book review, Present Joys