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Recent Reads

The Iron Dragon’s Daughter, by Michael Swanwick. A Cracking little read, this one, bonkers and brave and brash. Totally slaps anyone who suspects ‘gritty’ fantasy is a new thing. This book doesn’t shy away from adult language and themes (war, racism, sexism), and has a pleasing mish-mash of aesthetics, from the gentle veneer of the fae, to the harsh industrial landscape – all mixed with a spot of college antics and sex. Quite likely a deliberate attempt to upset some section of the genre readership – which you’ve got to love, right?

The Man Who Was Thursday, by G. K. Chesterton. A very eccentric metaphysical romp, where the narrative and dialogue is almost entirely a soapbox for philosophy and religion, thoughts on good and evil, spot the anarchist and whatnot. A little underwhelming, but I still enjoyed it. (Would love to have seen Calvino write this novel.)

Next up, American Gods, by Neil Gaiman. I’m actually about a hundred pages in, and rather seduced by its beautiful madness.

Keyword related posts:

  1. Recent Reads
  2. On Re-Reads
  3. The Alexandria Quartet
12
Feb 2010
AUTHOR Mark Newton
CATEGORY

discussions, genre stuff

COMMENTS 13 Comments
  • http://bluelullaby.blogspot.com Aishwarya

    Glad you liked the Swanwick book – it’s an old favourite of mine. I’m a bit embarrassed by the fact that I have never read The Man Who Was Thursday…clearly this must be put right.

  • http://jonathandanz.wordpress.com Jonathan

    American Gods is sweet. I listened to the audiobook and just went along for the ride. Gaiman takes you places you don’t expect to go and it’s awesome! Enjoy.

  • http://alexdraven.org.uk Alex Draven

    I’d quite forgotten The Iron Dragon’s Daughter until you just mentioned it – I read it years ago, and – I should dig that out for a re-read, shouldn’t I?

    Enjoy American Gods!

  • http://www.drewbowling.com Drew Bowling

    How were you introduced to Chesterton? He’s more or less a forgotten literary genius, but he’s experiencing something of a renaissance. The Man Who Was Thursday is one of my favorite novels. Reads as though Ian Fleming and Kafka sat down, did acid, and wrote a surreal thriller.

    American Gods is another favorite of mine. Enjoy!

  • http://blog.markcnewton.com Mark C Newton

    Aishwarya – everyone has a list o’ shame.

    Jonathan – I’ve heard a few people praise the audiobook so perhaps I should investigate.

    Alex – definitely worth a re-read.

    Drew – he’d been on my reading list for some time, but only recently made it to the top. I’m interested enough to read more – which would you suggest people read next?

  • http://www.pornokitsch.com Jared

    The Swanwick is also a favorite of mine… I’d never thought of the ‘deliberately offensive’ theory, but I really like it, and that makes me like the book even more.

  • http://philsrandommusings.blogspot.com Phillip

    ooh recent reads, well, The Gun Seller by Hugh Laurie and Fallen Angels by Mike Lee. Have you read Laurie’s book? If not, get a copy and read it. You can thank me later :)

  • http://blog.markcnewton.com Mark C Newton

    Jared – yeah, I think I’ll always have a soft spot for books that say ‘No’ to whatever is comforting. It’s even more pertinent these days.

    Phillip – I’ve not, no. My reading pile is huge at the moment, and for some reason, I never really like that much comedy in my fiction.

  • http://philsrandommusings.blogspot.com Phillip

    I wouldn’t classify it as comedy though I realise I’m alone in this. The books strikes me as a rather dark spy novel told from the perspective of a man with a wicked sense of humour…is that comedy? I think not.

  • http://fantasyliterature.com/ Kat @ FanLit

    I must be “some section of the genre readership” because I couldn’t enjoy the Swanwick book (or at least the second half). I felt like I was missing some necessary neurochemical enhancement.

    The audiobook is a nice format for American Gods. (Another book which fell apart for me at the end.)

  • http://seaks.blogspot.com Bryce (seak)

    I read The Man Who Was Thursday last year and really enjoyed it. Like you said, Mark, it’s not anything that blows you away, but I was laughing most of the way through.

  • http://blog.markcnewton.com Mark C Newton

    Phillip: Comedy and darkness are, occasionally, interchangeable, I suspect.

    Kat: Two books that didn’t work? You’re a hard lady to please.

    Bryce: Yeah – Chesterton’s style is admirable in how it leaves you with a chuckle.

  • Rae

    I loved The Iron Dragon’s Daughter. I recommend Dragons of Babel, also by Swanwick and set in the same world.