The Unlimited Dream Company is unusual for a J.G. Ballard novel in its sense of optimism. Rather than detailing social collapse, it is an exploration of possibility: what we as human beings could achieve without limitations. It delves fully into the fantastical, without any semblance of scientific justification, though this is contrasted with the setting of Shepperton, the village outside London famous for its film studios. In this urban environment, nature becomes a powerful force, transforming the place and the people into something new.
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Our Friends from Frolix 8 is semi-unusual for a Philip K. Dick novel in that’s it’s a relatively straightforward science fiction story. There are none of his trademark interrogations of the nature of reality, or philosophical digressions. However, there is still much food for thought: government control, social inequality, and alien intervention in human affairs. While not a masterpiece, it’s nevertheless a fascinating and enjoyable look into his unique mind.
Eric LaRocca is very much a rising star on the contemporary horror scene. The author of a number of novellas and short story collections, his work is popular on Instagram and TikTok, with thousands of users recommending his work. ‘Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke’ is by far his best-known story, amassing over 38,000 ratings on Goodreads. It is collected in the book of the same name along with two other pieces, ‘The Enchantment’ and ‘You’ll Find It’s Like That All Over’.
Bo Fowler’s debut novel Scepticism Inc. is a satire on the absurd nature of belief. Taking aim at nearly every religious tradition, it pokes fun at blind faith and asks pointed questions about the value of believing in something we can’t prove. It’s hugely inventive, and Fowler squeezes in as many jokes as he can while taking us on a madcap journey that, crucially, has a seriousness at its core.
‘The book is always better than the film’ is an old adage that gets trotted out whenever a well-known novel gets adapted for the screen. But is it always true? Some of the best-regarded films of all time were based on books, and far outstrip their originals in terms of popularity and critical acclaim: The Godfather, Jaws, Psycho, The Wizard of Oz. The James Bond books have nearly all been turned into films, to varying degrees of success, but the 2006 version of the very first – Casino Royale – is seen as one of the best, with a 94% critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an 8/10 on IMDB. So how does the book compare, and does it fit the rule or is it an exception?
I love it when a book surprises me. I was sure I would like Hank Green’s debut novel, An Absolutely Remarkable Thing, but I wasn’t expecting to find it quite so compelling. Hank shares with his brother – YA author John Green – a nerdy sensibility and quirky sense of humour, and those were certainly present in the book, but along with them came political engagement, a sharp critique of social media, and a real anger at the stupidity and violence that we as humans all too often give into.
Everybody knows the name of Jack the Ripper. The notorious serial killer who terrorised the East End of London in 1888 has lived in infamy ever since, in part because he was never caught. But what about his victims? The five women – Polly Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes, and Mary Jane Kelly – have historically been dismissed and ignored, even blamed for their deaths. What Hallie Rubenhold shows in this book is that these women were more than footnotes in the story of a murderer; they were people, and their names deserve to be remembered more than his.
Sarah Singleton is a writer for adults and teenagers whose books tend towards the Gothic. The Amethyst Child, her fourth YA novel, is something of an exception to this, though still tackling dark subject matter. It takes place in the height of a hot, lazy summer, and there are no supernatural or fantastical elements. Instead, it focuses on a very real fear: joining a cult.
Helen Oyeyemi wrote her debut novel The Icarus Girl aged 18, while she was studying for her A-levels. To complete a novel at that age is an achievement alone, but for it to be this assured and confident is even more so. She explores complex, difficult topics in more depth than I’ve read in some novels by authors much older than her, showing wisdom beyond her years. While it has faults, it nevertheless shows an imaginative and talented young mind who would go on to have a successful writing career.
Sequels can be a tricky business, especially if the original work is one as iconic and well-regarded as The Shining. They have to walk a tightrope between living up to the original and being a distinct story in their own right, and it’s a difficult balance to achieve. Fortunately, Stephen King brings his A-game to Doctor Sleep, and in doing so creates a compelling, suspenseful novel that brings the story of The Shining to a satisfying conclusion.
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Atticus Book ReviewsBook reviews and reading recommendations written by volunteers and friends of the shop! |
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