books
new titles PARANOID FICTION
? Fragile State
David Turner (Citron Press £7.99) it i *
Burning paranoia and nerve-shredding hangovers are Glen McGregor's best friends. Which says a lot about his enemies. Glen is chief protagonist in David Turner’s first novel, a murky tale of government mendacity and personal betrayal.
First, Glen’s girlfriend disappears. Then his military high-flyer best mate Hugh does an Evel Knievel off a cliff in what appears to be suicide. Naturally enough, all is not what is seems.
There follows a trip of fear and self- loathing as rookie writer Glen is drawn into a dark world of government conspiracy and casual murder. With its
- highly-strung plot and neurotic
flashbacks, David Turner's debut, published by new author specialists Citron Press, is a compelling read —
5 though his prickly prose does become over-elaborate on occasion.
It may be interesting to note that Turner was born in East Kilbride and is a former employee of the Ministry of Defence. Decide for yourself which one
has affected him more. (CM)
FAMILY DRAMA The Lazarus Child
Robert Mawson (Bantam £5.99) at t
The LAZARUS CHILD.
‘I lit Hi'i .itlitaluiig liIu-I'Iiatiiiiul Husht'llct'
In Robert Mawson's The Lazarus Chi/d,
; a road accident leaves two children
physically and emotionally traumatised. Despite a failing marriage, the parents
make a trip to Virginia, North America to seek an unorthodox cure. In Nicholas Evans’ The Horse Whisperer, a ! road accident leaves a child and her ' horse physically and emotionally
I traumatised. Despite a failing marriage,
the parents make a trip to Montana, , North America to seek an unorthodox cure. Mmmm . Mawson’s second novel, now in '_ paperback, was unsurprisineg compared to Evans' equine tale, which is probably exactly what the publishers I want. But is it as good? Well, both
books made the international bestseller
STAR RATING-“SW”
l 1* it t it 1r Outstanding I l * * * * Recommended i * * it Worth a try * fir So-so * , . , Poor
lists, but only one of them has received
the Hollywood big screen treatment.
So far. Ultimately, the answer depends on whether you rated Evans' novel. If you did, you’ll be satisfied with The Lazarus Chi/d; if you didn't, steer well clear. (MF)
ESSAY COLLECTION Remembered Rapture:
The Writer At Work
bell hooks (The Women's Press £8.99) * a: a:
bell hooks is Professor of English at
New York’s City College, renowned for her books on race and feminism. By her own admiSSIon she writes a lot, for which she has been criticised, one critic referring to her disparagineg as ’the Joyce Carol Oates of black feminist writing.’
What becomes clear from this collection of essays spanning twenty years is that writing means everything to her: 'I write to live. . . ’; 'writing is my passion'. You get the feeling if she wasn't able to write she would simply Curl up and die.
The essays, wide ranging in scope are primarily about the writer at work, however a degree of repetition is perhaps inevitable given the time span and at times it becomes rather heavy gomg.
Nevertheless she is an impassioned writer, her ideas undoubtedly important. It might be an idea to check out her memOirs Bone Black and Wounds Of Passion first, as the essay on autobiography is the best in this collection. (AS)
URBAN ANTI-ROMANCE
Sucker Lana Citron (Vintage £5.99) 1? * 1r 1% A ’romance for the anti-romantics’, Sucker is love in the 90s, Lana Citron style. Light on tender moments and breathless sighs, heavy on nameless, one night stands and frustrated relationships, the Dubliner’s debut novel concentrates wholly on the manipulative games men and women believe it necessary to play in the name of a stable and/or sexual relationship. In present day London, fOiIr pivotal characters maintain defences against each other and themselves, all the while bending the rules (and truth) to get who they want, then mOVing on to a new conquest. Bea is in search of a
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Authors @ Borders
MARC ALMOND
Borders/List Event
Thursday 22nd April at 7pm
Tainted Love songbird will be reading from and discussing his new book Beautiful Twisted Night
WORLD BOOK DAY FOR CHILDREN
Friday 23rd April — day
Join children’s authors J K Rowling. Steven l’otts. Julie Bertangna, Ann Coburn. Frank Rogers, Joan Lennon and Alexander McCall-Smith who will be visiting throughout the day.
WORLD BOOK DAY EVENING EVENT
Friday 23rd April at 7pm
l’at Kane introduces 5 of Scotland's hottest authors as they discuss their favorite books. With Andrew ()‘Ilagan, Janice Galloway, Meg Henderson, Des Dillon and Don Patterson.
PETER MULLAN
Borders/List Event
Saturday 24th April at 7pm
Award winning actor. and one of Scotland‘s most accomplished directors will be discussing his new lilm Orphans.
PERFORMANCE POETRY
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