Newsletter: The End Of April
But still a lot to say
Personal News From The Realm Of Drinky
I cook a lot, and enjoy new recipes. The other night I made a fig, date and orange pudding. I didn’t expect much but it was really nice, I must do it again! I had cut the sugar and fat in half (I thought the recipe would be too sweet), and the end result was better for it.
Many of you know I also enjoy computer and board games. I have a freebie! A copy of Terraforming Mars on Steam, along with two expansions. If you want it, just reply to this email and tell me. I’ll draw names from a hat on Fri 2nd May. If you are a paid subscriber, I’ll enter your name in the hat twice.
I attended an anti-racism demo at the weekend. It was positive, despite a group of racists screaming and shouting at us. Then they started fighting with each other and got arrested! Such idiots. On my other blog I’ve written about green spaces and national parks, and some interesting mobile phone options.
Dolly has been improving, and we are taking her for a check-up later today. Hopefully her blood sugar levels and other vitals are more where they should be. She is on my lap, a warm bundle of fur, as I write this.
Karl’s Review Corner
A wonderful review of Lost Solace Five Book Edition:
“The main stories are beautifully written, non-stop, exhausting action with a bit of fantasy and horror that center around a single protagonist and a couple Artificial Intelligence partners, without ever getting stale. It's quite intimate and off-times funny.
Each of the novellas could stand alone, but certainly add to the understanding and flesh out some of the back story very nicely.
The treatment of the powerful Artificial Intelligence characters through the stories is so well done. There are some really funny bits and a lot to think about with respect to AI and how difficult it would be for a computer to effectively represent a human. Just understanding humour is a huge task that the AI has a lot of trouble mastering with all its subtleties.
I would recommend Lost Solace to anyone who enjoys science fiction.”
Book News
I had a fun email a while ago, about Turner.
“Dear Karl,
I wanted to share my experience reading "Turner." While the story is masterfully crafted and morbidly fascinating, I've made the decision to pause at the scene where Spotty ventures into the cold while Turner reviews his old files.
I felt thoroughly traumatised by some of the scenes. The way you've constructed the character of the "lord" and the psychological elements reminds me of Joost Merloo's work on psychological manipulation in "Rape of the Mind." The story has managed to plant itself deeply in my subconscious, even affecting my dreams. I can't shake the feeling that your "secret words" might now be buried in my mind.
"Turner" made me think of Thomas Tryon's "The Other" and Carlos Somoza's "The Athenian Murders" - while those aren't strictly horror, there are some 'thematic resonances'.
I look forward to exploring your science fiction works instead, and perhaps one day I'll return to finish those final pages of "Turner"..
Best regards”
That gave me pause for thought! I always reply to considered emails, and this was my response:
“Oh no, I apologise sincerely, I never meant to do more than make people feel uncomfortable suspense (for a period, until the suspense is eased). And I never think people should read a book that goes past the level that is acceptable to the reader.
The technique I used was the same as in the film Pan's Labyrinth. Show some gruesome things, and then pull back and just imply – letting the reader's imagination fill in the gaps (and so they think it is worse than what appears; I like the reader to do a lot of the work in my books). Because I sometimes hold back I have seen reviews that say Turner "isn't scary", "not a horror", so it is impossible to find a balance that suits everyone. I just try not to be gratuitous. :-) But threat is an element of many of my books. It is barely present in my realistic literary relationship/romance books (Cold Fusion 2000 and 2000 Tunes), but in my social/literary collection It Will Be Quick some of the themes (especially about childbirth) can be disturbing, even if the overall message is hope and love, and overcoming hurt done by others.
Regarding Turner, I do remember my first review, and it had a good bit about Spotty. I had better not explain why due to spoilers, just in case you read it, but again it was a reader being pleasantly surprised after fearing the worst.
"I look forward to exploring your science fiction works instead"
Lost Solace is my key series, with the biggest number of lovely fans. However, book 3 is distressing, and although most readers read on because they cared, I remember one said he couldn't read on. Which, to me, is a surprise as I thought I was being restrained, and most things were implied with only one horrible scene, and the rest suspense, but obviously we're all different. :-) Books 4 and 5 are light relief by comparison. And it's a shame for that fan who couldn't read it, as it has some of the most speculative, cosmic SF I've written at the end. :-)
The spin-off Lost Tales are probably easier to read, and kind of standalones, but may make more sense if you have read the main books. Though I think Afua and Clarissa both stand alone really well, and Afua is more of a pleasant adventure romp on a jungle planet. I'm happy to email you a copy for free, to make up for Turner! Just let me know.
Harvest Festival is also a slightly sci-fi novella (though I hide that from the description). Non-stop action, and I think it is just a nice story of family resilience, but maybe that has dark elements too. Think of the film Signs, but slightly more worrying aliens. Again, if you like the sound of it, I can email you a copy.
What you said is very interesting. I guess I did my job too well. :-)
Best wishes, and a final apology,
Karl”
It wasn’t the end, because life is full of plot twists! I heard back:
“Haha no apology required, nobody forced me to do anything, and I do like the genre a lot! You did your job very well. Looking forward to a good Sci fi read soon ;) Aha I finished Turner - thank you, I'll sleep better tonight I think!! 😁”
A happy ending, just like the best stories.
May May make you merry,
Karl
I'm pleased to hear Dolly is feeling better 🐈