"Bleeding Edge," by Thomas Pynchon

Novel, 2014

While tight by Pynchon's standards, this cracked, paranoia-driven novel straddling the attack on New York's twin towers is still a wild assault of almost too many characters, wisecracking, referencing and floating in and out of the central narrative with mysterious dynamism. If things get hard to follow, the quality of the writing, the keen descriptions of geeks, street life and catastrophes are all wonderful. This feels like Pynchon looking to be filmed. The family details are also a great touch, grounding the madness in some tenderness and domestic details. 

"Split", directed by M Night Shyamalan

Movie, 2016

Thriller horror about the abduction of three teenagers by a multiple-personality crank played with some gusto by James McAvoy. A well paced film with some interesting photography and composition, dogged by an all-too predictable back story retold in the mind of the main character, and some pretty exploitative schlock which at times, borders on misogyny. Not great overall, but not bad. The acting pulls the script a few favours, while there are a few tension points which could have been a little better timed. All in all, a fairly enjoyable romp.

"Kindred," by Octavia E Butler

Novel, 1979

A novel following two present day (1979) characters, one of whom is summoned back in time to help an ancestor in peril. A book with an absolutely cracking beginning, which isn't quite sustained, but serves as a great platform for exploring questions of identity, gender and family through contrasting modern times and attitudes to those of America in the time of slavery. The empathy and understanding of the slaves and their masters is striking. The balance between those musings and the storytelling's a fine one - occasionally tipped, but more often than not, well judged.

"Retreat," directed by Carl Tibbets

Movie, 2011

A film which, once it finally gets going, is tense and questioning. For much of the early section, however, the story about a couple grieving and escaping from a miscarriage is a bit of a plod, which never then really ties up with the rest of the narrative. When the set ups half way through the movie start paying off, things get much better. The deserted location, zombie threat and psychopathic peril are all added to by a modern feel. By no means indispensable, but worth getting through the sluggish beginning.