"The Feverhead," by Wolfgang Bauer

Novel, 1966

Surreal novel in the form of a written correspondence between two Austrian friends, whose letters about thermometers, poets, parties of tiny school children and two bodied captains cross each other and are variously intercepted by other characters, including the ubiquitous 'Ulf'. This is a book which starts with zip and humour, but which gets darker as the action ratchets up. The surreal emphasis alienates and does little to help the reader follow a narrative thread which nonetheless appears central to the text, making for a confusing but sporadically rewarding novel.

"Flowers for Algernon," by Daniel Keyes

Novel, 1966

Touching, messy and wonderful story of Charlie Gordon, whose experimented upon as a subject for a process which massively improves IQ. The novel, which is in the form of a first personal journal, is a rich, emotional journey reflecting in love, cruelty and the pains of existence, together with the suffering of people taken out of their familiar surroundings. The book cracks along and is thrilling throughout, with tender scenes along the way, either bang on cue or out of the blue. Certainly worth a read by everyone, not just sci-fi geeks.

"The Crystal World," by JG Ballard

Novel, 1966

Catastrophe novel, in which the African jungle and everything in it crystallises and takes on an eerie suspension, which feels like death. There are plenty of pleasing and striking passages in this book and potency through the involvement of priests, diamond minds, crocodiles, leper colonies and the like, though the overall narrative power suffers, slightly, through the relentless strangeness. A prescient read for those looking for ecological disaster, though it's tricky following and engaging with the full cast of characters.

"Nairn's London," by Ian Nairn

Non-fiction, 1966

Idiosyncratic architectural guide to the capital, in which the excellently opinionated, self-taught Nairn takes the reader on a tour of the notable landmarks, in his eyes, in 1960s London. Descriptions of styles in suburban pubs rub shoulders with churches and the odd stately home and town centre. Nairn often doesn't make an awful lot of sense, but there's a real drive throughout the book, which has more than its fair share of jaw-dropping, satisfying and otherwise memorable moments, most notably when the writer is inclined to more pronounced displays of either joy or disdain.

"Otley," by Martin Waddell

Novel, 1966

Twisting plot concerning small time antiques thief who gets embroiled in espionage and counter espionage. This is a book which spins perhaps an over-sized cast of despots a little too quickly and although well written, doesn't quite do enough to grab and arrest the attention. A tongue in cheek, anti-establishment flavour root it in the time in which it was written. Not a problem, but despite a light, readable feel, the parts don't all add up to an entirely enjoyable whole.