"The Sundial", by Shirley Jackson

Novel, 1958

A book which roars out of the traps, mixing Gothic sensibilities with dark humour, and which builds an intensity through looking at a family house whose inhabitants believe they're going to be saved from purgatory. This is an offbeat and excellent idea for the narrative, which in the main, trips along nicely, although occasionally perhaps gets a little tongue tied and clumsy in places. The comic elements are cruel although very amusing, with a whole host of odd, although often pretty likeable characters.

"Arab Jazz", by Karim Miské

Novel, 2015

While the settings and particularly the characters in the book are a little off-genre, this book is, essentially, a piece of detective fiction. Nothing wrong with that, and at the beginning of the book, the combination of a fairly familiar form and some more contemporary aspects combine to hook the reader. The power diminishes, to some extent, after a high number of popular cultural or religious references and one edgy druggy encounter too many. The whole piece still flows well and is very entertaining. 

"Rain Darling", Merle Collins

Short stories, 1990

Short story collection and a bit of a mixed bag. Of the seven pieces, the three more extended works pack a huge emotional punch, while the remainder feel more like exercises in reportage. The family tragedies in Rain and My Sister Cherish are particularly poignant and hugely moving, with the narrative mixing matter of fact, unsentimental language with some truly heart wrenching scenes and situations. This collection feels as if it's a great introduction to a little known author who can really pull emotions without playing them too obviously.

"One", by David Karp

Novel, 1953

A solid, powerful novel with a hugely Cold War feel, centring around a minor official and state informer who's called to talk over a report he's written. In looking at the fragility of the individual and the individual's place in society, this book tells an effective story. Yes, the settings and action feel claustrophobic, but this adds to the overall atmosphere of estrangement and helplessness. Very much of its time, and if not the most hard hitting dystopian novel, then one which seems to reflect a number of  social truths.

"In Custody" by Anita Desai

Novel, 1984

Entertaining and often very funny story about a small town academic, who after being given the chance to interview a literary hero, finds himself exploited and gradually stripped of the means by which he's keeping his life and sanity together. This is a light, relentless tale using occasionally fairly desperate circumstances to make social points but move the story of Deven's downfall with a deft touch. Wonderfully atmospheric in places, but told with good humour and sparkling with a guide to morals and behaviours.

"The Life and Loves of a She-Devil", by Fay Weldon

Novel, 1983

Uncompromising, unsubtle parable looking at female stereotypes, suppression and power. All very enjoyable too, with the grotesque and phantasmagoric elements just keeping the narrative on a light, readable trajectory; the book doesn't so much preach as elegantly scream and gets its point over so forcibly and with charm and simplicity, it's hard not to see the world through an increasingly twisted anti-heroine's eyes and knives being twisted once backs have been stabbed. A cracking read.

"Identicals" (aka "Brand New-U"), directed Simon Pummell

Movie, 2015

Science-fiction, which starts with a striking idea and concept, then struggles to develop them. Sadly, when it does, the development is a little muddy and the narrative hampered by unclear pacing and action. Possibly a film to be absorbed and 'felt' rather watched purely for enjoyment, but the whole conceit of body swapping and assuming identities may not carry the serious, gloomy tone of the movie as a whole