The Inland Magazine™
Reviews by John Higgins
DO THE BIRDS SING IN HELL? By Horace ‘Jim‘ Greasley Libros International £8.99 This book could have easily been entitled ‘The Adventures of a Stud’ a great deal of the content of this tale is a treatise on the carnal exploits of Horace ‘Jim’ Greasley, albeit, during the period of the Second World War. I suppose it is nice to know that all the vital organs can still work satisfactorily whilst under extreme duress!! It is apparently quite normal to reflect on past deeds when reaching a certain age, reflections during quiet moments with a cheeky grin stretching from ear to ear. Presumably having been given family permission, the story could then be unravelled, and much to writer Ken Scott’s credit an interesting World War Two adventure is produced. Throughout the book the prose displays a human touch, which makes the character of Horace Greasley so believable and identifiable. I personally empathise with him, having had a father who was a survivor of the trenches in the First World War and can recollect the effect it had on him. The true horrors and futility of war, any war, no matter where or when, comes over in a strong manner due to the precise narrative of the author. Once again, on a personal note, I grew up with Jewish people in North London, many of them close friends, and know only too well the horrors of the ghastly time that Mr Greasley must have experienced. All power to him, I wish him well and thank you Mr Scott for skilfully recording events so well.
WIN WIN WIN!!! A signed copy of Do The Birds Sing In Hell? See page 20 for entry details
THE ANGEL’S GAME By Carlos Ruiz Zafon Wiedenfeld & Nicolson £ 14.99 The sequel to the masterpiece Shadow of the Wind is another literary triumph. The Angel’s Game by the wonderfully accomplished Spanish writer Ruiz Zafon, has indeed, been well worth waiting for. Gothic in tone and content, this book grips the reader with all of its twists and turns, weaving a constant web of mystery and intrigue, the word spooky comes to mind. Often books can lose in translation, but not so in this case. Set in Barcelona in the turbulent 1920’s, where once again we are taken back to the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, and the Sempere & Sons bookshop, readers of the Shadow of the Wind will be familiar with these places, as with the heavily atmospheric descriptions of the dark and sinister inner world of Barcelona. David Martin, writing under a pseudonym starts his career at the almost defunct down at heel newspaper oddly named The Voice of Industry, a serialised story City of the Damned which becomes an instant success. However David does not feel fulfilled as a writer in an artistic sense. His bosses treat him in a poor manner; naturally therefore, he is simply looking for more in his life. Soon an opportunity arrives in the guise of Andreas Corelli a sinister character who has his own publishing house in Paris. Corelli offers David a writing proposition with a substantial financial payment up front, and on successful completion, a large final payment. After much deliberation David decides to take up the challenge and lives to regret the decision as a sinister path unravels. Being a survivor of a troubled childhood, David is therefore naturally prone to making many strange decisions in his somewhat chaotic existence, not least his decision to buy a large run down mansion of the city type. Uninhabited for many years, but for all that, had always fascinated David, now in the possession of a large amount of money courtesy of Andreas Corelli, the purchase was made. David has a long and at times turbulent friendship with Pedro Vidal, also a writer, who is on a higher echelon in social terms in Barcelona society. At one point when Vidal is struggling to find his writing inspiration David is there in bizarre way to come to the rescue. It is around this time that David falls recklessly in love with Cristina Sagnier, the daughter of Vidal’s chauffer. Intrigue and romance in the formulation of Gothic darkness in the end leaves the reader in no doubt that they have read another fine piece of literature by Ruiz Zafon, that is of course assuming that Shadow of the Wind has previously been read. A wonderful quote on page twelve deserves highlighting --- Envy is the religion of the mediocre
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