Get Cracking

I'm close, oh so close, to finishing the first draft of 'Waters Deep.' I reckon that by tomorrow I'll have written the ending, but I then need to go back and add in an extra scene that is required earlier in the book. I think I'll have it finished Friday, if not Monday next week. This is good as I only have three weeks left in India. Better get cracking.

In the meantime, some light book reviews whilst you wait.

***

The Dervish House by Ian McDonald
Like his previous book 'River of Gods' (and his debut) this is sci-fi is set in a country that doesn't always figure high in the standard settings. It deals with a week in Instanbul, a city that sits between technologically advanced Europe and the old mysticism of Asia. A city that is rocked by a terrorist explosion on a tram. It deals with politics, business, corruption, nano-tech and a world accelerating into an uncertain future. Similar to his last work we have multiple view points and stories that at first seem disparate and separate but soon weave together into a central stand. The characterisation is good, but it's the love of the city that is most evident, as it's here the use of language is most eloquent and visually resonant.
A good follow up to RoG, but I wonder how many other emerging city/states can be used.

Fish + Chocolate by Kate Brown
Three short comics from Kate Brown of Warren Ellis' 'Freakangels' fame. These are explorations of womanhood, or young motherhood to be precise. The stories are simple tales, nicely executed with sparse dialogue. The real charm is the art work. Simple lines with emerging shadows and well spaced panes. It has the same colour theme as 'Freakangels', but this just adds to the slight undercurrent of weird happenings. Her drawings of the female characters are brilliant, no over compensating male fantasies, but beautiful natural modern woman.

Signal by Paul Duffield
Again of 'Freakangels' fame. This comic has no words and consists of just nine colour plates. Large format, lush and perfectly executed. The work is partially dedicated to Carl Sagan, so I'm sure there are reference and nuances I'm not getting, but anything this amazing I'm pleased to look at again and again.

Read this week:
The Dervish House by Ian McDonald
Fish + Chocolate by Kate Brown
Signal by Paul Duffield

Swallowed a Stoat.

I've hit my writing target for the day, so before I go and do my reading, here is an update on last weeks trip.

Edinburgh - Turned out I had no time at all in Edinburgh to do anything that I planned. I was meant to be going down to the Cameo (my favourite cinema in town) and the Filmhouse (a very close second) to catch up all the films I've been missing here in India. This never happened. Instead I spent most of my time shuttling between interviews for job prospects. This seems to have turned out good in the end as I've accepted a new job with a company I admire - good news for me, and a relief for Madame Vin.
I did get along to the Edinburgh Secret Society's seance for the spirit of the magician Lafeyette, of which I've already written.

Nottingham - I came down with a cold and spent most of my time trying not to get too close to friends and family, and snorting into my handkerchief with watering eyes and a throat that felt like I swallowed a stoat.
I did get to see the new Pirates of the Caribbean movie, which wasn't bad. Not as good as the first, but substantially better than the last one.

London - At last I felt a little better and just in time as my Dad was in town and together we went to see the Doctor. I spent a bit of time with him and he even let me have a go at flying the TARDiS. True to form, I left the breaks on.

Me trying to look cool in the TARDiS. Taken by the Doctor.

I saw a small exhibition of the work of Paul Duffield of Freakangels and Kate Brown (of the same) at Orbital Comics.

We went to Greenwich and stepped along the Prime Meridian.

Dad then departed, so I went to see the 'Under The Damp Earth' exhibition which features the work of Stuart Kolakovic, at NoBROW.

And finally ended up seeing Much Ado About Nothing at the Wyndham Theatre featuring the 10th Doctor and Donna - both of whom, were excellent.

Not bad for three weeks. Now, back to 'Waters Deep.'