books
BOOK
OF THE
MONTH
HALF PLUS SEVEN
Dan Tyte (Parthian Books)
When a book’s front cover makes comparisons between its contents and
renowned writer Charles Bukowski, it’s hard to remain impartial and not go
searching for the root of those comparisons right off the bat. Few pages need
to be turned, however, before it becomes apparent that this debut novel by
up-and-coming Welsh talent Dan Tyte is a marvelous effort in its own right.
The book chronicles the chaotic social and sexual exploits and misgivings of
borderline alcoholic, late twenty-something PR man Bill Dare. Tyte’s razorsharp wit, and penchant for describing down to the grittiest detail the events
that have shaped Dare’s warped psyche, leave you unable to dislike this
character. Narcissistic yet self-loathing, arrogant yet vulnerable, there is something in our troubled
protagonist that most, if not every, young man can relate to.
Lusting after the new office intern, mortally offending those upon whom your employment and
livelihood depend upon, escaping from the abode of the previous night’s conquest; should any of
these scenarios bring about a feeling of de ja vu in you, you’ll no doubt nod your head in mutual
appreciation of Dare’s inner-monologue wonderfully recapturing these most crucial of life’s little
misdemeanors.
Whether cringing because you’ve ‘been there’ or flat out chortling, this book will draw you in, charms
you senseless and take you through the motions. A Bukowski for the modern man in the making,
perhaps? Definitely one to watch. WH Price: £9.99. Info: www.parthianbooks.com
THE SCRAPBOOK
Carly Holmes (Parthian)
Recently showcased at an all-female
edition of Cardiff Literary Salon for
the XX Women’s Writing Festival, Carly
Holmes’ first novel The Scrapbook is an
extremely readable debut. Mysterious,
esoteric and compassionate, The
Scrapbook tells the story of a family of
women haunted by love and absence.
The novel is narrated by Fern, who is
enlisted to seek out her father on behalf
of her embittered mother, Iris. Contained
within Fern’s narrative are extracts from Iris’ scrapbook and
Ivy’s (Fern’s grandmother) letters and spells.
The Scrapbook is a patchwork of one family’s capacity for
love; a family in which abandonment and heartbreak becomes
inherent. Beautifully controlled, the novelist disarms the reader
by showing one family’s passion going from mouth to mouth. LM
Price: £10. Info: www.parthianbook.com
THE SILVER SONGSTERS
@mabjones
April equals spring and brings us many a
live literature thing! On Thurs 3 some vivid
new voices avail themselves of our earholes
at Chapter, Cardiff. Featuring future lit-star,
the brilliant Rhian Elizabeth, it’s certain to
be a great evening. Theatre company Paper
Trails also present thier new site-specific
show Day To Go, a unique bus journey
through Barry, with poetic prose and myth
brought to us by various characters along
the way. Marrying story with place, this
looks to be a highly unusual day trip! The
wheels