Perverted by Language: Fiction Inspired by The Fall

by Peter Wild

Mechanical ducks, shark women that taste of liquorice, perverted sexual shenanigans in cramped office spaces, double-crossing Nazi apologists, bald-headed cultural subversives and celebrity deer-culling—this is just a glimpse into the wonderful and frightening world of Perverted by Language. Twenty-three writers choose a song by The Fall and use it as inspiration for a short story. Kicking off with Niall Griffiths' scalding take on the 1978 single, ‘Bingo Master's Break-out’, the book culminates with Rebbecca Ray's devilishly saucy take on ‘I Can Hear The Grass Grow’.

Genres: Music, Fiction, Short Stories

Paperback

First published January 31, 2008

Reviews

[Tyler · Rating 1 out of 5]

The only really good story in this collection is "The Man Whose Head Expanded" by Steve Aylett. It's worth reading for that alone but the others are pants.

[Gary Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very fun, slightly uneven collection of short stories (very) loosely based on songs by Manchester stalwarts: the Fall. There were a few stories that missed their mark (or were simply boring) -- which is to be expected from any sort of anthology -- but, all-in-all, it was a fun experiment to have observed.
Alas, no one took on "Eat Y'self Fitter."

I've heard tale that there is a Sonic Youth version in the works. I've never been much of a fan of SY, so I'll probably skip that one, but it will be interesting to see what other bands might be taken on in the future.

I guess Morrissey/the Smiths would be an obvious choice...

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Fall has a distinct and changeable mood, a repetition of changing sameness, the slow drawl of a grunting screech. These stories, uneven and provocative, occasionally hit the target, but never the Mark E. Some finely crafted, others more slop across the floor. Outstanding - Matt Beaumont's "Contraflow" and Nicholas Royle's "Iceland." Poor - Niall Griffiths' "Bingo Master's Breakout" and Carlton Mellick's "City Hobgoblins." Still an exciting project, well received.

[William · Rating 3 out of 5]

A group of writers each choose a song by The Fall, and write a short story based on the title alone. When you think about it, their songs are perfect for this little experiment. A couple of the stories bring the great Roald Dahl to mind, whilst others...don't. It's a hit and miss collection that at times has little to no link with the band at all, but at the end of the day, there's some decent material here, so who cares?

[Addie Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

short stories based on the songs of The Fall? yes, please. I couldnt really ask for more.

[sean · Rating 3 out of 5]

It had it's highs, it had it's lows. Cool concept for a collection of short stories.