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Tollesbury Time Forever
Tollesbury Time
Nothing is real
And there's nothing
To get hung about
sing the children...
In September 2008 I accompanied the police as they entered a house in Tollesbury. I was a psychiatric nurse at the time. The owner of the house was one of my patients. He had not been seen for two weeks - neither had his wife or his son.
What I saw that evening will stay with me forever. On the walls of the lounge, in tiny, neat black writing, were thousands and thousands of words. The torch beams picked them out as if they were groups of well-ordered flies. The words continued up the stairway, onto the landing walls and into the main bedroom. I had been in the house before and had seen some of the writing upstairs. Still I was mesmerised.
What you are about to read are the words that I saw on those walls...
Tollesbury Time
Nothing is real
And there's nothing
To get hung about...
Nothing is real
And there's nothing
To get hung about
sing the children...
In September 2008 I accompanied the police as they entered a house in Tollesbury. I was a psychiatric nurse at the time. The owner of the house was one of my patients. He had not been seen for two weeks - neither had his wife or his son.
What I saw that evening will stay with me forever. On the walls of the lounge, in tiny, neat black writing, were thousands and thousands of words. The torch beams picked them out as if they were groups of well-ordered flies. The words continued up the stairway, onto the landing walls and into the main bedroom. I had been in the house before and had seen some of the writing upstairs. Still I was mesmerised.
What you are about to read are the words that I saw on those walls...
Tollesbury Time
Nothing is real
And there's nothing
To get hung about...
227 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2007
95 people are currently reading
1924 people want to read
About the author
Stuart Ayris
17 books134 followersI was born in the Summer of 1969 in Dagenham, just on the border of East London. School was largely unproductive so his early adult years were spent putting up stalls at Romford Market, working in a record shop, gardening and road sweeping.
After resigning from an insurance company to play in a band, I found myself unemployed for two years in the early nineties. In 1997, I qualified as a psychiatric nurse.
I am the author of the following novels:
Tollesbury Time Forever (2012)
The Bird That Nobody Sees (2012)
I Woke Up This Morning (2013)
The Buddhas of Borneo (2013)
The Magical Tragical Life of Edward Jarvis Huggins (2014)
Elysian Wonderland (2015)
Merzougaville, Baby (2015)
Albion Calling (2016)
Bolivian Rhapsody (2018)
This Awful Small Mercy of Miss Miriam Mallone (2022)
The Truth About Trees (Exp 2024/5)
Catalonia Tryptico Blues (Work in progress)
In terms of writing, my heroes are Jack Kerouac, John Steinbeck, James Joyce Kris Kristofferson, Bob Dylan and Tom Waits.
Please do get in touch if you would like to discuss anything about my novels or if I can be of any help at all!
After resigning from an insurance company to play in a band, I found myself unemployed for two years in the early nineties. In 1997, I qualified as a psychiatric nurse.
I am the author of the following novels:
Tollesbury Time Forever (2012)
The Bird That Nobody Sees (2012)
I Woke Up This Morning (2013)
The Buddhas of Borneo (2013)
The Magical Tragical Life of Edward Jarvis Huggins (2014)
Elysian Wonderland (2015)
Merzougaville, Baby (2015)
Albion Calling (2016)
Bolivian Rhapsody (2018)
This Awful Small Mercy of Miss Miriam Mallone (2022)
The Truth About Trees (Exp 2024/5)
Catalonia Tryptico Blues (Work in progress)
In terms of writing, my heroes are Jack Kerouac, John Steinbeck, James Joyce Kris Kristofferson, Bob Dylan and Tom Waits.
Please do get in touch if you would like to discuss anything about my novels or if I can be of any help at all!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
November 10, 2014
Be prepared for this novel to take you on a roller coaster of a ride! It's an amazing, poetical, whimsical gem of a book.
When Simon Anthony falls into a drunken stupor on the salt marshes near his home village of Tollesbury and tries to drown himself he is transported to an earlier, simpler time where he learns some truths about himself and how he wants to live his life. The tale is told as if in a dream or a drug induced trip with lovely lyrical writing and a sprinkling of references to rock music, particularly of the Beatles. There are some lovely scenes involving children reciting stories and poetry as well as a wonderful village cricket match. Hard to say too much more about it without giving the plot away except that it offers an alternative view of mental illness as being just another way of looking at life.
"For there is no schizophrenia and there is no depression; no bi-polar disorder, personality disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder. There is just life and trying to get through it. That is all. Look past the drugs and past the diagnosis, look deeper than the despair and higher than the highs - and what you have is a soul that needs embracing, a mind that needs cradling and a heart that needs to beat its beat without condemnation"
When Simon Anthony falls into a drunken stupor on the salt marshes near his home village of Tollesbury and tries to drown himself he is transported to an earlier, simpler time where he learns some truths about himself and how he wants to live his life. The tale is told as if in a dream or a drug induced trip with lovely lyrical writing and a sprinkling of references to rock music, particularly of the Beatles. There are some lovely scenes involving children reciting stories and poetry as well as a wonderful village cricket match. Hard to say too much more about it without giving the plot away except that it offers an alternative view of mental illness as being just another way of looking at life.
"For there is no schizophrenia and there is no depression; no bi-polar disorder, personality disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder. There is just life and trying to get through it. That is all. Look past the drugs and past the diagnosis, look deeper than the despair and higher than the highs - and what you have is a soul that needs embracing, a mind that needs cradling and a heart that needs to beat its beat without condemnation"
February 7, 2013
Amongst the fluff in the Kindle Free section, I ran across this novel. At the time it had 35 or so reviews, none of which were below 3. For me, this rating ratio invites me to read the reviews. I don’t particularly like to read the book descriptions because I like everything to be unknown when a book is started. That being said, I filter reviews for those that discuss why they liked the book rather than those that provide a synopsis of the book. On brief inspection, what I found was intriguing. So alas, I downloaded the book for free (lucky me!). I was aware this book would be a much different reading experience than my more recent downloads, but decided to follow through in hopes of finding a gem at its early stage in review life.
This novel is by far, the most incredible book I have read in a very long time. In fact, it may be the best, considering the majority of my classic literature was read as a young adult in college courses and my appreciation level for that reading was nil based on the fact that the literature was assigned rather than chosen. I have yet to revisit them, although I hope to someday.
I admit this book took me longer to read than most do. I cherished it. I didn’t want to miss a word. I didn’t want to read too late for fear I may nod off and miss something. I waited for quiet opportunities to concentrate. I didn’t want to just read a page at a time, there was too much to digest because the substance of this book is so much more than just the light reading I have become so familiar with. I highlighted passages like never before. Some witty, some meaningful, some thought provoking, some descriptions I’d like to use myself in the future. I became enamored.
In keeping with my distaste for knowing any information regarding the content of the story, upon finishing this book, I wanted to know more about the author and the possibility of any factual detail revolving around the characters in the story. I have refrained up to now but may look into it more after this review. My curiosity wanted to know what lovely brain concocted this story. But the more I reflect, the more I realize it doesn’t matter who wrote the story, just that it was written. What is important is that these words have been collected, regardless of fiction or a combination of reality and fiction. The point is what the story tells. It is absolutely beautiful. It has at least momentarily, while it is still fresh in mind, altered my senses, changed my perceptions and given me hope. Hope for humanity, for what is possible when self-reflection and acceptance are accomplished, to even those beyond the realm of “normal”. Through this story, this wonderful, poor, terrorized soul finds the strength to accomplish what very few individuals can ever hope to do. Finding peace is a beautiful thing to aspire to, indeed!
This novel is by far, the most incredible book I have read in a very long time. In fact, it may be the best, considering the majority of my classic literature was read as a young adult in college courses and my appreciation level for that reading was nil based on the fact that the literature was assigned rather than chosen. I have yet to revisit them, although I hope to someday.
I admit this book took me longer to read than most do. I cherished it. I didn’t want to miss a word. I didn’t want to read too late for fear I may nod off and miss something. I waited for quiet opportunities to concentrate. I didn’t want to just read a page at a time, there was too much to digest because the substance of this book is so much more than just the light reading I have become so familiar with. I highlighted passages like never before. Some witty, some meaningful, some thought provoking, some descriptions I’d like to use myself in the future. I became enamored.
In keeping with my distaste for knowing any information regarding the content of the story, upon finishing this book, I wanted to know more about the author and the possibility of any factual detail revolving around the characters in the story. I have refrained up to now but may look into it more after this review. My curiosity wanted to know what lovely brain concocted this story. But the more I reflect, the more I realize it doesn’t matter who wrote the story, just that it was written. What is important is that these words have been collected, regardless of fiction or a combination of reality and fiction. The point is what the story tells. It is absolutely beautiful. It has at least momentarily, while it is still fresh in mind, altered my senses, changed my perceptions and given me hope. Hope for humanity, for what is possible when self-reflection and acceptance are accomplished, to even those beyond the realm of “normal”. Through this story, this wonderful, poor, terrorized soul finds the strength to accomplish what very few individuals can ever hope to do. Finding peace is a beautiful thing to aspire to, indeed!
June 30, 2012
Stuart Ayris is, as mentioned elsewhere in reviews for this book, a spectacular poet. I found his use of descriptive language and metaphor entrancing. Honestly, there were times I simply had to stop reading so I could sit back and fully appreciate the beauty of some of the sentences...
Here is just a very quick example, lifted completely at random whilst I'm writing this review:
"His face was surely carved from the very earth itself; that mixture of dirt and debris, sand, silt, clay and stone that had congealed and hardened over the centuries to form the crust of our world."
This is as close to a modern day Thomas Hardy novel as I have read - high praise indeed.
So why can't I bring myself to give it 5 stars...??
Well, as always, it's a personal thing but here's what I was less enamoured with:
- The formatting of the book was distracting for me (unindented with 1.5 line para breaks breaks up the flow too much for my eye). This may sound petty but for a book which screams, "Quality writing!" at the top of it's lungs, it needs to look like printed matter on an e-reader.
- There was not enough mystery in the first part for me (it was just a little bit too obvious what was going on and who the various characters would turn out to be).
- Probably as a result of the above, I felt the book lost content (and, for me, interest) a number of times and particularly through the second and third acts.
Don't be put off by my minor gripes. This is a very well written, complex, book which tackles, head-on, an incredibly difficult subject. IMHO it's only an inch or two away from being a modern day classic...
Recommended for those who enjoy classics and/or literary fiction.
Here is just a very quick example, lifted completely at random whilst I'm writing this review:
"His face was surely carved from the very earth itself; that mixture of dirt and debris, sand, silt, clay and stone that had congealed and hardened over the centuries to form the crust of our world."
This is as close to a modern day Thomas Hardy novel as I have read - high praise indeed.
So why can't I bring myself to give it 5 stars...??
Well, as always, it's a personal thing but here's what I was less enamoured with:
- The formatting of the book was distracting for me (unindented with 1.5 line para breaks breaks up the flow too much for my eye). This may sound petty but for a book which screams, "Quality writing!" at the top of it's lungs, it needs to look like printed matter on an e-reader.
- There was not enough mystery in the first part for me (it was just a little bit too obvious what was going on and who the various characters would turn out to be).
- Probably as a result of the above, I felt the book lost content (and, for me, interest) a number of times and particularly through the second and third acts.
Don't be put off by my minor gripes. This is a very well written, complex, book which tackles, head-on, an incredibly difficult subject. IMHO it's only an inch or two away from being a modern day classic...
Recommended for those who enjoy classics and/or literary fiction.
March 9, 2013
This is an exquisite story about a man diagnosed with schizophrenia who heals himself by paying attention to his hallucinations. Beautifully written and flawlessly edited, it leaves you feeling somewhat purified and decidedly uplifted, not just by the beautiful language but also from the underlying theme that if we trust ourselves, we may find ourself more whole than we thought, or at least find a way to bring about that wholeness.
Simon's story exposes society's fear of those with a different kind of perception. He sees the world differently, more poetically, than is the norm. He senses things that others miss, and his hallucinations, rather than random aberrations of the brain, are symbols to help him understanding his world. As he says, if he tells you what he's thinking you will put him in hospital and give him drugs to make him see the world like everyone else. The drugs dull his senses, make it fuzzy around the edges. He understands that his illness has caused him to attempt suicide twice and he understands that he must accept the drugs in order to be considered well, but it is his journey into his own mind, written as if he really did go back in time and meet Walrus and the children, that gives him the key to a happier, healthier life.
The characterisation was exemplary, deep and sensitive. I could delve into technical aspects of the story, but to keep it short, I will just say that I could find no fault with this book, and I recommend it to everyone who enjoys deeply moving and inspiring writing
Simon's story exposes society's fear of those with a different kind of perception. He sees the world differently, more poetically, than is the norm. He senses things that others miss, and his hallucinations, rather than random aberrations of the brain, are symbols to help him understanding his world. As he says, if he tells you what he's thinking you will put him in hospital and give him drugs to make him see the world like everyone else. The drugs dull his senses, make it fuzzy around the edges. He understands that his illness has caused him to attempt suicide twice and he understands that he must accept the drugs in order to be considered well, but it is his journey into his own mind, written as if he really did go back in time and meet Walrus and the children, that gives him the key to a happier, healthier life.
The characterisation was exemplary, deep and sensitive. I could delve into technical aspects of the story, but to keep it short, I will just say that I could find no fault with this book, and I recommend it to everyone who enjoys deeply moving and inspiring writing
October 26, 2014
I read this book a couple of years ago, at a time when everyone seemed to be whispering about this fantastical, lyrical, journey of a read called Tollesbury Time Forever, and there was something in the reverential awe surrounding it that made me realise I just had to jump on that bandwagon. Well, I was stunned and the only thing I can say is that everyone should read this book. When I first read it I can truthfully say that it was the first time I have been seriously moved to tears by a book since i read The Diving Bell and the Butterfly - it is that good a read! It is a very poetic book; the story of the trip that is taken in the mind of the main character Simon during a schizophrenic episode. It sounds quite ludicrous to say that the story portrays mental illness in quite a beautiful way, but it just does, there is no other way to describe it - the writing is sheer poetry and very witty and funny in quite an understated way. I particularly loved a scene, set 200 odd years ago in the past, with a group of characters singing “Tollesbury Time Forever” to the tune of “Strawberry Fields Forever”.
It will certainly get inside your head and make you reconsider your own feelings towards those suffering from a mental illness, giving you a sense of compassion and understanding towards them. A fantastic book written by a master wordsmith, which really deserves to be read by everyone. In fact, I haven’t stopped whispering about it yet, even now two years on, if someone buys a kIndle I am jumping in, saying “you MUST read this book!”
It will certainly get inside your head and make you reconsider your own feelings towards those suffering from a mental illness, giving you a sense of compassion and understanding towards them. A fantastic book written by a master wordsmith, which really deserves to be read by everyone. In fact, I haven’t stopped whispering about it yet, even now two years on, if someone buys a kIndle I am jumping in, saying “you MUST read this book!”
March 17, 2013
I've become reluctant to review books (especially books by living writers) lately, because it occurred to me that for one writer to review another's work is kind of like one parent critiquing another parent's child. In any case, I will not be writing bad reviews of any books; if I don't like something I read I'll just put it aside and forget about it.
But a few days ago I happened to read Stuart Ayris' Tollesbury Time Forever, and I was astonished by its beauty, its originality, its playfulness (I especially love the musical references throughout--some obvious, and some on the sly), and its sweetness. I won't try to describe the plot, but a phrase came to me the other night that seemed to be a very good description of what happens in the book--"x-ray of a dream." Without over-thinking it or getting carried away with merely being clever, Ayris manages to get beneath the surface of the dream that we think of as life through his character's inward journey toward making himself whole and well again, when the usual interventions fail him.
You've got to expect good things from a writer whose heroes include Kerouac, Bob Dylan, Rick Danko, and Jack Daniels. Just trust me and read the book.
But a few days ago I happened to read Stuart Ayris' Tollesbury Time Forever, and I was astonished by its beauty, its originality, its playfulness (I especially love the musical references throughout--some obvious, and some on the sly), and its sweetness. I won't try to describe the plot, but a phrase came to me the other night that seemed to be a very good description of what happens in the book--"x-ray of a dream." Without over-thinking it or getting carried away with merely being clever, Ayris manages to get beneath the surface of the dream that we think of as life through his character's inward journey toward making himself whole and well again, when the usual interventions fail him.
You've got to expect good things from a writer whose heroes include Kerouac, Bob Dylan, Rick Danko, and Jack Daniels. Just trust me and read the book.
February 14, 2013
This book is just amazing. After reading it you'll never look at mental illness or yourself the same again. Stuart Ayris writes with such eloquence and beauty. My favorite qoute is a bit long but it speaks volumes for the eloquence of his writing. "For there is no Schizophrenia and there is no depression; no bi-polar disorder, personality disorder or post traumatic stress disorder. There is just life and trying to get through it. That is all. Look past the drugs and past the diagnosis, look deeper then the despair and higher then the highs- and what you have is a soul that needs embracing, a mind that needs cradling, and a heart that needs to beat its beat without condemnation." This qoute sums up his book simply it is beautiful :-)
January 23, 2012
I love this book. I wish I had the words to express how wonderful the writing is and how great the story was. The way the music references were included, particulary the last Elvis one! I have never used my highlighting feature so much! Highly recommend it
February 6, 2012
I adored this book!
The first part describes Simon's strange journey around the delightful village of Tollesbury, inhabited by weird and wonderful characters.
Part two is based around psychiatric reports and visits by psychiatric nurses, mainly to administer anti-psychotic medication. Simon also describes his life between such visits, using the knowledge he gained in the first part of the story, to gain a better understanding of his life and mental health.
Simon has been diagnosed with schizophrenia.
The story is a wonderful journey of self discovery, displaying enormous compassion and insight by the author.
The story is also beautifully written. I look forward to re-reading this again soon, this is something I rarely do.
The first part describes Simon's strange journey around the delightful village of Tollesbury, inhabited by weird and wonderful characters.
Part two is based around psychiatric reports and visits by psychiatric nurses, mainly to administer anti-psychotic medication. Simon also describes his life between such visits, using the knowledge he gained in the first part of the story, to gain a better understanding of his life and mental health.
Simon has been diagnosed with schizophrenia.
The story is a wonderful journey of self discovery, displaying enormous compassion and insight by the author.
The story is also beautifully written. I look forward to re-reading this again soon, this is something I rarely do.
January 23, 2012
If I had more stars then I would give this book more than 5. I thought it was absolutely wonderful!
The journey was an incredible one and will leave me thinking about it for a long time to come.
The writing was superb and the mix with poetry and lyrics was genius. The descriptive writing really bought Tollesbury and its charcters to life.
A truly enjoyable read that I will re-visit again and again!
The journey was an incredible one and will leave me thinking about it for a long time to come.
The writing was superb and the mix with poetry and lyrics was genius. The descriptive writing really bought Tollesbury and its charcters to life.
A truly enjoyable read that I will re-visit again and again!
March 16, 2012
not usually my type of book, but i would urge other people to read this totally enthralling story, the writing is absolutely vivid you could actually imagine yourself in tollesbury, i think i could probably find my way round the place.dont know anything more i can say about this book but, fantastic, fantastic, fantastic.
September 11, 2012
As the story in ‘Tollesbury Time Forever’ slowly made known its gut-wrenching nature, I began to think it time to re-read Keri Hulme’s ‘The Bone People’. This puts ‘Tollesbury’ in good company indeed, for Hulme’s novel won the 1985 Booker Prize.
So re-read ‘Bone People’ I did, and then Stuart Ayris’s ‘Tollesbury’ once more, for good measure (it was no chore). And quickly realised the two novels share much more than the same ugly subject matter, albeit in variation. In each, a Simon is a central character. In each, the trespass done him is gradually revealed. In each, the author makes an appearance (in ‘Bone People’, the main female character is a Kerewin Holmes, in ‘Tollesbury’, Ayris enters briefly under his own name). In both stories, place is a virtual character and is evocatively written: the readers of ‘Bone People’ will feel the rough waters and winds of New Zealand’s coast deposit salt on their cheeks, and those of ‘Tollesbury’ will sniff the mud and brine of Essex’s stiller salt marshes. Pubs feature in both tales, and alcoholic excesses. So does music, with Hulme’s characters making their own and Ayris’s Simon cocking an ear and his soul to it.
The most important likenesses centre on tone and spirit. While the two narratives take their readers deep into ugliness, these are emotionally conflicting descents – good-heartedness and generosity are at at every turn and pause. The reader is compelled to stay the course, and is ultimately rewarded. The resolutions to both stories are uplifting.
Four stars for ‘Tollesbury Time Forever’, reluctantly given, as four and half stars is a more accurate rating. I have forgiven ‘The Bone People’ for the martial arts episode that appears mid story, and also award it four stars, again in place of four and a half.
http://cassianbrownblog.com/
So re-read ‘Bone People’ I did, and then Stuart Ayris’s ‘Tollesbury’ once more, for good measure (it was no chore). And quickly realised the two novels share much more than the same ugly subject matter, albeit in variation. In each, a Simon is a central character. In each, the trespass done him is gradually revealed. In each, the author makes an appearance (in ‘Bone People’, the main female character is a Kerewin Holmes, in ‘Tollesbury’, Ayris enters briefly under his own name). In both stories, place is a virtual character and is evocatively written: the readers of ‘Bone People’ will feel the rough waters and winds of New Zealand’s coast deposit salt on their cheeks, and those of ‘Tollesbury’ will sniff the mud and brine of Essex’s stiller salt marshes. Pubs feature in both tales, and alcoholic excesses. So does music, with Hulme’s characters making their own and Ayris’s Simon cocking an ear and his soul to it.
The most important likenesses centre on tone and spirit. While the two narratives take their readers deep into ugliness, these are emotionally conflicting descents – good-heartedness and generosity are at at every turn and pause. The reader is compelled to stay the course, and is ultimately rewarded. The resolutions to both stories are uplifting.
Four stars for ‘Tollesbury Time Forever’, reluctantly given, as four and half stars is a more accurate rating. I have forgiven ‘The Bone People’ for the martial arts episode that appears mid story, and also award it four stars, again in place of four and a half.
http://cassianbrownblog.com/
February 1, 2012
Tollesbury Time Forever really sets the scene of an idyllic English village, quaint and romantic. It almost makes you want to move to such a place yourself so in sunny weather or even in light rain you could go for walks to be at one with nature and to ponder the meaning of life. Perhaps with the odd profound thought drifting across your mind from time to time. However, for our main character Simon things do not stay this way, suddenly things are turned on their head.
Simon somehow ends up back in the past and meets several suspicious characters whom he appears to trust despite not necessarily liking the person. The reader is taken along with Simon on a terrific journey of confusion, fear and eventually enlightenment. After this point the rest of the story follows Simon’s resolution to turn his life around to follow what he learnt at his ‘enlightenment’.
The book is extremely well written with some beautiful sentences and descriptions, it’s not often I use the highlighting tool on my Kindle but for this book I had to. The concept of the story is also magnificent, I don’t know how closely it follows real life procedures but it seemed very realistic to me. I loved the whole idea of the story and it was portrayed very well. It was the kind of book that I could have sat down with and not stood up again until I finished, if only it wasn’t for that inconvenience known as work...
Simon somehow ends up back in the past and meets several suspicious characters whom he appears to trust despite not necessarily liking the person. The reader is taken along with Simon on a terrific journey of confusion, fear and eventually enlightenment. After this point the rest of the story follows Simon’s resolution to turn his life around to follow what he learnt at his ‘enlightenment’.
The book is extremely well written with some beautiful sentences and descriptions, it’s not often I use the highlighting tool on my Kindle but for this book I had to. The concept of the story is also magnificent, I don’t know how closely it follows real life procedures but it seemed very realistic to me. I loved the whole idea of the story and it was portrayed very well. It was the kind of book that I could have sat down with and not stood up again until I finished, if only it wasn’t for that inconvenience known as work...
June 30, 2012
This is one of those books that has been silently lurking inside my kindle for a good while and I finally decided to give it a go. How happy I am then to say what a remarkable read this is!
Simon Anthony has just been to his local pub and has managed to stagger his way to the Tollesbury salt marshes where his intention is to end his life.With the sound of The Beatles whizzing through his head everything stops and he falls head first into a new world where reality has had a big chunk bitten off.
He finds himself back in 19th Century Tollesbury where cars have been replaced by horses, the ale is disgusting, his home has disappeared and a strange man knows more about him than he seems to know himself.
I have read a few independently published books in the last year or so but this is literally in a league of its own. It is beautifully and imaginatively written and keeps your interest all the way. If I had to describe this book I would personally say it's like 'Life on Mars' meets 'The Prisoner.' There are plenty of story twists and turns and Tollesbury Time Forever will stay with you long after you have read the final page. Stuart Ayris is an author that I'm sure has a big future ahead and I look forward to reading more from him in the future. He has also been kind enough to let me interview him for Travelling Without Moving.
Simon Anthony has just been to his local pub and has managed to stagger his way to the Tollesbury salt marshes where his intention is to end his life.With the sound of The Beatles whizzing through his head everything stops and he falls head first into a new world where reality has had a big chunk bitten off.
He finds himself back in 19th Century Tollesbury where cars have been replaced by horses, the ale is disgusting, his home has disappeared and a strange man knows more about him than he seems to know himself.
I have read a few independently published books in the last year or so but this is literally in a league of its own. It is beautifully and imaginatively written and keeps your interest all the way. If I had to describe this book I would personally say it's like 'Life on Mars' meets 'The Prisoner.' There are plenty of story twists and turns and Tollesbury Time Forever will stay with you long after you have read the final page. Stuart Ayris is an author that I'm sure has a big future ahead and I look forward to reading more from him in the future. He has also been kind enough to let me interview him for Travelling Without Moving.
May 8, 2012
As in most of the reviews of this book I am not going to give an outline of the story. Could it be because the story is so abstract or obscure that it makes it is difficult to get across? No, that’s not why. Then could it be that to give an outline would not convey the true meaning of the book? In a way, but not really. (If that makes sense) That would suggest it is one of those pretentious books by one of those authors that thinks he can change the world and Stuart Ayris certainly is not that. The story line is very good but Ayris is also a writer with real soul, with a rich original descriptive style of writing and all those things combine to make this a real gem of a book. The only mystery about author is why this guy is still a self-published author. What more can I say. I loved this book.
September 17, 2012
Stuart Ayris' poetic prose hearkens to an earlier era of literature, but it is very much a modern tale. It is simultaneously beautiful and devastating, and I found myself reading quite slowly to savor the cadence and wonderful character descriptions. In an era where simpler-is-better sells, Ayris' style is a Monet hanging next to a rack of mass-produced greeting cards. Close up, the points are confusing and sometimes chaotic, but when you step back and view the entire picture, the already-lovely colors and dots render into something wonderful, emotionally brutal, and meaningful. I cannot say the same for the overwhelming majority of current popular fiction, and the difference here is refreshing. I will certainly read Stuart Ayris' other works soon, but I think I need a short time to recover from Tollesbury first.
August 8, 2012
I've been thinking about a review for a couple of days now.
I am an alcoholic, I have had mental health issues tissues fissures in the past and present which I wouldn't have survived without the love of my darling wife and others. I would just like to thank Stuart for this wonderful novel.
Even though I have lived and breathed The Beatles since I was an egg and dislike their plonky-plonky tunes with a vengeance; I should give this more than 5*s but the real world wont allow it.
I am an alcoholic, I have had mental health issues tissues fissures in the past and present which I wouldn't have survived without the love of my darling wife and others. I would just like to thank Stuart for this wonderful novel.
Even though I have lived and breathed The Beatles since I was an egg and dislike their plonky-plonky tunes with a vengeance; I should give this more than 5*s but the real world wont allow it.
June 7, 2013
This book was so strange that it's hard to really review it. All I can say is that it truly resonated with me. There are things said in the book that make so much sense to anyone who has struggled with mental illness. It was so odd and so beautiful and so sad and uplifting all at the same time.
May 31, 2013
After almost five months, this morning I finished reading Tollesbury Time Forever. Perhaps because I got caught up in Tollesbury Time. Who knows? I don't.
I'm Facebook and Goodreads friends with the author, Stuart Ayris; indeed, it is because we share many of the same ideas about mental health that we became 'friends' and I thus decided to read this, the first instalment in the Frugality trilogy. And I'll admit that there were times, at around the 20-30% mark, that I was thinking 'Ah boo. I'm going to have to tell him that I only think it's worth 3 stars.'
I was wrong.
The second half of the book, I read with fascination, anger, rage, devastation, joy, celebration. I read the last 20% of the book in an hour this morning, completely and utterly hooked, sucked in, dreading the end I envisaged would come. I can't say more than this of the story itself.
But what I will say to you, future reader of the Frugality trilogy (because you will read all three, even if you're thinking part way through book one that you won't), don't make the same mistake I made. Assume nothing. Switch off the critical, introspective, 'f**k the system' part of your brain. Tabula rasa.
And just read.
I'm Facebook and Goodreads friends with the author, Stuart Ayris; indeed, it is because we share many of the same ideas about mental health that we became 'friends' and I thus decided to read this, the first instalment in the Frugality trilogy. And I'll admit that there were times, at around the 20-30% mark, that I was thinking 'Ah boo. I'm going to have to tell him that I only think it's worth 3 stars.'
I was wrong.
The second half of the book, I read with fascination, anger, rage, devastation, joy, celebration. I read the last 20% of the book in an hour this morning, completely and utterly hooked, sucked in, dreading the end I envisaged would come. I can't say more than this of the story itself.
But what I will say to you, future reader of the Frugality trilogy (because you will read all three, even if you're thinking part way through book one that you won't), don't make the same mistake I made. Assume nothing. Switch off the critical, introspective, 'f**k the system' part of your brain. Tabula rasa.
And just read.
January 13, 2012
Not sure this is my type of book, but this is a really good story of someone that is not considered normal and we are let into his life, his thoughts, pains and everything else in-between.
I found it hard going, but don't be discouraged as I am a mere simple person and this is a book for people who like a bit of guts in the pages, not pink fluffy clouds. Its a book that will make even the simplest of people realise that a bit of thought behind some things can be a good thing.
Although the book is not my flavour and the story almost scared me in parts, I seriously love Simon, who is a character who you cant help but really like. In life he would be a drunken idiot that many would not have the time of day for, but between the pages he is a lovely caring man who's biggest mistake is walking out on Robbie.
I found it hard going, but don't be discouraged as I am a mere simple person and this is a book for people who like a bit of guts in the pages, not pink fluffy clouds. Its a book that will make even the simplest of people realise that a bit of thought behind some things can be a good thing.
Although the book is not my flavour and the story almost scared me in parts, I seriously love Simon, who is a character who you cant help but really like. In life he would be a drunken idiot that many would not have the time of day for, but between the pages he is a lovely caring man who's biggest mistake is walking out on Robbie.
November 18, 2014
As other reviewers have said, I very nearly gave up on this book a time or two. I kept thinking the author was attempting to out-Kafka Kafka. It was the language itself that kept me reading, and not a small amount of curiosity as to the symbolism. I am so glad I kept reading to discover the simple yet powerful messages to be found. I noted that one reviewer carped about the Beatles quotes supposedly having all this meaning. Well, they do, especially for those of us who remember the times. It's not that universal truths are not timeless, but there are special moments when they are rediscovered and celebrated. I think we all, when we stop to consider, yearn for those times. I can imagine how a troubled psyche might especially wish for those times when truth and beauty seem so simple and easily obtained.
January 18, 2012
This book is unlike any I've read before. It's poetic, literary, beautiful but not in any stuffy way that would put you off. It's accessible, wise, clever and funny. It has given me insights into mental health issues I would never have considered before. Simon doesn't tell his doctor all that he sees or hears but just all that he feels his doctor can cope with. Now I'd not have thought of that.
There are things in Simon's past that have pushed him to where he is today. Zachariah Leonard is a character whose real identity I didn't see coming. The second part of this book is wonderfully written and in parts very poignant. It's a book to grab you by the heart and not let go. It is gripping, hard to put down and full of the author's own personal wisdom. I'm so glad I read it.
There are things in Simon's past that have pushed him to where he is today. Zachariah Leonard is a character whose real identity I didn't see coming. The second part of this book is wonderfully written and in parts very poignant. It's a book to grab you by the heart and not let go. It is gripping, hard to put down and full of the author's own personal wisdom. I'm so glad I read it.
April 15, 2014
Absolutely brilliant. Reading this book was a pure joy; an unbridled, life-affirming journey into all that is wonderful in between the pages of a book. Genuine, sincere and oh so beautiful. Big, big love for this book. I will not soon forget the time I spent with Simon - thank you, Stuart Ayris,for sharing your wonderous imagination with those of us lucky enough to have read this book, and thank you to my dear friend, Dede,for recommending this read. I am grateful for the experience and will be recommending this book to anyone and everyone who asks me "what should I read next?".
January 28, 2012
Stuart Ayris is a genius. I know he is having trouble accepting that people love his book so much but he had better get used to it.
His writing is beautiful. He switches between styles seamlessly so that in reading Tollesbury Time Forever one is bewitched by Cervantes, John Lennon, Spike Milligan, Dylan Thomas and many other writers over the centuries.
I am knocked out by his book and unusually stuck for words. I may come back and add more when I have settled down.
This is a classic.
His writing is beautiful. He switches between styles seamlessly so that in reading Tollesbury Time Forever one is bewitched by Cervantes, John Lennon, Spike Milligan, Dylan Thomas and many other writers over the centuries.
I am knocked out by his book and unusually stuck for words. I may come back and add more when I have settled down.
This is a classic.
May 11, 2013
I absolutely loved this book. Got it for free from book bub and thought it sounded interesting--what a find! It reminds me a little of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest because of the psychological aspect, but it was just amazing. It was one of those books that kept me up thinking each night after I finished reading.
March 29, 2012
@stuartayris Absolute literary perfection. The prose is dreamlike and shrouds the story in language that the reader cannot help but fall in love with. The book glides on at the pace of an English walk in the countryside and, like such a walk, you never want it to end.
March 13, 2013
A book of two distinct parts. Stick with the first section all the way through and prepare to be amazed. Will recommend for psychology students.
October 25, 2014
Recommended by a friend. Was reluctant to read it but i'm so glad i did. It made me laugh,it made me cry and it gave me so much to think about. Definitely in my top ten favourite books.
November 6, 2017
Excellent book, very highly recommended!
Stuart Ayris has a unique, lyrical style of writing that engaged this reader from the first page, and introduced characters that have become old friends.
Stuart Ayris has a unique, lyrical style of writing that engaged this reader from the first page, and introduced characters that have become old friends.
February 10, 2012
Oooo, ummmm, where to start........
This is the first free Kindle book I have "bought". I read a lot of positive reviews on the UK Amazon Kindle Forum on Goodreads, so I thought it would be worth a go despite wondering whether a free book would actually be much cop.
The amazon description implies that this is the story of a man who accidentally goes back in time and has to find a way back to the present so I listed it under the "supernatural" category on my Kindle. WRONG!!
It is difficult to write a review without a spoiler. Unfortunately I read another review before reading the book which said what was happening with the main character Simon before it is revealed about halfway through the book. I don't know if reading it with this knowledge ruined the revelation or not. So if you don't want to know, don't read any further!!!
So Simon is an unemployed fifty year old heavy drinker with a wife and son he hasn't seen for over 20 years. Living in a small village he spends time getting drunk in the pub or at home and one evening decides to commit suicide by drowning himself in the salt marshes. When he comes round he is in the village square but it is now 1836. He meets all manner of strange characters and doesn't know which ones actually want to help him or not. He doesn't really seem to want to know how he got there or how to get home, until he meets a group of children who tell him fables and poems and he realises he wants his old life back and to see his son again.
It transpires that Simon has not time travelled at all but is a schizophrenic who has not been taking his medication and all the time he has been in 1836 he is actually in a psychiatric ward in a manic state. So this is a book about mental health issues, not time travel at all.
There are some moral issues raised about what is "real" life and is it right to drug people who are living with mental illness. I also felt there was almost an element of "self help" in part of the book as Simon starts to become more lucid and decide what he wants and how he will achieve it.
If the book description had mentioned that this was a book dealing with mental illness I would probably not have read it, but I am glad I did because it is very well written for a first novel. And the fact that it was free has absolutely no bearing on the quality. I have given it 4 stars because there were quite a few typos and the line break between each paragraph kept making me think it was a scene change when it wasn't. But those are just editing issues.
This is the first free Kindle book I have "bought". I read a lot of positive reviews on the UK Amazon Kindle Forum on Goodreads, so I thought it would be worth a go despite wondering whether a free book would actually be much cop.
The amazon description implies that this is the story of a man who accidentally goes back in time and has to find a way back to the present so I listed it under the "supernatural" category on my Kindle. WRONG!!
It is difficult to write a review without a spoiler. Unfortunately I read another review before reading the book which said what was happening with the main character Simon before it is revealed about halfway through the book. I don't know if reading it with this knowledge ruined the revelation or not. So if you don't want to know, don't read any further!!!
So Simon is an unemployed fifty year old heavy drinker with a wife and son he hasn't seen for over 20 years. Living in a small village he spends time getting drunk in the pub or at home and one evening decides to commit suicide by drowning himself in the salt marshes. When he comes round he is in the village square but it is now 1836. He meets all manner of strange characters and doesn't know which ones actually want to help him or not. He doesn't really seem to want to know how he got there or how to get home, until he meets a group of children who tell him fables and poems and he realises he wants his old life back and to see his son again.
It transpires that Simon has not time travelled at all but is a schizophrenic who has not been taking his medication and all the time he has been in 1836 he is actually in a psychiatric ward in a manic state. So this is a book about mental health issues, not time travel at all.
There are some moral issues raised about what is "real" life and is it right to drug people who are living with mental illness. I also felt there was almost an element of "self help" in part of the book as Simon starts to become more lucid and decide what he wants and how he will achieve it.
If the book description had mentioned that this was a book dealing with mental illness I would probably not have read it, but I am glad I did because it is very well written for a first novel. And the fact that it was free has absolutely no bearing on the quality. I have given it 4 stars because there were quite a few typos and the line break between each paragraph kept making me think it was a scene change when it wasn't. But those are just editing issues.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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