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Playing Havoc
BANG! Lights out! Just how would we cope in an event where every electronic device on our planet was rendered useless in an instant? If all electric power, industry, basic utilities, transport and the very communications that we all take for granted were zapped in a single moment, how would life carry on? What skills do we possess to cope with and help us rebuild life from its very foundations? Playing Havoc, partly based on fact, partly a black comedy, describes one small British Island's battle to maintain some normality in the chaos after a coronal mass ejection through the eyes of one man who had only recently moved there with the very intention of getting some peace. A reluctant man with enough problems of his own to deal with finds that the longer the havoc goes on, more and more of the islanders turn to him for help.
- GenresScience Fiction
160 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2012
2 people are currently reading
733 people want to read
About the author
Steve Morris
6 books35 followersSteve Morris
Follow @jumbletales
With a background in math and science, Steve Morris travels around his region of the UK teaching students who are too ill to get to school.
Despite his chosen vocation, one of Steve's passions in life is his love of English literature and of antiquarian books.
Maverick, individual and never afraid to speak his mind, Steve was taught to read fluently by his parents when he was four years old.
Story writing began early at school where he enjoyed some success.
With a seemingly never ending supply of bizarre short stories, Steve moved out of the classroom which allowed him time to type up his tales. First appearing in anthologies and magazines the stories were collected in Steve's first book "In All Probability" which recieved favour amongst the UK press.
A follow up collection "Jumble Tales" was released in 2010 and then his debut full-length novel "Playing Havoc" was published in 2012.
"Morris has... an often disturbing imagination" (from one less flattering 2009 Press review)
Steve graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University in 1993 where he enjoyed representing them in soccer for four years.
He lives in a rural location is his adopted Cheshire, UK accompanied by the first of a planned team of guard dogs.
Steve recently received an AZsacra award
for a story in Taj Mahal review December 2011. Thank you again for the support of Editor Karunesh Kumar Agrawal.
Steve hopes to be back with a collection of recession busting upbeat stories before the year is out.
Follow @jumbletales
With a background in math and science, Steve Morris travels around his region of the UK teaching students who are too ill to get to school.
Despite his chosen vocation, one of Steve's passions in life is his love of English literature and of antiquarian books.
Maverick, individual and never afraid to speak his mind, Steve was taught to read fluently by his parents when he was four years old.
Story writing began early at school where he enjoyed some success.
With a seemingly never ending supply of bizarre short stories, Steve moved out of the classroom which allowed him time to type up his tales. First appearing in anthologies and magazines the stories were collected in Steve's first book "In All Probability" which recieved favour amongst the UK press.
A follow up collection "Jumble Tales" was released in 2010 and then his debut full-length novel "Playing Havoc" was published in 2012.
"Morris has... an often disturbing imagination" (from one less flattering 2009 Press review)
Steve graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University in 1993 where he enjoyed representing them in soccer for four years.
He lives in a rural location is his adopted Cheshire, UK accompanied by the first of a planned team of guard dogs.
Steve recently received an AZsacra award
for a story in Taj Mahal review December 2011. Thank you again for the support of Editor Karunesh Kumar Agrawal.
Steve hopes to be back with a collection of recession busting upbeat stories before the year is out.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 8, 2017
Autographed gift copy kindly provided by GR author and good friend Steve Morris.
Giles is a man with anger issues. With a short fuse, a recently ended marriage and a frustrating job, he will do anything to get away from it all. So he moves to the Island, where he can deal with fewer people and frustrations and spend the weekends alone with his cat and his favourite video game. Then there is a strange event; whether it be an act of God, a stroke of fate, or a weird natural occurrence, no one is quite sure. But as a result, Giles finds that no electronic device functions. At all.
So there he is, stuck on the Island, unable to cook himself a hot meal, bathe. or play the game to which he's so addicted. What's worse, he's forced to deal with his neighbours, some of whom are likeable, while others are just plain obnoxious. Will he be able to keep the red mist of rage at bay? Will he be able to get along with the islanders? Will he be able to survive the tedious days and the long dark nights?
In Playing Havoc, Steve Morris raises some important issues and asks some hard-hitting questions. Have we paid too high a price for progress? What would happen to society and the human race as a whole if we were suddenly deprived of the conveniences on which we depend so heavily in every aspect of our lives? Which of us would face the challenges with equanimity and which of us would fail miserably? You might be surprised at the answers Morris gives us in this short but thought-provoking novel.
Giles is a man with anger issues. With a short fuse, a recently ended marriage and a frustrating job, he will do anything to get away from it all. So he moves to the Island, where he can deal with fewer people and frustrations and spend the weekends alone with his cat and his favourite video game. Then there is a strange event; whether it be an act of God, a stroke of fate, or a weird natural occurrence, no one is quite sure. But as a result, Giles finds that no electronic device functions. At all.
So there he is, stuck on the Island, unable to cook himself a hot meal, bathe. or play the game to which he's so addicted. What's worse, he's forced to deal with his neighbours, some of whom are likeable, while others are just plain obnoxious. Will he be able to keep the red mist of rage at bay? Will he be able to get along with the islanders? Will he be able to survive the tedious days and the long dark nights?
In Playing Havoc, Steve Morris raises some important issues and asks some hard-hitting questions. Have we paid too high a price for progress? What would happen to society and the human race as a whole if we were suddenly deprived of the conveniences on which we depend so heavily in every aspect of our lives? Which of us would face the challenges with equanimity and which of us would fail miserably? You might be surprised at the answers Morris gives us in this short but thought-provoking novel.
July 26, 2012
This book is Steve Morris' first published novel and I have to say, what a great start! This novel not plot driven, but revolves around the relationships people make and the ways in which people try to survive in a solar flare. The main protagonist is Giles who is a fun if not slightly angry character who takes in the situation in his stride and helps himself and other through.
Throughout the book there are moans and groans about particular people and parts in todays society including lazy teens, tanned and preened women and men who give (never take!) orders to others, and thugs. I personally found this quite funny and amusing as these observations are so true! I agree with (most of) the comments made and the fact that this wasn't solely about thoughts of action made the thoughts of Giles more believable as we do like a moan...
The character who popped up at the end of the novel was so unexpected and I do wonder what went on after then end of the novel. I am desperate to know what the long term arrangements will be. I would also be interested to read a sequel of Playing Havoc where we get to see the world redevelop into what it was, and in fact if it can.
To me this book was enlightening, and highlights just how much we do rely on services provided by companies such as gas, electric and running water. I dread to think how long I would stay alive in this situation and wonder exactly how useful I would be on the island! After reading this novel, I am inspired to do more, rather than waste my time with mundane things such as TV (though not all of course...) and do more constructive things and exercise. I don't think that anyone could read this book and not feel the same need for action and change.
Well done Steve. Keep up the good work!
Throughout the book there are moans and groans about particular people and parts in todays society including lazy teens, tanned and preened women and men who give (never take!) orders to others, and thugs. I personally found this quite funny and amusing as these observations are so true! I agree with (most of) the comments made and the fact that this wasn't solely about thoughts of action made the thoughts of Giles more believable as we do like a moan...
The character who popped up at the end of the novel was so unexpected and I do wonder what went on after then end of the novel. I am desperate to know what the long term arrangements will be. I would also be interested to read a sequel of Playing Havoc where we get to see the world redevelop into what it was, and in fact if it can.
To me this book was enlightening, and highlights just how much we do rely on services provided by companies such as gas, electric and running water. I dread to think how long I would stay alive in this situation and wonder exactly how useful I would be on the island! After reading this novel, I am inspired to do more, rather than waste my time with mundane things such as TV (though not all of course...) and do more constructive things and exercise. I don't think that anyone could read this book and not feel the same need for action and change.
Well done Steve. Keep up the good work!
March 18, 2013
Playing Havoc is the debut full-length novel from short-story writer Steve Morris. I was impressed with his short-story collections, "In all Probability" and "Jumble Tales," and I was curious how well he would make the transition to writing a novel.
In short, Playing Havoc is a very well written and engaging story.
While I was reading Playing Havoc, I was reminded of the old Twilight Zone episode, "The Monsters are Due on Maple Street." The notion of cutting off the conveniences of modern society and watching as everyone tears each other apart has always appealed to me. And, I’m not alone. TV shows like Revolution are still exploring this idea. The biggest problem with most of these shows is that they become absurd. They all seem to presume the worst in people and that everybody will just start eating babies once the lights go out.
Steve Morris has more faith in humanity. Playing Havoc takes this idea and grounds it in reality. It acknowledges that some people wont carry their weight and others will resort to stealing and other deviant behavior. But incidents of violence are rare and far from gratuitous. This has the effect of creating more tension because you never know when one of the characters will finally be pushed over the edge.
Playing Havoc does amazing work in creating a cast of characters who all live and breathe. They all seem like people that you know, with all of their peculiarities. Trevor was a particular favorite of mine.
Overall, I have to say that Steve Morris has managed to move effortlessly into the realm of long-form story telling. Playing Havoc is a great story with well-drawn characters, grounded in reality with believable characters.
In short, Playing Havoc is a very well written and engaging story.
While I was reading Playing Havoc, I was reminded of the old Twilight Zone episode, "The Monsters are Due on Maple Street." The notion of cutting off the conveniences of modern society and watching as everyone tears each other apart has always appealed to me. And, I’m not alone. TV shows like Revolution are still exploring this idea. The biggest problem with most of these shows is that they become absurd. They all seem to presume the worst in people and that everybody will just start eating babies once the lights go out.
Steve Morris has more faith in humanity. Playing Havoc takes this idea and grounds it in reality. It acknowledges that some people wont carry their weight and others will resort to stealing and other deviant behavior. But incidents of violence are rare and far from gratuitous. This has the effect of creating more tension because you never know when one of the characters will finally be pushed over the edge.
Playing Havoc does amazing work in creating a cast of characters who all live and breathe. They all seem like people that you know, with all of their peculiarities. Trevor was a particular favorite of mine.
Overall, I have to say that Steve Morris has managed to move effortlessly into the realm of long-form story telling. Playing Havoc is a great story with well-drawn characters, grounded in reality with believable characters.
December 1, 2012
A very stimulating read indeed. Playing havoc is one of those books that nourish your thoughts, gripping you from start to finish. It is a black-comedy sci-fi story. It deals with the social (or anti social lives) of residents of a UK island after a massive solar flare fries every electronic device on Earth. Imagine surviving in these modern days without our precious gadgets and commodities. I found the plot to be highly original, and the characters well presented.
Playing havoc is definitely something I would recommend and I will certainly sample other works done by the same author in the coming few days. In All Probability & Jumble Tales promise to be as stimulating a read as Playing Havoc.
Playing havoc is definitely something I would recommend and I will certainly sample other works done by the same author in the coming few days. In All Probability & Jumble Tales promise to be as stimulating a read as Playing Havoc.
October 26, 2013
It is very attractive book. Once you open the book, you can't stop reading it as fast as you can . Want to find out the ending of this novel. The contents are very sophisticating, describe portrayal of each character is subtile. Once people lack water supply, no electricity, what happened to them under this circumstances. What would you do? It is worth for readers to have a deep thinking afterwards. Highly recommended !
January 25, 2013
It's great to see that Morris can do just as good a job on novels as he does on short stories. So what would it be like after the solar flare - read this and find out. Thank god I discovered him, life without Morris' books would now seem pointless. Crack on and write another one maestro.
August 26, 2012
Very Good so far...
Read my review at readforyourfuture.blogspot.com :)
Read my review at readforyourfuture.blogspot.com :)
September 27, 2012
Read Mechele's review here:
http://readforyourfuture.blogspot.com...
http://readforyourfuture.blogspot.com...
August 19, 2012
Review to follow
May 22, 2014
The premise of Playing Havoc is brilliant: What happens in individuals' lives following a solar flare? The setting on a small island in Britain allows for the characters' slowly dawning realizations about what has happened and what it will mean.
As readers, we are inside of the narrator's head. The positive aspect of this is that though we come to quickly realize the cause behind the failure of all electric devices, we learn how slowly it would unfold without broadcast news. The negative aspect, it a kind of repetitive list of the narrator's own thoughts and concerns. If you want to be mired in someone else's consciousness, you'll like this because I never doubted it was Giles re-considering his circumstances, but I found it a tad tedious at times.
That said, it was engaging to encounter a vast array of problems that would occur following such a cataclysmic event, problems both technological and social: from the failure of cell phones to the effects on plumbing, from declining resources to endless time, from stranded visitors to incendiary personalities. "What would I do?" is a question a reader asks repeatedly exploring unimaginable situations.
For the dystopic-minded "Playing Havoc" adds yet another vision of a future we'd like to avoid. But in this case, the pending apocalypse is large-scale and not within our power to avoid. Yet Morris' vision, as with many dystopians', is not dire; his characters provide hope. Just how that happens, you'll need to read to find out.
As readers, we are inside of the narrator's head. The positive aspect of this is that though we come to quickly realize the cause behind the failure of all electric devices, we learn how slowly it would unfold without broadcast news. The negative aspect, it a kind of repetitive list of the narrator's own thoughts and concerns. If you want to be mired in someone else's consciousness, you'll like this because I never doubted it was Giles re-considering his circumstances, but I found it a tad tedious at times.
That said, it was engaging to encounter a vast array of problems that would occur following such a cataclysmic event, problems both technological and social: from the failure of cell phones to the effects on plumbing, from declining resources to endless time, from stranded visitors to incendiary personalities. "What would I do?" is a question a reader asks repeatedly exploring unimaginable situations.
For the dystopic-minded "Playing Havoc" adds yet another vision of a future we'd like to avoid. But in this case, the pending apocalypse is large-scale and not within our power to avoid. Yet Morris' vision, as with many dystopians', is not dire; his characters provide hope. Just how that happens, you'll need to read to find out.
October 1, 2012
A really entertaining read and one that really makes you think about the way we live and what we'd do without all our luxuries and technology! :)
August 18, 2022
Excellent book!!!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews