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In this Gormenghastian world the Factory is the law – but that does not
mean justice.
The Gargantuan factory of Gleam has seen a millennia of decreasing population. Now the central district is fully inhabited and operational; the outskirts have been left for the wilderness to reclaim. This decaying, lawless zone is the Discard; the home of Wild Alan. He’s convinced that the Gleam authorities were behind the disaster that killed his parents and his ambition is to prove it. But he’ll uncover more secrets than he bargained for.
mean justice.
The Gargantuan factory of Gleam has seen a millennia of decreasing population. Now the central district is fully inhabited and operational; the outskirts have been left for the wilderness to reclaim. This decaying, lawless zone is the Discard; the home of Wild Alan. He’s convinced that the Gleam authorities were behind the disaster that killed his parents and his ambition is to prove it. But he’ll uncover more secrets than he bargained for.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published September 4, 2014
4 people are currently reading
416 people want to read
About the author
Tom Fletcher
24 books1,023 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Tom Fletcher is a writer of horror and dark fantasy novels and short fiction. His first three horror novels, The Leaping, The Thing on the Shore and The Ravenglass Eye, were followed by Gleam and Idle Hands, the first two books in The Factory Trilogy, his first fantasy series. His new novel, Witch-Bottle, is a deeply atmospheric modern gothic tale of grief and guilt. He lives in a remote village in Cumbria with his wife and family.
Tom Fletcher is a writer of horror and dark fantasy novels and short fiction. His first three horror novels, The Leaping, The Thing on the Shore and The Ravenglass Eye, were followed by Gleam and Idle Hands, the first two books in The Factory Trilogy, his first fantasy series. His new novel, Witch-Bottle, is a deeply atmospheric modern gothic tale of grief and guilt. He lives in a remote village in Cumbria with his wife and family.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
September 15, 2014
4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum http://bibliosanctum.com/2014/09/15/b...
I had no idea what to expect before heading into Gleam. I was only perhaps vaguely aware of its dystopian nature, and coupled with that striking image of the pyramid on the cover and the “Gormenghastian” description in the blurb, I was fully prepared for a wild ride through a world rooted in bizarre and unfathomable traditions.
The book ended up being all that and a lot more. But what I didn’t anticipate was the highly engaging quest narrative, following a group of ragtag adventurers on a journey to discover the dark secrets of their strange and wildly imaginative world. But boiling the story down like that somehow also feels woefully inadequate, because nothing is at all simple in the universe of Gleam.
The story starts off by introducing us to our protagonist Alan, who lives with his family at the center of the gargantuan factory of Gleam in the fully inhabited and operational Pyramid. However, we get the sense that Alan is somewhat of an outsider, which is hinted at by his mistrust for the other Pyramiders and his penchant for making trouble for the authorities. We don’t know what kind of trouble he’s been stirring up at this point, but it was enough to provoke the Arbitrators, who threaten Alan with attacks on his wife and young son. To protect his family, Alan is forced to exile himself into the Discard, the barren and lawless wasteland that surrounds the central district.
I admit, I wasn’t sure what to make of the book for the first 50 pages or so. Time skips ahead about four years, and I experienced many moments of confusion. It appears “Wild” Alan has done lot during that time, but it’s not clear exactly what he’s been up to. It’s gradually revealed that he has been surviving as a traveling musician, earning room and board singing songs that are mostly about the corruption of the Pyramiders. He’s also apparently run afoul of a Discard drug lord of sorts, for stealing from her supply of rare psychedelic mushrooms. It turns out Alan has a good reason for his pilfering, but all that doesn’t become clear until a good handful of chapters. Plus, we also discover that Alan did not always live in the Pyramid before his exile. In fact, his parents and his whole village was massacred by Pyramiders, but as an act of mercy a soldier brought him back to the Pyramid and he was raised there. Finally, his bitterness and dissension started to make sense. All the pieces of the puzzle ultimately did come together, but it just seemed to take a while which made this beginning section of the book a rocky experience for me.
To be sure though, after everything eventually fell into place, that’s when the story started taking off for real. With his supply of mushrooms cut off, Alan must find a way to get some more and get it fast – or it would mean dire consequences for his family still confined in the Pyramid. With the quest item established, our protagonist starts gathering himself a party to go forth into the unknown, braving the wilderness beyond. But like I said earlier, this is not your ordinary adventure.
Firstly, Alan is not your traditional hero. He’s not intrinsically a bad person, though he is entirely self-serving and makes it clear he’s on the quest for no other reason than his own purposes. His fellow adventures are a group of vagrants much like Alan, a quirky mix of eccentric and just plain weird characters. Hands down, my favorite member of the party had to be Bloody Nora, the woman who belongs to a mysterious group called the Mapmakers, a faction dedicated to exploration and recording of the features and changes to Gleam. They are also deadly fighters, as evidenced by Nora’s brutal efficiency at killing their enemies.
But the story and the brilliant characters are just icing on the cake. What really blew me away was the setting and the world building. While great world building is something I remark upon frequently in my reviews of fantasy novels, I have to say very few have actually come near to the caliber in Gleam. I don’t even know where to start. The large, mystifying concrete structures infused with “bubble” hollows in which Discarders make their home? The giant snails that can serve as mounts for vertical traveling? Freaky and disturbing descriptions of unusual ailments that afflict unfortunate locals? There’s just so much to talk about.
Even a wasteland like the Discard is so vivid and evocative in all its strange and wonderful details. The best part is the mystery – how did this place come about? Who built these crazy structures that litter the landscape? No one knows for sure, and it is part of the reason why the Mapmakers seek to explore and document everything. The world is disgusting yet beautiful, an all-around unpleasant place to be filled with monsters and mutants, but I couldn’t help but be drawn in by all the pure insanity of the surroundings. It’s amazing in all its slimy, swampy, icky glory.
Gleam is simply beyond fascinating. There are certainly dystopian undertones, but unlike a lot of dystopian novels, the focus here isn’t so much on the social or the culture, but on the environmental. It’s the physical world that really comes to the forefront, which really helped me get immersed in the story. The plot itself is also relatively simple, but not once did I feel the quest narrative flounder once it got going, because something was always happening, or my attention was held captive by yet another mind-boggling aspect of the world. After a briefly dicey start, I quickly fell in love with this book.
I had no idea what to expect before heading into Gleam. I was only perhaps vaguely aware of its dystopian nature, and coupled with that striking image of the pyramid on the cover and the “Gormenghastian” description in the blurb, I was fully prepared for a wild ride through a world rooted in bizarre and unfathomable traditions.
The book ended up being all that and a lot more. But what I didn’t anticipate was the highly engaging quest narrative, following a group of ragtag adventurers on a journey to discover the dark secrets of their strange and wildly imaginative world. But boiling the story down like that somehow also feels woefully inadequate, because nothing is at all simple in the universe of Gleam.
The story starts off by introducing us to our protagonist Alan, who lives with his family at the center of the gargantuan factory of Gleam in the fully inhabited and operational Pyramid. However, we get the sense that Alan is somewhat of an outsider, which is hinted at by his mistrust for the other Pyramiders and his penchant for making trouble for the authorities. We don’t know what kind of trouble he’s been stirring up at this point, but it was enough to provoke the Arbitrators, who threaten Alan with attacks on his wife and young son. To protect his family, Alan is forced to exile himself into the Discard, the barren and lawless wasteland that surrounds the central district.
I admit, I wasn’t sure what to make of the book for the first 50 pages or so. Time skips ahead about four years, and I experienced many moments of confusion. It appears “Wild” Alan has done lot during that time, but it’s not clear exactly what he’s been up to. It’s gradually revealed that he has been surviving as a traveling musician, earning room and board singing songs that are mostly about the corruption of the Pyramiders. He’s also apparently run afoul of a Discard drug lord of sorts, for stealing from her supply of rare psychedelic mushrooms. It turns out Alan has a good reason for his pilfering, but all that doesn’t become clear until a good handful of chapters. Plus, we also discover that Alan did not always live in the Pyramid before his exile. In fact, his parents and his whole village was massacred by Pyramiders, but as an act of mercy a soldier brought him back to the Pyramid and he was raised there. Finally, his bitterness and dissension started to make sense. All the pieces of the puzzle ultimately did come together, but it just seemed to take a while which made this beginning section of the book a rocky experience for me.
To be sure though, after everything eventually fell into place, that’s when the story started taking off for real. With his supply of mushrooms cut off, Alan must find a way to get some more and get it fast – or it would mean dire consequences for his family still confined in the Pyramid. With the quest item established, our protagonist starts gathering himself a party to go forth into the unknown, braving the wilderness beyond. But like I said earlier, this is not your ordinary adventure.
Firstly, Alan is not your traditional hero. He’s not intrinsically a bad person, though he is entirely self-serving and makes it clear he’s on the quest for no other reason than his own purposes. His fellow adventures are a group of vagrants much like Alan, a quirky mix of eccentric and just plain weird characters. Hands down, my favorite member of the party had to be Bloody Nora, the woman who belongs to a mysterious group called the Mapmakers, a faction dedicated to exploration and recording of the features and changes to Gleam. They are also deadly fighters, as evidenced by Nora’s brutal efficiency at killing their enemies.
But the story and the brilliant characters are just icing on the cake. What really blew me away was the setting and the world building. While great world building is something I remark upon frequently in my reviews of fantasy novels, I have to say very few have actually come near to the caliber in Gleam. I don’t even know where to start. The large, mystifying concrete structures infused with “bubble” hollows in which Discarders make their home? The giant snails that can serve as mounts for vertical traveling? Freaky and disturbing descriptions of unusual ailments that afflict unfortunate locals? There’s just so much to talk about.
Even a wasteland like the Discard is so vivid and evocative in all its strange and wonderful details. The best part is the mystery – how did this place come about? Who built these crazy structures that litter the landscape? No one knows for sure, and it is part of the reason why the Mapmakers seek to explore and document everything. The world is disgusting yet beautiful, an all-around unpleasant place to be filled with monsters and mutants, but I couldn’t help but be drawn in by all the pure insanity of the surroundings. It’s amazing in all its slimy, swampy, icky glory.
Gleam is simply beyond fascinating. There are certainly dystopian undertones, but unlike a lot of dystopian novels, the focus here isn’t so much on the social or the culture, but on the environmental. It’s the physical world that really comes to the forefront, which really helped me get immersed in the story. The plot itself is also relatively simple, but not once did I feel the quest narrative flounder once it got going, because something was always happening, or my attention was held captive by yet another mind-boggling aspect of the world. After a briefly dicey start, I quickly fell in love with this book.
September 4, 2014
Absolutely one of my favourite books of the year this, and one that is almost definitely heading for my top ten for 2014 when I do that in December, this is a sprawling, wild and highly engaging tale of a completely different world – one inhabited by the weird and wonderful, where dark secrets lie hidden and an eclectic and highly intriguing group set out on a quest to discover them. Well, kind of, it is what they end up doing anyway…
“Wild” Alan lived in the Pyramid in presumed relative safety, unfortunately he is still mad as a box of frogs about the death of his parents and the destruction of his village in “Discard” many years before and therefore is not terribly good at following the rules. Ejected from his home and having to leave his wife and son behind, he ends up in quite a bit of trouble as he is forced into action in order to ensure their safety. Alan is not terribly good at action frankly, he would far rather remain drunk, but needs must and off we go on a most tremendous adventure.
Firstly the world building here is superb – the world of “Gleam” has many layers, each described in beautiful detail so that they form in your head as you read. A lot of it is pretty insane but still strangely believable, the descriptive prose is pitch perfect from the first overview, which then leads to each very different environment that our characters encounter. Beautifully done throughout and ever compelling I was totally immersed into those surroundings.
Then we have our eccentric and kooky mix of characters, some who have a dark hint of danger about them, others who are often pure comedy genius. Like Mr Fletcher himself, my favourite was absolutely Nora – she is tremendously well imagined and full of depth, I’m fairly sure we have only touched the surface there. I’d happily read a book where it was just her wandering through the world of “Gleam” and dealing in her indupitable style with whatever occurred. Alan himself is fascinating, very self centred, but good at heart really although he would like to think of himself as kick ass its more often HIS ass being kicked which makes him all the more enjoyable to read about. There are many more – all of whom I will leave you to discover for yourself.
So there you go – if you are a fantasy fan you should love this. If you are not usually a fantasy fan it is certainly worth becoming one temporarily in order to read this book – there is something and someone for everyone and it is all delightfully written. 5 “Gleaming” stars and a chocolate cake for this one!
Interview with the author can be found here:
http://lizlovesbooks.com/lizlovesbook...
“Wild” Alan lived in the Pyramid in presumed relative safety, unfortunately he is still mad as a box of frogs about the death of his parents and the destruction of his village in “Discard” many years before and therefore is not terribly good at following the rules. Ejected from his home and having to leave his wife and son behind, he ends up in quite a bit of trouble as he is forced into action in order to ensure their safety. Alan is not terribly good at action frankly, he would far rather remain drunk, but needs must and off we go on a most tremendous adventure.
Firstly the world building here is superb – the world of “Gleam” has many layers, each described in beautiful detail so that they form in your head as you read. A lot of it is pretty insane but still strangely believable, the descriptive prose is pitch perfect from the first overview, which then leads to each very different environment that our characters encounter. Beautifully done throughout and ever compelling I was totally immersed into those surroundings.
Then we have our eccentric and kooky mix of characters, some who have a dark hint of danger about them, others who are often pure comedy genius. Like Mr Fletcher himself, my favourite was absolutely Nora – she is tremendously well imagined and full of depth, I’m fairly sure we have only touched the surface there. I’d happily read a book where it was just her wandering through the world of “Gleam” and dealing in her indupitable style with whatever occurred. Alan himself is fascinating, very self centred, but good at heart really although he would like to think of himself as kick ass its more often HIS ass being kicked which makes him all the more enjoyable to read about. There are many more – all of whom I will leave you to discover for yourself.
So there you go – if you are a fantasy fan you should love this. If you are not usually a fantasy fan it is certainly worth becoming one temporarily in order to read this book – there is something and someone for everyone and it is all delightfully written. 5 “Gleaming” stars and a chocolate cake for this one!
Interview with the author can be found here:
http://lizlovesbooks.com/lizlovesbook...
October 7, 2014
This review was originally posted on Avid Reviews: http://www.avidfantasyreviews.wordpre...
Gleam is the first installment in The Factory trilogy, a new series from British writer Tom Fletcher. This novel originally caught my eye when I found out the idea for the story was partly inspired by Mervyn Peake’s Gormenghast. Fletcher manages to do justice to this fantasy legend with a tale that is well imagined, fascinating, intensely strange, and that is sure to make many critics of speculative fiction swoon. Fletcher’s imagination is truly boundless, and it is obvious that Gleam is a product of this ingenuity. The world Fletcher has created in this story is incredibly complex and surreal, and never ceases to amaze the reader with its complete strangeness. I would place the genre of this novel somewhere between dystopian, fantasy, and “new weird,” but the style of the writing is a combination of Jeff VanderMeer’s and China Mieville’s bizarre plot elements, vivid imagery, and an “in the moment” narrative. These elements combine to create a unique story that is immersive without being rapidly paced, and that will leave to reader wanting to know more about his mysterious world and morally ambiguous characters.
Gleam follows the story of Alan, a man who had the chance to live in the luxury of the Black Pyramid at the center of the Gleam. Outside of the pyramid is the Discard- a giant heap of connected warrens that may once have been some sort of factory, but is now a decaying pile of unstable rubbish. There is little to eat and nowhere truly safe in the Discard, and every year the whole place sinks further into a deadly swamp. Alan knows the pyramid is safer, but he has too many unanswered questions about the shadowy authority that controls every aspect of the Pyramidders’ lives to feel comfortable there. Eventually these questions get Alan kicked out of the pyramid and thrown into the lawless wilderness of the Discard, where he creates a new life for himself as Wild Alan. But soon Alan realizes that the family he left back in the Black Pyramid is in danger, and to save them he must journey far deeper into Gleam than he ever wanted to go, where a secret dwells that has the power to change his life forever.
The distinctive and surreal qualities of this novel make it difficult for the reader to immediately adjust to the style of the narrative, the tone, and the setting. The first few chapters of Gleam are disjointed, both in time and tone. It takes a while for Alan to adjust to life in the Discard, and as he loses himself in alcohol and psychedelics, the narrative becomes fragmented to mirror his state of mind. It is not until Alan is given a purpose (to save his family) that the plot and writing style become structured. It is only after this shift in tone that the reader is able to firmly immerse himself in Alan’s world and get a feel for what Gleam and its inhabitants are really like, as well as a sense of the circumstances that drive the story’s plot. Though this initial disorder in the story may confuse some readers enough to put them off of the story, I thought it was a brilliant technique. Fletcher ensures that the reader’s sense of the story stems directly from Alan’s sense of his surroundings, and this allows the reader to truly get inside Alan’s head and experience things as he does.
Though Alan’s story is inherently a hero’s quest, he is far from the quintessential hero. His moral ambiguousness stretches further than his substance abuse and rough lifestyle; he is often indifferent to the consequences of his actions, and is willing to sacrifice anything or anyone in order to achieve his goals. Because Alan is trying to save his son, it allows the reader to feel some sympathy for his actions while still being aware of his many flaws. I also had a tendency to overlook Alan’s flaws because of the details of the truly bizarre world that Fletcher sets the story in. The mystery of the Discard and its oddities becomes a sort of character of its own, and is frequently the focus of the story. Fletcher makes his world come alive through vivid imagery, and the utter strangeness and incredible uniqueness of the setting are sure to capture and hold the attention of the reader.
I would recommend this novel to anyone who wants to read a completely new kind of speculative fiction. If you are open-minded and fascinated by things that are both surreal and bizarre, then this is definitely the story for you. I would also recommend Gleam to any speculative fiction fans that are looking to step out of their comfort zone and experience a novel that will expand their expectations of the genre. Though this is not a light or fun read, it is a fascinating one. Fletcher completely immerses the reader in the story without the use of a fast-paced plot line, and ultimately left me wanting to know more about this captivating story. I will definitely be reading the rest of The Factory trilogy as soon as it becomes available.
My rating: 8/10
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher, Jo Fletcher Books, in return for an honest review.
Gleam is the first installment in The Factory trilogy, a new series from British writer Tom Fletcher. This novel originally caught my eye when I found out the idea for the story was partly inspired by Mervyn Peake’s Gormenghast. Fletcher manages to do justice to this fantasy legend with a tale that is well imagined, fascinating, intensely strange, and that is sure to make many critics of speculative fiction swoon. Fletcher’s imagination is truly boundless, and it is obvious that Gleam is a product of this ingenuity. The world Fletcher has created in this story is incredibly complex and surreal, and never ceases to amaze the reader with its complete strangeness. I would place the genre of this novel somewhere between dystopian, fantasy, and “new weird,” but the style of the writing is a combination of Jeff VanderMeer’s and China Mieville’s bizarre plot elements, vivid imagery, and an “in the moment” narrative. These elements combine to create a unique story that is immersive without being rapidly paced, and that will leave to reader wanting to know more about his mysterious world and morally ambiguous characters.
Gleam follows the story of Alan, a man who had the chance to live in the luxury of the Black Pyramid at the center of the Gleam. Outside of the pyramid is the Discard- a giant heap of connected warrens that may once have been some sort of factory, but is now a decaying pile of unstable rubbish. There is little to eat and nowhere truly safe in the Discard, and every year the whole place sinks further into a deadly swamp. Alan knows the pyramid is safer, but he has too many unanswered questions about the shadowy authority that controls every aspect of the Pyramidders’ lives to feel comfortable there. Eventually these questions get Alan kicked out of the pyramid and thrown into the lawless wilderness of the Discard, where he creates a new life for himself as Wild Alan. But soon Alan realizes that the family he left back in the Black Pyramid is in danger, and to save them he must journey far deeper into Gleam than he ever wanted to go, where a secret dwells that has the power to change his life forever.
The distinctive and surreal qualities of this novel make it difficult for the reader to immediately adjust to the style of the narrative, the tone, and the setting. The first few chapters of Gleam are disjointed, both in time and tone. It takes a while for Alan to adjust to life in the Discard, and as he loses himself in alcohol and psychedelics, the narrative becomes fragmented to mirror his state of mind. It is not until Alan is given a purpose (to save his family) that the plot and writing style become structured. It is only after this shift in tone that the reader is able to firmly immerse himself in Alan’s world and get a feel for what Gleam and its inhabitants are really like, as well as a sense of the circumstances that drive the story’s plot. Though this initial disorder in the story may confuse some readers enough to put them off of the story, I thought it was a brilliant technique. Fletcher ensures that the reader’s sense of the story stems directly from Alan’s sense of his surroundings, and this allows the reader to truly get inside Alan’s head and experience things as he does.
Though Alan’s story is inherently a hero’s quest, he is far from the quintessential hero. His moral ambiguousness stretches further than his substance abuse and rough lifestyle; he is often indifferent to the consequences of his actions, and is willing to sacrifice anything or anyone in order to achieve his goals. Because Alan is trying to save his son, it allows the reader to feel some sympathy for his actions while still being aware of his many flaws. I also had a tendency to overlook Alan’s flaws because of the details of the truly bizarre world that Fletcher sets the story in. The mystery of the Discard and its oddities becomes a sort of character of its own, and is frequently the focus of the story. Fletcher makes his world come alive through vivid imagery, and the utter strangeness and incredible uniqueness of the setting are sure to capture and hold the attention of the reader.
I would recommend this novel to anyone who wants to read a completely new kind of speculative fiction. If you are open-minded and fascinated by things that are both surreal and bizarre, then this is definitely the story for you. I would also recommend Gleam to any speculative fiction fans that are looking to step out of their comfort zone and experience a novel that will expand their expectations of the genre. Though this is not a light or fun read, it is a fascinating one. Fletcher completely immerses the reader in the story without the use of a fast-paced plot line, and ultimately left me wanting to know more about this captivating story. I will definitely be reading the rest of The Factory trilogy as soon as it becomes available.
My rating: 8/10
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher, Jo Fletcher Books, in return for an honest review.
November 10, 2014
Fantasy Review Barn
I will tell you the truth about Gleam. I got through the first chapter and was downright pissed at the main character already. I was willing to continue on only reluctantly because the casual way this seemingly nice guy was willing to leave his child behind without a fight grated hard. Yes, I understand fighting against a seeming Utopia that others don’t question but to leave behind your son without a second thought? I don’t think so.
But I read on, and I am glad I read on, because what lies beneath the surface eventually comes to light. See, it turns out our protagonist is an asshole with a conscious. And that is the type of character I can read about gladly. Gleam is a bit of post apocalypse, a bit of dystopia, and a whole lot of weird. It is also strangely compelling, a bit more fun that its dark themes should provide, and a damn fine read.
Alan has spent most of his life in the Pyramid, something that appears to be the lone point (oh hey there unintentional pun) of civilization in a world slowly being taken over by a growing swamp. Life is simple here; work your station, give a little blood, and eventually retire in comfort in the pyramid’s garden. But Alan isn’t from the factory and always holds a bit of resentment. Something in his past doesn’t sit right. And when he mouths off a few too many times the Pyramid makes it clear that he can leave into the Discard, lest his family be punished for his actions.
What follows is the tale of a quest. A short, but eventful, messed up quest. A little bit of coercion has Alan in desperate need of the most scarce of mushrooms. The choices are few; dealing with the so called Mushroom Queen (a character who can get her own sequel anytime the author wants to give us one) or track it to the source. Alan, as mentioned, is an asshole who knows how to burn bridges. Asking nicely for the object of his geis probably won’t turn out well so it is team freak show assemble!
A person’s tolerance for Gleam will be tied to their love of quirky characters. I am not sure any of them have that depth thing that makes feel like real people but almost all of them are a kick to read about. Alan’s oldest friend and partner in the Discard has a history that left him without eyelids. A tattoo artist that seems to live on hallucinogenics joins the little journey to probable death without a second though. Alan’s newest squeeze sets up the little party for Alan but obviously has plans of her own. And to top it off the party is joined by a Mapmaker. Mapmakers make people in the discard, people who live with daily violence without blinking, shake in their lack of boots. To visualize this team’s mapmaker think River from Firefly with a whole lot more sadism; yet at time she is the kindest character in the book.
I am also thrilled to have a dystopian future that breaks from the current trend of forcing people into false factions. Barely recognizable as something earth-like this is a world to dig in to. Ancient factory is the best guess but whatever it is this is a land covered in decaying human construction. The people in the Pyramid consider themselves to be the sole point of civilization left; and for all the pride those outside it show there is very little to prove them wrong. Like the best of dystopias this one deals with what themes like the price for security, the price of anarchy, and everything in-between—and doesn’t pretend to give an answer as to who has things right.
A very impressive book and sure to be enjoyed by those who like their world dark and their characters insane.
4 Stars
Copy for review provided by publisher.
I will tell you the truth about Gleam. I got through the first chapter and was downright pissed at the main character already. I was willing to continue on only reluctantly because the casual way this seemingly nice guy was willing to leave his child behind without a fight grated hard. Yes, I understand fighting against a seeming Utopia that others don’t question but to leave behind your son without a second thought? I don’t think so.
But I read on, and I am glad I read on, because what lies beneath the surface eventually comes to light. See, it turns out our protagonist is an asshole with a conscious. And that is the type of character I can read about gladly. Gleam is a bit of post apocalypse, a bit of dystopia, and a whole lot of weird. It is also strangely compelling, a bit more fun that its dark themes should provide, and a damn fine read.
Alan has spent most of his life in the Pyramid, something that appears to be the lone point (oh hey there unintentional pun) of civilization in a world slowly being taken over by a growing swamp. Life is simple here; work your station, give a little blood, and eventually retire in comfort in the pyramid’s garden. But Alan isn’t from the factory and always holds a bit of resentment. Something in his past doesn’t sit right. And when he mouths off a few too many times the Pyramid makes it clear that he can leave into the Discard, lest his family be punished for his actions.
What follows is the tale of a quest. A short, but eventful, messed up quest. A little bit of coercion has Alan in desperate need of the most scarce of mushrooms. The choices are few; dealing with the so called Mushroom Queen (a character who can get her own sequel anytime the author wants to give us one) or track it to the source. Alan, as mentioned, is an asshole who knows how to burn bridges. Asking nicely for the object of his geis probably won’t turn out well so it is team freak show assemble!
A person’s tolerance for Gleam will be tied to their love of quirky characters. I am not sure any of them have that depth thing that makes feel like real people but almost all of them are a kick to read about. Alan’s oldest friend and partner in the Discard has a history that left him without eyelids. A tattoo artist that seems to live on hallucinogenics joins the little journey to probable death without a second though. Alan’s newest squeeze sets up the little party for Alan but obviously has plans of her own. And to top it off the party is joined by a Mapmaker. Mapmakers make people in the discard, people who live with daily violence without blinking, shake in their lack of boots. To visualize this team’s mapmaker think River from Firefly with a whole lot more sadism; yet at time she is the kindest character in the book.
I am also thrilled to have a dystopian future that breaks from the current trend of forcing people into false factions. Barely recognizable as something earth-like this is a world to dig in to. Ancient factory is the best guess but whatever it is this is a land covered in decaying human construction. The people in the Pyramid consider themselves to be the sole point of civilization left; and for all the pride those outside it show there is very little to prove them wrong. Like the best of dystopias this one deals with what themes like the price for security, the price of anarchy, and everything in-between—and doesn’t pretend to give an answer as to who has things right.
A very impressive book and sure to be enjoyed by those who like their world dark and their characters insane.
4 Stars
Copy for review provided by publisher.
September 13, 2014
How to even explain this world. They themselves do not even know what kind of world they live in.
It's a world where there in the middle there is a big black pyramid. People live there. They eat, sleep, work. But their lives are better. They do not know what they do for a living, they just work. Outside is the Discards, broken buildings, broken people, weird beings and swamps. The life there is not good. They hate, or do not care about the Pyramidders. And they do not know what exactly they live in. Why does it look like this? What is this?
In this world we have wild Alan who left the Pyramid and lives in the Discard. He is not a nice hero. He cares about himself and the family he left behind. In the mean time he sleeps with everyone he can find and drinks and misses his old life. Life is not white or black. It's grey, and he will do anything to be with them again.
The story is about him trying to make a living and then about a certain quest he undertakes. I liked that part, we got to see more of the Discard and meet someone with questions or answers. There is more to come, so we will learn more eventually.
A freaky weird world. I would not want to live there, but it was interesting to read about. And what to even classify it as? Is this our world gone to hell in the future?
It's a world where there in the middle there is a big black pyramid. People live there. They eat, sleep, work. But their lives are better. They do not know what they do for a living, they just work. Outside is the Discards, broken buildings, broken people, weird beings and swamps. The life there is not good. They hate, or do not care about the Pyramidders. And they do not know what exactly they live in. Why does it look like this? What is this?
In this world we have wild Alan who left the Pyramid and lives in the Discard. He is not a nice hero. He cares about himself and the family he left behind. In the mean time he sleeps with everyone he can find and drinks and misses his old life. Life is not white or black. It's grey, and he will do anything to be with them again.
The story is about him trying to make a living and then about a certain quest he undertakes. I liked that part, we got to see more of the Discard and meet someone with questions or answers. There is more to come, so we will learn more eventually.
A freaky weird world. I would not want to live there, but it was interesting to read about. And what to even classify it as? Is this our world gone to hell in the future?
November 25, 2014
Review from Tenacious Reader http://www.tenaciousreader.com/2014/1...
3.5/5 stars
The cover may be absolutely gorgeous, but be warned, this is one strange world. Within the Gleam, there is a black Pyramid in which people are safe from the external threats. They are shown preserved samples of the creatures that lurk outside their walls, in what they call the Discard. They are told stories of the horrors that await anyone that ventures outside the safety of the Pyramid. But Alan (also known as Wild Alan), knows a different side of the life outside the Pyramid. Unlike others, he was actually born in the Discard, he spent his childhood in what sounds to be a pleasant trading town situated between the Pyramid and the rest of the Discard. But, given this is a dark dystopian type of book, all good things must come to an end. Tragedy strikes, and Alan find himself taken into the Pyramid.
Years later, after Alan has grown and has a wife and child, Alan once again finds himself in the Discard, dependent on his abilities to sing and entertain to provide him with shelter and food. And his willingness to sleep with just about anything to moves to give him warmth and companionship at night. I couldn’t help but be reminded of Kvothe given these two traits, but Alan is by no means Kvothe. They both just happen to sing and sleep around. Alan is driven by his desire to make right for Billy, his son he left behind. As part of this, he is tasked with an impossible journey. One that will take him to part of the Discard that even those in the Discard fear. And what kind of journey would it be without companions? Alan winds up with a group of four other people on this mission.
Their journeys take them through this strange and bizarre world. A world that has, amongst other mysteries, a terrifying, blood thirsty creature with razor sharp claws that also cries and/or giggles like an infant. There are gigantic snails that some adventurous folks have even taken to saddling and riding as a means of transportation. There is a large trade in mushrooms of all kinds, known for varying types of side effects when taken for recreational use. Deformities are also common in areas, people with multiple mouths, glass hands, missing sections of torso. Oh and the ailments. Vomiting frogs is the most memorable. So yes, prepare yourself for a level of strangeness.
I try to avoid spoilers, but found I can’t fully write my review for this without touching on my reaction to the ending. Without any specifics I will say I am not a fan of books that end with a sudden reveal of information that happened prior to our story began. A critical turn of events that can explain much of what had seemed more of a mystery throughout the book. I would rather have known going in, and just had it been a little less of a puzzle. Maybe it is this way by design. Maybe its an indication of Alan finally coming to terms with the whole truth of why things happened. But as a reader, my reaction was a bit less favorable because of it. But, I am guessing many readers won’t have this hang up.
Overall, this was a fun a different read. The world is quite unpredictable and imaginative. Despite his flaws, despite his constant anger, I liked Alan, I was rooting for him to make it in this odd and threatening place, I wanted him to find happiness and a way to save his son and wife. This book is dark and bizarre, so I don’t think its going to be for everyone. But, it is also fascinating and captivating, so if you enjoy that sort of thing, then it’s definitely worth the read.
3.5/5 stars
The cover may be absolutely gorgeous, but be warned, this is one strange world. Within the Gleam, there is a black Pyramid in which people are safe from the external threats. They are shown preserved samples of the creatures that lurk outside their walls, in what they call the Discard. They are told stories of the horrors that await anyone that ventures outside the safety of the Pyramid. But Alan (also known as Wild Alan), knows a different side of the life outside the Pyramid. Unlike others, he was actually born in the Discard, he spent his childhood in what sounds to be a pleasant trading town situated between the Pyramid and the rest of the Discard. But, given this is a dark dystopian type of book, all good things must come to an end. Tragedy strikes, and Alan find himself taken into the Pyramid.
Years later, after Alan has grown and has a wife and child, Alan once again finds himself in the Discard, dependent on his abilities to sing and entertain to provide him with shelter and food. And his willingness to sleep with just about anything to moves to give him warmth and companionship at night. I couldn’t help but be reminded of Kvothe given these two traits, but Alan is by no means Kvothe. They both just happen to sing and sleep around. Alan is driven by his desire to make right for Billy, his son he left behind. As part of this, he is tasked with an impossible journey. One that will take him to part of the Discard that even those in the Discard fear. And what kind of journey would it be without companions? Alan winds up with a group of four other people on this mission.
Their journeys take them through this strange and bizarre world. A world that has, amongst other mysteries, a terrifying, blood thirsty creature with razor sharp claws that also cries and/or giggles like an infant. There are gigantic snails that some adventurous folks have even taken to saddling and riding as a means of transportation. There is a large trade in mushrooms of all kinds, known for varying types of side effects when taken for recreational use. Deformities are also common in areas, people with multiple mouths, glass hands, missing sections of torso. Oh and the ailments. Vomiting frogs is the most memorable. So yes, prepare yourself for a level of strangeness.
I try to avoid spoilers, but found I can’t fully write my review for this without touching on my reaction to the ending. Without any specifics I will say I am not a fan of books that end with a sudden reveal of information that happened prior to our story began. A critical turn of events that can explain much of what had seemed more of a mystery throughout the book. I would rather have known going in, and just had it been a little less of a puzzle. Maybe it is this way by design. Maybe its an indication of Alan finally coming to terms with the whole truth of why things happened. But as a reader, my reaction was a bit less favorable because of it. But, I am guessing many readers won’t have this hang up.
Overall, this was a fun a different read. The world is quite unpredictable and imaginative. Despite his flaws, despite his constant anger, I liked Alan, I was rooting for him to make it in this odd and threatening place, I wanted him to find happiness and a way to save his son and wife. This book is dark and bizarre, so I don’t think its going to be for everyone. But, it is also fascinating and captivating, so if you enjoy that sort of thing, then it’s definitely worth the read.
July 21, 2017
Full review and more up on my blog: http://bit.ly/2ugBZK0
So, where to begin with this one? Well let’s discuss our main character ‘Wild Alan’ for a start. He’s your classic ‘love to hate’ hero who makes a series of poor choices throughout the book and rarely changes for the better. I’ve not seen Breaking Bad but from what I’ve gathered it’s that descent into immorality while still trying to be a tolerable (if not likeable) main character. Alan certainly manages to make a lot of poor choices in this book. What I think this book could have done better is to have made him a bit more likeable at the start of the book so the contrast was greater, or to have told his backstory through flashbacks so you get reminded of his potential to be a decent human being? Instead you’re left wondering why you should support this fairly unpleasant person and it just means you don’t follow his journey as attentively as you might otherwise.
There are other characters, however, that I was incredibly interested in. We have the mapmaker Bloody Nora (whose story is largely where the ‘magical’ elements to this story converge) who was badass and amazing, there’s Spider who is a tattoo artist and general awesome individual, there’s a whole band of unlikely heroes who are all far more interesting than Alan himself. Maybe if this had been a bit more like Six of Crows in that each character is explored and explained a bit more rather than focussing on one character I would have been more interested.
I can’t deny this is a cool setting. There’s the contrast between the sinister safety and cleanliness of the Pyramid and the danger (but freedom) of the Discard. The main thing that interested me about the Discard was it’s many forms. We had industrial elements alongside organic features, there’s the threat of the swamp below. It had something a little reminiscent of Beyond the Deepwoods which is one of my favourite Middle Grade Series. In fact, if Chris Riddell could have illustrated this book I would have been all for it.
My main problem with this book is not in the world building but with the storyline. Once I had worked out that I wasn’t really rooting for Alan in this scenario I stopped being concerned with what happened to him and, in a story where he is the main character you begin to lose interest entirely. But the story itself is a little odd. I think because Fletcher is trying to build up the mystery of what is happening in the pyramid and in Gleam as a whole for later books you’re just left floundering wondering why on earth anything operates the way it does. Is this the future? Is it an alternative universe? Why can some people wield magic but only in a very specific way? Who are the bad guys in a world where pretty much everyone has to be a terrible human being to survive?
I will say that the writing, not the storytelling but the writing itself, was lovely to read. It’s very evocative, the more disgusting parts actually made my skin crawl and the descriptions of the discard did make me feel like I was really there, so if you’re looking to experience a creepy new setting then maybe this will work for you?
It may be that a reread is necessary to fully appreciate what was going on in this book. It may be that the sequel Idle Hands which releases at the end of July will start to explain things that this book did not. It may be that I’m just not bright enough to grasp the genius of this story. Either way, this book just wasn’t for me.
My rating: 3/5 stars. (I’d give it 2 but I did enjoy the concept)
By the way, I received a digital advanced review copy of Gleam from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review, all opinions are my own.
So, where to begin with this one? Well let’s discuss our main character ‘Wild Alan’ for a start. He’s your classic ‘love to hate’ hero who makes a series of poor choices throughout the book and rarely changes for the better. I’ve not seen Breaking Bad but from what I’ve gathered it’s that descent into immorality while still trying to be a tolerable (if not likeable) main character. Alan certainly manages to make a lot of poor choices in this book. What I think this book could have done better is to have made him a bit more likeable at the start of the book so the contrast was greater, or to have told his backstory through flashbacks so you get reminded of his potential to be a decent human being? Instead you’re left wondering why you should support this fairly unpleasant person and it just means you don’t follow his journey as attentively as you might otherwise.
There are other characters, however, that I was incredibly interested in. We have the mapmaker Bloody Nora (whose story is largely where the ‘magical’ elements to this story converge) who was badass and amazing, there’s Spider who is a tattoo artist and general awesome individual, there’s a whole band of unlikely heroes who are all far more interesting than Alan himself. Maybe if this had been a bit more like Six of Crows in that each character is explored and explained a bit more rather than focussing on one character I would have been more interested.
I can’t deny this is a cool setting. There’s the contrast between the sinister safety and cleanliness of the Pyramid and the danger (but freedom) of the Discard. The main thing that interested me about the Discard was it’s many forms. We had industrial elements alongside organic features, there’s the threat of the swamp below. It had something a little reminiscent of Beyond the Deepwoods which is one of my favourite Middle Grade Series. In fact, if Chris Riddell could have illustrated this book I would have been all for it.
My main problem with this book is not in the world building but with the storyline. Once I had worked out that I wasn’t really rooting for Alan in this scenario I stopped being concerned with what happened to him and, in a story where he is the main character you begin to lose interest entirely. But the story itself is a little odd. I think because Fletcher is trying to build up the mystery of what is happening in the pyramid and in Gleam as a whole for later books you’re just left floundering wondering why on earth anything operates the way it does. Is this the future? Is it an alternative universe? Why can some people wield magic but only in a very specific way? Who are the bad guys in a world where pretty much everyone has to be a terrible human being to survive?
I will say that the writing, not the storytelling but the writing itself, was lovely to read. It’s very evocative, the more disgusting parts actually made my skin crawl and the descriptions of the discard did make me feel like I was really there, so if you’re looking to experience a creepy new setting then maybe this will work for you?
It may be that a reread is necessary to fully appreciate what was going on in this book. It may be that the sequel Idle Hands which releases at the end of July will start to explain things that this book did not. It may be that I’m just not bright enough to grasp the genius of this story. Either way, this book just wasn’t for me.
My rating: 3/5 stars. (I’d give it 2 but I did enjoy the concept)
By the way, I received a digital advanced review copy of Gleam from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review, all opinions are my own.
June 23, 2017
The world of Gleam is a fascinating one, and hat's off to the author, who's world building and atmosphere creating is fantastic! This is a really good book and story, and one I've wanted to read something like for a while.
I also got on with and really engaged with all the characters, which is a rare thing for me, where we have our main character Alan and his band of roguish, un-hero like misfits travelling through Gleam on a mission to aid Alan in saving his family. Although as the story unfolds, we realise in actual fact their all on their own private missions, and makes this story and story telling quite original to your standard format fantasy book of a band of misfits off to save the world.
The world of Gleam and the story centres around the Pyramid. A city as such, full of mysteries which as of yet we still haven't solved, in which the citizens live a safe, comfortable and peaceful life. Or so it appears. The rest of Gleam is pretty much run down, dangerous, dog eats dog kind of towns. I pictured many of them to be like something from Mad Max 'beyond Thunder dome' when reading it. All rust, dust and sweat.
And so yes, this is a book I really enjoyed. Why the dropped star? I do feel harsh in the dropped star but for me the ending was too sudden with too many unanswered questions. I am now aware that this is the first in a trilogy, but do like books in a series to still be able to stand alone, to be able to answer some question or have some part of the story closed. This is just wide open for more, like the end of a chapter not a book. A peeve of mine I'm afraid.
So, will I read the next in the series? Yes I think I will. Too many questions and curiosities of mine I hope to have answered.
I also got on with and really engaged with all the characters, which is a rare thing for me, where we have our main character Alan and his band of roguish, un-hero like misfits travelling through Gleam on a mission to aid Alan in saving his family. Although as the story unfolds, we realise in actual fact their all on their own private missions, and makes this story and story telling quite original to your standard format fantasy book of a band of misfits off to save the world.
The world of Gleam and the story centres around the Pyramid. A city as such, full of mysteries which as of yet we still haven't solved, in which the citizens live a safe, comfortable and peaceful life. Or so it appears. The rest of Gleam is pretty much run down, dangerous, dog eats dog kind of towns. I pictured many of them to be like something from Mad Max 'beyond Thunder dome' when reading it. All rust, dust and sweat.
And so yes, this is a book I really enjoyed. Why the dropped star? I do feel harsh in the dropped star but for me the ending was too sudden with too many unanswered questions. I am now aware that this is the first in a trilogy, but do like books in a series to still be able to stand alone, to be able to answer some question or have some part of the story closed. This is just wide open for more, like the end of a chapter not a book. A peeve of mine I'm afraid.
So, will I read the next in the series? Yes I think I will. Too many questions and curiosities of mine I hope to have answered.
December 13, 2015
And since this book has a lovable asshole as the main character how could I not love this book because of that fact because I do. Also this was a impulse buy and I was interested in the story as well but heck Wild Alan here pretty much stole my heart by Chapter 7 and I just wound up loving this book after that.
Only problem is I now have the annoying wait for book two which won't be out until next year.
A summery for Gleam:
The gargantuan Factory of Gleam is an ancient, hulking edifice of stone, metal and glass. This Black Pyramid is home to many who live and die in luxury inside its walls, for the outside-the Discard-is a decaying lawless zone.
The Pyramid is also home to Wild Alan, who watched his parents massacred by Arbitrators-the disciplinary force if the Pyramid-as a child. Unable to let go of the past, he has grown up angry, resentful and desperate for answers. But when a final act of defiance puts his family in danger, he has no choice but to retreat into Discard.
There he is given an ultimatum: bring the Arbitrators a mushroom with great powers, or see his son suffer...but in travelling through Gleam, he is about to uncover more than he bargained for.
Kind of wishing I'd read this book sooner actually, but hey better late then never I guess but yeah I need the sequel ASAP.
Only problem is I now have the annoying wait for book two which won't be out until next year.
A summery for Gleam:
The gargantuan Factory of Gleam is an ancient, hulking edifice of stone, metal and glass. This Black Pyramid is home to many who live and die in luxury inside its walls, for the outside-the Discard-is a decaying lawless zone.
The Pyramid is also home to Wild Alan, who watched his parents massacred by Arbitrators-the disciplinary force if the Pyramid-as a child. Unable to let go of the past, he has grown up angry, resentful and desperate for answers. But when a final act of defiance puts his family in danger, he has no choice but to retreat into Discard.
There he is given an ultimatum: bring the Arbitrators a mushroom with great powers, or see his son suffer...but in travelling through Gleam, he is about to uncover more than he bargained for.
Kind of wishing I'd read this book sooner actually, but hey better late then never I guess but yeah I need the sequel ASAP.
January 3, 2018
Sensational worldbuilding! Outstanding novel.
September 26, 2014
This book turned out to be something completely different than what I expected. 'Gleam' is a fascinating story about a world with two extreme, opposing sides. The Discard is a place of chaos, survival, crime and violence, but a place where everyone makes their own choices. The Pyramid is a highly controlled structure, where people live a comfortable life, but aren't allowed to step out of line or ask questions. Tom made a richly described new world to get lost in and it's one you've never read before. He also made some interesting choices for his characters.
Alan is a husband and father, living in the Pyramid, who can't forget his past in the Discard. He sings songs about it in the Pyramid and he still has some connection with people living in the Discard. Of course this isn't tolerated by the Arbitrators, a sort of law enforcement of the Pyramid, and when punishing him doesn't seem to work, they start to punish his family. At this point Alan and his wife decide that it is better if Alan leaves and goes back to the Discard, to protect his family. If you thought after reading this that this is a story about a caring man fighting to get his family and his honour back, think again. Alan isn't at all a hero or a handsome, fierce knight on a quest. Once Alan survives the first few weeks in the Discard, he literally becomes Wild Alan, the nickname they had given him in the Pyramid. Screwing another woman every few days, addicted to mushrooms and alcohol and only just getting by thanks to his music. Alan is actually a pretty pathetic character for the first half of the book, but that's what makes him so interesting. It's realistic, very human and it's refreshing to read about a character that's flawed and not ultimately a hero or anti-hero. He's just a guy, trying to see his son and trying to survive. When he has to choose between running to save his live or help others to save theirs, he'll probably choose the former.
The other characters all have their own flaws and some strengths to add to the strange party that leaves to travel to Dok, where they will try to get hold of a special kind of mushrooms. At least, that's what Alan thinks. As it turns out, each one of them has its own agenda. Except for Spider maybe, who is quite a nice guy. A tattoo artist and part of Alan's band, he accompanies his friend and sticks with him through the entire journey. The third person in their band, Eyes, a guy tortured by the Pyramidders and now living life without eyelids and a bad case of the shudders, goes along with a whole other plan in mind. Churr, a transient, with a rather fierce personality comes along in the hopes she can overthrow the ruling Mushroom Queen, Daunt, and take her place. She also provides a Mapmaker, who are notorious in the Discard for their fighting skills and their lack of scruple.
The defining moment when I realised that Tom's writing was really pulling me in to the story was the bloodletting scene at the very beginning of the book. I'm not a big fan of needles. Needles being poked in the veins in my arm or hand make me squeamish. Seeing the blood flowing out of my body doesn't help either. My doctor told me to describe all the fish in his fish tank whenever I needed to come in for blood when I was a little girl, to distract me. I still do that. I've seen a plethora of fish in that office. When I read that bloodletting scene I was literally squirming in my seat. I could feel that needle, the blood leaving Alan's body. Brrrr.
The Discard is a highly complex and fascinating place where people live rather crudely. Alan discovers whole new parts of the Discard in his quest to find the mushrooms he can use to bribe the Arbitrators with. Some things Tom described really made me shudder, like the way he detailed a woman eating a raw slug, shell and all. Yuck. The swamp was another weird experience all on its own, I could almost smell the pungent stench of rotten things. Once they get to the Dok, another whole new world opens up. It seems the Discard is just full of new things to discover, certainly not all nice and fluffy, but all very interesting.
We only get a brief view of the Pyramid and this as well is full of mystery. Nobody really knows what they're working for or why they have to go to the bloodlettings, but they live a comfortable life and they don't know any better. Every aspect of their life is however strictly controlled and Alan, who has experienced a different kind of life, just can't adjust.
Alan was taken to the Pyramid after the Arbitrators slaughtered everyone in the little town he lived in, including his parents. For a huge part of the story we know only that this fuels Alan's hate for the Pyramid, but we don't know any details. Later on certain things are revealed that throw a whole new perspective on the story you've been reading so far. I always enjoy twists like that, shedding a new light on the story, making you think about what happened so far.
Not all of the mysteries of the Pyramid and the Discard are solved at the end of the book, there are still many things that I'm curious about and that make me eager to read the rest of the books in this series. Where did the Discard and the Pyramid come from? We know that the people living in the Discard now call the people who built everything 'The Builders' and there are strange things in de landscape that hint at a forgotten past. What is the bloodletting for and what is the purpose of the work the Pyramidders do every day? And most of all: what will happen after the events on the last pages of the book? Exciting!
In need of an original, imaginative, kind of weird story to lose yourself in to? Than ‘Gleam’ is something for you!
Alan is a husband and father, living in the Pyramid, who can't forget his past in the Discard. He sings songs about it in the Pyramid and he still has some connection with people living in the Discard. Of course this isn't tolerated by the Arbitrators, a sort of law enforcement of the Pyramid, and when punishing him doesn't seem to work, they start to punish his family. At this point Alan and his wife decide that it is better if Alan leaves and goes back to the Discard, to protect his family. If you thought after reading this that this is a story about a caring man fighting to get his family and his honour back, think again. Alan isn't at all a hero or a handsome, fierce knight on a quest. Once Alan survives the first few weeks in the Discard, he literally becomes Wild Alan, the nickname they had given him in the Pyramid. Screwing another woman every few days, addicted to mushrooms and alcohol and only just getting by thanks to his music. Alan is actually a pretty pathetic character for the first half of the book, but that's what makes him so interesting. It's realistic, very human and it's refreshing to read about a character that's flawed and not ultimately a hero or anti-hero. He's just a guy, trying to see his son and trying to survive. When he has to choose between running to save his live or help others to save theirs, he'll probably choose the former.
The other characters all have their own flaws and some strengths to add to the strange party that leaves to travel to Dok, where they will try to get hold of a special kind of mushrooms. At least, that's what Alan thinks. As it turns out, each one of them has its own agenda. Except for Spider maybe, who is quite a nice guy. A tattoo artist and part of Alan's band, he accompanies his friend and sticks with him through the entire journey. The third person in their band, Eyes, a guy tortured by the Pyramidders and now living life without eyelids and a bad case of the shudders, goes along with a whole other plan in mind. Churr, a transient, with a rather fierce personality comes along in the hopes she can overthrow the ruling Mushroom Queen, Daunt, and take her place. She also provides a Mapmaker, who are notorious in the Discard for their fighting skills and their lack of scruple.
The defining moment when I realised that Tom's writing was really pulling me in to the story was the bloodletting scene at the very beginning of the book. I'm not a big fan of needles. Needles being poked in the veins in my arm or hand make me squeamish. Seeing the blood flowing out of my body doesn't help either. My doctor told me to describe all the fish in his fish tank whenever I needed to come in for blood when I was a little girl, to distract me. I still do that. I've seen a plethora of fish in that office. When I read that bloodletting scene I was literally squirming in my seat. I could feel that needle, the blood leaving Alan's body. Brrrr.
The Discard is a highly complex and fascinating place where people live rather crudely. Alan discovers whole new parts of the Discard in his quest to find the mushrooms he can use to bribe the Arbitrators with. Some things Tom described really made me shudder, like the way he detailed a woman eating a raw slug, shell and all. Yuck. The swamp was another weird experience all on its own, I could almost smell the pungent stench of rotten things. Once they get to the Dok, another whole new world opens up. It seems the Discard is just full of new things to discover, certainly not all nice and fluffy, but all very interesting.
We only get a brief view of the Pyramid and this as well is full of mystery. Nobody really knows what they're working for or why they have to go to the bloodlettings, but they live a comfortable life and they don't know any better. Every aspect of their life is however strictly controlled and Alan, who has experienced a different kind of life, just can't adjust.
Alan was taken to the Pyramid after the Arbitrators slaughtered everyone in the little town he lived in, including his parents. For a huge part of the story we know only that this fuels Alan's hate for the Pyramid, but we don't know any details. Later on certain things are revealed that throw a whole new perspective on the story you've been reading so far. I always enjoy twists like that, shedding a new light on the story, making you think about what happened so far.
Not all of the mysteries of the Pyramid and the Discard are solved at the end of the book, there are still many things that I'm curious about and that make me eager to read the rest of the books in this series. Where did the Discard and the Pyramid come from? We know that the people living in the Discard now call the people who built everything 'The Builders' and there are strange things in de landscape that hint at a forgotten past. What is the bloodletting for and what is the purpose of the work the Pyramidders do every day? And most of all: what will happen after the events on the last pages of the book? Exciting!
In need of an original, imaginative, kind of weird story to lose yourself in to? Than ‘Gleam’ is something for you!
October 2, 2014
The start of the dystopian Factory Trilogy, Gleam proves to be an ambitious title examining the human condition in a world of extremes, set between the dictatorially ordered Pyramid and the barren wasteland Discard beyond its walls. The survivor of a town massacred by the Pyramidders, Alan is one of those truly resentful of his home. When his constant questioning of authority results in the governing power assaulting his family, he strives for a life beyond its confines…
Embodying classic science fiction themes and tropes of the best kind, Gleam dresses up its ideas in extremely graphically grim content and takes the ideas of freedom or civilisation a step further than you would expect. From the very start, it’s made clear that this is not going to be a happy book with the gruesomely told bloodletting digging in with every detail and setting the tone for the barbaric sights of this world.
While each of the novel’s key locations cloak themselves in mysteries that are largely left unanswered, their thematic impact and relevance to the story’s themes is enough to keep any reader going. Rather than feeling akin to Lost where nothing is answered, it is far closer to Metro 2033 where exact answers are not what the tale is about, instead the meaning of certain ideas to the story.
There is only one key failing, which really hurts the story, which is a lack of descriptive words and broader choice of language on the part of the author. While the descriptions themselves of each location are extensive and thematic in the right places, there are not enough moments where the tale really takes the time to build an image in the reader’s head. For all the times the book might emphasise the nature of a landscape, far too often a lack of emotive language makes the book seem as if it’s stating the information rather than truly telling it to the reader.
Despite this failing, Gleam is a strong start to a very interesting world. Anyone looking for a science fiction tale of grim darkness should definitely pick this one up.
Embodying classic science fiction themes and tropes of the best kind, Gleam dresses up its ideas in extremely graphically grim content and takes the ideas of freedom or civilisation a step further than you would expect. From the very start, it’s made clear that this is not going to be a happy book with the gruesomely told bloodletting digging in with every detail and setting the tone for the barbaric sights of this world.
While each of the novel’s key locations cloak themselves in mysteries that are largely left unanswered, their thematic impact and relevance to the story’s themes is enough to keep any reader going. Rather than feeling akin to Lost where nothing is answered, it is far closer to Metro 2033 where exact answers are not what the tale is about, instead the meaning of certain ideas to the story.
There is only one key failing, which really hurts the story, which is a lack of descriptive words and broader choice of language on the part of the author. While the descriptions themselves of each location are extensive and thematic in the right places, there are not enough moments where the tale really takes the time to build an image in the reader’s head. For all the times the book might emphasise the nature of a landscape, far too often a lack of emotive language makes the book seem as if it’s stating the information rather than truly telling it to the reader.
Despite this failing, Gleam is a strong start to a very interesting world. Anyone looking for a science fiction tale of grim darkness should definitely pick this one up.
August 20, 2015
The idea of the gargantuan factory that has been lost to years of suffering and discard is incredible. and once the swamp was introduced I was able to piece together quite a beautiful world. A world that really is full of challenges both described and ill described within the pages.
BUT, there is so so sooo much going on. So many different aspects to each characters life that really I could read a book on each one.
I loved the explanation to the Mapmakers it was excellent and the way Nora was built as a character is perfect.
At the end I was left wanting more, not because I thought the book was the best I have ever read because it isn't and it definitely is not incredibly written. But the uniqueness of the story. It was blissful and chaotic and the addition of the music sometimes created a world of its own within the pages and it allowed me to feel how Alan felt the pain, the love, the anger and so on to whatever other emotion you believe he was feeling.
I would recommend this book to anyone, but I would caution them to not critique it harshly because it can't be and shouldn't if anything it should be a guilty pleasure.
such a simple cover with a name not worth a second look but hell its a beautiful world we live in.
Thank you Tom Fletcher, I am looking forward to the Sequel!
p.s I hope Nora kicks some arbitrator ass.
BUT, there is so so sooo much going on. So many different aspects to each characters life that really I could read a book on each one.
I loved the explanation to the Mapmakers it was excellent and the way Nora was built as a character is perfect.
At the end I was left wanting more, not because I thought the book was the best I have ever read because it isn't and it definitely is not incredibly written. But the uniqueness of the story. It was blissful and chaotic and the addition of the music sometimes created a world of its own within the pages and it allowed me to feel how Alan felt the pain, the love, the anger and so on to whatever other emotion you believe he was feeling.
I would recommend this book to anyone, but I would caution them to not critique it harshly because it can't be and shouldn't if anything it should be a guilty pleasure.
such a simple cover with a name not worth a second look but hell its a beautiful world we live in.
Thank you Tom Fletcher, I am looking forward to the Sequel!
p.s I hope Nora kicks some arbitrator ass.
December 22, 2017
This is an extraordinary book that offers both complexity and richness with a simple and clearly identifiable storyline. That it is the first in a series bodes well for the lucky reader who enters this world.
Characterisation is particularly well done in the peripheral characters. This is interesting as it means the central character is a continued anomaly. He has a simple purposeful raison d'etre but this seems to be constantly at odds with his actions. To solve his need he moves further away from his goal and his actions are characterised through negatives with which he is constantly surrounded.
There is fascinating world building which grows in its complexity with each stage of the journey. There are hints of magic but most beings and features are sufficiently bizarre to hold the attention.
There is a tendency throughout to explore a particular scene in great detail but then jump without clear transitions. It is accepted that this is a reflection of the lead characters perceptions, but things could have been smoother.
The ending of the story resolves at least one of the threads through the book but leaves it wide open for another tale.
I would certainly recommend this book for its world-building and characterisation, time will tell once the remainder of the story is told as to whether it reaches such heights
Characterisation is particularly well done in the peripheral characters. This is interesting as it means the central character is a continued anomaly. He has a simple purposeful raison d'etre but this seems to be constantly at odds with his actions. To solve his need he moves further away from his goal and his actions are characterised through negatives with which he is constantly surrounded.
There is fascinating world building which grows in its complexity with each stage of the journey. There are hints of magic but most beings and features are sufficiently bizarre to hold the attention.
There is a tendency throughout to explore a particular scene in great detail but then jump without clear transitions. It is accepted that this is a reflection of the lead characters perceptions, but things could have been smoother.
The ending of the story resolves at least one of the threads through the book but leaves it wide open for another tale.
I would certainly recommend this book for its world-building and characterisation, time will tell once the remainder of the story is told as to whether it reaches such heights
November 19, 2014
'Gleam' by Tom Fletcher is the first instalment in a new series of fantasy books called 'The Factory Trilogy'. I was very excited to read this book as the synopsis sounded great and the cover is absolutely beautiful!
It took me a few chapters to really get into the book. I felt that everything happened a bit too quickly to begin with and then the pace became very slow for the next couple of chapters. However once I got into it this book was a really good read. I loved the plot and the characters. I found the main character, Alan, immediately dislikeable but as the story progressed and I found out more about him I grew to like him. All the central characters are very complex which makes for an interesting story. I especially liked Nora and I enjoyed reading about the Mapmakers.
Overall, I thought this was a brilliant start to what I'm sure will be a great trilogy and I'm looking forward to reading the next one :)
It took me a few chapters to really get into the book. I felt that everything happened a bit too quickly to begin with and then the pace became very slow for the next couple of chapters. However once I got into it this book was a really good read. I loved the plot and the characters. I found the main character, Alan, immediately dislikeable but as the story progressed and I found out more about him I grew to like him. All the central characters are very complex which makes for an interesting story. I especially liked Nora and I enjoyed reading about the Mapmakers.
Overall, I thought this was a brilliant start to what I'm sure will be a great trilogy and I'm looking forward to reading the next one :)
December 29, 2014
I'm generally a big fan of this type of strangeness and this type of worldbuilding, dropping the reader in and letting them figure it out as they go, but there was something about this that didn't feel quite lived in enough to make it work from the get-go. I didn't really care for (or about) most of the characters, though there were a couple who managed to stand out in the end. (I would read entire books about Bloody Nora.) The deeper into the world I got—and I mean that both in a literal and a metaphorical sense—the more interesting it got to me. This has a lot going for it, certainly enough for me to keep going in the series, but it's not all the way there yet.
October 10, 2014
I received this book from a goodreads giveaway. I was expecting a YA dystopian novel, but beyond that had no expectations. This is not a YA novel. It is written in such a way that I could picture and smell the Gleam in great detail. The characters were well developed, but I could not connect with Wild Alan, which made the book more of a hard slog than a quick paced adventure. I found the book somewhat disjointed and although it all came together in the end, I was left dissatisfied, but not enough to rush out and buy the 2nd book in the trilogy.
May 24, 2017
An interesting world and interesting set of characters; Bloody Nora is definitely my favourite. A good read, which the "bonus content" actually add to the interest of the story! Slightly disappointing to see it's the first of a trilogy, but then there is more in this world to be explored. Definitely not Steampunk - is is dieselpunk? Don't know and it doesn't matter. There's a wholly different kind of world here and one well worth exploring.
August 12, 2019
Wild Alan, who as a child watched his family massacred by the Pyramid's enforcers the Arbitrators, is given an ultimatum - find a specific mushroom or his son suffers. To do this, Alan brings together a band of strange characters: Eyes, tortured by the Pyramiders; Spider, a tattoo artist and fighter; Churr, an ambitious traveller; and Bloody Nora, a Mapmaker. Together they travel through the Discard to the swamps around Dok.
I found the first few chapters of this book a struggle - none of the characters were particularly pleasant and Alan's stubbornness and insistence on making bad decisions were trying. However, I am glad I stuck with it because the world-building is marvellous. By the mid-point, I was thoroughly engrossed in this world of mushrooms and snail-eaters, even though I still didn't like the characters (except for Bloody Nora) and Alan's decisions still annoyed me.
I am certainly looking forward to learning more about this world in the next book, and recommend this book for anyone looking for something very different.
I found the first few chapters of this book a struggle - none of the characters were particularly pleasant and Alan's stubbornness and insistence on making bad decisions were trying. However, I am glad I stuck with it because the world-building is marvellous. By the mid-point, I was thoroughly engrossed in this world of mushrooms and snail-eaters, even though I still didn't like the characters (except for Bloody Nora) and Alan's decisions still annoyed me.
I am certainly looking forward to learning more about this world in the next book, and recommend this book for anyone looking for something very different.
September 22, 2022
I'm not 100% sure what I just read. Superficially, it's a homage to the Gormenghast series, as it pays court to the concept of an overarching, unending central edifice that is an enigma unto itself. But it's couched in a refreshingly plain style, with the characters speaking like they're rough and ready types having a night out at the pub.
It takes its time warming up too, with a jumbled early section that nearly made me put it down, but by page 50, it improved, although I could never classify it as a page-turner. It's too distant, too strange at times to be fully savoured, and there are a few weird, hallucinogenic passages that almost put this work into postmodernist territory.
I'll read this series, as the world is both oddball and compelling, despite the narrative shortcomings.
It takes its time warming up too, with a jumbled early section that nearly made me put it down, but by page 50, it improved, although I could never classify it as a page-turner. It's too distant, too strange at times to be fully savoured, and there are a few weird, hallucinogenic passages that almost put this work into postmodernist territory.
I'll read this series, as the world is both oddball and compelling, despite the narrative shortcomings.
June 30, 2018
A fun and absorbing read!
October 31, 2018
Terribly written, almost like a bad porn book. Awful!
June 2, 2024
I couldn't finish it. It just wasn't my cup of tea.
October 29, 2014
c2014: FWFTB: Discard, exile, mushroom, guitar, Mapmaker. Intriguing concept and the world was fascinating. On the other hand, I found the plot a little scatty and the character development a little one dimensional. It almost seemed as if there was a bit of a disconnect between the plot and the character behaviour. But, the world made up for a lot and I am eagerly anticipating the next book in the series. Recommended to some of the normal crew. "The ravine was part of the same grey superstructure, and the river's perfect marble channel was adorned with titanic structures whose faces were almost unrecognisable. Their eyes and mouths had been widened by centuries of warm rain and the intimacies of small plants; they looked haunted, inhuman."
May 1, 2015
Really not my kind of book.
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