Harpy Blinks

by R.G. Rankine

On the cusp of adulthood a teenager looks ahead to the life of adventure and discovery he is so certain awaits… but the expectation of greatness is the cruelest trick… and years later, now a middle aged academic, a promotion that should have been cause for celebration pricks his sense of achievement. A chance encounter with a young student releases a darkness that, like his reflection, shows the man behind the persona.

Contains explicit language. Not suitable for children.

79 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 18, 2016

About the author

Thanks to everyone for your help over the last ten years! I'm taking a break for at least a year to focus on my career and look forward to starting my second novel when the time is right. R. G Rankine. May, 2023.

Reviews

[A.K. Silversmith · Rating 5 out of 5]

So often contemporary literature presents us with characters that are unlikable curmudgeons on the outside but show themselves to have a thoroughly heart-warming (if flawed) goodness on the inside. Harpy is not one of these protagonists and Rankine's ability to portray this difficult character is quite stunning.

The subject matter of Harpy Blinks is challenging but Rankine builds Harpy's character (during just a few scenes) to the extent that you feel horrified and repulsed but also desperately sad for the lost (and/or wasted) possibilities of youth. Although the seeds of Harpy's unlikable personality are clearly sown in his childhood and upbringing, I wish Harpy had found the strength for his life, and psyche, to turn out differently. You can't help but ask yourself - exactly when in Harpy's life did he reach the point of no return?

I agree with other reviewers on Amazon that the first section of the story appears too intensely descriptive, but once you get into the body of the work, its relevance becomes apparent. I hope that those who download a sample of the book continue on.

Rarely do you randomly stumble across such excellent writing by an indie author; it is very surprising. Harpy Blinks is a beautifully written and confronting piece and it has stayed with me since turning the last page.

I'd say; well done R.G. Rankine, you are going places.

[Nikki Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great story of life. We start with stars in our eyes and slowly realise that life has other ideas and the story shows that in a gritty and harsh way. It starts with the protagonist, young, intelligent, ambitious, with so much hope, his “best days are ahead”; fast forward to a few decades later he is doing well in his career and yet something is not quite right. His life is dull, his self-esteem is at null and his idea of human connection is twisted. The explicit scene is harrowing to read but full of realism. It tackles issues that are only too real for many.

The pace of the story is great, the setting is well done and the scenes the story describes are realistic. There are moments where it may be a little too descriptive and therefore somewhat repetitive but those are few and far between and they don’t take away from the flow.

I was left to ponder on human nature, our lack of control in certain moments. The facades we put up and how easy it is for them to crumble. How destructive we can be and how arrogant in our own insecurity.

Highly recommend!