The Undead Gypsy: The darkly funny Own Voices novel

by Kit Fielding

Now if you were a poor Gypsy mush, who'd had a run of bad luck and whose ever-loving was done with managing on thin air, and someone was to offer you a lucrative run of work, what would you do? Okay, so it's not legit, but sometimes it's got to be worth the risk. You could buy your lovely Zilla all that her heart desires, you could stand your rounds at the kitchema without counting the money in your pocket, update your van, put a deposit on a bit of ground to call your own.

So you do it, you take the work and you take the risk, but then it all blows up in your face and you've pulled your loved ones into danger. Well worse than danger. And now you're going to have to take yourself away, disappear from sight. Be the undead playing at being dead.

By the author of Thursday Nights at the Bluebell Inn, this Own Voices novel reveals, with compassion and humour, the precarious lives of its characters in a story where, sometimes, the mystical and the everyday worlds converge.

281 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 4, 2022

Reviews

[Sofia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Fielding writes with a funny sarcastic voice which brings life to the story and builds the characters getting me quite involved in the outcome as a result. Through him I got a realistic look at a travellers camp and way of life and I'm all out for always discovering more.

I very seriously want Fielding to write more and more.

[Mel C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first experience of a Kit Fielding novel and I'm already a fan of his fiction. In what is described as an Own Voices novel, Fielding tells the story of a 'poor gypsy mush' by the name of Jimmy Penfold who makes the unwise decision of taking up business with some low life criminals in a bid to make his life with long suffering partner, Zilla, more financially comfortable, but with unfortunate consequences.

The beauty of this book is how effortlessly Fielding appears to write. He doesnt waste time on too many details. He skips along hours, days and weeks and even jumps back and forth in time when necessary to help pull the story together. I particularly loved the way he played with perspectives, flipping from one character's viewpoint to another very seamlessly. For example, in one of the scenes in the kitchema, three characters Jimmy, Silas and Danny are plotting something and then in the next few lines he flips to the view of the bartender watching the three comrades in conversation. Its a simple but highly effective writing style and there is such an easiness in which Fielding writes which makes The Undead Gypsy so enjoyable to read.
Fielding is also not afraid of pulling on stereotypes to create more realistic potrayals of characters rather than being 'PC' about it and pandering to what readers might find more palatable to read. In doing so, he paints the world as he sees and isn't shy about positioning himself in the minds of different types of people and creating a voice for them, i.e mystical gypsy women; lesbians; young black males and gangsters. I love his bold and spirited way of writing and character creation. I'd certainly read another novel by Fielding in the future.

[Katherine Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This took me into a world I have some but not much knowledge of and it felt both authentic and engaging. I really enjoyed the characters, which are very cleverly drawn, and was kept hooked by all the twists and zig zags along the way. It reminded me of 'Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels', which I loved, so that can only be a good thing. Less violent though, I'm happy to say, but there's enough jeopardy to keep the pulse racing. A great read.

[Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel surprised, entertained, shocked and engaged me. The characters were beautifully drawn and I felt immersed in their world. Unfortunately the choices they made sometimes took them into dark places with brutality and grief.
The author wrote with a style that I really enjoyed and an obvious love for and understanding of the Roma community.

[Debbie Woodhouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a thoughtful story that blends compassion and humour. It makes you laugh out loud and then makes you cry. I didn’t want it to end. Kit Fielding has a vivid engaging style that brings the characters and settings to life.

[mark shand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended

Loved this, read it in three days - unputdownable as the cliché says! Great characters and plot, gritty, funny, well written.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read absolutely loved this story and the way the author creates the characters. A unique perspective of lives being lived throughout the UK.