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Calabash
Kay Goodwin is a 16-year-old boy with a smart mouth and too much imagination. Marooned in the run-down seaside resort of Cole Bay, his life is a horrible comedy of errors that has trapped him in the country's most dismal place at the worst possible time - the early '70s. He dreams of escaping the crumbling pier and the grumbling pensioners, of finding a place where he is appreciated, but it's the one thing he can't do. Until he discovers a faraway land with characters who are impossibly exotic, but strangely familiar. In the kingdom of Calabash he can have everything he's ever wanted from life. There's only one small problem. Calabash doesn't actually exist. In an England that's still hungover from the 60s, Kay finds it all too easy to retreat from reality. Everyone in Cole Bay expects him to conform, but Kay is prepared to risk everything to find out what makes him different, what his life really holds, and what will happen if he believes in the impossible.
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
28 people are currently reading
142 people want to read
About the author
Christopher Fowler
264 books1,283 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Christopher Fowler was an English writer known for his Bryant & May mystery series, featuring two Golden Age-style detectives navigating modern London. Over his career, he authored fifty novels and short story collections, along with screenplays, video games, graphic novels, and audio plays. His psychological thriller Little Boy Found was published under the pseudonym L.K. Fox.
Fowler's accolades include multiple British Fantasy Awards, the Last Laugh Award, the CWA Dagger in the Library, and the inaugural Green Carnation Award. He was inducted into the Detection Club in 2021. Beyond crime fiction, his works ranged from horror (Hell Train, Nyctophobia) to memoir (Paperboy, Film Freak). His column Invisible Ink explored forgotten authors, later compiled into The Book of Forgotten Authors.
Fowler lived between London and Barcelona with his husband, Peter Chapman.
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Christopher Fowler was an English writer known for his Bryant & May mystery series, featuring two Golden Age-style detectives navigating modern London. Over his career, he authored fifty novels and short story collections, along with screenplays, video games, graphic novels, and audio plays. His psychological thriller Little Boy Found was published under the pseudonym L.K. Fox.
Fowler's accolades include multiple British Fantasy Awards, the Last Laugh Award, the CWA Dagger in the Library, and the inaugural Green Carnation Award. He was inducted into the Detection Club in 2021. Beyond crime fiction, his works ranged from horror (Hell Train, Nyctophobia) to memoir (Paperboy, Film Freak). His column Invisible Ink explored forgotten authors, later compiled into The Book of Forgotten Authors.
Fowler lived between London and Barcelona with his husband, Peter Chapman.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 14, 2019
Delightful
October 17, 2012
Christopher Fowler came to my attention when I stumbled across Roofworld - a strange and intriguing book I remember hearing about, so I gambled and picked it up - well more about that another time. As a result I wanted to read more of his work - and I became hooked. And now I follow his works - which obviously led me to this title.
If you follow Christopher Fowler you know he likes to change styles and genres but he never loses his gift of story telling. This book marked for me the beginning of his mainstream stories - yes there is escapism but the type you would not only expect from the situation but also want, and for that he does not disappoint. The book is easy to read and quickly draws you in. And the characters are appealing and easy to associate - but and this is one of the points I love about his work (especially when set in London) you feel such a narrative about the location and environment without the huge long descriptions some authors inflict on you in an attempt to drive home the world the story is set in - often drowning everything else - but not Mr Fowler. And for that alone I love reading his work.
If you follow Christopher Fowler you know he likes to change styles and genres but he never loses his gift of story telling. This book marked for me the beginning of his mainstream stories - yes there is escapism but the type you would not only expect from the situation but also want, and for that he does not disappoint. The book is easy to read and quickly draws you in. And the characters are appealing and easy to associate - but and this is one of the points I love about his work (especially when set in London) you feel such a narrative about the location and environment without the huge long descriptions some authors inflict on you in an attempt to drive home the world the story is set in - often drowning everything else - but not Mr Fowler. And for that alone I love reading his work.
January 11, 2015
As those who know me well will be aware, I am a self-confessed Fowler nut. But, having discovered him by chance and read through his back catalogue, this was the first of his novels that I was outside the bookshop waiting for on the day of release.
At first, I was not impressed. This is not Fowler's usual style or pace, and is not his usual setting. However, upon re-reading, you discover that this is better written than his usual work. The characters are better realised, and the descriptions of the two worlds are wonderful. I have re-read this novel in preparation for my op, and it seems to get better every time.
Picture the scene. You are a sixteen year old boy, bored at school as they don't teach you what you really want to know about, specifically, ancient civilizations. You're the class wimp, and your best, and only, friends are the people that no-one else will talk to. Worse, you're trapped in the town of Cole Bay, an almost dead and decaying English South Coast town, not far from Hastings and with the highest suicide rate in the country. Living there, you know exactly why. Worse, it's the early 1970's. Post rock 'n' roll, pre disco, with the country, much like yourself, sliding inexorably into hopelessness and depression.
This is Kay Goodwin's life. Until one day, quite by chance he thinks, he "finds" his way into the Kingdom of Calabash. The polar opposite of Cole Bay, this world is everything he has ever read about and dreamed of. The people there are pleased to see him, and some of the most important people in the kingdom are interested in talking to him and hearing his views. And, most importantly for any 16 year old boy, the lovely young Princess, Rosamunde, REALLY seems to like him, despite being promised to another.
Kay tries to keep the two worlds together, but the attraction of Calabash is too strong, and he withdraws more and more from life in Cole Bay, quitting school and watching as his friends either leave town, or he alienates them. In Calabash, however, his romance and his reputation seem to become stronger, until the time of the Princess Rosamunde's marriage.
After this, disillusioned, and not really knowing whether Calabash is a real world, or one built entirely in his own overactive imagination (now you see where I was going with the title?) he withdraws, and starts settling more into post-school life in Cole Bay, finding a job and leaving home. It's still not a great life, but he knows that it is real, something he can cling to.
He returns to Calabash on more time to deliver promised gifts to the Head of the Army (the Princess' new Father-In-Law) and to say his farewells. Whilst there, however, he finds that his illicit liaisons with the Princess prior to her marriage have been discovered and his life is in danger. He returns to Cole Bay for good, disillusioned that even in his own fantasy, things can go dreadfully wrong.
Kay misses Calabash whilst he's gone, and Calabash misses him. Without being a part of his dreams any longer, the fantasy world crumbles. The Army deposes the Sultan, and peace no longer reigns. Kay is saddened to find this, but finally knows what he has to do to save the world. Both his own and Calabash. Does he succeed? Well, that really would be telling, wouldn't it?
All I will say is that in both worlds, there is a fantastic ending. And a little twist at the very end which, much like the end of "The Sixth Sense" you realise that you should have seen coming, but didn't. Christopher Fowler does not write the strongest of endings (see my other ops for more on this), but this ends beautifully.
So, is this worth reading? Well, it can depend on your viewpoint. More well read reviewers than I have compared this novel to Ghormenghast. I am not going to do that, as I have never read "Ghormenghast" (although perhaps I should) and have no idea what they mean. However, the comparison appears to be in the settings. All I know is that this is probably Fowler's best written novel. The pace is not as quick, and the story does not initially grab you and refuse to let go as do some of his other works, but the descriptive work is fantastic. You can almost be in Calabash, and you do frequently wish you were. Unlike some novels, which you cannot read too often, this delights and amazes every single time. If you are someone looking for a little escapism in printed form, however, this has to be read.
On the minus side, and I hate to be even slightly negative about Christopher Fowler, he has written better stories. For the newcomer to Fowler, I should advise that this is not his usual style, and to read "Disturbia", "Psychoville" or "Spanky" for a more common example of his work. I could have put five stars above, purely for the writing. As a Fowler, I would give it four. And, as you will end up reading and enjoying it several times over, I should have given it twelve!!
This review may also appear under my name at any or all of www.ciao.co.uk, www.thebookbag.co.uk, www.goodreads.com, www.amazon.co.uk and www.dooyoo.co.uk
At first, I was not impressed. This is not Fowler's usual style or pace, and is not his usual setting. However, upon re-reading, you discover that this is better written than his usual work. The characters are better realised, and the descriptions of the two worlds are wonderful. I have re-read this novel in preparation for my op, and it seems to get better every time.
Picture the scene. You are a sixteen year old boy, bored at school as they don't teach you what you really want to know about, specifically, ancient civilizations. You're the class wimp, and your best, and only, friends are the people that no-one else will talk to. Worse, you're trapped in the town of Cole Bay, an almost dead and decaying English South Coast town, not far from Hastings and with the highest suicide rate in the country. Living there, you know exactly why. Worse, it's the early 1970's. Post rock 'n' roll, pre disco, with the country, much like yourself, sliding inexorably into hopelessness and depression.
This is Kay Goodwin's life. Until one day, quite by chance he thinks, he "finds" his way into the Kingdom of Calabash. The polar opposite of Cole Bay, this world is everything he has ever read about and dreamed of. The people there are pleased to see him, and some of the most important people in the kingdom are interested in talking to him and hearing his views. And, most importantly for any 16 year old boy, the lovely young Princess, Rosamunde, REALLY seems to like him, despite being promised to another.
Kay tries to keep the two worlds together, but the attraction of Calabash is too strong, and he withdraws more and more from life in Cole Bay, quitting school and watching as his friends either leave town, or he alienates them. In Calabash, however, his romance and his reputation seem to become stronger, until the time of the Princess Rosamunde's marriage.
After this, disillusioned, and not really knowing whether Calabash is a real world, or one built entirely in his own overactive imagination (now you see where I was going with the title?) he withdraws, and starts settling more into post-school life in Cole Bay, finding a job and leaving home. It's still not a great life, but he knows that it is real, something he can cling to.
He returns to Calabash on more time to deliver promised gifts to the Head of the Army (the Princess' new Father-In-Law) and to say his farewells. Whilst there, however, he finds that his illicit liaisons with the Princess prior to her marriage have been discovered and his life is in danger. He returns to Cole Bay for good, disillusioned that even in his own fantasy, things can go dreadfully wrong.
Kay misses Calabash whilst he's gone, and Calabash misses him. Without being a part of his dreams any longer, the fantasy world crumbles. The Army deposes the Sultan, and peace no longer reigns. Kay is saddened to find this, but finally knows what he has to do to save the world. Both his own and Calabash. Does he succeed? Well, that really would be telling, wouldn't it?
All I will say is that in both worlds, there is a fantastic ending. And a little twist at the very end which, much like the end of "The Sixth Sense" you realise that you should have seen coming, but didn't. Christopher Fowler does not write the strongest of endings (see my other ops for more on this), but this ends beautifully.
So, is this worth reading? Well, it can depend on your viewpoint. More well read reviewers than I have compared this novel to Ghormenghast. I am not going to do that, as I have never read "Ghormenghast" (although perhaps I should) and have no idea what they mean. However, the comparison appears to be in the settings. All I know is that this is probably Fowler's best written novel. The pace is not as quick, and the story does not initially grab you and refuse to let go as do some of his other works, but the descriptive work is fantastic. You can almost be in Calabash, and you do frequently wish you were. Unlike some novels, which you cannot read too often, this delights and amazes every single time. If you are someone looking for a little escapism in printed form, however, this has to be read.
On the minus side, and I hate to be even slightly negative about Christopher Fowler, he has written better stories. For the newcomer to Fowler, I should advise that this is not his usual style, and to read "Disturbia", "Psychoville" or "Spanky" for a more common example of his work. I could have put five stars above, purely for the writing. As a Fowler, I would give it four. And, as you will end up reading and enjoying it several times over, I should have given it twelve!!
This review may also appear under my name at any or all of www.ciao.co.uk, www.thebookbag.co.uk, www.goodreads.com, www.amazon.co.uk and www.dooyoo.co.uk
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 16, 2018
A world away from Bryant and May
I wasn’t expecting this speculative fiction from Christopher Fowler, since I only know him from his Bryant and May novels. This one may not be for readers accustomed to his detective books, but I loved the time/space travel between a run-down British seaside resort and the land of the title. There’s a puzzle in the book, as there is in the Bryant and May novels, and it’s worth trying to figure it out. The descriptions are vivid and the storytelling is excellent as always. And his trademark wry sense of humor is there too. As I say, not for everyone, but entertaining just the same.
I wasn’t expecting this speculative fiction from Christopher Fowler, since I only know him from his Bryant and May novels. This one may not be for readers accustomed to his detective books, but I loved the time/space travel between a run-down British seaside resort and the land of the title. There’s a puzzle in the book, as there is in the Bryant and May novels, and it’s worth trying to figure it out. The descriptions are vivid and the storytelling is excellent as always. And his trademark wry sense of humor is there too. As I say, not for everyone, but entertaining just the same.
November 17, 2018
Roofworld is one of my all time favourite books and because of that all I did was see the name Christopher Fowler when rummaging through the many books in Hay-On-Wye and I snapped it straight up.
Weirdly a very different style than what I was expecting but I really enjoyed it.
Calabash. It's the restlessness you feel in youth, the longing of missed opportunities in middle life, and the wistful memories of old age. Calabash is inside us all.
Weirdly a very different style than what I was expecting but I really enjoyed it.
Calabash. It's the restlessness you feel in youth, the longing of missed opportunities in middle life, and the wistful memories of old age. Calabash is inside us all.
April 9, 2019
Swept away
This is a wonderful read, the kind that carries you away to a place you want to believe in-and that you should. Be patient at times. The story opens its layers one a time, which I think will secure its toehold in your memory and be there when you need to recall that imagination, hopes, and dreams can create your life as much as any other force.
This is a wonderful read, the kind that carries you away to a place you want to believe in-and that you should. Be patient at times. The story opens its layers one a time, which I think will secure its toehold in your memory and be there when you need to recall that imagination, hopes, and dreams can create your life as much as any other force.
June 9, 2019
Wow! This was kinda' weird, kinda' depressing, and ultimately kinda' hopeful all rolled into one! The end was really not what I expected, but in a way made it all worth it! 4 stars. (Was only going to be a 3, due to the depressing factors, till the end! - so worth it!)
October 22, 2022
I have read and enjoyed many of Christopher Fowler's "Bryant and May" detective novels and very much enjoyed them. I very much enjoyed Calabash also, but it is totally different while still maintaining the author's ability to include details and paint word pictures. Kay is a somewhat sickly, bookish youngster who doesn't fit in with the mostly rough characters in his town on the British coast, 70 miles from London.
He lives chiefly in his imagination, hoping to travel and daydreaming about the wonders of past civilizations. He makes intricate maps of the places he is studying and dreaming about.
Somehow, when visiting the pier near his home he is magically transported to a mythical ancient land he has never heard of - Calabash.
There he is respected for his modern knowledge of technology and befriended by many. He becomes more and more dreamy and when he leaves school takes a dead-end job on the pier so he can journey to Calabash whenever he wants.
But Calabash has changed, and he was the agent of change, because he brought modern technology to the land.
He lives chiefly in his imagination, hoping to travel and daydreaming about the wonders of past civilizations. He makes intricate maps of the places he is studying and dreaming about.
Somehow, when visiting the pier near his home he is magically transported to a mythical ancient land he has never heard of - Calabash.
There he is respected for his modern knowledge of technology and befriended by many. He becomes more and more dreamy and when he leaves school takes a dead-end job on the pier so he can journey to Calabash whenever he wants.
But Calabash has changed, and he was the agent of change, because he brought modern technology to the land.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews