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Hinterland
What is the shadowy beast that roams the lonely moors? Why does a mass-produced painting leave its owners horribly dead? Why does no-one speak of the lost girls living on a small island in the middle of the duck pond? Who sits in the sinister black cars that watch the streets? Once you've noticed just how weird life really is, can you ever go home again?
Nook
First published July 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 30, 2007
A very accomplished first novel, and one that I wish that I'd written.
July 15, 2008
The weird dwellers on the island...disturbing. An enjoyable but unsettling book that's a bit like a snow storm of events from the "Strange Days" column in Fortean Times.
July 23, 2018
It's not often you can say you know both the author AND the editor of a book, but Hinterland would seem to be one such occasion.
Not relevant, necessarily, but one always needs to find a way in to writing a review and that's been mine since I picked this book up so it seemed a shame to waste it now I'm finally at the ol' keyboard.
It also struck me that I've read all of Barnett's books, and yet I had never got around to reading his debut.
That's akin to being an Aerosmith fan and taking 20 years to finally stick the album that contains Dream On onto your turntable...
It's also an interesting approach to take, because you already know where the author has ended up when you pop back to see where he started.
What you find, in this case at least, is the fevered imagination already firing on all cylinders.
His second novel, Angelglass, is nothing short of stunning, and now you can see the building blocks already being put in place - the dark other worlds Barnett so enjoys creating.
But it also shows you, as if you needed reminding, how the talented little sod can switch effortlessly between genres.
Barnett really is Exhibit A in the argument 'there are no genres, just good books'.
As for Hinterland itself, this is a simple tale of a man who discovers a world existing on the edge of the one he knows.
It's that simple.
Of course, with Barnett at the helm, that list line is cobblers.
The hero is trying to solve mysteries, find people, stay safe, tackle urban myths - and all while propping himself up on drugs and booze.
The story leads you in gently and then, before you've noticed, you're hooked and you're facing that conflict of wanting to race to the finish while also not wanting the adventure to end.
Barnett creates totally believable worlds, on both sides of the line, and by chapter three you feel all the characters are your personal friends.
Did I mention this guy can write a bit?
This is also, I think, Barnett's most personal book — in that this is the one where his own views have slipped through on to the page.
Not with any trivial crap like politics and religion, but with the stuff that really matters like a music fan's emotional attachment to vinyl.
It's nice to see that side of him creep through...
As mentioned, I really didn't want this book to end, but sadly it did. And now I have to wait til November for his new one.
I might have to re-read a couple to tide me over.
Not relevant, necessarily, but one always needs to find a way in to writing a review and that's been mine since I picked this book up so it seemed a shame to waste it now I'm finally at the ol' keyboard.
It also struck me that I've read all of Barnett's books, and yet I had never got around to reading his debut.
That's akin to being an Aerosmith fan and taking 20 years to finally stick the album that contains Dream On onto your turntable...
It's also an interesting approach to take, because you already know where the author has ended up when you pop back to see where he started.
What you find, in this case at least, is the fevered imagination already firing on all cylinders.
His second novel, Angelglass, is nothing short of stunning, and now you can see the building blocks already being put in place - the dark other worlds Barnett so enjoys creating.
But it also shows you, as if you needed reminding, how the talented little sod can switch effortlessly between genres.
Barnett really is Exhibit A in the argument 'there are no genres, just good books'.
As for Hinterland itself, this is a simple tale of a man who discovers a world existing on the edge of the one he knows.
It's that simple.
Of course, with Barnett at the helm, that list line is cobblers.
The hero is trying to solve mysteries, find people, stay safe, tackle urban myths - and all while propping himself up on drugs and booze.
The story leads you in gently and then, before you've noticed, you're hooked and you're facing that conflict of wanting to race to the finish while also not wanting the adventure to end.
Barnett creates totally believable worlds, on both sides of the line, and by chapter three you feel all the characters are your personal friends.
Did I mention this guy can write a bit?
This is also, I think, Barnett's most personal book — in that this is the one where his own views have slipped through on to the page.
Not with any trivial crap like politics and religion, but with the stuff that really matters like a music fan's emotional attachment to vinyl.
It's nice to see that side of him creep through...
As mentioned, I really didn't want this book to end, but sadly it did. And now I have to wait til November for his new one.
I might have to re-read a couple to tide me over.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews