Ben’s review of The Skin Chairs > Likes and Comments

So far, she embodies perfectly the temperament I feel most love for in an artist: the quiet striving after the magical without any of the florid gestures of the crowd-pleasing magician.

Well said, Ben.

I will read Barbara Comyns.

I think you'll like her, Fionnuala.

Yes. Added.
This had me even before the mention of WGombrowicz. And that mention is like the delicious poison on the cake.

Ah, don't read too much into that mention though, J. I'm not sure I see any other similarities besides the fact of poison on the cake. But the cake itself is pretty different.

I try not to get too excited when I'm reading a new author – try not to expect too much before at least the halfway mark in a novel I have never heard of before. But at this point I'm hopeful Barbara Comyns is that rarest thing – a fluke discovery who will grow to be a much-loved familiar. So far, she hasn't fumbled once. So far, she embodies perfectly the temperament I feel most love for in an artist

Great review. Comyns is just an astounding writer.

Have you read any of her other works? She is certainly different. I thought you nailed it quite well in your review. I'd urge you to read her other books, although I did dislike one: Who was changed and who was dead. And The Vet's Daughter though good was even darker than this book.

Hi Jim. No I haven’t read any others. Is there one you’d especially recommend?