Michael Libling

Hollywood North is a deliciously written novel of memory and betrayal, with frequent sharp raps of humour, and an overall mood that gradually shifts from cautiously hopeful to one saturated in sorrow. A masterful first novel from well known speculative short story writer, Michael Libling.

Dammit. I don't know why I continue to do this to myself. ChiZine definitely did put out some quality stuff ("did" being the key word, as I believe they're, if not dead, then definitely moribund after the Ed Kurtz scandal).

I only have to point to Rio Youer's excellent [b:Westlake Soul|13096218|Westlake Soul|Rio Youers|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1335111472l/13096218._SY75_.jpg|18268324], and Ian Rogers's equally excellent [b:Every House is show more Haunted|15904026|Every House is Haunted|Ian Rogers|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348710890l/15904026._SX50_.jpg|21550289].

But if I'm honest with myself, most of the stuff I've purchased over the years, I simply could not finish.

I guess this will be my last ChiZine DNF.

There's nothing overly wrong with this novel. I did my usual give it at least the first 10%, so I dutifully read the first 35 pages, but by page 25, it was truly a chore. Nothing was happening, it was all actionless character introductions, and I simply didn't care about those characters, the story, the unique formatting, or the writing style to invest any additional time in this.

From the mass of 5-star reviews, it's likely more me than the novel itself, but it just isn't for me. show less