Neil Williamson

This is the fourth and final novella in NewCon Press’s new series of novella quartets (I wonder where they could have got that idea from?). These first four are straight-up sf, so I will admit to some surprise at seeing Neil Williamson’s name, since he’s not known for straight-up sf. But, thankfully, The Memoirist certainly qualifies as that, and even better, it’s a pretty damn good piece of straight-up science fiction. A ghost writer is hired to write the memoirs of the lead singer show more of a long-since defunct rock band that had a Moment a couple of decades previously. That Moment was at a near-legendary gig in a small club, of which no recordings or footage exists. And yet the myth of the gig overshadows what meagre impact the band itself ever had. In this world, ubiquitous “bees” provide 24/7 surveillance… but it seems that mythical gig triggered something which led to a new type of “bee”… and to say any more would give the plot twist away. I’ll admit I thought the mystery dragged out a little, but the way the plot then shifted into left-field more than made up for it. I enjoyed this, a good piece of near-future sf, almost McLeod-esque in places, with an interesting premise and an in interesting, and nicely oblique, approach to that premise (okay, it was a little Espedair Street too, but that’s hardly a complaint). Good stuff. show less

Why are so many powerful people determined to wipe a poignant gig by a faded rock star from the annals of history? What are they so afraid of?

Near future SF set when surveillance culture has become ubiquitous via small flying drones that look like bees (hence the cover). Rhian writes memoirs and she is happy to take on a commission from an aging former rock star. However, the commission takes her down a dangerous path in this complex and thrilling exploration of privacy.

What would the world show more look like if no-one could keep a secret?

There’s a big idea in this small book and Williamson does a grand job in a short space. The characters are well-drawn and it certainly kept me turning the pages to gorge myself on it in one hit. It’s such a fascinating concept, both the story-world posited and the proposed antithesis.

I’ve been interested in Jeremy Bentham and his ideas for a while and it’s always interesting to see these explored, especially in a speculative work.

Recommended. show less

I really enjoyed this unsettling collection of horror short stories. The main characters were all perplexed as strange and unusual things happened to them. My favorite story was the first one, Down Street, as it was set in the spooky London Underground at night. As someone who visits often as a tourist, I will certainly be scanning the platform for anyone wearing an animal mask on my future trips (and maybe get the bus instead if I spot one!). Most of the stories had a strange twist at the show more end, making them very enjoyable. The writing was engaging and all of the stories were well-written. I will enjoy dipping back in from time to time and re-reading these stories in the future!

I received a copy of this book from the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program. show less

Those of an idle frame of mind could find a place in Glassholm to sit the day long and watch the moon

Let me start with the beautiful cover

Yes, you're not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but it is the reason I picked this up, in an Edinburgh SF bookshop. Which is appropriate since Neil is Scottish I guess. The premise so intrigued me once I'd picked it up that I had to buy it.

Life under the moon has always been so predictable, day follows night, wax phases to wane and, after the show more despair of every Darkday, a person's mood soars to euphoria at Full.

A former policeman investigates a series of puzzling murders, an artist is drawn into the politics of revolution and an engineer, jilted on his wedding day, has to fix the machine at the heart of the city. Meanwhile the creatures of the immortal ruler, the Lunane, are acting out of character. There is a cell full of crabs in the police station, the crows are gathering at the Castil and the luck monkeys touch the lives of our protagonists.

The monkey blinked and then reached into its mouth and removed a metal disc that appeared too wide to have possibly fitted in there...

This is a phantasmagoric book that slowly unfolds drawing you ever further into its fantastical world. As more layers are revealed it becomes ever more strange and ever more compelling. Williamson has built a stand out world here, one that is a real pleasure to visit, even as things veer towards madness. For the moon is a prime character in the book, of course. As are cycles, memory, order and duty.

"I spent Dark with friends." It was the first thing that came into his head but he'd had to lie hadn't he. He couldn't tell her that he could not remember a coherent thing after being at the bandstand the previous afternoon.

There is an ebb and flow from chapter to chapter and sometimes scene to scene between the three main characters and later on the book grips you and keeps you turning the pages.

It's a bit of a slow-burner and the language can sometimes be flowery, but only very occasionally, and these are not even minor niggles, more a matter of taste and mood.

While the moon grows fat, we are happy
While the moon grows thin, we cry

(start of a popular song in Glassholm)

Overall - This is a very accomplished debut that deserves a wide readership. This is very much my sort of thing. Highly recommended. show less