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Reviews, Books |
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Cradle Song - Robert Edric
By Nick Quantrill
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Being a bit of sucker for crime fiction, and more pertinently, hard-boiled private investigator stories, I picked up this book purely on the basis it fulfilled the above criteria and is set in Hull.
Upon further investigation it turns out this is the first part of a trilogy set on the mean streets of Hull by Booker Prize nominated Robert Edric.
The protagonist is Leo Rivers, a private investigator based in an office on Castle Street, furnished you can easily imagine, with nothing more than a desk, chair, bare light bulb and a bottle of whiskey.
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Rivers is very much in the mould of Philip Marlowe and occasionally Edric is guilty of being a little one-dimensional with the character (think a BBC1 or ITV portrayal) but this is rare and doesn't interrupt the flow of the story.
Rivers is engaged in a complex web of events and crimes in which all parties have something to hide and a hand to play. As Rivers buzzes around Hull (half the fun is picturing the scenes vividly and with accuracy) you're never sure which way the plot is going to turn.
Edric doesn't shy away from difficult topics and as this part of the trilogy deals with paedophilia, child murder and police corruption. Edric is particularly successful in not merely demonising the characters on the wrong side of the law. Throughout the story you are invited to consider the characters motives for their actions and find some empathy with their situation, which doesn't always make for comfortable reading.
For a first crime novel this is a considerable success. Robert Edric has produced a novel that stands comparison to more established and celebrated crime fictions writers like Ian Rankin and Jake Arnott.
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Reviews, Books - "A Drink With Shane MacGowan" by Victoria Mary Clarke and Shane MacGowan
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By Nickolas Boldock
Shane MacGowan may just be a medical miracle. He is, of course, a chronic alcoholic, whose love affair with drink will likely never cease until he is six feet below. His consumption of other inebriants is now the stuff of legend. His hedonistic exploits are usually the first thing to come to mind at the mention of his name; the first subject covered in any interview; the introduction to any article (even this one). Forget that though.
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Reviews, Books - A Friend of the Family by Lisa Jewell
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By Darren Sant
This book is a tale of the trials and tribulations of three brothers. The brothers are suffering from differing problems and there lives are not at present on the right track. Jewell's novels are accurately described as pop fiction but don't let that put you off. The characters are believably written and there is a high degree of what I can only call emotional depth to them.
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Reviews, Theatre - Emily Brontė's Wuthering Heights
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Adapted by John Godber, Hull Truck Theatre 09/10/03
By E.M.X. Creek
I went to this production with some apprehension. I am not a huge Brontė fan, and in addition had some doubts as to how well Wuthering Heights would adapt for our modest location. I am happy to say that the result was remarkably good.
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Exclusive Featured Serial on www.thisisUll.com
Articles Part Four - 1973: Super tug to defend fishing fleet
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By John Boldock
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A few weeks at sea now and really settling down to a routine, if only a boring one! When action is scarce it becomes a case of simply steaming up and down around a pack of several trawlers and keeping an eye out for the Icelanders.
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People - Franks first night at Glastonbury Festival
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by Alfred Lawyer
It all seemed to be looking up for Frank Malarky, Dance DJ extraordinaire and full-time Law Man - loved by the masses if only they had heard of him. At last a chance to strut his stuff, shake his (ample) booty and impress the young ladies at the festival he loved the most; Glastonbury.
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Music Reviews - Sidewinder Saturday 27th September, Silhouette Club by Albert Dukes.
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Where many local bands are poor copies of national trends, Sidewinder don't fit neatly to a single comparison, unlike say, The Paddingtons, who clearly want to BE the Libertines (sort it out lads, it's like a tribute) and Turismo, who want to be The Coral, Favours, who want to be the Yeah, Yeah Yeahs (admittedly with a bass player). Sidewinder sound like everything and nothing.
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Poetry - Drink, by Shelly D.
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Drink in the morning,
drink at night.
Drink in the dark,
drink in the light.
Drink from the bottle,
drink from the can.
Drink like a fish,
as only you can.
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Drink at work,
drink at school.
Drink in the pub,
drink like a fool.
Drink while you're dancing,
drink when you're stoned.
Drink at your wedding,
drink 'cos your boyfriend
never phoned.
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Music Reviews - Pave Perform at the Welly Club
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Paves performance is polished. Considering the band only formed in March this year, I was staggered to see how much theyd got their act together! Such a tight, professional band. I felt reassured when I took a look at their biographies. Thats when it all fell into place.
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