Long Read: Gormless, Ghastly Equality in Gormenghast

It’s been said that the characteristic difference between left and right wing politics is the question of borders; generally speaking, the more conservative one is, the less one is inclined to keep the borders open, until you get to the extreme end where the ideal number of people crossing the border is zero. And viceContinue reading “Long Read: Gormless, Ghastly Equality in Gormenghast”

Culture Trumps Science

All civilisations have had people dedicated to learning, and the furtherment of human knowledge, effectiveness, efficiency and technology. But that isn’t necessarily science, and that doesn’t mean that every society can be, or has been, scientific. One only has to look at the incredible advances in technology made since the advent of real, Cartesian scientificContinue reading “Culture Trumps Science”

A Race To The Bottom in 120 Days of Sodom

In a recent interview with Jordan Peterson, the writer and self-confessed anarchist Michael Malice confessed that he could not for the life of him understand the rationale behind the wicked crimes that were perpetrated by the grooming-and-rape gangs in the UK, which has received so much media attention recently owing to Elon Musk’s re-exposure ofContinue reading “A Race To The Bottom in 120 Days of Sodom”

Chronscast 2022 Review

It’s hard to believe that Chronscast has been going for a year now – it seems only a few days ago that Christopher and I started a recording session with Stephen Palmer to talk about Northern Lights, when in actual fact it was November 2021. I’m very proud and grateful that our team – Bean, Brian Sexton and TheContinue reading “Chronscast 2022 Review”

Chronscast Episode 12 – A Ghost Story For Christmas, with Alison Littlewood

As the nights draw in and we approach the midwinter, what better way to celebrate the season than dipping into that most macabre of festive traditions, the Christmas ghost story? While we’re all familiar with Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, more modern traditions include the BBC’s A Ghost Story For Christmas, adaptations of typically M.R JamesContinue reading “Chronscast Episode 12 – A Ghost Story For Christmas, with Alison Littlewood”

The Rings Of Saturn, Chapters 11, 12 & 13

I took a break last week owing to national holidays in the UK for Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee, but today I’m publishing the last three chapters of my novella The Rings of Saturn. In the previous chapter Emmanuel, Katarina, and Agnes had discovered the malevolent truth behind the artist Edouardo del Bosques’s plans, with tragicContinue reading “The Rings Of Saturn, Chapters 11, 12 & 13”

The Rings Of Saturn – Chapter 9

Last week Edouardo announced his intention to hold an exhibition, and to have Manu be a central part of it. So Manu sets to work, and has an unexpected and difficult reunion with Em, his epistolary correspondent. The truths, hidden behind layers of paint and wine, begin to reveal themselves. ~ Em, I’m still here,Continue reading “The Rings Of Saturn – Chapter 9”

The Rings Of Saturn – Chapter 8

Last week Manu engaged in a strange nightbound union with Agnes and Katarina. Unsure of their relationship with one another, they somehow know that they are bound to Edouardo in some way, and that this is the thread that connects them. When Manu approaches him, the old artist reveals his plans: an art exhibition, hisContinue reading “The Rings Of Saturn – Chapter 8”

The Rings Of Saturn – Chapter 7

Last week Em partook in a strange dinner with Edouardo and some of his associates, and wasn’t quite sure of what to make of it. Upon Edouardo’s recommendation, Em agrees to meet with Agnes, one of the people who joined them for dinner, and they take a trip just outside Madrid. ~ I did asContinue reading “The Rings Of Saturn – Chapter 7”

Literature Long Read: This World Is On Fire – Mysticism, Rejuvenation and Peace in The Waste Land

2022 is the centenary year of TS Eliot’s modernist masterpiece The Waste Land. It is one of the 20th century’s greatest and most influential poems, and yet seethes with such profound imagic, linguistic, cultural and religious references that it appears intimidatingly impenetrable to the lay reader. That’s the modernist way. But let’s not be temptedContinue reading “Literature Long Read: This World Is On Fire – Mysticism, Rejuvenation and Peace in The Waste Land”