Russell KirkPatrick.com

 

This came across my desk yesterday:

'Top New Zealand fantasy author Russell Kirkpatrick takes no prisoners with his second book in the Husk trilogy Dark Heart (Voyager PB $34). His richly complex plot line brings together his three main characters, fisherman Noetos, troubled brilliant cosmographer Lenares and immortal queen Stella, to consider a joint enemy before forcing them back to their individual journeys. In the background is the spectre of a painwracked enemy they are only just beginning to comprehend. A fascinating world by a master world builder and map maker, full of flying body parts and powerful character development.' - DOMINION POST, Sunday March 8, 2008, p20.

Nice to get reviewed in New Zealand, and even more so when the reviewer has read the book. I do like the 'flying body parts' bit.

By contrast, have a look at this:

'They keep coming, these faux-medieval quest fantasy epics, vast sagas set in mythical lands where people with names like Bregor, Sauxa and Diphona of Hupallage brandish their halberds. Five hundred pages of Path of Revenge by Russell Kirkpatrick hit the Listener in-tray recently, and that's just book one of a projected series called Husk. Well, good on you, Russell (a New Zealander): if people buy them, and HarperCollins is willing to publish them, don't let us stand in your way. But there's almost an element of self-parody in blurbs advising us that "the Undying Man, Lord of Bhrudwo, lies, eviscerated, in the dungeon of Andratan." Bhrudwo?'

Dear old Denis Welch. Long replaced by others as a columnist of real humour, his demeaning job now is to remind his readers of their literary superiority (the Listener is, after all, the intelligent person's choice, far superior to TV Guide - and much more seldom read). They keep coming, these faux-literary reviews, allowing these superior ones to sneer at their less intellectually well endowed fellows. Trouble is, Denis only read the blurb, and he got that wrong. It's Husk lying in the dungeon, Denis. Husk.

I note with interest the following book gets a positive review from Mr Welch: Manhire at 60: A Book For Bill. It's a tribute to a local poet, with a print run of 500 copies. Some are apparently still available from selected book stores, says Denis, perhaps expecting both his readers to rush out then and there, Titanium Visas in hand. Meanwhile, at the editorial desk, the editor wonders why the Listener doesn't sell as well as it used to. 

I'm gaining considerable amusement at the fact a newspaper is called "The Listener".

Well, it was originally a radio guide, and expanded to cover the newfangled television. It sees itself as a bastion of the literati, and has terribly pompous and important articles about politics and society, all written in an 'it's obvious to us intellectuals' tone. But yes, sometimes I do wonder if they have eyes as well as ears.

Literature snobs always post amusing reviews.
The more arty and unreadable the book, the higher the praise.

I would rather read Husk than boutique poetry any day.

hey I used to read the Listener. Mind you that was at least twenty years ago. And it was free.

Great review in the Dominion. You have a fan. The other guy Denis has a limited attention span. He can't finish reading the blurb.

Lol! You guys are a much better read than Mr Welch...

Russell..I actually think the "faux-literary" review syndrome affects a lot of readers who post on blogs and fantasy message boards. It seems that fantasy now has to be gritty, dark, etc to be considered good. I think there is an overall lack of appreciation nowadays for the traditional epic/heroic/quest fantasy (which led me to post a rant on my blog about that topic). I guess I am in the minority when i say i prefer fantasy for enjoyment and escapism. I don't want or need to spend hours after i finish a book pondering its deeper meanings.

And while I am here..congrats on your first series being published here in the US. I finally got around to reading and reviewing the first book in March. I hope to get around to reading the other 2 soon (i already bought them).

No-one I know of, ever reads the books reviewed in the Listener. In fact more people read books reviewed in the local paper and the womens mags. As for the Fantasy Sci/Fi authors, they outsell the Listener recommended authors, oh I would say 100 to 1.