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by M. Bijman August 23, 2019 Number of comments0

Backstories Creative Process List of similar books

Fascinating fictional fiction – You never know if it’s real

Books associated with characters in a book or a film sometimes look real and are actual published books. But sometimesContinue Reading

by M. Bijman August 16, 2019 Number of comments0

Backstories Creative Process Discussion of lyrics Discussion of writing style Web series and vlogs

A case for the quiet voice – The writing of Nick Cave

In a world filled with loud, angry voices, there’s something to be said for the quiet, thoughtful voice. Nick Cave,Continue Reading

by M. Bijman August 9, 2019 Number of comments0

Backstories Creative Process Discussion of lyrics Discussion of poetry Poetry Trending

A Source for the Perfect Rhyme? Sorry, there’s no easy solution

Rhyming is devilishly difficult. It’s a serious head-scratcher, as people who write poems, lyrics and rap well know. If youContinue Reading

by M. Bijman August 4, 2019 Number of comments0

Authors to watch Constructed World Novel Discussion of writing style Fairytales Review of Fantasy Review of new book

A good bet for a Hugo Award – Spinning Silver, by Naomi Novik

There are authors whose restraint, clear vision and graceful expression make their novels a quiet joy to read. I haveContinue Reading

by M. Bijman July 27, 2019 1

Author interview Creative Process

If you want a second career as an author, the clock’s ticking…

In the past few years, I have met quite a few authors, including self-published ones, who began writing late inContinue Reading

by M. Bijman July 18, 2019 2

Authors to watch Discussion of lyrics Discussion of poetry Discussion of writing style Humor Humour Poetry Review of modern fiction Review of new book Review of new novel Review of poetry collection

A novel about a poet that’s filled with delightful poetry – Diary of a Somebody, by Brian Bilston

Comment from Brian Bilston: Brian Bilston “What a lovely review. Thank you so much. I’m delighted you enjoyed it – andContinue Reading

by M. Bijman July 12, 2019 Number of comments0

Review of Gamebook (CYOA) Video

Greg Hickey’s The Friar’s Lantern in 1 minute and a bit

When you have a mashup between a medieval-sounding title and a modern forensic mystery and a choice of choice ofContinue Reading

by M. Bijman July 2, 2019 Number of comments0

Author interview Creative Process Mysteries and Thrillers Review of Gamebook (CYOA) Review of Mysteries and Thrillers

It’s up to you who lives and dies – The Friar’s Lantern, by Greg Hickey

When embarking on Greg Hickey’s novel, The Friar’s Lantern, you would be forgiven for thinking you are about to startContinue Reading

by M. Bijman July 1, 2019 1

Poetry

A poem for Canada Day – “Home”

Today, July 1, is Canada Day. I am a Canadian, and this is what is means to me. Home byContinue Reading

by M. Bijman June 14, 2019 Number of comments0

Author interview Constructed World Novel Creative Process Review of Fantasy

The long, hard road to getting a book published – Josiah Bancroft responds to eager fans

Josiah Bancroft is one of those authors who has defined his creative process with care and can explain how heContinue Reading

by M. Bijman June 11, 2019 Number of comments0

Discussion of writing style romance Romances and Love Stories

Someone else calls it “indelibly awful” – The Mister, by E.L. James

It gives me great pleasure to re-post a review of E.L. James’ latest romance novel, The Mister, because I justContinue Reading

by M. Bijman June 8, 2019 Number of comments0

Discussion of film/TV series Non-fiction Review of Biographical Fiction

Read the books before you judge the films – GoT and Florence Foster Jenkins

Game of Thrones has now ended, and amid the uproar about the storyline and perceived-as-unsatisfactory conclusion of the final season, despairingContinue Reading

by M. Bijman June 1, 2019 Number of comments0

Art Humor Humour Modern fiction Review of literary fiction Review of modern fiction

Picking up whispers of a murder – The Hearing Trumpet by Leonora Carrington

Forget for a moment that Leonora Carrington, who died in 2011 at the age of 94, was one of theContinue Reading

by M. Bijman May 24, 2019 Number of comments0

Art-themed Fiction

An Armload of Art-themed Novels

“Künstlerromane” are fictional depictions of the coming-of-age of artists or art prodigies – real or imagined, and their personal andContinue Reading

by M. Bijman May 17, 2019 Number of comments0

Art-themed Fiction Best of 2018 Creative Process Review of modern fiction Review of new novel Review of translated novel

An idea that asks to be murdered – Killing Commendatore, by Haruki Murakami

by M. Bijman May 10, 2019 Number of comments0

Best of 2018 Cold Climate Novels for Summer Discussion of writing style Fairytales Review of literary fiction Review of previously published novel Review of translated novel

Luminous, mysterious and bothersome – The Taiga Syndrome, by Cristina Rivera Garza

What is the Taiga? And what is the “Taiga Syndrome”?  The Taiga is a snowy, fir-forested region in the highContinue Reading

by M. Bijman April 30, 2019 2

Current events Discussion of poetry Discussion of writing style

“Don’t die, Dad – but they die.” Les Murray, The Bard of Bunyah, 17 October 1938 – 29 April 2019

The papers have been full with news of the death of Australia’s most world-famous poet, Les Murray. He died yesterdayContinue Reading

by M. Bijman April 26, 2019 Number of comments0

Review of modern fiction Review of new book Video

John Delacourt’s “Butterfly” in one-and-a-half minutes – Video-format review

Some novels really lend themselves to being discussed in visual terms – either their subject or setting is dramatic orContinue Reading

by M. Bijman April 19, 2019 Number of comments0

CanLit Discussion of genre Discussion of writing style List of similar books Review of Biographical Fiction Review of literary fiction Review of new book

A howl from the guts – White Out by Martine Delvaux

Before you read White Out it is best that you know that this book is written somewhat in the styleContinue Reading

by M. Bijman April 12, 2019 Number of comments0

Art-themed Fiction Backstories Discussion of writing style Review of classical fiction Review of classical novel Review of historical fiction Review of previously published novel

Two old people left behind, holding hands – The Fish Can Sing, by Halldór Laxness

A reader should approach with caution any book that has won a whole bunch of awards. A reader should alsoContinue Reading

by M. Bijman April 6, 2019 Number of comments0

Award-winning novel List of similar books List of top books

So it won a Nobel – so what?

Every so often I discover a wonderful writer by some confluence of good fortune. In this case, I got myContinue Reading

by M. Bijman March 29, 2019 Number of comments0

Discussion of writing style Pastorale Review of modern fiction

Totally not Moomintrollish – The Summer Book, by Tove Jansson

I’m just such a sucker for a feel-good story and lovely gobs of happiness, which is why I so enjoyedContinue Reading

by M. Bijman March 29, 2019 Number of comments0

Discussion of author’s portfolio List of similar books List of top books

Does it work to pick from an author’s shortlist of favourites? – Sjón’s Top 10

Since I’m a devoted Sjón fan, I duly sat down and ordered the novels on this Top 10 list ofContinue Reading

by M. Bijman March 24, 2019 Number of comments0

Art Creative Process Current events Media and Technology Publishing technologies

I composed a bit like Bach! – Machine Learning and the joys of aspiring to great art

Computer-generated artistic text and images tend to resemble FrankenArt and FrankenFiction. Using machine learning, designers can build software programs thatContinue Reading

by M. Bijman March 23, 2019 Number of comments0

Poetry

“When Facebook Went Down”, “The Germs of Love”, and other new silly rhymes

Here are four new rhymes; about the 13th of March when Facebook crashed, about someone who can’t sing, about catchingContinue Reading

by M. Bijman March 18, 2019 Number of comments0

Review of literary fiction Video

How to squish Sjón’s 528-page “CoDex 1962” into 2.5 minutes

It took four posts to finish saying what I wanted to say about CoDex 1962, the strange but marvellous novelContinue Reading

by M. Bijman March 15, 2019 Number of comments0

Discussion of writing style Review of literary fiction Review of modern fiction Review of new book

Art Crimes and War Crimes – Butterfly, by John Delacourt

John Delacourt’s novel Butterfly is hard to read, not because of his writing style, but because of the subject matterContinue Reading

by M. Bijman March 10, 2019 Number of comments0

Authors to watch Review of historical fiction Video

53-second take on Undermajordomo Minor, by Patrick deWitt

Some novels just cry out to be made into films. Undermajordomo Minor, by Patrick deWitt, is one of those. IContinue Reading

by M. Bijman March 7, 2019 Number of comments0

Authors to watch Creative Process Discussion of writing style Review of Fantasy Review of new book

The Charm/Curse of Cliffhangers – The Hod King, by Josiah Bancroft

The Hod King, Bancroft’s third book in his Books of Babel tetralogy, is an exercise in exquisite torture through cliffhangers.Continue Reading

by M. Bijman February 22, 2019 Number of comments0

Discussion of author’s portfolio Review of Fantasy Review of new book Review of Science Fiction and Fantasy

The Hods are revolting – but we love them anyway – The Hod King, by Josiah Bancroft

Writer Nicholas Tucker said about Richard Adams’ 50-hankie-bunny-weepie, Watership Down, “Adams … has bravely and successfully resurrected the big picaresque adventureContinue Reading

by M. Bijman February 15, 2019 Number of comments0

Best of 2018 Discussion of writing style Review of modern fiction Review of new book Review of new novel

Death Made Beautiful – Beirut Hellfire Society, by Rawi Hage

This is one those novels that will change the way you look at death and burial methods – and Beirut.Continue Reading

by M. Bijman February 12, 2019 1

Poetry

Mining Lullaby and Office Blues

I work for a firm of consulting engineers in the oil & gas and mining industries (my day job, whichContinue Reading

by M. Bijman February 8, 2019 Number of comments0

Backstories Creative Process getting published

Julian Barnes on hard work, luck and serendipity in his writing career

Here is the fascinating first-hand exposé of how Julian Barnes wrote his first novel, Metroland, and got it published inContinue Reading

by M. Bijman February 2, 2019 Number of comments0

Backstories Current events Discussion of writing style Media and Technology Review of anthology Review of new book Review of new science fiction Review of science fiction Reviews of short stories

Science Fiction versus HARD Science Fiction – The real science behind the Twelve Tomorrows Anthology

John Scalzi’s Science Fiction (SF) novel Head On was taken a step closer to being real when, in December 2018,Continue Reading

by M. Bijman January 27, 2019 Number of comments0

Afrikaans Author interview Backstories Creative Process Review of new book

Into the mind of an author – Helena Gunter on what motivates her to write

In a previous post, I commented on Helena Gunter’s recently published anthology of short stories called Tweespoor (meaning “Double Track”).Continue Reading

by M. Bijman January 25, 2019 Number of comments0

Current events Discussion of genre Humor Humour Video

What tickles your funny-bone? Rhett and Link caption The New Yorker’s cartoons

Here’s something entertaining: the appearance on The New Yorker magazine’s video channel of my favourite You-tubers, Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal,Continue Reading

by M. Bijman January 18, 2019 Number of comments0

Authors to watch Discussion of writing style Review of historical fiction Review of new book

Mannered throwaway lines and very bad people – Undermajordomo Minor, by Patrick deWitt

It seems to me that Hollywood film producers keep rehashing the same subjects and plots, which is why I rarelyContinue Reading

by M. Bijman January 12, 2019 Number of comments0

Afrikaans Discussion of writing style Review of new book Reviews of short stories

“The private, freaky sensuality of childhood” – “Tweespoor”(“Double Track”), by Helena Gunter

Helena Gunter’s skinny two-part work, with its dull brown cover featuring a faded-looking abstract drawing, looks harmless enough. What itContinue Reading

by M. Bijman January 11, 2019 Number of comments0

Backstories Literary analysis

Mary, Mary, quite contrary, how does your website grow? Part 2 – Quite well, actually!

The statistics for 2018 for the Seven Circumstances book blog illustrate some basics about the world of book writing, publishingContinue Reading

by M. Bijman January 4, 2019 Number of comments0

Backstories Literary analysis

Mary, Mary, quite contrary, how does your website grow? Growth factors in a book blog (part 1)

The statistics for 2018 for the Seven Circumstances book blog, released just before New Year, illustrate some basics about theContinue Reading

by M. Bijman December 31, 2018 Number of comments0

Video

A Year in Books – Video of 2018 on Seven Circumstances

Readers who enjoy reading about the books they have read, and are searching for the next good book to read,Continue Reading

by M. Bijman December 25, 2018 Number of comments0

Backstories Discussion of writing style Humor Humour Pastoral Literature Review of memoir Review of new book

Gentle Gallic Escapism – My Twenty-Five Years in Provence, by Peter Mayle

Recently my nose led me to a stall in down-town Vancouver where people were selling lavender products made in Provence,Continue Reading

by M. Bijman December 7, 2018 Number of comments0

Backstories Discussion of writing style literary romance Review of literary fiction Review of new book

A codex of an Icelandic writer and his roots – CoDex, by Sjón (Part 4 – The nuclear fallout)

Part 4/4 of The Long Read review of Codex 1962, by Sjón (Back to part 3/4 of the review) TheContinue Reading

by M. Bijman December 5, 2018 Number of comments0

Backstories Discussion of writing style Literary analysis Review of literary fiction Review of new book

A codex of an Icelandic writer and his roots – CoDex 1962, by Sjón (Part 3 – The clay child)

Back to part 2 of the review of Codex 1962, by Sjón The parts of the Trilogy The three partsContinue Reading

by M. Bijman December 3, 2018 Number of comments0

Backstories Discussion of writing style Literary analysis Review of literary fiction Review of new book

A codex of an Icelandic writer and his roots – CoDex 1962, by Sjón (Part 2 – Turning people into zebras)

Part 2 of the review of CoDex 1962, by Sjón (Back to part 1) Antagonist/Protagonist Sjón comes close to directlyContinue Reading

by M. Bijman December 2, 2018 Number of comments0

Backstories Best of 2018 Discussion of writing style Literary analysis Review of literary fiction Review of new book

A codex of an Icelandic author and his roots – CoDex 1962 by Sjón (Part 1 – Roll-call of the dead)

CoDex 1962 is Icelandic author Sjón’s first new novel since Moonstone – The Boy Who Never Was, published in translation inContinue Reading

by M. Bijman November 18, 2018 Number of comments0

Backstories Current events List of similar books Modern fiction Published books Publishing technologies

Dismissive of mass market paperbacks? Think again.

This is the rack of “mass market” paperbacks that I see when I stand in the queue, every time IContinue Reading

by M. Bijman October 20, 2014 Number of comments0

Constructed World Novel Discussion of author’s portfolio Discussion of writing style Review of Fantasy

Death and the Flight of Birds in The Discworld – Reaper Man, by Terry Pratchett

Death is a difficult subject to write about, but particularly when it is not coincidental but core to a book’s theme orContinue Reading