SEVEN CIRCUMSTANCES – Book Reviews & Essays on Literature

Favourite DetectivesSee all posts

crime fiction Detective fiction Discussion of genre Discussion of writing style Modern fiction Review of Mysteries and Thrillers Review of new book

Homage to the Bard with Bloody-Handed Bastards and Gold Bars – Macbeth, by Jo Nesbo

Jo Nesbo is a masterful writer of crime fiction. In his particular niche, he is superb. That said, it probablyContinue Reading

Detective fiction detective novel Discussion of writing style Review of new book Review of science fiction

Not exactly lightheaded – Head On by John Scalzi

Backstories Current events Detective fiction detective novel Discussion of film/TV series Mysteries and Thrillers Review of Mysteries and Thrillers Trending

Classic crime fiction with a Canadian twist – The John Cardinal Series, by Giles Blunt

Detective fiction detective novel Mysteries and Thrillers Review of modern fiction Review of Mysteries and Thrillers Review of new book

Review in a 47-second video – The Thirst, by Jo Nesbo

Detective fiction detective novel Discussion of film/TV series Discussion of writing style Mysteries and Thrillers Review of Mysteries and Thrillers Review of new book Trending

It’s all about the blood…and how it drips! – The Thirst, by Jo Nesbo

Backstories Detective fiction detective novel Discussion of poetry Discussion of writing style Mysteries and Thrillers Review of Mysteries and Thrillers

Lovely verses and violent deaths – Shanghai Redemption, by Qiu Xiaolong

Latest Posts

by M. Bijman November 13, 2018

Discussion of film/TV series Discussion of media Review of Science Fiction and Fantasy

The Genius of Genndy Tartakovsky – “Samurai Jack” returns one last time

I’m not an anime fan. I don’t do cosplay, and I generally like Hard Science Fiction more than novels aboutContinue Reading

by M. Bijman November 5, 2018

Backstories Humor Humour Modern fiction Review of modern fiction Review of new book

This book needs no review – The Accidental Further Adventure of the Hundred-Year-old Man, by Jonas Jonasson

I have never written an easier review of a novel, than this one. Why? Because it does not need reviewingContinue Reading

by M. Bijman October 29, 2018

Backstories Discussion of writing style Mysteries and Thrillers Review of modern fiction Review of new book Trending

“Bond” is back, courtesy of Anthony Horowitz in “Trigger Mortis” and “Forever and a Day”

“Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose” – “the more things change, the more they stay the same”, said by French critic Alphonse Karr,Continue Reading

by M. Bijman October 22, 2018

crime fiction Detective fiction Discussion of genre Discussion of writing style Modern fiction Review of Mysteries and Thrillers Review of new book

Homage to the Bard with Bloody-Handed Bastards and Gold Bars – Macbeth, by Jo Nesbo

Jo Nesbo is a masterful writer of crime fiction. In his particular niche, he is superb. That said, it probablyContinue Reading

by M. Bijman October 15, 2018

Review of modern fiction Video

One-minute video review – The Only Story by Julian Barnes

The novel is downbeat and intense, but demonstrates that what matters is love, what keeps people going is love, andContinue Reading

by M. Bijman October 11, 2018

Discussion of writing style Review of previously published novel Review of science fiction

Want some Whuffie for that? Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom – The reprint edition

Cory Doctorow writes about the future as if it were today, as if it were about him and his buddies,Continue Reading

by M. Bijman October 4, 2018

Current events Publishing technologies

Indie author causes uproar in the French publishing industry – shrugs it off as a matter of survival

I rarely repost news articles in their entirety but this one is a real eyebrow-raiser: – an independent author’s novel,Continue Reading

by M. Bijman September 29, 2018

Author interview Backstories Discussion of writing style Literary analysis Published books

The Creative Process & Publishing III – Meet the “Four Brothers Buksalesnikov”

In previous posts on this subject, I focused on finding a publisher, finding an agent and finding your voice asContinue Reading

by M. Bijman September 21, 2018

Detective fiction detective novel Discussion of writing style Review of new book Review of science fiction

Not exactly lightheaded – Head On by John Scalzi

The last novel by John Scalzi I read, before this one, was Agent To the Stars (Tor Books, 2008), andContinue Reading

by M. Bijman September 19, 2018

Discussion of writing style Review of essay collection Video

So many superlatives to fit in – Calypso by David Sedaris (a video critique)

The more I think about David Sedaris’ writing, the more I realize I’ve been missing out on a good thingContinue Reading

by M. Bijman September 16, 2018

Author interview Backstories Discussion of writing style

The Creative Process & Publishing II – Literary Agents

Step 2: Find a literary agent In my previous post, I went into why and how writers connect with publishersContinue Reading

by M. Bijman September 7, 2018

Author interview Backstories Current events Publishing technologies

The Creative Process & Publishing I – How to get published

There are thousands of aspiring authors, thousands of unpublished books, and millions of readers who have not connected with particularContinue Reading

by M. Bijman September 4, 2018

Backstories Discussion of writing style Modern fiction Mysteries and Thrillers Review of modern fiction Review of Mysteries and Thrillers Review of new book

A precisely-crafted Alternative History – Break in Communication, by Jon Gliddon

What is the connection between Mining Engineering and writing fiction? None. In fact, the minds of Mining Engineers often workContinue Reading

by M. Bijman August 27, 2018

Backstories Discussion of genre Discussion of writing style Review of classical fiction Review of classical novel Review of new non-fiction

Are you pondering what I’m pondering? – The lost, Icelandic version of “Dracula”

This is the Icelandic version of Bram Stoker’s famous Victorian Gothic novel, Dracula. Powers of Darkness, called Makt Myrkranna, “the powerContinue Reading

by M. Bijman August 17, 2018

Discussion of writing style Review of literary fiction Review of modern fiction Review of new book Review of new novel romance Romances and Love Stories

It’s not about mixed doubles at all – The Only Story, by Julian Barnes

Julian Barnes’ latest novel is called The Only Story and, despite the subject (the “scandalous” love affair between a manContinue Reading

by M. Bijman August 13, 2018

Poetry

Today’s Loose Rhymes – emails and airplanes

I’ve been putting my poems on my poem-page on this website, mostly for my own amusement. I’ve noticed that justContinue Reading

by M. Bijman August 10, 2018

Backstories Discussion of writing style Review of new book Review of science fiction

The scripts work – does the novel? Night Vale – A Novel, by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor

Can the same subjects, settings and characters be successfully used in a podcast, and in published script format, and in aContinue Reading

by M. Bijman August 3, 2018

Discussion of writing style Humor Humour Review of essay collection

Why would you feed human offcuts to that turtle? Calypso, by David Sedaris

I did not, until now, understand why David Sedaris is regarded as one of the best essayist and satirists writingContinue Reading

by M. Bijman July 27, 2018

Backstories Review of science fiction Review of Science Fiction and Fantasy Video

It’s 4 not 3! – Arm of the Sphinx, by Josiah Bancroft

Compact Crit. #12 – The Books of Babel, by Josiah Bancroft (In particular: Arm of the Sphinx) I am publishingContinue Reading

by M. Bijman July 20, 2018

Discussion of writing style Literary analysis

Ten reasons why people don’t finish reading novels

Readers who are unable to finish reading a novel know that bothersome feeling – when you imagine that an inanimateContinue Reading

by M. Bijman July 6, 2018

Discussion of genre Discussion of writing style Review of new book Review of new science fiction Review of science fiction

High calibre writing – Arm of the Sphinx, by Josiah Bancroft

Some writers write so clearly, elegantly and expressively that reading their words is like drinking a glass of the bestContinue Reading

by M. Bijman June 29, 2018

Discussion of writing style List of similar books Review of new book Review of new science fiction Review of science fiction

If it’s cute, tentacled and ravenous, don’t bring it home – Borne, by Jeff Vandermeer

“Borne” is the past participle of the verb “[to] bear”, which means to carry or transport, as in a weight orContinue Reading

by M. Bijman June 22, 2018

Review of modern fiction Review of novel Video

New video-format review: On the Bright Side – The New Diary of Hendrik Groen

Compact Crit. #10 – On the Bright Side – The New Diary of Hendrik Groen (a.k.a. Zolang Er Leven IsContinue Reading

by M. Bijman June 18, 2018

Discussion of writing style Non-fiction Review of new book Review of new non-fiction Subjective non-fiction

A different kind of oasis – Paradise Gardens, by Monty Don and Derry Moore

I have long been an admirer of Monty Don, the horticulturist and garden expert. I love watching him on hisContinue Reading

by M. Bijman June 15, 2018

Backstories Discussion of film/TV series Discussion of writing style Review of historical fiction Reviews of short stories

The mystery of the misquoted quote from “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance”

Sometimes, a line from a book or a film just sounds to good to resist. It sticks in your headContinue Reading

by M. Bijman June 11, 2018

Discussion of writing style Modern fiction Review of modern fiction Review of new book Review of new novel

A long trip without a decent map – A Long Way From Home, by Peter Carey

I have been to Australia twice, once on a holiday with a mishap and a second time on a holidayContinue Reading

by M. Bijman June 8, 2018

Backstories Current events Discussion of writing style Trending

Anthony Bourdain is dead – No more “food-poetry”

Anthony Bourdain is dead – he killed himself. His body was found in Kaysersberg-Vignoble, France, on Friday, June 8, 2018. HeContinue Reading

by M. Bijman June 2, 2018

Discussion of author’s portfolio Discussion of writing style Mysteries and Thrillers Review of Mysteries and Thrillers Review of new book Review of Thriller

Give me Stockholm or give me death – Midnight Sun, by Jo Nesbo

Jo Nesbo’s famous “Harry Hole” detective novels, and his other works for adults, bear the marks of contemporary Scandinavian NoirContinue Reading

by M. Bijman June 1, 2018

Review of new science fiction Review of science fiction Video

75-seconds video review – More about the future of pleasure model robots

Compact Crit. #11 – The Pleasure Model Repairman, by Ruuf Wangersen It was great fun to read Ruuf Wangersen’s debut Sci-FiContinue Reading

by M. Bijman May 26, 2018

historical romance List of similar books List of top books literary romance romance Romances and Love Stories

Romantic novels to put you in the mood for love

It’s Spring, love is in the air and it’s wedding season, so now is the time to revisit some excellentContinue Reading

by M. Bijman May 21, 2018

Author interview Backstories Discussion of writing style

Into the mind of an author: Ruuf Wangersen (author of The Pleasure Model Repairman)

Ruuf Wangersen’s debut novel is The Pleasure Model Repairman, reviewed here. I was fascinated by this new author and theContinue Reading

by M. Bijman May 19, 2018

Current events Discussion of writing style Review of new book Review of science fiction

The fatal thrills of zero inhibitions – The Pleasure Model Repairman, by Ruuf Wangersen

Any novel that has the words “pleasure model” in the title could be automatically relegated to the category of “chickContinue Reading

by M. Bijman May 11, 2018

Backstories Current events Discussion of writing style Review of radio script Review of science fiction

Freaky bedtime stories from “Night Vale”, the town where nothing is normal

“Welcome to Night Vale” it says on the cover. Inside, there are stories about the town of “Night Vale”, somewhereContinue Reading

by M. Bijman May 4, 2018

Backstories List of similar books List of top books Video

The one, the only, the greatest – Literary one-hit wonders video

Like in music, one-hit wonders are a never-ending source of fascination for people. Depending on how you define a “one-hitContinue Reading

by M. Bijman April 30, 2018

Backstories Current events Discussion of writing style Humor Humour Modern fiction Review of modern fiction Review of new book Trending

Hendrik Groen stubbornly clings to life – On the Bright Side, by Anonymous (Hendrik Groen)

The mystery over who “Hendrik Groen” is, continues. Groen is the pseudonym of a Dutch author who has produced twoContinue Reading

by M. Bijman April 20, 2018

Backstories Current events List of similar books Published books Review of novel Video

The Creative Process: What makes a literary one-hit wonder?

There is a lot more to the phenomenon of literary one-hit wonders than you’d think. There are many reasons forContinue Reading

by M. Bijman April 15, 2018

Non-fiction Review of new book Review of new non-fiction Subjective non-fiction Video

New video-format review – The Memory Palace, by Edward Hollis

Compact Crit. #9 – The Memory Palace, by Edward Hollis Since Edward Hollis’ book, The Memory Palace, is mostly aboutContinue Reading

by M. Bijman April 13, 2018

Non-fiction Review of new book Review of new non-fiction Subjective non-fiction

This is why we love our “stuff” – The Memory Palace, by Edward Hollis

When I studied Interior Decorating years ago, I didn’t have the foggiest idea about the real significance of interiors. YouContinue Reading

by M. Bijman April 9, 2018

Discussion of film/TV series Humor Humour Review of Comic Strip Video

Review in a compact video – Bloom County, by Berke Breathed

In my review of the return of the Bloom County comic strip, I had in my mind only the drawnContinue Reading

by M. Bijman April 6, 2018

Backstories children’s book Current events Discussion of author’s portfolio Discussion of film/TV series Discussion of writing style Trending

Oh dear, Mary Poppins Returns – here comes the spoonful of saccharine

The teaser trailer for the new film based on the Mary Poppins books by P.L. Travers was released to coincideContinue Reading

by M. Bijman March 30, 2018

Award-winning novel Backstories List of similar books Review of science fiction

An amazing one-hit-wonder – Lives of the Monster Dogs, by Kirsten Bakis

Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr’s famous epigram reads; “Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose” – “the more it changes, the more it’s the sameContinue Reading

by M. Bijman March 21, 2018

Backstories Comic books Current events Humor Humour Reviews of graphic novels and comic strips Trending

The perks and perils of reanimating oldies but goodies – Bloom County, by Berke Breathed

After a 25-year absence, comic book artist Berkeley (“Berke”) Breathed restarted his famous and much-loved comic strip, Bloom County on Facebook,Continue Reading

by M. Bijman March 13, 2018

Backstories Current events Review of memoir Review of new book Video

54-second review of Insomniac City, by Bill Hayes

Compact Crits #7: 54-second review of Insomniac City, by Bill Hayes Read the whole story here. Make no mistake, thisContinue Reading

by M. Bijman March 12, 2018

Backstories Discussion of writing style Review of memoir Romances and Love Stories

To read if you’re bone-tired, lonely or blue – Insomniac City, by Bill Hayes

Insomniac City made me cry – but in a nice way. I am an incurable romantic and Hayes’s revealing memoirContinue Reading

by M. Bijman March 5, 2018

Review of historical fiction Review of new book Video

46-second review of The Last Kind Words Saloon

Compact Crits #5: 46-second review of The Last Kind Words Saloon, by Larry McMurtry

by M. Bijman March 2, 2018

Discussion of writing style Review of historical fiction Review of new book Trending

The Fine Art of Economical Prose – The Last Kind Words Saloon, by Larry McMurtry

The title is probably one of the longest phrases in the novel, which is a mere 191 pages, including illustrationsContinue Reading

by M. Bijman February 27, 2018

Discussion of poetry Poetry Review of poetry collection Video

Review in a 48-second video – You Took the Last Bus Home, by Brian Bilston

Compact Crits #6: 48-second review of You Took the Last Bus Home, by Brian Bilston (poetry) Here’s the full reviewContinue Reading

by M. Bijman February 25, 2018

Backstories Discussion of poetry Discussion of writing style Poetry Publishing technologies Review of poetry collection Web series and vlogs

Manipulating words like Legos – You Took the Last Bus Home, by Brian Bilston

Brian Bilston’s first anthology of poetry contains more than 200 poems, and despite some of them being only four linesContinue Reading

by M. Bijman February 23, 2018

Backstories Current events Discussion of poetry Literary analysis Poetry

The funny, thoughtful poems of Brian Bilston, the Twitter poet

Brian Bilston’s saucy, witty and insightful poems on Twitter (@brian_bilston) have made him famous. In this podcast (recorded in 2016,Continue Reading

by M. Bijman February 19, 2018

Backstories Current events Detective fiction detective novel Discussion of film/TV series Mysteries and Thrillers Review of Mysteries and Thrillers Trending

Classic crime fiction with a Canadian twist – The John Cardinal Series, by Giles Blunt

I watched the final episode of the second season of Cardinal, based on the books by Giles Blunt, on Feb. 8,Continue Reading

I abhor the Nestlé Pure Life commercial – here’s why October 19, 2018
I just hate this commercial. Every time I see it I get absolutely furious. It is patently, obviously, in-your-face WRONG on just about every level. This is the latest Nestlé bottled water commercial, showing on Canadian TV. It shows a well-dressed, well-fed little white girl, complete with safety goggles, drinking bottled water and asking “what can […] […]

Slice (2018) October 28, 2018
“So you're telling me that my pizza place is built on a gateway to hell?” — Jack Describing Austin Vesely’s werewolf-pizza Chance-the-Rapper comedy-horror film Slice is a mouthful. But with a premise like that, it’s no surprise that it bears a fully loaded, stuffed crust, dripping hot delight of a title sequence.Created by artist and animator John Chris […]
The Walking Dead (Season 9) (2018) October 18, 2018
“We're not just fighting to survive anymore. We're making a new beginning.” — Rick Grimes A ruined, decomposing world picked clean by those who remain, harshly rendered frame by frame. Out of that decay comes something new, driving he carrion-eaters away, holding them at bay... for now. For its ninth and latest season, AMC's much beloved horro […]

About M. Bijman and Seven Circumstances

Marthe Bijman (left) reads for pleasure and in order to produce reviews for this website, and certain publishers. She likes Literary Fiction and Science Fiction and finds the translated work of Chinese and Scandinavian authors particularly interesting. She is a fan of Star Trek and James Bond – but her taste in literature is eclectic. She lives on the outskirts of Vancouver, Canada, and works on a big old iMac and various other PCs and Apple gadgets. (more…)

Romances and Love StoriesSee all posts

Discussion of writing style Review of literary fiction Review of modern fiction Review of new book Review of new novel romance Romances and Love Stories

It’s not about mixed doubles at all – The Only Story, by Julian Barnes

Julian Barnes’ latest novel is called The Only Story and, despite the subject (the “scandalous” love affair between a manContinue Reading

historical romance List of similar books List of top books literary romance romance Romances and Love Stories

Romantic novels to put you in the mood for love

Backstories Discussion of writing style Review of memoir Romances and Love Stories

To read if you’re bone-tired, lonely or blue – Insomniac City, by Bill Hayes

Award-winning novel Backstories Discussion of writing style Published books Review of literary fiction Review of previously published novel Review of science fiction Romances and Love Stories Video

Finnish Weird at its best – Troll, by Johanna Sinisalo

Discussion of writing style ebook Review of historical fiction Review of new book Romances and Love Stories Video

A sexy idea that moves you – The Gods of Tango, by Carolina de Robertis