Craig Enputtock

Fantastically good, and more than ever pertinent to today's world. I can imagine it being disliked by today's brand of "progressives," which, as this book points out, have been around for a long time and are no less absurd or self-destructive today than they were back then. It does at one point, toward the end, strain credulity and become a little too fantastic: but that is its only fault. This and "The Polity of Beasts" seem to be essential novels depicting politics of the late 20th and early 21st century.

Great mood music. I could do without the vulgarity in one of the lyrics, which falls from the lovely melody rather like a hurtful jagged cinder block falling on your ears: but perhaps the lyricist will mature ....

Stunningly well done story of a poor mining family, written in a direct, vigorous, and completely heartfelt manner. A beautiful and artistic novel full of humanity.