Nova Swing (M. John Harrison, 2002)

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ISBN 0-5750-7969-X

More of Light: a lot of atmosphere, some good characters, but an unmemorable plot. Indeed, if Light had any plot at all, I have completely forgotten it. My only conscious recollection of the book, at all, is a character I liked: Annie Glyph, the rickshaw driver. And I suspect Nova Swing will go the same way, with me remembering only the feisty, eight year old Alice Nylon. In fact, I almost quit reading when Alice was killed, about two-thirds through. But the story improved after that, and managed to hold my attention ... just.

This, it seems to me, is the thing about Harrison's writing. He has been described as a poet of decay, and he is certainly that, but, as with much poetry, nothing much ever actually happens. Or perhaps it is all just a bit too deep for me, and I don't understand.

Harrison's style puts me most in mind of that other master 'poet of decay', Michael Moorcock. Indeed, a couple of Harrison's earlier books, especially The Pastel City, have much in common with Moorcock's The Time Dweller and Imrryr, Elric's dreaming city, may well have been the inspiration for Viriconium. But, in Light and Nova Swing, the biomechanical futures seem to have descended more from Samuel Delany (Babel 17, Nova), perhaps by way of William Gibson (Mona Lisa Overdrive, Count Zero). So, though I know of nobody who writes quite like M. John Harrison, these are the 'similar' authors I've suggested for anyone who is interested.

Recommendation: Probably safest for existing fans.

Look and Feel: The usual paperback.

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Nova Swing (M. John Harrison, 2002)

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