[JeffVan]

Balzac's later work, and different work, so...

As I may have said before, most all the ugliness/etc. in the novel is taken from the real world.

Jeff

[Rocket Sheep]

And there's plenty to work with. I'm glad Balzac's War was later, since I liked it more. I'll probably like your next work even better. Altho, 'burbling saditude' was pretty awesome.

Re the living art vs. the dead art (perhaps they stuff the failures and glaze them?), I got the feeling living art was a slightly subversive type of art. Not a generally accepted thing... kinda like rich people today who keep tigers in their backyard... or buy paintings done in excrement... amazing things to show to visitors.

Perhaps I just couldn't get my head around it being generally accepted... just the simple facts of art that oozes or might scuttle off or needs to feed, and presumably, to poo, threw me without the consideration of how many people would find this kind of art fascinating instead of gross.

That might just be the way I think tho (as someone who had four goldfish in a pond two weeks ago and now has 104, I tend to worry about what creatures get up to)... I doubt the idea of poo entered Jeff's head when he thought up this bizarre art form.

[JeffVan]

Er, yes, I thought of poo. Poo's been thought of. See the first section of the novel.

I'm glad it made you uncomfortable. It's not supposed to be a dainty novel.

Jeff

[juzzza]

Finished Veniss Underground, and loved it.

Thanks Jeff, a really great read and I found the reading of the story as much fun as the actual story... does that make sense? What I mean is, I really enjoyed the POV choice for each act and you really surprised me during Shadrach's act when things just went insane!!!

The bone yard fascinated me (and sickened) so I was delighted to read your commentary on the inspiration for the twins and the setting.

Strapping John/Salvador to Shad's arm was genius, what a great way to 'show' rather than tell Shad's thoughts, it reminded me of a sick angel and devil on his shoulder like a twisted tom and jerry cartoon.

I know it's been mentioned, but I was also really impressed by how much you crammed into such a small book, the resonance you leave behind with the reader is impressive.

The giant fish and the whole ocean sequence in particular, was one of those 'can't put this down' moments.

My first taste of your work and I will be reading more so thanks again.

[Rob B]

I'm glad it made you uncomfortable. It's not supposed to be a dainty novel.

Jeff
I'm finding myself enjoying discomforting stories, novels and unsettling portions of larger stories as of late. This was definitely the case in this book.

The meerkats were quite terrifying and eerie, I mean, come on, isn't one of those characters from The Lion King a meerkat? A cute little singing animal? I love how that image was completely turned on its arse here.

I also really like when a book/writer refers to other works of literature and works of the fantastic. Of course I couldn't get Frankenstein out of my head while reading this book. I went to Rutgers Unversity where they won't let you graduate as an English major unless you've read the book at least 3 times. So I really appreciated the other works that were brought to my mind as I read this one.

As physically thin as this book and the stories inside were, there was a depth of dread and powerful storytelling much greater than looks would lead you to believe.

Yeah, yeah, I'm a few months late. The book just became widely available here in the US. Here's my review (http://www.sffworld.com/brevoff/218.html)

[Eventine]

Good to see you liked it Rob. I'm pretty sure it was a meerkat in the Lion King - and now I have a mental image of his head glued to a plate.

For the info of any Aussies here, Jeff is currently in Australia. for those capable of getting there, he'll be doing a signing in Galaxy bookshop in Sydney on the 6th October. He's also making appearances in Brisbane, but I'm unsure of the details (and too lazy to look them up).

[Luke_B]

I'm leaving a trail of mushrooms from Syndey to Canberra in the hope of luring him here. I just won't be able to make it up to Sydney for his Galaxy Bookshop signing. My copy of Veniss Underground is already signed but I'd love to get City of Saints and Madmen signed, and take any opportunity just to chat with him.

I'll also add the Bantam Spectra edition of Veniss Underground looks like a very handsome book. They're doing some great stuff at the moment.

[Yobmod]

Now the authors gone...

I read it, i wasn't that impressed. Its all very well being new weird, but i found quite a few of the settings to be pointless. The supposed difficulty in getting from underground to above ground and vice versa seemed meager, considering the conditions underground i would expect much more stringent security would be necessary.

And the limb replacment factory completly lost me. It felt like the author had pictured a cool scene of amputated limbs piled everywhere - but then didn't build up enough context for me to accept it. What was its purpose? They weren't being used for spare parts, or research, or medicine - i seem to remember they were abandoned and putrifying.

And why meercats? If i was a bioengineering megalomaniac genius i would create numerous intelligent animal spy species, to cater for varied tastes. Once again it felt to me that they were included cos they're 'cool' and slightly 'weird'.

Anyway, i didn't think it was awful, but was suprised by all the gushing praise. Although when the author joins in the discusions, the book club always seems to be less critical.

I'll still check out city of saints... when my reading pile is smaller.

[Rob B]

I'll also add the Bantam Spectra edition of Veniss Underground looks like a very handsome book. They're doing some great stuff at the moment.
I agree, it is a pretty cool looking book. If Lou Anders didn't start up the PYR imprint, I'd say BantamSpectra is hands down the most interesting major US SFF publisher right now. A great mix of titles, from Epic Fantasy, to high-tech SF to stuff like VanderMeer.

As for why meerkats? Why not? They are under-represented in fantastic fiction. Wolves have had their fair share, as have many species of cats.

[Luke_B]

Isn't it explained in the book that meerkats have genetic properties that pre-dispose them to bioengineering. Also, it's just damn cool and fun. And the limbs factory is one of the most haunting scenes from any science fiction book I've read. This book has been nominated for various awards, including a World Fantasy, and received praise from many corners. Many here were praising the book even before the author showed up if you'd care to do a search.