Quill and Quire

Reviews

The Culprits

By Robert Hough

A persistent dissonance undermines and eventually scuttles The Culprits, Robert Hough’s third novel. It’s the story of three radically different characters whose lives are eventually bound by an act of misguided and fanatical violence.The dissonance ... Read More »

October 2, 2007 | Filed under: Fiction: Novels

Crown Shyness

By Curtis Gillespie

Halfway through Curtis Gillespie’s debut novel is this quote from American journalist and author Janet Malcolm: “Every journalist who is not too stupid or too full of himself to notice what’s happening around him knows ... Read More »

October 2, 2007 | Filed under: Fiction: Novels

The Assassin’s Song

By M.G. Vassanji

In his latest novel, M.G. Vassanji tackles difficult and potentially explosive questions about the spiritual and the divine in India and North America. Fortunately, Vassanji’s book is multifaceted and subtle enough to do justice to ... Read More »

September 17, 2007 | Filed under: Fiction: Novels

★ Conceit

By Mary Novik

How to write a review in 350 words that does justice to Mary Novik’s extraordinary debut novel Conceit? It’s nearly impossible, which is probably why the book’s catalogue bumph veers toward the purple, making it ... Read More »

September 17, 2007 | Filed under: Fiction: Novels

Soucouyant

By David Chariandy

Vancouverite David Chariandy’s debut novel works in spite of itself. None of the characters are particularly striking, the narrative is a bit choppy, and the ending feels tied up with a bow. And yet, Soucouyant ... Read More »

September 17, 2007 | Filed under: Fiction: Novels