Quick read. My first encounter with this author. Pleasantly surprised how similar the stories are to Ian McEwan's. Funny, dark, sometimes predictable and very enjoyable. Well written. From crack dealing in London, feeding the insects in the house, toddler swapping ids with a German businessman, psychiatric patient surrounded by Daves, "Emotos" misbehaving, hitchhiker describing riding Tonka toys in Glasgow, man having an affair disliking his Volvo, and the drug dealer from the first story, imprisoned joins a writing group. Eight short stories are: The Rock of Crack as Big As The Ritz, Flytopia, A Story for Europe, Dave Too, Caring Sharing, Tough Tough Toys for Tough Tough Boys, Design Faults in the Volvo 760 Turbo a manual, and The Nonce Prize. The Emoto story reminded me of Klara and the Sun. ( )

My mouse pointer hesitates over the "recommend to friends" button, not because I didn't thoroughly enjoy this book--with every Self title I read I immediately want to read more--he surprises at every turn, his prose snicker-snacks electrically across the page--but yes, he's verbose and very British and I live in, well, America. The hesitation is because he's challenging and therefore all the more rewarding but some readers might not be looking for this sort of a challenge. But screw it. My mouse will punch that recommend button, big words be damned. At the bar the other day I discovered that an American acquaintance enjoys reading Self. Sure, it helps to be not a little dark of mind with a predilection for drug culture, surrealism, and dark "humour", but Self's work stands on its own bent laurels--with a logic all its own but sound nonetheless.

I disagree with the reviewer above who found "The Nonce Prize" weak... and an unnecessary response to Crack Rock as Big as the Ritz. Amazing, intricate stuff.

The blurbs compare him to Vonnegut, etc. Flattering indeed, but I think his lineage descends more directly frm Swift by way of Ballard. Top shelf stuff. ( )