The Blog of Tom

Charles McLean’s novel The Watcher is one of the best novels I’ve read in a long time, and is well worth a look if you’re in the mood for something weird, gruesome and compelling. It’s the story of an everyday schmoe who commits a random act of horrific violence with no apparant motivation and his subsequent attempts to understand why he did it.

What’s impressive about The Watcher is that it maintains a wholly amiguous stance throughout. While most writers would opt for a definitive conclusion, Maclean maintains several equally convincing realities at once. The book is, I believe, currently out of print, but can be picked up dirt cheap on Amazon.co.uk.

Results are in for the 2006 International 3 Day Novel Contest and… I didn’t win. My entry - Idolatry - was shortlisted in the final 20, but missed out on the big one.

As is customary on these occasions, I’d like to make the usual noises about what an honour it was to take part, thank the judges for their nod and offer my congratulations to the overall winner, Brendon McLeod.

I wish I could be more erudite than that, but it’s 7.34 in the morning and that’s my only waking thought. Damn you Douglas Coupland. You’ve made me feel ashamed for ever liking your novels.

Just a small note to recommend Paul Auster’s latest novel The Brooklyn Follies. My previous knowledge of Auster’s work is limited to The New York Trilogy and his screenplay for Smoke, both of which I thought were OK, but not outstanding. The Brooklyn Follies comes highly recommended, however, as it’s one of the finest books I’ve read all year. It’s available at amazon.co.uk for only £3.99