You can now get hold of a copy of this wonderful quirky little novel, “Moon in a Dead Eye” by Pascal Garnier so I thought I would tell you a little bit more about it and re-post the review.
The Author
Pascal Garnier, who died in March 2010, was a talented novelist, short story writer, children’s author and painter. From his home in the mountains of the Ardèche, he wrote fiction in a noir palette with a cast of characters drawn from ordinary provincial life. Though his writing is often very dark in tone, it sparkles with quirkily beautiful imagery and dry wit. Garnier’s work has been likened to the great thriller writer, Georges Simenon. Gallic has published The Panda Theory, How’s the Pain?, The A26 and Moon in a Dead Eye, with more to come in 2014.
Here you can find Pascal Garnier in his own words: http://gallicbooks.com/pascal-garnier-in-his-own-words/
Review
A short but beautiful and quirky read, “Moon in a Dead Eye” follows a group of elderly people as they move into a gated community, hoping for the good life in the sun. Unfortunately it doesnt quite live up to expectations – as a new build there are only two couples and one single lady living there – and the social activities advertised are not forthcoming as hoped. A social secretary finally arrives and things begin to look up. But of course, with a tight knit group such as this there are always going to be unseen tensions…
I adored this book but I am finding it quite difficult to say why exactly. It was just, well, GOOD! It kind of meanders along as you get to know each individual person and their foibles, and a lot of the book is really just how they settle in, react to each other and to their new surroundings and what they do to pass the time. The author however somehow manages to impart a sense of menace….like something is hovering just beneath the surface that you can’t quite put your finger on. Ok so the caretaker is a somewhat sinister character but that in and of itself is not all of it. So I’d say its clever writing. Pascal Garnier definitely had an eye to the ironic…and he also managed a fair bit of humour.. still you felt all the way through that perhaps something was coming.
Was something coming? Well you will have to read it to find out. And I would say do so if you want something a little different and unexpected, but also purely for the genius of the writing. The turn of phrase and the way it flows is terrific. Perhaps not a book I would normally have picked up I am grateful to the publisher for sending me a copy to review. Otherwise I might have missed out and that would NEVER do.
Information and review copy thanks Sophie Goodfellow and Gallic Books
Happy Reading Folks!
