| Author | Message | ||
     Bernie Dowling Member Username: Bernie Post Number: 5 Registered: 06-2007 |
I thought people might be interested in this media release I am sending out to support my novel. After I had written it, it struck me that what I saying about popular novels rarely being novel might also parallel the lack of commercial success of the Go-Betweens. Anyway, see what you think. MEDIA RELEASE AUSTRALIAN novelist Bernie Dowling thinks some readers will struggle with the timelines of his detective thriller Iraqi Icicle. The novel is set in south-east Queensland between 1986 and 1992. ``I tell the story out of chronological order and not just linearly backwards as in Christopher Nolan’s screenplay Memento,'' the Queensland journalist said. ``I'm hoping people will read the quotes before the first chapter but I realise I rarely do that myself. But I do sometimes peek back when a novel excites me.'' One quote from film-maker Jean Luc Godard says a film must have a beginning, a middle and an end, but not necessarily in that order. Another cites a rock song from Australian band The Go-Betweens which formed in 1978 and spent most of the 1980s in London where they garnered modest success, at best, across the world. The song in part goes: ``Round and round, up and down the streets of your town'' and is a lament about life in Brisbane, Queensland. The Go-Betweens' career forms a central analogy in Dowling's novel which chronicles murder and perverse ambition from the birth of personal computers and mobile phones in Australia to the aftermath of the first Iraq War. ``The book looks at the intersection of national popular culture and geopolitics though that description sounds a bit intellectual for a novel which was crafted as a plot-driven popular read,'' the author said. The plot, it seems, drives itself erratically down the road to resolution. Dowling approached an editor with the manuscript and she asked why he did not just tell the story chronologically. He ended up editing the novel himself. ``That gave me enormous respect for professional editors.'' He says his next novel is not following similar erratic timelines but he defends the style of Iraqi Icicle. ``The most popular of popular novels have little which is new about them. Once an author strikes a winning vein, most of their public expects them to mine it endlessly. ``The popular novel should be called the repetitive. I'm not out to emulate Dan Brown and a lot of book buyers are probably saying that is good because we are in no mood to let you do it.'' Iraqi Icicle is available from www.lulu.com and www.lulu.com/uk | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1522 Registered: 05-2005 |
Bernie, until now I assumed you were a Bernadette rather than a Bernard. I don't know why, I just did! I've know both male and female Bernies. | ||
| Bernie Dowling Member Username: Bernie Post Number: 7 Registered: 06-2007 |
Padriag, No, I am a Bernard formally and a Bernie ever since I can remember and married to a Patricia, not to be confused with Padriag though my best friend is Patrick. I hope that clarifies rather than confuses further | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1546 Registered: 05-2005 |
All clear now Bernie! | ||
| Bernie Dowling Member Username: Bernie Post Number: 8 Registered: 06-2007 |
Not much interest in this string, Padriag. I think the title of media release might have put people off. You work in media, dont you, so you probably were not offended. A pity really as I would have liked to have seen what people thought. Ah well, lesson learned, no more strings with media release in the title. |