PERIOD

Published by Serpent’s Tail - £8.99

‘Period’ is the final section of a five book cycle, the previous four being ‘Closer, ‘Frisk’, ‘Try’, and ‘Guide’. Not having read any of the former novels, coming in at the end seems a mite strange.

However, that’s not to say ‘Period’ ain’t a gripping read. I absorbed it in one sitting, turning page after page with abandon. O.K. it only runs to just over a hundred pages, but the narrative ticks over like a well oiled machine.

Somehow, the author, Dennis Cooper has been labelled ‘The last literary outlaw in mainstream American fiction’. Say what? Offtimes disturbing for sure, even morbid maybe, definite suspense and the added bonus of that frission of fear, but I wouldn’t go as far out on a limb as ‘Outlaw’.

Cooper’s universe co-exists with a smoke-and-mirror filled world of secret and decadent websites, goth bands, obsessed fans and art on the edge. Toss this lot into a blender with gay sex, murder and the all important ingredient, satanism, bubble it up and hey presto one cool and rockin’ interchanging communication!

Bored fan boys in ‘deliverance’ country, drugs, ghosts on the net, ‘ol’ nick’, and a band called ‘The Omen’ (original or what? That’s the point!) Revelations and brutal homohomicide… get in the van my dear, all will become clear. Congrats to the ‘Serpent’s Tail’ people for their publishing ethic!

John Carter

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