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mad_about_books's review against another edition
5.0
First and foremost, do read John R. Little's introduction to BACKWATER. It, more or less, epitomizes why I read a book from cover to cover. What one writer has to say about another can be so very revealing. Little understands completely something I have come to realize over decades of reading. Start with an author's first book and watch the art mature. Alas, BACKWATER is Tom Deady's fourth book, so now I have to backtrack while being unable to unread this particular work.
BACKWATER is a collection of two stories where the first "Class Reunion" acts as somewhat of a precursor to the second, "One Night at the Grand." However, each of these tales stands well on its own. Pay attention to what the characters do and say.
As I read the introduction, I found myself in total agreement with Little with respect to the need for readers to discover the plot on their own. To intervene by providing spoilers would be unconscionable. After reading only a few pages you will be drawn in by the very readable writing, and you will find that the characters are fully-fleshed people.
Now I will have to go back and read those earlier works to see the writing progression that produced these two fine pieces.
BACKWATER is a collection of two stories where the first "Class Reunion" acts as somewhat of a precursor to the second, "One Night at the Grand." However, each of these tales stands well on its own. Pay attention to what the characters do and say.
As I read the introduction, I found myself in total agreement with Little with respect to the need for readers to discover the plot on their own. To intervene by providing spoilers would be unconscionable. After reading only a few pages you will be drawn in by the very readable writing, and you will find that the characters are fully-fleshed people.
Now I will have to go back and read those earlier works to see the writing progression that produced these two fine pieces.
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