Acts of Revision

Martyn Bedford

This first novel is on Amis territory - urban problems, drugs, poor education. It's graphic, and there is some empathy with the principal character, but it lacks charm to balance the darkness. Gavin felt that the book was monotone, lacking plot twists and employing mindless violence in to shock and to make a boring environment seem exotic (unnecessarily, the world of its psychopathic character is already quite exotic enough). "A good read."

Andrew had also read the book, and perhaps made allowances for its being a first novel. He thought it showed natural flair and style (Gavin disagreed - "a great deal of hard work") and was looking forward to Bedford's second novel.
Gavin 15/3/98

I didn't like this at all. It's like so many psychological thrillers on TV. The main character does nasty things because his teachers were unpleasant. There's nothing here to set it above all those other similar stories. Bob 14/9/03

By the same author

The frames have gone all funny - click to make it good.