I'm an enthusiastic reader of crime fiction, mysteries, penny dreadfuls or whatever you care to call them. Anyway, about one week ago, I came across a rather tatty-looking paperback book in a hotel library with a rather lurid title and an even more lurid cover. The title of the book was "Blood Secrets" by Craig Jones. And you know what they say about a book and its cover; well the old cliché certainly rang true in this case: this book is most certainly no pot boiler. In fact, I would go as far as to say that it is a veritable literary masterpiece; something that has the potential to be regarded as classic; a book that you can certainly never forget once you have read it.
A quick Google search on the web of other people's comments about this book will backsup my claims. On one website, a person notes that even though they read this book some twenty years ago, and have read a great deal in between, they have never forgotten this incredible book. In fact, it is a mystery in itself as to why this book, published in 1979, is no longer in print; moreover, it is almost unbelievable that the tale contained within has never been made into a film.
Set in United States in the late 60s during the Vietnam-war era, the story begins with the unlikely pairing of a brilliant and beautiful female student, Irene, with a gawky, bookish, and rather unattractive post-graduate student Frank. Despite Frank's off-putting manner and avoidance tactics, not to mention the advice from her friends to leave him well alone, Irene is intrigued by Frank's aloofness. Eventually, they do become a couple and marry. At the wedding, Irene discovers that Frank refuses to have anything to do with his own family. Frank's insistence that the married couple should have nothing to do with his family both disturbs and puzzles Irene. Eventually, the pair settle down to a happy and contented married life and have a daughter whom, at Frank's suggestion, they name Regina. As Regina begins to develop as a person in her own right, problems begin to surface both in her and in Frank. The behaviour of both daughter and husband becomes a considerable cause for concern for Irene.
At this point, I will stop outlining the plot; in fact, on the back cover is something I've never seen on any other book: a warning not to reveal the plot to anyone; this may sound a liitle melodramatic, but given the way the tale moves remorselessly to an utterly horrifying and totally unforeseen conclusion with several twists and turns on the way it is entirely understandable.
So, why should this book be considered a masterpiece.? Well, firstly the style writing is superb; the language is vivid, laconic and it moves the plot forward masterfully. The novel is not divided into chapters, and on some occasions several years pass between one sentence and another; but this approach works well; brilliantly in fact.
Secondly, the story told is entirely plausible, whilst at the same time genuinely perturbing, in fact, horrifying, but without any involvement of the supernatural (in case you're wonderingm this isn't Stephen King). The pace begins to quicken about three-quarters of the way through, and the reader suddenly finds himself being cognizant of the fact that something truly awful in relation to Frank and his daughter is unfolding. The denouement is absolutely disturbing, and is crafted masterfully and convincingly, with a great deal of suspense, especially considering that contrived and unsatisfying endings are often the undoing of novels of this genre; here, however, there is most definitely no deus ex machina.
Put simply, I think this novel is a work of genius; it deserves to be more widely read. and recognised. As for author, Craig Jones, I can't find out anything about him except that he published one further novel in 1986. There doesn't seem to be anything else by him available. I really wonder what became of him? I believe he has, or had, a remarkable talent as demonstrated by this novel, which is one of the best I have read in the last couple of years or so.
A quick Google search on the web of other people's comments about this book will backsup my claims. On one website, a person notes that even though they read this book some twenty years ago, and have read a great deal in between, they have never forgotten this incredible book. In fact, it is a mystery in itself as to why this book, published in 1979, is no longer in print; moreover, it is almost unbelievable that the tale contained within has never been made into a film.
Set in United States in the late 60s during the Vietnam-war era, the story begins with the unlikely pairing of a brilliant and beautiful female student, Irene, with a gawky, bookish, and rather unattractive post-graduate student Frank. Despite Frank's off-putting manner and avoidance tactics, not to mention the advice from her friends to leave him well alone, Irene is intrigued by Frank's aloofness. Eventually, they do become a couple and marry. At the wedding, Irene discovers that Frank refuses to have anything to do with his own family. Frank's insistence that the married couple should have nothing to do with his family both disturbs and puzzles Irene. Eventually, the pair settle down to a happy and contented married life and have a daughter whom, at Frank's suggestion, they name Regina. As Regina begins to develop as a person in her own right, problems begin to surface both in her and in Frank. The behaviour of both daughter and husband becomes a considerable cause for concern for Irene.
At this point, I will stop outlining the plot; in fact, on the back cover is something I've never seen on any other book: a warning not to reveal the plot to anyone; this may sound a liitle melodramatic, but given the way the tale moves remorselessly to an utterly horrifying and totally unforeseen conclusion with several twists and turns on the way it is entirely understandable.
So, why should this book be considered a masterpiece.? Well, firstly the style writing is superb; the language is vivid, laconic and it moves the plot forward masterfully. The novel is not divided into chapters, and on some occasions several years pass between one sentence and another; but this approach works well; brilliantly in fact.
Secondly, the story told is entirely plausible, whilst at the same time genuinely perturbing, in fact, horrifying, but without any involvement of the supernatural (in case you're wonderingm this isn't Stephen King). The pace begins to quicken about three-quarters of the way through, and the reader suddenly finds himself being cognizant of the fact that something truly awful in relation to Frank and his daughter is unfolding. The denouement is absolutely disturbing, and is crafted masterfully and convincingly, with a great deal of suspense, especially considering that contrived and unsatisfying endings are often the undoing of novels of this genre; here, however, there is most definitely no deus ex machina.
Put simply, I think this novel is a work of genius; it deserves to be more widely read. and recognised. As for author, Craig Jones, I can't find out anything about him except that he published one further novel in 1986. There doesn't seem to be anything else by him available. I really wonder what became of him? I believe he has, or had, a remarkable talent as demonstrated by this novel, which is one of the best I have read in the last couple of years or so.
I found this book in a charity bookshop a couple of days ago and have just finished it. I have to agree with you that the book is, indeed, fantastic and a masterpiece. I also have been unable to find out anything about the author which leads me to believe that Craig Jones is, in fact, a pseudonym.
ReplyDeleteIm trying to find out more on the author. Its like he is a ghost
ReplyDelete