RED by Richard Mark James - the writer's cut: World Copyright © 2002

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Thanks to Faber & Faber Ltd. (UK and Commonwealth) and Grove/Atlantic Inc. (North America) for permission to quote lines from ‘Krapp’s Last Tape’ by Samuel Beckett. And thanks to Ralph for letting me pinch one of his poems!

First published 2002 in paperback (now out of print) by GMP/Millivres Group London: original cover image courtesy of them. Extracts above taken from the new e-book edition published 2012 by Richard Mark James. World Copyright © 2002 - 2021 Richard Mark James, who has asserted his right to be identified as the author of this work in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

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Synopsis & Reviews

RED: "Wine, blood, revolution, colour... A time-warped slice of history, mystery, fantasy, crime, art and love..."
Red is for wine, blood, revolution, colour... told in three parts broken up by episodes with headings rather than traditional chapters. A dark loosely 'gay-themed' tale using / abusing Faust and Vampire myths, which merges psychological crime thriller with fantasy, historical romp and 'love story', twisted by a suitably wicked sense of humour. The deliberately non-linear and self-conscious narrative, told from three different viewpoints (who is/are the mysterious I?), plays with themes of identity, character, memory, storytelling, fiction and fact; and words themselves hence with the reader too.
Red is also an unashamedly opinionated celebration of life, wine, food, cities, music, buildings, art, films, history, literature, politics... humanity at play. Where it starts (Manchester, UK) is just one beginning from one character's perspective, as much of the story is told in flashback. Time periods swing from suggestively vague to detailed (Edinburgh, San Francisco & Barcelona past & present, English Civil War and revolutionary Paris) to contrast its underlying structure with dreamy melt-down of the story-line, which occasionally picks up on the same episode or point in time told from another angle...
"A compelling book that combines tales of lives long and brief, history and Epicureanism in an intriguing narrative that spans centuries. The story moves skilfully from present to past and back again, igniting the reader's imagination and appetite along the way." Amazon review by 'Gustav' February 2012.
"Perhaps this very compelling read should be entitled: 'A dark red' or something similar. Why: because the novel takes the reader on an enjoyably 'dark' journey in time and space. It is a very varied journey, but my favourite part of the voyage takes place in eighteenth century - revolutionary France, where I really felt like a 'fly on the wall' in history. I won't elaborate: enjoy finding out for yourself!" Amazon review August 12 2003.
"Difficult to categorise... an unusual Faustian epic told in 3 non-linear parts with 3 twists, written eloquently yet playfully in cinematic episodes; that celebrates beauty, cities, history, architecture, 20th Century art films and literature, people, wine... and much more besides." Amazon review of the original paperback.
"This is a celebration of one man's extraordinary life - a life that spans oceans and centuries. In part, Red is a literary thriller in the European tradition, focusing on mysterious art collectors and the curious machinations of Dr Mabuse (who may or may not be the Devil). But, as it moves cinematically from the English Civil War to the Mexican Revolution and from Venice to New York, there is much more to this story." Peter Burton, editor and author.
"A haunting series of vignettes in which food, wine, and physicality build their own hypnotic course of eroticism, satiety, and ennui. A startlingly original novel, masterfully constructed." Sebastian Beaumont, author of The Linguist.
“It's difficult to come up with something original in this tradition (vampire novels)… Richard James has managed just such a feat in Red. The deceptively tight structure that underlies this occasionally bewildering tale leads us to a surprising climax… Excellent.” Sebastian Beaumont, Gay Times Sept. 2002.
“Red is a rollercoaster ride of a novel… James has produced an intriguing and highly imaginative debut that marks him out as a writer to watch.” Attitude Sept. 2002.
“Red is a particularly adventurous offering… it’s hard to categorise; part literary thriller, part historical romp and part supernatural love story… A bold and assured debut set on a grand scale and Richard James is clearly a writer unafraid to be ambitious.” Wayne Clews, City Life Oct 2002.
“It’s certainly refreshing to open the pages to something a little more taxing than your average gay ‘get off on this’ or ‘only good enough for the beach’ type novel… Confused so far? You will have to keep up with Red.” 3Sixty Oct. 2002.
“Red moves through time and places like an Angela Carter novel, carrying an atmosphere of mystery. Welcome to a world where nothing is quite what it seems, a novel which is haunting in the impression it leaves.” What’s on UK Oct. 2002.
“This is not your run-of-the-mill gay novel… it’s not really a gay novel at all. It’s more about the nature of evil and how it transcends different times and cultures. It’s vivid, cinematic stuff and written with great verve and more than a touch of ironic humour.” Mike Gray, Out UK Nov 2002.
“Red combines swashbuckling action with a peculiar and rare portrayal of history through the eyes of an immortal. Expect kung fu fighting, armed robberies, car chases, machine guns, fascism, fantasy and a doctor who will never cease pursuing you.” Tom Chatwin, MAN magazine Jan 2003.

RED by Richard Mark James - the writer's cut

World Copyright © 2002 - 2021 Richard Mark James

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