Book Jacket

 

rank 5883 (-130)
word count 10008
date submitted 17.05.2009
date updated 17.05.2009
genres: Fiction, Literary Fiction, Thriller...
classification: moderate
incomplete

In Sparta

Mark Wagstaff

 

A sharp, thought-provoking dissection of radicalism and conformity, set in London in the day after tomorrow.

 

In London, any time soon, a bomb maker goes to work, with a fierce, Spartan creed to deliver destruction. Someone buried so deep in everyday life, no one can guess their moves. For a man adrift in a job he can't do, with a boss out to get him, the bombs are more than distraction. They are the path to a new life. As order collapses,and the state, paralysed, looks dangerously weak, Robert Millman clings to the only strength he knows: his obsession with Terri, a bright young woman who seems to offer a way back to his young days, when he still had chances. But as Millman gets sucked deeper and deeper in to a radical underworld, he is forced to confront a violence that leaves nothing untouched, a violence from within.

 
 

tags

contemporary, existential, fiction, london, new writing, politics, society

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7 comments

 

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Chris 1 wrote 214 days ago

Hello Mark, read all this at one sitting. It's brilliant, sparse tone is captivating. You really capture the 'alienation of modern times' - no, seriously, it's great stuff. The staccato language, the great turns of phrase 'the dead don't count, the living don't matter', the boss watching the clock every time Millman leaves the office, the way you pick over the pointlessness of the workplace and, behind the scenes ticking away (like a bomb) is this terrorist group planting bombs all over the place. I like the detail you provide of the victims of the earlier bombs - policeman returning from sick leave, two schoolkids bunking off etc. 'the molten chocolate'. It's all great stuff. You're backed for the great writing alone, not a word wasted, not a word too much. Chris1 PS could you take a look at mine?

Cellardoor wrote 373 days ago

Mark, this is great. It really makes the reader ask questions. Literary prose, cinematic atmosphere. Backed for your wonderful ideas.

H. Rand wrote 392 days ago

Congratulations, this is really good. Well done. Hope it's fiction (ha ha) H

JANVIER wrote 405 days ago

Hello Mark,

You have a delightful and accomplished piece of writing here.I read two chapters so far and they gave an idea of the quality of this story. It flows smoothly, with concise dialogue, effective narratives, a captivating setting and characters that are true to life. The plot is eerily brilliant.

Al the best.

Janvier (Flash of the sun)

Ayrich wrote 463 days ago

Scary. It makes oyu wonder who you might think you know and dont really.

Joanna Stephen-Ward wrote 465 days ago

Hello Mark,

Scary. Love the sound of it. On my Watch List.

Joanna

edquinn wrote 465 days ago

Hi Mark

Read your synopsis and together with your opening line made me sit up with interest and dare i say it ...chuckle...'One bright day a bomb went off.'

Brilliant way you concentrate on the people in line who succumbed to the blast. Then the molten chocolate. One of the most compelling, yet entertaining opening paragraphs i have read on Authonomy.

The ripple effect that takes place i.e. tourists, insurance premiums, you capture so well mainly due to your matter-of-fact Jon Snow-esque Channel 4 news-reader style

Your writing is very powerful Mark...you juxtapose picking skin from fingers until pain begins to recent bombings in the city. Maybe me, but i became more uneasy with the pain from your dry skin. That might have been your intention.

Enjoyed you short punchy sentences, especially during the initial introductions to your new job. It brings to the fore the tension that is felt by the MC, but also how detached he is from both his new surroundings and socialisation. However, i feel (IMO) it goes on too long; as in till the end of chapter 1. I was therefore glad that when i started chapter 2 you had resorted back (albeit you still have short punchy sentences, but not witth the same degree of agitation).

Mark, this is an impressive piece of work. I would gladly come back to read more and definitely would buy this when it gets published.

Placed it on my shelf.

Many Thanks

Ed Quinn (Donkeys kill more people)

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