HAL DUNCAN: Vellum
Sometimes you come across a new writer with the kind of undeniable energy and enthusiasm and talent that signifies major accomplishment. In the case of Hal Duncan, that energy, enthusiasm, and talent has manifested itself in a huge novel, Vellum, that is huge not because of the number of pages (although it's a big un), but because of the originality and cross-pollination and pure chutzpah contained within it.
The book is out in August from Pan Macmillan and will be released in the US by Del Rey. I don't like to make general pronouncements about the next big thing, but Hal Duncan is it. Go out and buy this novel. It's one of the most assured first novels of the decade, and it's a novel many writers beginning their tenth novel would kill to have written.
Jeff
posted by JeffV @ 6:49 AM
4 comments
4 Comments:
I heartily agree with Jeff's opinion on Hal's work. Sorry to shill here Jeff, but...if people are interested in Hal's work, he will have a novelette in the next issue of Electric Velocipede (issue #9), set to debut in Scotland at Worldcon this August where Hal (a Glasgow native) will be in attendence.
As a blog-reader, there are no better entries to come across in a blog than those pointing to an exciting, little-known book. Vellum sounds awesome! Thanks for the recommendation, Jeff.
And what, Mr. Vandermeer, are some of the other most assured first novels of the decade? Perdido Street Station? House of Leaves? The Etched City? Inquring minds want to know.
Everyone has their favorites, Anon. :)
Jeff
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