Elsewheres edition by John Porter Literature Fiction eBooks
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Elsewheres, by John Porter
Elsewheres edition by John Porter Literature Fiction eBooks
This book is both difficult and disturbing. In a good way. Since I read John Porter’s previous novel ‘The Shoreline and the Sea,’ (which was way out of my general reading comfort zone but which I enjoyed immensely) I have almost exclusively been reading popular 19th century fiction – and so ‘Elsewheres’ came as something of a culture shock.It takes a lot to impress me, but I am fully in awe of a mind which can create such a world, and describe it so beautifully – there is beauty even in the brutality. The language is tight, well constructed and keeps you held in the thrall of the story, which is about as good as it gets for narrative in my book!
I’m not sure if ‘Elsewheres’ should be classified as post-modern, or post-post modern, or what literary classification you would give to it – I don’t read this kind of work as norm, as I said. So I can only tell it as I read it. And for me, it’s a joy to read purely on the basis that you are indulging in language which has been lovingly and purposefully created. But that’s not the only reason to read it, though it might be reason enough.
There is a lot of depth. The story pulled me into a careful consideration of the very meaning of meaning. Porter seems to take a timeframe that is universal, expanding and contracting with the very breath of our experience. We could be witnessing cave men or a post apocalyptic landscape but all through there are resonances with one’s own experience of life. So I work on the basis that the aim is for the reader to engage with the quest for meaning not just in the novel but as the novel relates to each individual reader’s life. It will, obviously be a different read for each person.
I like dogs and I like reading about dogs. So Tagg was an instant favourite. But Porter is not just giving us talking dogs and expecting us to buy it, he’s doing something far more significant, drawing us into a discussion of what it means to be human. Or sentient. Or just alive. In an absurd world which is both beautiful and brutal. I’m not generally a fan of the existential in fiction, but if this is existentialism then it’s the kind of existentialism I appreciate. In it I found the same qualities as I have appreciated in absurdist drama – but without having to go to the theatre. Throughout, I felt part of the created world. As I said, disturbing and difficult. But good.
And as I was charmed through the narrative I found myself wishing, hoping and realising that there is a connection between Elli and Rachel… that Porter’s characters are not contained in a single narrative but that they break all the boundaries and conventions – they seem ‘bigger’ than the story and that’s how I like my characters – refusing to ‘know their place.’ I found myself hoping I’d get ‘the answer’ to the mystery of Rachel from ‘Shoreline’ but then I realised that to resolve any mystery I will have to read it again, swiftly followed by a re-read of ‘Elsewheres.’ Which will be no chore because these are the kind of books which you will want to keep, to read, re-read and think about over time. I think they fulfil one of the best criteria of a book that I know – each time you read them, they change – because you have changed in between readings. They give a truly individual experience while hinting at some very profound universal truths. This is a rare quality. Respect, Mr Porter.
I suspect that when I re-read both books I’ll be able to write a different, even better review, because this is writing that grows both on you and inside you and offers you the chance to reassess each time you read. Some books are for the beach. Not this one. This is a ‘keeper.’
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Elsewheres edition by John Porter Literature Fiction eBooks Reviews
This book is both difficult and disturbing. In a good way. Since I read John Porter’s previous novel ‘The Shoreline and the Sea,’ (which was way out of my general reading comfort zone but which I enjoyed immensely) I have almost exclusively been reading popular 19th century fiction – and so ‘Elsewheres’ came as something of a culture shock.
It takes a lot to impress me, but I am fully in awe of a mind which can create such a world, and describe it so beautifully – there is beauty even in the brutality. The language is tight, well constructed and keeps you held in the thrall of the story, which is about as good as it gets for narrative in my book!
I’m not sure if ‘Elsewheres’ should be classified as post-modern, or post-post modern, or what literary classification you would give to it – I don’t read this kind of work as norm, as I said. So I can only tell it as I read it. And for me, it’s a joy to read purely on the basis that you are indulging in language which has been lovingly and purposefully created. But that’s not the only reason to read it, though it might be reason enough.
There is a lot of depth. The story pulled me into a careful consideration of the very meaning of meaning. Porter seems to take a timeframe that is universal, expanding and contracting with the very breath of our experience. We could be witnessing cave men or a post apocalyptic landscape but all through there are resonances with one’s own experience of life. So I work on the basis that the aim is for the reader to engage with the quest for meaning not just in the novel but as the novel relates to each individual reader’s life. It will, obviously be a different read for each person.
I like dogs and I like reading about dogs. So Tagg was an instant favourite. But Porter is not just giving us talking dogs and expecting us to buy it, he’s doing something far more significant, drawing us into a discussion of what it means to be human. Or sentient. Or just alive. In an absurd world which is both beautiful and brutal. I’m not generally a fan of the existential in fiction, but if this is existentialism then it’s the kind of existentialism I appreciate. In it I found the same qualities as I have appreciated in absurdist drama – but without having to go to the theatre. Throughout, I felt part of the created world. As I said, disturbing and difficult. But good.
And as I was charmed through the narrative I found myself wishing, hoping and realising that there is a connection between Elli and Rachel… that Porter’s characters are not contained in a single narrative but that they break all the boundaries and conventions – they seem ‘bigger’ than the story and that’s how I like my characters – refusing to ‘know their place.’ I found myself hoping I’d get ‘the answer’ to the mystery of Rachel from ‘Shoreline’ but then I realised that to resolve any mystery I will have to read it again, swiftly followed by a re-read of ‘Elsewheres.’ Which will be no chore because these are the kind of books which you will want to keep, to read, re-read and think about over time. I think they fulfil one of the best criteria of a book that I know – each time you read them, they change – because you have changed in between readings. They give a truly individual experience while hinting at some very profound universal truths. This is a rare quality. Respect, Mr Porter.
I suspect that when I re-read both books I’ll be able to write a different, even better review, because this is writing that grows both on you and inside you and offers you the chance to reassess each time you read. Some books are for the beach. Not this one. This is a ‘keeper.’
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