Comments on: The Yips, by Nicola Barker http://kevinfromcanada.wordpress.com/2012/08/24/the-yips-by-nicola-barker/ This blogger would have fit right in with the old Park Plaza rooftop bar crowd -- H. Hood Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:08:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: KevinfromCanada http://kevinfromcanada.wordpress.com/2012/08/24/the-yips-by-nicola-barker/#comment-12147 Sat, 25 Aug 2012 15:38:30 +0000 http://kevinfromcanada.wordpress.com/?p=6692#comment-12147 It is interesting that Barker doesn’t have an established U.S. publisher — I can recall there was a similar delay with Darkmans. I can’t help but wonder that she might be one of those authors who is “difficult” when it comes to publishers.

If you like the dialogue quotes, you probably will like her. My recollection is that the voices in Darkmans are quite similar to those here.

]]> By: Guy Savage http://kevinfromcanada.wordpress.com/2012/08/24/the-yips-by-nicola-barker/#comment-12144 Sat, 25 Aug 2012 15:34:34 +0000 http://kevinfromcanada.wordpress.com/?p=6692#comment-12144 Ok, thanks. The Yips (and I loved the dialogue quotes–wanted to read more) isn’t here yet, so I’ll have to go with one of the OOP titles anyway. Thanks for the tip.

]]> By: KevinfromCanada http://kevinfromcanada.wordpress.com/2012/08/24/the-yips-by-nicola-barker/#comment-12143 Sat, 25 Aug 2012 15:31:30 +0000 http://kevinfromcanada.wordpress.com/?p=6692#comment-12143 Guy: I think the key with Barker is how you react as a reader to her idea of “voice”. Those who really like her point to her dialogue as the main attraction — those who dislike her tend to abandon the books because they can’t stand the voice. I’m between those extremes in that I do appreciate her tone (and her ability at characterization), but I find that its effect starts to wear.

As for a recommendation, I gather from reviews that her shorter works are not her best (I haven’t read any, so can’t comment). Of the three that I have read, I think Darkmans is probably the most ambitious — this one probably has the most interesting bunch of funky characters.

]]> By: Guy Savage http://kevinfromcanada.wordpress.com/2012/08/24/the-yips-by-nicola-barker/#comment-12142 Sat, 25 Aug 2012 15:17:34 +0000 http://kevinfromcanada.wordpress.com/?p=6692#comment-12142 This sounds as though it would be something I’d like. I’ve yet to try this author. Any recommendations?

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