REVIEW: Maltman’s magnificent melee of madness, death and mirth
Review by Jonathan Traynor
With Simon Maltman’s Short Grift there is a sense of taking zeitgeist and mocking it amidst blood stained pages. Yet, for all the murders and madness there is a wit withing the finely crafted pages.
Maltman’s considerable track record of publications
notwithstanding this a glorious collection of short stories that interprets
modern events and cultural touchstones, such as Port Merrion’s Prisoner, with
an Ulster twist (are baked beans part of an Ulster Fry?)
However, Devolution Z is a zombie tale with its rotting feet
planted firmly in Stormont’s Parliament Buildings. Any follower of Northern
Ireland politics will find it impossible not to smile at the character traits
laid bare.
That the tales range from the 19th Century to
present day does not detract from their essence. Whether it be a Glentoran versus
Linfield match deep in the clubs’ history, or a murderous modern biker the
timeframe is not pertinent to the protagonists’ motives or actions.
One tale set right in
the present and the predilection to air anything as a message rather than actually
doing something about it. ‘Instant Massacre’ explores the reality that some
people reach for their phone, not to call for help, but to keep on messaging.
While there is 11 short stories, this is a collection that is concise and concentrated. The final tale ‘First and Last’ is almost a piece of flash fiction but still resonates; readers will reach that point with the hope that is not the last tale knowing that it is a fitting conclusion.
Short Grift’s dark tales are set firmly in Maltman’s Ulster
Noir tone, and they are all the better for it.
The book has an accompanying album available here.
Short Grift and all of Simon Maltman's books are available here.
Short Grift is published by Stone of the Hound Publishing.
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