I’ve just finished the very hip book Ghost Radio by Leopoldo Gout. It’s a quirky and challenging novel with a seemingly well-paced story, but hiding a subtle and slow build. By the time I realised what was happening, it was almost done, even though all the clues are sown throughout the story. It’s told in episodic fashion, with snippets of radio interviews, flashbacks and with shifting points of view (at times I did find it tricky to know who the pronouns meant immediately). Each chapter begins with a haunting illustration that hints at what is to come.
There seems to be a little bit of Internet hype about the book (it has been out for a while now), and Gout works with James Patterson developing some of that author’s children’s concepts for for animation so he is probably keyed into that promotion machine (Patterson is quoted in support of the book on the back of my copy). Anyway, I enjoyed it enough to hope that Gout isn’t too busy with media production to be able to put out another novel soon.
ps – just surfing and discovered that Gout has posted a deleted chapter from the novel on his Ghost Radio blog. That’ll give you a taste of the novel, plus something you can’t read in the print version.
Huh, cool – this post got quoted on the Ghost Radio site.
Your readers should know that in celebration of the mass market paperback release of “Ghost Radio” by Leopoldo Gout the book’s official blog (http://ghostradio.wordpress.com/) is hosting a series of contests with chances to win autographed copies of the book and other prizes!
The contests close on March 13, 2010.
So pop over to the blog and enter now. It only takes a few seconds.
The chance of free books and other cool stuff … what are you waiting for?
Here’s a sample of some of the other raves “Ghost Radio” has received:
“Ghost Radio reminded me of early Stephen King — Carrie and Pet Sematary and The Dead Zone. The story sticks with you long after you’ve finished the final page.”
– James Patterson
“A first novel that moves with deserved confidence into Stephen King territory … Palpable, almost visible cross-cultural creepiness that never lets up: very smart thrills.”
– Kirkus Reviews
“A deliciously creepy yarn … Gout’s fusion of radio-show culture and paranormal occurrences produces a winning compound.”
– Booklist
“A thrilling literary and visual experience, this contemporary ghost story set in Mexico is a fast-moving and enjoyable read. The story and writing style recall early Stephen King and Joe Hill’s Heart-Shaped Box.”
– Library Journal