Review
Moving and lyrical, original and hypnotic a remarkable debut novel. MICHAEL KIMBALL, Dear Everybody Reminiscent of the surrealist literary experiments of James Joyce's Finnegan's Wake but blessedly readable The Ascent of Isaac Steward is insanely ambitious, startlingly odd, boldly conceived and executed with tremendous confidence. One of the most extraordinary novels I've ever read. R.N. MORRIS, A Razor Wrapped in Silk A real neo-modernist triumph JUXTABOOK Powerful evocative beautifully clear impressions and images. BOOKLORE Linguistically this is a powerfully done novel, with exquisite prose and an interesting psychological premise that raises strong questions about the power of internal cognition. THE COMPULSIVE READER A richness and abundance of imagination and originality, beauty of imagery, tenderness, vividness and page after page of surprise and variety. THE LANCASHIRE WRITING HUB A must for everyone's bucket-list if you are looking for a totally unique experience. SCREENSCRIBBLER
About the Author
Mike French is the owner and senior editor of the prestigious literary magazine, The View From Here which has been called many fine things since it started in 2007 including, "Attractive, informative, sparkling and useful" by Iain M. Banks and for having a "great passion and drive" by Booker shortlisted Tom McCarthy. Mike's debut novel, The Ascent of Isaac Steward, the first book of the Dandelion Trilogy, was published in 2011 and nominated for The Galaxy National Book Awards which presumably due to an unfortunate clerical error was awarded to Dawn French. The second book in the trilogy, the satirical Blue Friday, was published in 2012 by Elsewhen Press. The third book, Convergence, is expected later this year. Born in Cornwall in 1967, Mike spent his childhood flipping between England and Scotland with a few years in between in Singapore. Splitting his time between his own writing, editing the magazine, running author workshops and working with atp media in Luton, Mike is married with three children and a growing number of pets. He currently lives in Luton in the UK and when not working watches Formula 1, eats Ben & Jerry's Phish Food and listens to Noah and the Whale.
