Low-lit
I'm still extremely low-lit, I've discovered. It took me ages to finish this book with the deceptive chick/guy-lit cover, which turned out to actually be lit in disguise.
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Buy Dark City and other books at MPH Online
General Books List! And there's that No.2 position in the Humanities MPH list. Still haven't figured what's in the humanities section yet.
Murder, mayhem, sex, greed and all the seven deadly sins....a blog dedicated to a first book and its sequel, to writing, and all the good things in life.
Dark City 2 Snippets
For a brief moment when I got this book, I thought Dark City 2 was a collection of horror stories. So it was an unexpected treat to find it was anything but and so much more. This collection combines stories that are decidedly macabre (Till Death), suspenseful (Strong Chemistry), fiendish (Death Dealer) and most of all disturbing. The stories contain many surprises and twists. What's really cool about Dark City 2 is how familiar Malaysian scenes are ordinary things are creepily skewed. . . Reading Dark City 2 is like spinning a wheel of good fortune in that you're never sure what's coming next.
Geraldine Jeremiah, Galaxie
With 17 stories, there is something for everyone looking for a taste of the macabre and plenty for anyone who enjoys a wicked sense of humour.
Borneo Post
A perplexing page-turning read for those dark, stormy and rainy nights.Most of all, it is a terrific book for bite-sized samples of styles from our local authors.
New Straits Times
I . . . turned to the first story “Strong Chemistry” by Xeus. Three pages into the story I went “Wow! This is bloody good!”. . . . I couldn’t resist reading Xeus’s second tale – “Signature Spa”. I was set adrift by the scents of essential oils and I could almost feel the soothing treatments as the oils permeated my skin. I could guess, with trembling delight, at what was going to happen – it was like watching a car crash in slow motion. But the gourmet twist was a surprise. For me, it’s “Paradise Revisited” in 2008!
Tunku Halim
"Comprising 17 short stories, this Malaysian publication aims to send shivers up your spine, keep you guessing and leave you begging for more. "
The Star
"...Will leave you at the edge of your seat as every story has a twist."
The Edge Financial Daily
"In this sequel to the twisty, terror ride that was the original Dark City, 17 disturbing new tales of murder and debauchery, some of which strike quite close to home, are revealed.
From the claustrophobic tomb of Strong Chemistry, the perils of banking (All in a Day's Work), to the ultimate punishment for gamblers (The Penalty) and the calculated payback for murder (Zero Sum), 15 writers (including the Sun's very own Bissme S.) flex their creative storytelling abilities to tease and tantalise the reader.
My favourite story in the collection is Till Death (Lou Joon Yee), which is black humour at its best when a married couple's fantasy of killing one another takes an unusual twist. On another level, the story also shows the damage a poisonous atmosphere at home can wreak on its inhabitants.
Dark City 2 proves that there are good Malaysian short-story writers out there with an eye for detail and a love of the macabre."
The Sun
"I read Dark City 2 in three hours. Most of the stories are exciting and unpredictable in their own way but two of my favourites are Xeus’s Signature Spa and Chua Kok Yee’s The Penalty. It so happened that my 16 year-old like these two stories too. "
Lydia Teh
Geraldine Jeremiah, Galaxie
With 17 stories, there is something for everyone looking for a taste of the macabre and plenty for anyone who enjoys a wicked sense of humour.
Borneo Post
A perplexing page-turning read for those dark, stormy and rainy nights.Most of all, it is a terrific book for bite-sized samples of styles from our local authors.
New Straits Times
I . . . turned to the first story “Strong Chemistry” by Xeus. Three pages into the story I went “Wow! This is bloody good!”. . . . I couldn’t resist reading Xeus’s second tale – “Signature Spa”. I was set adrift by the scents of essential oils and I could almost feel the soothing treatments as the oils permeated my skin. I could guess, with trembling delight, at what was going to happen – it was like watching a car crash in slow motion. But the gourmet twist was a surprise. For me, it’s “Paradise Revisited” in 2008!
Tunku Halim
"Comprising 17 short stories, this Malaysian publication aims to send shivers up your spine, keep you guessing and leave you begging for more. "
The Star
"...Will leave you at the edge of your seat as every story has a twist."
The Edge Financial Daily
"In this sequel to the twisty, terror ride that was the original Dark City, 17 disturbing new tales of murder and debauchery, some of which strike quite close to home, are revealed.
From the claustrophobic tomb of Strong Chemistry, the perils of banking (All in a Day's Work), to the ultimate punishment for gamblers (The Penalty) and the calculated payback for murder (Zero Sum), 15 writers (including the Sun's very own Bissme S.) flex their creative storytelling abilities to tease and tantalise the reader.
My favourite story in the collection is Till Death (Lou Joon Yee), which is black humour at its best when a married couple's fantasy of killing one another takes an unusual twist. On another level, the story also shows the damage a poisonous atmosphere at home can wreak on its inhabitants.
Dark City 2 proves that there are good Malaysian short-story writers out there with an eye for detail and a love of the macabre."
The Sun
"I read Dark City 2 in three hours. Most of the stories are exciting and unpredictable in their own way but two of my favourites are Xeus’s Signature Spa and Chua Kok Yee’s The Penalty. It so happened that my 16 year-old like these two stories too. "
Lydia Teh
Buy Dark City and other books at MPH Online
About writing - secrets I've discovered to share with you
- Drama 101: The Basics
- Muti-character story arcs (Heroes)
- Are author appearances useful for marketing your book?
- Lessons from Sidney Sheldon
- How important are book covers?
- It's never too young to start writing (and self publishing)
- Is non fiction tougher to write than fiction?
- Does bookstore display matter?
- Does grammar matter?
- Begging and pleading for display space
Interviews with Dark City 2 authors
Dark City 3 submissions
REVIEW SNIPPETS
"Why you should read this book: It's really good, that's why. Xeus has tapped into urban paranoia and everyday life in KL to produce situations that will leave you uneasy, yet are not too fantastic to be brushed aside as merely unrealistic.
Particularly poignant and haunting is Trashcan Child, which looks at a current disturbing trend and fuses it with a heart as big as the Twin Towers. We won’t spoil it for you; but one read of this, and you’ll be bound to shed a tear or two." The Malay Mail
“While unmistakably Malaysian in setting, the author draws on tortured minds common to all cultures. “The Scarlet Woman” is a funny, bittersweet, and ultimately Oedipal coming-of age story. Even more disturbing is “The Maid”, only superficially about low-paid immigrant workers. “Monster” involves a spoiled, badly behaved child who receives comeuppance that can only have been described by someone who’s spent some time dwelling on such children. The author...is a master storyteller, with a fine insight into the human condition. This is one of the best fiction books to come out of Asia in 2006.”
www.malaysiaoasis.com
“….Wow, what a read (Dark City) turned out to be….each (story) contains that oh-so-important a twist that turns everything you’ve read so far on its head." Borneo Post
"...Scratches the soft underbelly of Malaysian life to reveal a seething mass of barely concealed dread....Each (story) contains a twist....a couple are utterly shocking. My favourite is 'The Resistance'...This remarkable story has all the elements of a suspense thriller.....The secret weapon revelation in the end (though it is not explicitly stated) is, pardon the pun, a real killer....This is the KL you fear to imagine." The Sun
“…An entertaining and creditable collection.....All 12 tales harbour suspense and surprises along the way and a particularly vicious twist at the end. See if you can spot it coming.” The Star (1)
"Murder, sin, sex - a startling, gripping read with striking twists and turns from a dance macabre!"
Tunku Halim, author of ‘The Vermillion Eye’
"Who says the short story is dead? Xeus has concocted a rich broth of a collection in Dark City. These stories are the stuff of everyday life, all written in her inimitable style and with a clarity that is both visual and visceral at the same time. She exposes the murkiness that lurks beneath life's apparent ordinariness." Eric Forbes, Editor, MPH Publishing
“My favourite stories from Dark City are The Scarlet Woman, The Six Million Dollar Man, and Coup of the Century. They had especially ironic twists in them that I enjoyed immensely…..detailed writing is obviously Xeus’s forte.” The New Straits Times
“Laced with local superstition, anecdotes and spiked with twists and deception, Dark City turns out to be a maze of intrigue that will set you off in a labyrinth of bizarre dimensions.” FHM
“Each tale opens with a disturbing can of worms…..Psychotic, The Six Million Dollar Man and The Resistance are sensational and thought-provoking…..a fun read with plenty of thrills to keep you engaged.” Galaxie
“…..Will entertain and keep you turning the pages.” Quill
“….A portrayal of what happens when you merge paranoia with everyday life. If horror stories are your cup of tea, be sure to grab a copy of this book.” Borders
“Dark City opens up our city's Pandora box of ills. Each tale unfurls what could well be a scene lifted from your own neighbour's backyard. Get a taste of horror, suspense, terror and always, the bizarre twists, all in the comfort of your armchair."
Yvonne Lee, author of ‘The Sky is Crazy’
“Packed with surprises and unexpected twists…Each story centres on different themes, providing a glimpse into all things Malaysian. You would want to slap the author on the back for the candid misleads. Each story is unique without a clue on how the next story would go….Dark City…is unconventional and unpredictable. Definitely a worthwhile purchase.”
Yvonne Foong, author of ‘I’m not Sick, Just a Bit Unwell’
“Xeus is an adept writer, weaving the darker elements of society, serial killers, the dangers of a woman walking alone at night, to greed, lust and their five accompanying sins with great effect...
...I did have my personal favourites and these are “Psychotic” – never mess with a lady with a big bag, “One if by Land” where a prisoner finds that his sure-fire way out of jail only leads to another sort of internment, and even though I knew how it would end, “Coup of the Century”. Now, you’ll just have to get the book to see if you agree with me.”
The Star (2)
Particularly poignant and haunting is Trashcan Child, which looks at a current disturbing trend and fuses it with a heart as big as the Twin Towers. We won’t spoil it for you; but one read of this, and you’ll be bound to shed a tear or two." The Malay Mail
“While unmistakably Malaysian in setting, the author draws on tortured minds common to all cultures. “The Scarlet Woman” is a funny, bittersweet, and ultimately Oedipal coming-of age story. Even more disturbing is “The Maid”, only superficially about low-paid immigrant workers. “Monster” involves a spoiled, badly behaved child who receives comeuppance that can only have been described by someone who’s spent some time dwelling on such children. The author...is a master storyteller, with a fine insight into the human condition. This is one of the best fiction books to come out of Asia in 2006.”
www.malaysiaoasis.com
“….Wow, what a read (Dark City) turned out to be….each (story) contains that oh-so-important a twist that turns everything you’ve read so far on its head." Borneo Post
"...Scratches the soft underbelly of Malaysian life to reveal a seething mass of barely concealed dread....Each (story) contains a twist....a couple are utterly shocking. My favourite is 'The Resistance'...This remarkable story has all the elements of a suspense thriller.....The secret weapon revelation in the end (though it is not explicitly stated) is, pardon the pun, a real killer....This is the KL you fear to imagine." The Sun
“…An entertaining and creditable collection.....All 12 tales harbour suspense and surprises along the way and a particularly vicious twist at the end. See if you can spot it coming.” The Star (1)
"Murder, sin, sex - a startling, gripping read with striking twists and turns from a dance macabre!"
Tunku Halim, author of ‘The Vermillion Eye’
"Who says the short story is dead? Xeus has concocted a rich broth of a collection in Dark City. These stories are the stuff of everyday life, all written in her inimitable style and with a clarity that is both visual and visceral at the same time. She exposes the murkiness that lurks beneath life's apparent ordinariness." Eric Forbes, Editor, MPH Publishing
“My favourite stories from Dark City are The Scarlet Woman, The Six Million Dollar Man, and Coup of the Century. They had especially ironic twists in them that I enjoyed immensely…..detailed writing is obviously Xeus’s forte.” The New Straits Times
“Laced with local superstition, anecdotes and spiked with twists and deception, Dark City turns out to be a maze of intrigue that will set you off in a labyrinth of bizarre dimensions.” FHM
“Each tale opens with a disturbing can of worms…..Psychotic, The Six Million Dollar Man and The Resistance are sensational and thought-provoking…..a fun read with plenty of thrills to keep you engaged.” Galaxie
“…..Will entertain and keep you turning the pages.” Quill
“….A portrayal of what happens when you merge paranoia with everyday life. If horror stories are your cup of tea, be sure to grab a copy of this book.” Borders
“Dark City opens up our city's Pandora box of ills. Each tale unfurls what could well be a scene lifted from your own neighbour's backyard. Get a taste of horror, suspense, terror and always, the bizarre twists, all in the comfort of your armchair."
Yvonne Lee, author of ‘The Sky is Crazy’
“Packed with surprises and unexpected twists…Each story centres on different themes, providing a glimpse into all things Malaysian. You would want to slap the author on the back for the candid misleads. Each story is unique without a clue on how the next story would go….Dark City…is unconventional and unpredictable. Definitely a worthwhile purchase.”
Yvonne Foong, author of ‘I’m not Sick, Just a Bit Unwell’
“Xeus is an adept writer, weaving the darker elements of society, serial killers, the dangers of a woman walking alone at night, to greed, lust and their five accompanying sins with great effect...
...I did have my personal favourites and these are “Psychotic” – never mess with a lady with a big bag, “One if by Land” where a prisoner finds that his sure-fire way out of jail only leads to another sort of internment, and even though I knew how it would end, “Coup of the Century”. Now, you’ll just have to get the book to see if you agree with me.”
The Star (2)
Bestseller List
General Books List! And there's that No.2 position in the Humanities MPH list. Still haven't figured what's in the humanities section yet.
Reviews and Articles
- Borneo Post review
- Borneo Post review Dark City 2
- Edge Financial Daily Pick of the Day
- FHM review
- Galaxie interview
- Galaxie review
- Galaxie review Dark City 2
- Interview by Kenny Mah
- Klue interview
- Lydia Teh Review Dark City 2
- Malay Mail and NST review
- Malaysia Oasis review
- Mention in Malaysia's Top fiction faves
- NST Review Dark City 2
- On the receiving end
- Quill Blog review
- Quill interview
- Review by Tunku Halim
- Star feature
- Star review
- Star review (2)
- Sun interview
- Sun review
- Sun Review Dark City 2
- Suspicious Minds, the Star
- The word 'No'
- Tunku Halim interview
Star Serialisation - Dark City stories
Links
- A Tale A Day
- Argus World
- As Zewt as it Gets
- Bibliobibuli
- Chet's Chatter
- Chua Kok Yee
- Eliza's Haberdashery
- Fusion View
- Georgette Tan
- Good Books Guide
- I'm the Perfect Mom
- John Ling blog
- John Ling net
- Kak Teh's Choc-a-blog
- Life for Beginners
- Life's Like That
- My Own L'il Getaway (Spiffy)
- Nizam Zakaria blog
- Ted Mahsun
- The Candid Storyteller
- The Reflections of the Eternal Wanderer
- The Sky is Crazy
- Write Lah! Writing for Malaysians
- Yvonne Foong
7 comments:
Nothing wrong with being low-lit, dear... I'm utterly low-lit and proud of it. Would rather read comics than War & Peace... though given the comics I read win Putlizer Prizes and Guardian Book Awards, maybe even comics are getting upgraded? :P
Kenny, you see, you're more hi-lit than me. At least the stuff you read win prizes. The stuff I read win squat!
It's not the cover 'picture' per se, right? It was the font the cover designer chose that tripped you up, eh? ^_^
But do you agree you gain so much more from reading lit than mass-appeal bestsellers?
It is the cover pic, Argus!
The lights on the buildings wrre fun and sparkling.
I gain a lot on sentence construction and the way the paragraph is written, the beauty and flow of the words from reading lit. But as for plot and storytelling, I gain a lot more from the mass-appeal bestsellers, as lit books tend not to have very good plotting generally. (Because it's not the plot that matters in lit.)
As for characterisation, I gain more from the mass-appeal bestsellers, as they tend to speak out to the everyman. The lit characters tend to ruminate and be lost in their thoughts and observations.
Then again, it's a personal preference.
is there going to be a Dark City 3 and when is the call for submissions?
I don't know how you'd categorize Chuck Palahniuk's novels, but they have great plots, gripping writing AND good characterization.
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