I added part one after the title because I know this is not going to be the only time I write about Jock Stewart. What a wonderful character! I hope you get to know him well.
I often talk about how jaded I am when it comes to reading. Apparently I am only jaded when it comes to the homogenized books published by the major publishers — I’m finding that many gems lurk in small independent presses. (Do gems lurk? Well, perhaps I should say gleam.) Jock Stewart and the Missing Sea of Fire by Malcolm R. Campbell is one such gem released by Vanilla Heart Publishing.
So much fun! Campbell staffs his books with characters such as Jimmy Exlibris who never takes his nose out of a book, and the reverend Cotton Mouth from the Church of the Painful Now. Even better, Campbell writes delicious puns. “While Monique’s dress was still in his closet, Monique was not present. He straightened the dress on the hangar and pulled up the zipper but found no closure.”
And I haven’t guessed yet what happened to the missing Sea of Fire.
Though Jock Stewart and the Missing Sea of Fire is thrilling enough to be a page turner, I am trying not to read too quickly because I want to savor every word. Which makes me wonder — is “page turner” really a compliment? Wouldn’t “page stayer” make an author feel proud that readers hated turning the page because they (the readers) knew that page is gone forever? Of course, the page is not gone forever. I am missing enough of Campbell’s slyness that I will have to read the book a second time to make sure I get every nuance.
Much as I enjoy spending time with you all, I’ve got a book I want to continue reading. Wishing you the same.
I almost forgot — Jock Stewart has his own blog: Morning Satirical News.
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September 22, 2009 at 8:12 am
Hey Pat, ya wanna stop by the place tonight and have a mug of top-shelf Scotch? I don’t know who this clown is who wrote a book about my private life–it’s like they got scam cams hidden all over my house and office. Probably one in my Jeep, too. According to informed sources, evil doers and/or the Feds are behind the whole thing. But listen, Baby Cakes, I do appreciate the kind words and the links. You’re the cat’s pajamas if not the cat.
Jock
September 22, 2009 at 10:57 am
Jock — sounds good, just as long as you don’t substitute the kind of wine service station marts sell in gallon jugs. Did you get my homage to your prose? I put “the readers” in parenthesis to show who “they” are, just as you (or your biographer) did.