La escritura oscura y satírica de Miles Gibson se caracteriza por elementos de realismo mágico y ficción absurda. Aunque sus narrativas siguen una estructura lineal, su uso del humor negro, el pastiche y los narradores poco fiables lo sitúan firmemente entre los posmodernistas. Su estilo único explora los límites de la realidad y la absurdidad con un ingenio provocador.
Miles Gibson's cult novel from 1984 returns to print with a new preface by the author. Growing up in a small hotel in a shabby seaside town, lonely William 'Mackerel' Burton amuses himself by perfecting his conjuring tricks.
Set in the enchanting village of Rams Horn, the story blends fantasy and the supernatural, where legends intertwine with the lives of its residents. A clairvoyant grapples with her past as she awaits her deceased husband's return, haunted by demons that disrupt her peace. Meanwhile, the arrival of a mysterious African sailor adds intrigue and depth to the seaside community, creating a rich tapestry of emotions and encounters against the backdrop of ever-changing tides.
Kingdom Swann, a seemingly respectable Victorian gentleman, grapples with his complex feelings towards women, as illustrated by his encounter with a nude woman suspended from a pillar. This striking imagery sets the stage for a narrative exploring themes of desire, societal expectations, and the darker aspects of human relationships, revealing the tension between outward respectability and inner turmoil.