I went over the word limit with my review for Locus. Clocked over 1,000 words (where the limit is typically 800). I had plenty to say, and I could have written more. I won’t repeat any of it here other than to note that Kincaid is brilliant at what he does. He can take dry topics such as taxonomic and ontological debates about what is and what isn’t science fiction and turn them into lively, urgent discussions where it feels like the genre’s future is at stake. Well, maybe not that melodramatic, but in Kincaid’s hands, science fiction always feels alive, subject to constant change and reassessment. That he never gets bogged down in the academia of it all, that he’s always clear and precise in his language, that he’s always thorough and meticulous with his argumentation, that he has a parched sense of humour, makes the reading experience all the more delightful.

One thing I didn’t do in my review because it would have taken the focus away from Paul is extolling the virtues of Paul’s publisher, Briardene Books. Colourfields is their third collection of reviews and essays, following books by Niall Harrison and Abigail Nussbaum. Like so many small presses, they are putting in the hard work, sacrificing who knows what and more, to present us with the work of brilliant, thoughtful, important writers who are never likely to get a contract from a big publisher—unless their small press book somehow becomes viral (which infrequently does happen). Publishing criticism, especially on a topic as niche as genre fiction, is even more of a thankless task. But Briardene are doing it anyway, and I thank them for this.* May they continue for many, many years to come.

*I know University Presses publish criticism. But it costs a fortune and isn’t always readily available. For example, Kincaid’s recent monograph on Keith Roberts’s Pavane costs a King’s ransom if you’re not associated with a University. (Yes, some of that cost involves exorbitant shipping costs to Australia, but even the Kindle edition is $50). It’s a bloody shame because I’ve just read Pavane (review forthcoming), and I’d love to know Paul’s thoughts, but not at those prices. (And, yes, I also know that Uni presses always charge more because of the niche nature of the work).

I went over the word limit with my review for Locus. Clocked over 1,000 words (where the limit is typically 800). I had plenty to say, and I could have written more. I won’t repeat any of it here other than to note that Kincaid is brilliant at what he does. He can take dry topics such as taxonomic and ontological debates about what is and what isn’t science fiction and turn them into lively, urgent discussions where it feels like the genre’s future is at stake. Well, maybe not that melodramatic, but in Kincaid’s hands, science fiction always feels alive, subject to constant change and reassessment. That he never gets bogged down in the academia of it all, that he’s always clear and precise in his language, that he’s always thorough and meticulous with his argumentation, that he has a parched sense of humour, makes the reading experience all the more delightful.

One thing I didn’t do in my review because it would have taken the focus away from Paul is extolling the virtues of Paul’s publisher, Briardene Books. Colourfields is their third collection of reviews and essays, following books by Niall Harrison and Abigail Nussbaum. Like so many small presses, they are putting in the hard work, sacrificing who knows what and more, to present us with the work of brilliant, thoughtful, important writers who are never likely to get a contract from a big publisher—unless their small press book somehow becomes viral (which infrequently does happen). Publishing criticism, especially on a topic as niche as genre fiction, is even more of a thankless task. But Briardene are doing it anyway, and I thank them for this.* May they continue for many, many years to come.

*I know University Presses publish criticism. But it costs a fortune and isn’t always readily available. For example, Kincaid’s recent monograph on Keith Roberts’s Pavane costs a King’s ransom if you’re not associated with a University. (Yes, some of that cost involves exorbitant shipping costs to Australia, but even the Kindle edition is $50). It’s a bloody shame because I’ve just read Pavane (review forthcoming), and I’d love to know Paul’s thoughts, but not at those prices. (And, yes, I also know that Uni presses always charge more because of the niche nature of the work).