Book Review: Figures Crossing The Field Towards The Group by Rebecca Gransden
Linguistically, the words in this novella trip off the tongue in a Dylan Thomas-esque fashion.
Every word has been lovingly thought out, pinned and stitched together in sentences that are visually rich, yet economic in their execution. As with all apocalyptic-themed works, we are faced with a stark and frightening event that is unfolding between the pages, however Rebecca Gransden manages to pull together this frightening landscape with beautifully structured language and tone that feels like she is showing us both the horror and beauty in this unnerving narrative.
Throughout the story, the anticipation gnaws away at you, the end times are waiting and unfolding for our characters, and we are here to watch it all happen - whether this be in horror or anticipation. We meet different people along the way, some are on their own path and others in the throes of desolation.
This novella is a stylistic trample along the waste land, a pilgrimage that is felt with every word, every sentence, every delicately placed piece of punctuation. It is a death chant, a pilgrimage with unknown lands and consequences.
This novella is an absolute gem and a wonderful addition to the genre – although some may argue this surrealistic text could build a genre of its own.
Written by Katie Doherty
