Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1832487 in Books
• Published on: 2000-11
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 220 pages

Customer Reviews

A haunting, freeform lullaby
Mush by Kathleen Kiirik Bryson is a long poem spinning out a story. A freeform lullaby; a ghost story floating between the natural and supernatural. I never felt completely comfortable reading the book - which is how I feel when I watch or read a ghost story. It had the same quality for me of 'The Woman in Black'. Similar watery element; a beautiful desolate wintery landscape. Ms Bryson skillfully weaves the plot towards a conclusion that allows a glimmer of hope, for one of the characters at least. There is a resounding theme of isolation: each of the three characters' isolation as little girls, the isolation of Nicky and Carol in Oregon, Ellen's lifelong isolation, isolation of the landscape. I loved the way Bryson describes landscape, not just visually but the smells and sounds as well. Her poetric description hits all the senses. I felt the crunch of snow beneath my feet and smelt wood burning. At times the beauty described is enough to swell the heart... except there is always someone lurking out there in the woods....... I did want to go to Alaska...but now I'm not so sure!
Crin Claxton

Read during daylight hours!
'Mush' is an intense and mesmerising experience. A spooky liaison between three creepy mushed up dykes told as intertwining narratives, like the roots of trees locked in struggle and strangulation. A tale of self realisation, that awkward transition from puberty to adulthood, and the discovery of identity through the wounds of trauma. Sensitive and intelligent writing - you are drawn into the confusion, enveloped in the the charaters' eerie psyches while the exotic Alaskan setting becomes all too alive....... Are you hooked yet?

Fascinating marriage of beauty and terror.

Freaked me out but couldn't put it down.

Lyrical and inventive
I have no doubt that readers of this book will differ in what they take from it, but that, I think, is part of its appeal. Many will love the lyrical language - reminiscent of Carter and Atwood - others will like the progress of action to a carthatic climax, still others will treasure the observations of people's behaviour that hit the mark.

For me, the story about four people and how the death of one has affected the others, directly or indirectly, is powerful stuff. Sometimes I didn't want to explore too deeply my own feeling towards what was happening to the characters. 'Mush' is always challenging, never lets you go, picks you up by the scruff of your neck and shakes you about until you want to shout for it to stop. And then it goes further. It's definitely not for those who like to read about fluffy bunnies and sip a cup of horlicks before going to bed, but for those of you who like modern fiction that doesn't follow the well-trodden path this is gold dust!