Peter Tennant is frequently reviewed by Suite101 for his occasional fiction such as 'Special Needs,' his (overlooked) work as part of the Interzone editorial team, and his regular book reviews and author interviews in Black Static. Suite101 thought it would be fun to turn the tables on him and find out a little more about one of the most perceptive reviewers in the genre.
One essential film
"Equus", which I saw at the cinema when it first came out and was so blown away that I went back the next day to see it again, the only film I've ever done that with. Based on a play by Peter Shaffer ("Amadeus") it's a beautifully written piece that takes as its departure point the blinding of six horses by a young man, and asks important questions about the nature and value of sanity in our society. There's also a towering performance from Richard Burton as psychiatrist Martin Dysart.
One story
Today, "Basilisk" by Harlan Ellison. Tomorrow, something else entirely.
Bruce Springsteen
One song/record
"The River" by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Specifically the version he played at his English Independence Day concert at Wembley in 1984, with the harmonica soaring at the end to add a coda of hope/triumph to what's pretty much a downbeat song. It was a sacred moment, and they should have torched the stadium immediately after, rather than let it ever again be used for something as mundane as football.
If books and stories suddenly ceased to exist, what would you do instead?
Watch DVDs. Think of things to do with all the money I'll have saved and the space freed up by an absence of books. I could entertain people, as there'd be more than one free chair - at the moment if guests want to sit down I have to relocate piles of books.
One creative person you always wanted to be?
Henry Miller.
One book you wish you’d written
Once I would have said "Tropic of Capricorn", but it didn't quite grip me as much as usual the last time I read it, so maybe something else. Either "The Great Gatsby" for its sublime prose, or "House of Leaves" for the endless invention found in its pages.
One book/author that’s been unjustly neglected
"The Public Burning" by Robert Coover. Amazing novel which plays out American politics as grotesque fantasy. I'm not sure if Coover is neglected in America, but I hardly ever see him mentioned over here. A lot of his other work, especially the collection "Pricksongs & Descants", is remarkable.
Harlan Ellison
The biggest influence on your life?
Probably my parents. I think that's true for most of us, even if we're not aware of it. As a writer, I'd have to say Harlan Ellison. I was locked in a beginning, middle and end, third person/past tense mindset when I stumbled across his "Approaching Oblivion" collection, which opened my eyes to the tremendous potential of fiction.
Next book you’ll read?
It's not a done deal yet, but probably "Animythical Tales", a collection by Sarah Totton.
What do you wish more authors would / wouldn't do?
Would do? Send expensive presents to reviewers, or if they haven't got time to shop, cheques are cool too.
Wouldn't do? Make insulting comments about reviewers. Like traffic wardens, we're only doing our job. That may be a lousy comparison.
Best place you ever visited?
The British Museum. I love being surrounded by things that are even older than I am.
Why review?
Free books.
What keeps you awake at night?
An ambient hum. It starts some time after midnight. I think it's one of the neighbours trying to save money with 'white meter' washing, but although I've prowled the streets a few times I've never actually been able to pinpoint where the sound is coming from. Perhaps I have time specific tinnitus and don't know it.
What's the piece of work (fiction or non) that you're most proud of?
Either "Geraldine and the Wolfman", a story that Paul Bradshaw published in a chapbook back when we were all a lot younger, or "The Conversation Piece", an as yet unpublished story that's based on a work by Ligotti and which I'm saving for a special occasion.
Favourite word?
Today, cummerbund. Tomorrow, something else.
Johnny Depp
Who plays you in the movie of your life?
It's a fantasy, so Johnny Depp.
And what’s the pivotal scene?
When The Imaginary Girlfriend, who has been rejecting my advances for over thirty years, realises that I look like Johnny Depp, and it's my turn to reject her. Remember, I said this was a fantasy.
Where would you like to be right now?
I'm good, right here, right now.
When & where were you happiest?
Wembley, 4th of July 1984. Bruce Springsteen's English Independence Day concert. Mostly it's been downhill ever since.
What are you going to do right now when you’ve finished this ordeal?
Go watch "Modern Masters" on BBC1. Tonight they're featuring Picasso.
Colin Harvey - Author six novels, and editor of four anthologies; professional reviewer since 2003, including six years at Strange Horizons. Member of ...
