It’s hard to summarise Western Australian author John Kinsella’s latest book – Beam of Light: Stories, save for describing the way it feels: a little uncanny, a little haunting. An anthology of short stories – most of which are extremely short, even for the genre – its atmosphere and thoughtfulness makes for a fascinating read, but one which might not be for every reader.
John Kinsella is likely to be best known for his poetry, and reading this collection that background very much shines through. Mood and atmosphere is everything in these stories, and despite their diverse subject matters there’s almost always a hint of an uncanny or strange feeling running through each one. The writing style – which doesn’t mark speech – infuses it with something of a dream-like feel. It all makes for a unique read.
Though many of the stories feel floaty and hard to completely pin down, they also feel thoughtful and carefully-considered. Each is a tale worthy of a re-read and a close dissection. Many are ambiguous, or with vague sections that prompt your own imagination.
The underlying atmosphere may be consistent, but the content of the stories themselves change rapidly and completely throughout the collection. Locations and characters are always shifting, making each feel new and different but still forming a coherent whole. The subject matter of each provides a particularly compelling change. While some explore familiar themes and ideas, others bring something completely unexpected to the table, and it’s always a joy to discover what will come next.
Location and landscape, however, are a central part of many of these stories. The collection takes you on a journey to many different countries throughout the world, all places that the author himself has lived in – and these experiences and the depth of emotion serves to make the portrayal of these places feel more real.
On the whole, I enjoyed this collection. There are some fascinating ideas and concepts, and Kinsella’s signature writing style is worth experiencing.
That said, it took me a while to really get into this one – it was intriguing, but not one I found myself looking forward to cracking open at the end of a long day. The strong atmosphere and vagueness of the stories are sure to appeal to some, but others might find them frustrating and unappealing.
All the same, though, Beam of Light is certainly worth a try.
THREE AND A HALF STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Beam of Light: Stories by John Kinsella is available now from Transit Lounge Publishing. Pick up a copy from your favourite bookstore HERE.
