Gripping: Seven Skins and London Triptych

Cover Courtesy of Myriad Editions

I can't fully express how excited I am about Jonathan Kemp after reading his short story Seven Skins appearing in the Spring/Summer issue of BRAND literary magazine.

The story is about a young gay man, Martin, carving his own identity and navigating life and love in the city of London. The opening line to the story warns – “Do not read this.” Yet what follows is the first of several letters which piques our interest, glides us comfortably into the story and into the deceptive excitement of the London urban scene.

Kemp arranges this piece skilfully into several letters which Martin writes to his sister - Hannah also called H. In these letters Martin reveals some critical facts and updates his reader on the activities of his pastimes and state of relationship affairs. These letters are juxtaposed alongside his keen observations and gripping reflections.

The story is infused with a chilling sensibility. You see, smell and breathe the city of London; find yourself stepping over its every junkie; feel the weight of Martin’s every heartbreak; and feel yourself nebulously lost as is Martin in the swallow of Hannah’s eventual demise. It is a real tear-jerker this story, written with incredible skill and control.

Jonathan Kemp is a teacher of creative writing (drama & fiction), literature, and gender studies at Birbeck University of London. Extracts from his first novel, London Triptych published on August 19th 2010 (Myriad Editions) promise an even bigger treat. Be sure to have a read of Seven Skins as well as extracts from London Tritych here and here.

Here are some events where you may be able to catch a glimpse of Jonathan Kemp himself or hear him read from his gripping novel.

Book Reading, Author Q&A & signing
Thursday 16th September 2010
Gay’s The Word Bookshop at 7pm
Gay’s The Word Bookshop66, Marchmont Street, London WC1N 1AB Tel: 0207 278 7654 http://www.gaystheword.co.uksales@gaystheword.co.uksales@gaystheword.co.uk
Reservations not necessary. Complimentary refreshments.
Transportation: Russell Square Tube

Secret Histories:Ed Hillyer and Jonathan Kemp discuss the question of uncovering secret histories in fiction, with literary agent Adrian Weston.
Thursday 23rd September, 2010
Hove Library from 6.30pm for 7pm
182-186 Church Road, Hove, BN3 2EG
Transportation: Bus 6 from Brighton Station