Reviews & comments
What previous readers have said:
I remember, once, going to an event at which someone had to stand up and make a short speech and, having thanked various people, he unwisely remarked: “Now, this a funny story . . .”
And a small but distinct voice in the front row said: “I think we’ll be the judge of that.”
The lesson I took from this little exchange is that it is unwise to do your own pre-publicity. Let your audience be the judges.
So, with this in mind, rather than my saying how good the novels are, I’m including the following. Below is some of the feedback I’ve received from previous readers, some industry professionals, some fellow writers – all are absolutely genuine (and none are from family). They are on, variously, each of the five novels.
It feels, if I’m honest, a little bit presumptuous, even arrogant, to include all these here, but, well . . . you would, wouldn’t you?
“. . . a really interesting novel, unique and ambitious, and very well written.”
“. . . this beautiful book. . .”
“I thought it was so clever the way the author makes the book feel warm and uplifting and quite intimate.”
“He writes beautifully, especially about the wolves and nature, and the characterisation is great as well.”
“. . . an evocative, intelligent read – the scrupulous research is evident on the page − and MacNeill is clearly a talented writer.”
“— what fascinating subject matter! Well written, intelligent and with some beautifully poignant descriptions of war-torn Serbia, this draws one in from the outset.”
“It is an unusual, sweeping, vividly-written modern fairytale which definitely appeals.”
“. . . rich and fascinating.”
“I thought this was a very impressive crime novel. Firstly and most obviously, it has a powerful sense of authenticity, and the complexities of the Bosnian conflict are made vivid and immediate. It also has an engaging main character in Inspector Radjen, and a nicely crafted plot.”
“- the setting, the completely brilliant descriptions of the natural surroundings”
“From that incredibly dramatic opening onwards, it had me hooked. The concept . . . and then with that extremely effective and brilliant twist . . . at the end – is inspired, and I think that it is really well-plotted throughout.”
“. . . the writing is tremendous and the opening is very strong.”
“I found it really intriguing and original. I particularly liked the political and historical backdrop.”
“I was pretty excited by this. It’s that bit different, and the location is exotic . . .”
“However I found it difficult to put The Gift of Madam Xebec down, and ended up reading it until the early hours on a night when I had intended to go to bed early, get a good night’s sleep and then get up early and work. Those plans had to be cancelled in favour of finding out what happened next in Misha Radjen’s hunt for Mme Xebec’s true identity.”
“I found it incredibly interesting . . .”
“. . . I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your story. I was hooked from fairly early on, but as with all good stories, I became more and more engaged as the story progressed.”
“. . . really, really thought it was great.”
“I really enjoyed reading this. The concept was intriguing and the characters, on the whole, very engaging . . . It was very eloquently written, the dialogue was good and convincing, and the prose narrative was great.”
“Loved this story . . .”
“I liked all the characters, good and bad and the sense of place, whether it is the isolated Chinese province or the political scene in Washington. It felt as if the narrator knew these places well and understood the characters. I enjoyed the build-up of each character and found this really contributed to my understanding of their motivation. The changes in view point were skilfully and smoothly accomplished, so I was never in doubt which character I was walking beside. The style of writing is very fresh, unique and natural. I loved See Wing’s story within a story and found such diversions added to the richness of the whole.”
“I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed reading a book this much.”
“. . . super story, great to have the separate threads of people’s lives and the way they all came together. That it is well written is an understatement. Every sentence entertains and entices, is so full of confidence with the single purpose of telling a brilliant story. Everything, every word, is masterfully given to the telling and not a word lost to self indulgence.”
“A sublime story teller with a command of language as broad as their knowledge is deep, only ever letting the narrative speak for how clever they are.”
“There is a gentle, mostly wry humour pervading everything.”
“Written into the novel is the rather lovely story of See Wing’s history which is inserted as back-story. The language used is by turns tender, affectionate and brutally pragmatic.”
“The narrative is clever but also very accessible and utterly charming.”
“It is the confidence with which Six Days in Kashgar is written that stands out the most, backed by sublime writing and incredible story that never once forgets it exists to entertain, and only then perhaps inform. And how it entertains.”
“Brilliant. Epic in its scale and hugely self-assured in its execution. I felt in safe hands throughout. The voice, pace, characters and plot all delivered.”
“. . . a distinctive style that I admire very much. It’s very accomplished and undeniably entertaining.”
“. . . a very naturally able writer with a good ear for mellifluous phrases; the music and poetry of prose on the page. Your work therefore has a lustrous finish: a seemingly seamless surface with all the loose ends tidied away.”
“. . . most entertaining and outright fun book I have read in such a long time.”
“I loved this story! It has all the makings of a great political thriller and I enjoyed it very much. The setting is brilliantly written and I was instantly transported to Kashgar with its hot and sultry desert. I really did enjoy learning about the people within this remote and little known province.”
“The strong, and sometimes ironic, voice of the narrator and the opening drew me in straight away.”
“It’s a satisfying ending on all counts with loose ends neatly tied.”
“There is a strong political irony running throughout. A subtle mocking of these two big power houses and indeed of diplomatic relations and bureaucracy in general but actually I thought the main theme was about people, about oppression and people’s determination to succeed/survive . . .”
“Very well written and presented. I liked the sense of being somewhere strange and different with the slight unease that can bring, though the human emotions (eg, Ismail caring for his irritating younger brother) resonate across all cultures.”
“The narrator has a strong, character-full voice, with a laid-back sense of humour.”
