Reviews
Reviews
Bully: A Novel
Hannah Glick, Books Editor, Leeds Student Newspaper:
"Reading this book is like trying to get to sleep after drinking too many vodka red bulls..."
" ...Where Kirby really shines is his naturalistic, boisterous dialogue. It is rare to read speech that is written as it should sound and it has worked to tremendous effect in this novel."
" On picking up BULLY, I could tell I was in store for something sinister. But it was more than that; it was horrific, bitter, twisted and aggressive... If you like your stories dark and dramatic, it may well be your type of book."
Briefs
The View from Here Magazine on 'A Galaxy far, far away' in the 8 Rooms anthology: ‘Humour is Kirby's weapon...'
Paul L. Bates, on the website, 'Distance Swimmer' on 'How to Kill an Hour':
"You may want to run up and down stairs just to calm down after reading this one."
Short Stories
On 'How to Kill an Hour' in CONE ZERO:
Review by Mario Guslandi for Horror World Book Reviews, November 2008: ‘"How to kill an hour" is a wonderful tale of madness, but also a twilight-zone yarn of time shifting and premonition. A deeply disturbing piece, told in a very effective narrative style, which conveys a sense of gloom and helplessness.'
From 'The Workshop of Filthy Creation' : ‘...a very vivid and intense story and is unlikely to fade quickly from memory.'
On 'A Galaxy far, far away' in EIGHT ROOMS: Sophie Erskine, 3:AM Magazine: ‘As A. J. Kirby's picture of domestic life in this collection demonstrates, you don't have to write about something long-winded, special or unusual to write engagingly and amusingly. All things considered, it is a beginning, a middle and an end that make a story - even if not a life-changing one.' On 'The Allotment': The Second Hand editor, Todd Dills: ‘Channelling Poe, maybe Lovecraft, Kirby spins a tale in which lettuces hold the keys to human lies.' George Polley, Author: ‘...one of the finest "relationship" stories I've read in years. Just excellent!' On 'The Ninth Circle':
Sam Tomaino, SFRevu: ‘A grim but effective tale.'
Stephen Hunt, SF Crow's Nest: ‘an intriguing story... which brings to mind the film 'Event Horizon'. This tale becomes progressively darker, obscure and depressing until its culmination in a terrible event.'
Rich Horton, The SF Site: ‘a curious story'... ‘absorbing'... ‘the story does keep one reading.'