Customer Reviews

Grey Magic

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'If you remember the 60s, you weren't there.' So goes the old saw. But Richard Leigh was there, and he remembers: the civil rights movement, the rise of Black Power, the seamier side of things rather than the froth of west-coast hippiedom. But this novel, plainly autobiographical, is much more than a memoir. It is many things, but if I were to pick out one thread I would describe it as an account of how a man, loftily dedicated to high art (with occasional pranksterish descents into the real world), may be moved, when things get personal, to political activism of a kind - the 'grey magic' of the title. This is a good, fat book, but a real page-turner: funny, intelligent, thought-provoking, extremely well written. It rises to a stunning crescendo, a true climax not just in terms of the storyline, but also as revealing the extent of Leigh's mastery of the English language. Leigh is best known as co-author of a series of non-fiction books beginning with Holy Blood, Holy Grail, but it is clear that his true love is fiction, and this passion has been perfectly consummated with this book.

I must confess to being a Richard Leigh 'groupie' having read all of his work and attended many of his public lectures. This book has been eagerly awaited and does not disappoint.

The writer really bares his soul in these pages and demonstrates a very acute keenness of observation, perception and sensitivity regarding the human condition which is the hallmark of the great artist in any medium.

In the 70's and 80's I seldom missed reading the book reviews of Anthony Burgess published in the British Sunday papers. I needed the dictionary by my side as Burgess always included one word that was new to me in every book review. Like Burgess before him, Leigh is a great lexicologist and you will have the thrill of meeting many new words in 'Grey Magic'.

I unreservedly recommend this book - have your dictionary at your side!