Mush [Paperback]

Kathleen Bryson (Author)

Book Description

Series: Diva Books | Publication Date: May 1, 2001

Mush follows the progress of a sexual and emotional relationship between three Alaskan women. When Nicky and Carol meet Ellen in Seattle, the three women share an initially warm attachment. But the triad disintegrates as linked memories of the Alaskan wilderness turn simultaneously erotic and horrific...

A haunting and lyrical first novel, Mush examines childhood ties and the dynamics of a menage a trois, and weaves dreams and myths into a modern setting. It's like Margaret Atwood on acid.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

The author was born in Alaska in 1968 and grew up on the Penai Peninsula. Since then she has dug up Viking graves, been in a Riot Grrl Band, exhibited paintings in a brothel and received her MA in independent film. She works as a freelance editor and tries to divide any time left over between painting and writing. Mush is her first novel.

Product Details

• Paperback: 220 pages
• Publisher: Diva Books; 1 edition (May 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1873741464
• ISBN-13: 978-1873741467
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,873,680 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lyrical and inventive, May 11, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Mush (Paperback)

I have no doubt that readers of this book will differ in what they take from it, but that, I think, is part of its appeal. Many will love the lyrical language - reminiscent of Carter and Atwood - others will like the progress of action to a carthatic climax, still others will treasure the observations of people's behaviour that hit the mark.

For me, the story about four people and how the death of one has affected the others, directly or indirectly, is powerful stuff. Sometimes I didn't want to explore too deeply my own feeling towards what was happening to the characters. 'Mush' is always challenging, never lets you go, picks you up by the scruff of your neck and shakes you about until you want to shout for it to stop. And then it goes further. It's definitely not for those who like to read about fluffy bunnies and sip a cup of horlicks before going to bed, but for those of you who like modern fiction that doesn't follow the well-trodden path, this is gold dust!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read during daylight hours!, May 25, 2001

By 

Justine (London United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mush (Paperback)

'Mush' is an intense and mesmerising experience. A spooky liaison between three creepy mushed up ... told as intertwining narratives, like the roots of trees locked in struggle and strangulation. A tale of self realisation, that awkward transition from puberty to adulthood, and the discovery of identity through the wounds of trauma. Sensitive and intelligent writing - you are drawn into the confusion, enveloped in the the charaters' eerie psyches while the exotic Alaskan setting becomes all too alive....... Are you hooked yet?

Fascinating marriage of beauty and terror.

Freaked me out but I couldn't put it down.