Scar City

Joel Lane (1963-2013) was a British writer of dark, unsettling fiction, exploring sexuality and human nature. Scar City is a collection of intense, haunting, and often painful stories from Birmingham, his home city, written before his death in 2013.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 22 October 2020
Publisher: Influx Press

Joel Lane (1963-2013) was a prominent figure in the UK's literary landscape, renowned for his dark, unsettling fiction that delved into the depths of human sexuality and the darker aspects of human nature. Focusing primarily on the post-industrial Black Country and his hometown of Birmingham, he carved out a unique genre of British urban weird fiction. Scar City, one of his final collections, was assembled before his untimely passing in 2013. Set in Birmingham, these captivating stories are intense, haunting, and often painful, showcasing the mastery of the short form by a master storyteller. This collection also includes a new introduction by Nicholas Royle, providing valuable insights into Lane's life and work.
Joel Lane (1963-2013) was a prominent figure in the UK's literary landscape, renowned for his dark, unsettling fiction that delved into the depths of human sexuality and the darker aspects of human nature. Focusing primarily on the post-industrial Black Country and his hometown of Birmingham, he carved out a unique genre of British urban weird fiction. Scar City, one of his final collections, was assembled before his untimely passing in 2013. Set in Birmingham, these captivating stories are intense, haunting, and often painful, showcasing the mastery of the short form by a master storyteller. This collection also includes a new introduction by Nicholas Royle, providing valuable insights into Lane's life and work.

Lane's writing was characterized by his frank exploration of sexuality and the transgressive aspects of human nature. He delved into the darker corners of the human psyche, unearthing the fears, desires, and obsessions that lie beneath the surface. His stories were often set in the post-industrial Black Country and Birmingham, providing a unique backdrop for his exploration of urban weirdness.

Scar City is one of Lane's final collections, and it stands as a testament to his talent and creativity. The stories in this collection are intense, haunting, and often painful, but they are also deeply human and relatable. Lane's ability to create vivid characters and intricate plots is evident in every story, and his use of language is masterful.

One of the standout stories in Scar City is "The Last Train to Birmingham." In this story, a group of passengers on a train journey to Birmingham are caught up in a series of strange and unsettling events. The story explores themes of isolation, fear, and the power of the imagination, and it leaves the reader feeling both frightened and fascinated.

Another notable story in the collection is "The House on the Hill." In this story, a young couple moves into a house on a hill, only to discover that it is haunted by the ghosts of its previous residents. The story explores themes of possession, memory, and the nature of reality, and it leaves the reader questioning what is real and what is not.

Scar City is a testament to Joel Lane's talent as a writer and his ability to create stories that are both dark and unsettling but also deeply human and relatable. This collection is a must-read for fans of dark fiction and anyone who is interested in exploring the darker aspects of human nature.

Weight: 252g
Dimension: 130 x 196 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781910312612