Yatterings

This is not an easy anthology to talk about but it is a necessary book. It highlights the inconsistencies in the current war against terror but it also covers and admits a range of political opinions, from Andrew McKie’s introduction to Ken Macleod and Charlie Stross’s stories. This is its achievement as well as the differing literary styles. Andrew McKie’s piece is a good reminder that not all the criticism comes from the centre and Left but its also a useful starting point for the intelligent debate which is so sorely needed and the recommended reading list at the end is a useful starting point for exploring the subject. Both Macleod and Stross remind the reader that terrorism is not always about explosives and the perhaps more obvious expressions but that folk music originally dealt with resistance and that Labour was the voice of the working class. My favourite story is H H Loyche’s (a new author on me but one which I’ll be looking for more information) tale of the manuscript which gains currency through being spread by hand. Perhaps though, more chillingly, it is the title of Ian Whates’s story which is horribly prophetic - the laughter of ghosts.