“13 FRAGMENTS” by Colin Newcombe is published

Amazon readers are raving about and recommending this book. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) March 29, 2018 - Amazon readers are raving about and recommending “13 FRAGMENTS” by Colin Newcombe

ISBN #978-1944156299

Amazon Reviews:

4.0 out of 5 stars Bikers Heaven
27 November 2017
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase

My first thought on beginning this book was that the style of writing reminded me of Ian Banks. Written in the first person it is at least partially autobiographical. There are a number of separate episodes giving the impression of being unconnected but a biker theme runs through most of the fragments which brings them together. Racing on The Isle of Man, leisurely rides through parts of England, the affectionate nickname of 'Greaser' bestowed by his problem pupils. An interesting idea for a book and mostly well written although some of the passages are a little drawn out and dull, particularly when the bike is left behind for a political venture in North Africa. The wild ex-colonial boys, having exchanged The Tricolour for the Red Flag, more or less go to sleep. An accident which causes the death of our hero's girlfriend weighs heavily on his conscience until he finally meets God in a bar. She is wearing not the white nighty you would expect but a beautiful set of white leathers. This is an unusual book and well worth a read.

5.0 out of 5 stars A star turn from a newcomer
8 January 2017
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase

An intriguing narrative which draws you in, then carries you to another point and pushes out in a new direction. The author is by turns narrator, philosopher, interrogator, questioning you, the reader, and disturbing any comfortable, conventional assumptions about life - and death. The fragments are shot through with a laconic humour: a woman with a mouth "like an exit wound", the dog drinking from a bowl labelled 'donkey'. There is nothing predictable here, and the contexts of the fragments are grounded in the detail of lived reality. A good read, and one which stays with me.

5.0 out of 5 stars I like a book that plays with ideas and in this ...
9 April 2017
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase

I like a book that plays with ideas and in this one the author does just that big time. One moment it is like a hymn to England and being English, the scenery, the history and regional accents, but a hymn to an England which is inclusive and one where it is possible to be both English and European. Then it switches to finding peace with yourself and, finally, to a woman in white leathers as the God figure which appealed to my feminist streak. I also liked the idea of a classroom where the motto for both teachers and kids is "Do good work and have a good laugh" and the character who struggles with being both a Marxist and a Muslim. It’s not a page turner like a thriller but there's so much going on that each 'fragment' left me wanting to know what happens next.

5.0 out of 5 stars A book written with empathy and sensitivity. Only a ...
24 October 2016
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase

A book written with empathy and sensitivity. Only a person who has ‘lived’ could write such a book. The writing is powerful in its descriptive art. The reader is transported to the place within each fragment to share the experiences of the characters, which are vividly portrayed. The book seduces the thoughtful reader to reflect, not only upon the experiences of the main character, but also upon their own existence and its meaning. Masterful writing.

5.0 out of 5 stars When life flashes before your eyes
1 September 2016
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase

When you are in a life-threatening situation, they say your life flashes before your mind. This book is like that.

A series of disjointed memories run through the mind of a man who is on the verge of dying from a motorcycle accident.

The fragmented snippets of his life are skilfully woven together in this really interesting book about the human condition and human psyche.

4.0 out of 5 stars A very interesting and enjoyable read. I was impressed ...
5 February 2018
Format: Paperback

A very interesting and enjoyable read. I was impressed by the originality of the basic themes that underpin the book and identified with the idea of wondering what other people think about and remember. The random structure of the text works well in portraying the character of our memories, and the narrative explores a wide range of human of human emotions in a very real way. As a former teacher, I was really able to relate to the fragments about the school, and I also found the descriptions of the time before, during, and after the accident, particularly empathetic and moving.

4.0 out of 5 stars Its full of ideas and themes but though I did not grasp all of them (eg - revolutionary politics) there's still plenty for every
16 September 2016
Format: Paperback

I had this on my Kindle when I went to a reunion over the weekend and just could not stop myself sharing bits as we sat in the pub. Its full of ideas and themes but though I did not grasp all of them (eg - revolutionary politics) there's still plenty for everyone to grasp like a sense of guilt, growing old and a sense of belonging. In all the situations the characters and dialogue leap off the page and as a teacher I especially identified with the school chapters (or fragments?) and the adolescent banter. I did not find the lack of a narrative structure any obstacle to enjoying the read. It made me think about what was happening rather than just skimming through page after page and try to understand what was going on, just like the injured man would be trying to do. It’s just like the film Memento and if you can cope with that then you'll have no problem with this. Not everyone will have the patience for this approach though so it could be a sort of marmite book so I gave it 4 stars for this reason even though I personally enjoyed it.

About the Author:

Colin Newcombe graduated from the London School of Economics and during his student days, he worked in an aircraft factory. After graduating, he changed direction and becoming a teacher after a brief spell working in a bank. Finally, he worked for the local council (Cheshire) as a driver until his job disappeared in the cuts, whereupon he began writing novels. As the main character says in the final chapter, "Even if we only have one life, we can still have more than one go at it."

Colin is currently around half way into his second book, "The Brotherhood of the Bridge", set in the 1770's and based on the building of the first Ironbridge in Shropshire.

The third book he plans will involve a reworking of the Arthurian legend, showing a man feeling deserted by the Christian God as the Roman legions leave and being drawn back into the Celtic pantheism by Merlin as part of his struggle to defend his way of life in uncertain times.

“13 FRAGMENTS” is available in paperback from Amazon UK at:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/13-Fragments-Colin-Newcombe/dp/1944156291

This novel can also be download in e-book format from:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/13-Fragments-Colin-Newcombe-ebook/dp/B01KZ9DD0E

Press/Media Contact Details:

Darin Jewell
Managing Director
The Inspira Group Literary Agency
darin ( @ ) theinspiragroup dot com
tel. 0208 292 5163

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