by Alister Davison
Following on from Paperboy and Film Freak, Word Monkey is the third and final memoir from Christopher Fowler. Not only is it a book about being a writer, showcasing the joys and heartbreak that go with the craft, but it also tells of the author’s battle with cancer that would ultimately prove terminal, occurring at the time of the UK’s first Covid Lockdown in 2020. Yet, this isn’t a bleak book by any means, as he faces his future with characteristic humour and great courage.
His writing advice, coming from someone who’s been in the business for decades, is practical; he deconstructs some of the processes (notably for short stories and crime novels) to provide a guide for both new and established authors, highlighting some ups and downs of his own career. Fowler isn’t afraid to confront his illness either, always honest as he tells of a strange and desperate time for both himself and those around him.
Despite the circumstances, Word Monkey is peppered throughout with a wit and wisdom that makes every page turn; its ending allows the reader a pause before a short story that will break the strongest of hearts. Christopher Fowler died in March 2023, but he has left behind a superlative collection of work, perhaps most famous of which are his novels featuring London detectives Bryant and May. Early books, such as his debut Roofworld, will certainly appeal to STARBURST readers – seek him out and discover what a fine talent the world has lost.
