Peace is Upon Us

It's Adrian McKinty's fault that I even entertained the notion of reading David Peace's Red Riding quartet. I got the whole set from Serpent's Tail a while back but so far I've only made it through 1974. As I said in my review, 1974 is a brilliantly written novel, it's dark, violent and fascinating. It's also quite an emotional investment. I've been a little afraid of moving on to 1977, and so have avoided it until now.

Here's the thing, though. The film adaptation (the quartet as a trilogy) is upon us. Part one will play on Channel 4 on Thursday at 9PM. I'll probably try to catch it on 4 on Demand, as I'd like the opportunity to pause and take the odd time out. What a month to go off the booze! I don't want to let the movie do all the thinking for me, so I've begun reading 1977 in the hopes that I can get most of it read before Thursday. I'm a good way through the second chapter, and I think this'll be a quick read.

But I imagine that even if you watch the films first, there'll still be quite some merit in reading the novels as well. A quick refresh in Peace's writing style for this series has me kicking myself that I didn't get around to it before now.

A Wee Review - 1974 by David Peace

1974 is the first of David Peace’s Red Riding Quartet. The quartet is currently in production and will soon be packaged as three feature length films. The first will premiere in Spring 2009 at the Berlin Film Festival, and soon after it’ll see its UK premiere on Channel 4. Since Adrian McKinty’s enthusiastic recommendation, I’ve been interested in getting stuck into this series. After reading the first, I’ve been traumatised, but not disappointed.

Edward Dunford is the recently appointed crime correspondent for the Evening Post in Yorkshire. He’s inappropriately excited that a young girl’s disappearance, weeks before Christmas 1974, might point to a pattern spanning three years and two other instances of missing children. His excitement is fuelled by his rivalry with Jack f**king Whitehead (Crime Correspondent of the Year) and the desire to work on a story that’ll lift his reputation from being that guy who did a great story on The Ratcatcher. And with the recent death of his father weighing on his mind, he hardly has much room for sympathy for the missing girl. That is, until he receives the autopsy report and crime scene photos of the young girl’s body. The horrific nature of the murder brings Dunford a dark fascination in the case that soon blossoms into dangerous obsession.

This book is nihilistic, emotionally wretched and stomach churning. That hardly comes across as praise, but it takes some seriously powerful writing to depress a happy young pup like myself. Peace is a dark prince doling out ill-ease and melancholy. 1974 contains scenes that’ll probably stick with me for the rest of my life. The protagonist, Edward Dunford, goes on one of the bleakest and most pain-filled character journey’s I’ve ever encountered. At times I wasn’t sure I even wanted to make it through the whole book. So, will I read the second part of the quartet? You betcha.

You see, 1974 may be a depressing aul git of a novel, but the quality of writing is very impressive. Peace employs a cool style throughout; lots of short, snappy sentences, realistic dialogue and unashamed use of the F-word on every page. The characters are utter bastards for the most part, but they act like real people. Is this Yorkshire Noir? Yeah, I think so. Unless there’s a term that describes something that’s darker than black.

1974 is not for the faint-hearted and may even cause mood swings amongst the emotionally stable. In fact, the book should probably come with a mental health warning. I recommend you read it, but prepare yourself for a trip to many personal hells before delving in. Maybe add to that four-nights-a-week drink habit you’ve been worrying about, take up smoking dope, or kill your goldfish. Do something. And remember; it’s just a story. A very good story.