Acts of Revision

by Martyn Bedford

Book Overview

This is the story of an obsessive young man whose psychotic tendencies are awakened following the death of his mother. Clearing through his mother's possessions he comes across some old school reports... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385482736
• Release Date: July 1996
• Publisher: Doubleday
• Length: 242 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 10.0" x 1.0" x 6.5"

Customer Reviews

A FRIGHTENING VIEW FROM A PLACE YOU DON'T WANT TO BE...

...namely, from the inside the mind of a very disturbed individual. Gregory Lynn, the 34-year-old narrator of Martyn Bedford's chilling first novel, is so angry over what he perceives as wrongs commited against him years before, when he was a teenager, by his teachers, that his view of his world has become completely skewed and twisted. Combined with his home situation -- his father was an alcoholic and his mother totally hapless as a single parent -- and the death of his beloved sister Janice, who died at the age of seven of meningitis, these so-called 'crimes' against him require severe 'revision' to be enacted on the perpetrators.When his mother dies, leaving him 'an orphan' at the age of 34, Gregory finds in the family attic several letters from his teachers, written years before, criticizing his work and attitude in school -- suggestions for 'revision' in his outlook and methods. In an already deteriorated state of mind, reading these over and over until he knows them by heart, he sets out methodically about his self-assigned task. He constructs a map poster in his attic, systematically locates each of his surviving teachers, and designs his actions against each to suit their particular offences and fields of study.This is not a book about someone who -- for whatever reason -- decides to kill a number of people. Killing is not Gregory's purpose here. He wants these people to know -- to understand on the deepest possible level -- what they have done to him, what they have caused (in his mind, at least) to happen in his life.Gregory is a talented artist -- his ability manifests itself in cartoons that he draws, incorporating his wild imaginings about what he will do to the people on his list. 'When I draw something, I can make it happen', he says -- and this is frighteningly close to the truth in several cases.Bedford's writing is taut and skillfully executed -- he reveals details about Gregory's personality, thoughts and life slowly to the reader, adding a very real element of suspense to a story that is filled with tension of different kinds. This is truly one of those novels that is 'hard to put down' -- and one that is a very rewarding, entertaining and enlightening read. This novel compares well to Patrick McGrath's masterful SPIDER, as well as to Iain M. Banks' disturbing THE WASP FACTORY.On the strength of this novel, I've since picked up his second effort, THE HOUDINI GIRL -- I'm looking forward to experiencing it as well.

A Modern Masterpiece!

Easily one of the best books I have read in the last few years. I am still amazed that so few have heard of this beautifully written novel. So much so that I have forced it upon those you would not beleive its genius. I understood after reading the first 20 pages that this would be a book to pass along

Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant

Why hasn't this book found its audience in the US? It was much lauded and very successful in the UK, but did not attain the success it should have here. It was my favorite book of 1996, a chilling, funny, devilishly clever, suspenseful revenge fantasy. Filled with terrific wordplay with a leading character who is repulsively lovable and horrifying at the same time. A one-sitting read, couldn't put it down, couldn't stop, had to finish it. Masterful, unique and top notch. Find a copy, you'll be happy you did. Bravo, Mr. Bedford

georgous

I love this kind of books. Terrifying and irresistible. Fantasy and reality are the same. I will wait EXIT ORANGE AND RED

The most amazing revenge novel you will ever read.

We've all fantasized about it. Sure, we might not admit it, but the thought has definitely crossed our mind. We remember that history teacher who scolded us when we couldn't remember the capital of Uruguay. We remember the English teacher who insisted we'd never learn to punctuate properly;. The list goes on. Martyn Bedford, in his brilliant first novel, allows us to realize our hidden fantasies. In what ultimately becomes one very very dark comic novel, Bedford sends his main character back to school - but this time HE is the teacher. His life has amounted to nothing and who else is there to blame but those who were supposed to prepare him for it? _Acts of Revision_ is the ultimate revenge novel. So put your homework aside, stash those flashcards, and zip up that knapsack; tonight Martyn Bedford is taking you back to school for a reunion you'll never forget