Michael F Simpson

In which I start a new series of essays, and explore the idea of genre, and what it means to me.

In which I return to the theme of perspective characters, and discuss the ways Martha Wells's 'Murderbot' might have given me what I wanted.

In which I discuss James Herbert's 'The Rats,' and the ways it reinvents a popular subgenre of horror.

In which I discuss Charles Dickens's 'A Christmas Carol,' and explore the many staples of the season, and the genre, it came to define.

In which I discuss the nature of fables, and why I want to see more of them, exploring two of my favourite examples along the way.

In which I discuss HG Wells's 'The Invisible Man,' and the ways in which it perfects the character study.

In which I discuss Iain Reid's 'I'm Thinking of Ending Things,' and the way it represents and deviates from the greater horror genre.

In which I celebrate Halloween by discussing the horror genre, and the many things that make it so good.

In which I return to the theme of perspective characters, and explore the value disability representation could bring to the table.

In which I discuss Philip Reeve's 'Mortal Engines,' and the qualities and ideas it uses to craft an interesting fictional setting.

In which I discuss the perspective character of Emma Donoghue's 'Room,' and what speculative fiction can learn from him.

In which I discuss Terry Pratchett's 'Reaper Man,' and compare its version of the grim reaper to other depictions of Death in fiction.

In which I discuss Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein,' and the many reasons it's such a great read.