Steve Beard explores the boundaries between reality and fiction, often weaving elements of science fiction and fantasy with a keen eye for style and culture. His prose, characterized by sharp observation and originality, examines how street cultures appropriate and reshape literary elements. He is collaborating on an expansive project that further extends his exploration of genre conventions and their impact on contemporary imagination.
The final installment of a captivating two-book series showcases the imaginative storytelling of acclaimed authors Jeff Noon and Steve Beard. Readers can expect intricate world-building, compelling characters, and thought-provoking themes that challenge perceptions. This conclusion promises to tie together the narrative threads established in the earlier book, delivering a satisfying resolution that celebrates the authors' unique voices and creativity.
A navigational aid to the apocalypse.Steve Beard's Six Concepts for the End of the World mixes scientific research with experimental fiction to produce a manual for the apocalypse. The author examines six disciplines—technology, sociology, geography, psychology, theology and narratology—and for each one creates a fictional scenario that both reflects and energizes the research, all under the guiding light of the philosopher Paul Virilio's theories. This approach allows Beard to create one surprising idea after another: Hollywood viewed as a research and development lab for the end times, a first-person account of a UFO abduction, a blog on the disappearance of the Malaysian Airlines flight 370, a voice-over for an imaginary film by a doomsday cult member.Highly original in both form and content, the book surprises and delights in its scope. The approach is multidisciplinary and multidirectional, and Beard's exploration ranges over many areas and themes, always bringing distinctive insights to bear. Six Concepts for the End of the World is an expertly guided tour through the author's imagination, and toward the end of the world.
The narrative interweaves philosophy, history, and sociology, exploring the Health and Safety Laboratory's role in accident investigation. Authors Victoria Halford and Steve Beard delve into the connections between industrial safety and imitative magic, referencing dissident religious sects and William Blake's prophecies. They reinterpret the lab's safety rigs as symbols of state power, tracing political philosopher Thomas Hobbes' journey through the Peak District. The book's fragmentary style incorporates diverse testimonies, creating a rich tapestry of thought and exploration.
Set against a backdrop of dark fantasy, the story explores the twisted intersection of folklore and modernity, featuring themes of perversion and violence. It imagines Jack the Ripper as a demon summoned by John Dee to abduct Princess Diana's baby, Allegra, from a tragic accident. Years later, Allegra escapes from a children's home in East London, setting the stage for a gripping narrative filled with elements of rock 'n' roll, bad drugs, and a perilous journey into her dark heritage.
The narrative intertwines fiction and memoir, focusing on the experiences of a female Ojibwe schoolteacher in northern Michigan. She faces severe racism while navigating her professional and personal life. The story highlights her resilience and the challenges she encounters, offering a poignant exploration of identity, culture, and the impact of systemic prejudice in her community.
Focusing on a contemporary Ojibwa family, the narrative reveals how traditional beliefs empower Rachel and her children to navigate racism in rural Michigan. The author's unique blend of ethnography, theatrical script, and novelistic elements mirrors the Ojibwa storytelling tradition. This compelling account not only highlights cultural resilience but also serves as an educational resource for those in Native studies, multicultural education, and anthropology.
Logic Bomb tunnels deep into the collective unconcious of the last ten years offering a core sample of transglobal style, a collection of pieces by Steve Beard. Logic Bomb provides a mix of celebrity interviews, personality profiles, event reviews, Q&As, industry exposes, and conceptual lines of escape.