Explore the latest books of this year!
Bookbot

Michael Fortescue

    Inside Outside Upside Downside
    The Lexicographers
    The Language of Dragonflies
    Necker Cubes and Lost Marbles
    Circulating
    From the Writings of the Greenlanders: Kalaallit Atuakklaannit
    • 2023

      Perspectives and metamorphoses

      • 184 pages
      • 7 hours of reading

      Exploring unconventional perspectives, the first part of the book presents miniatures that challenge perception through various lenses, from frame-by-frame views to macroscopic and microscopic observations. The second part shifts focus to the metamorphoses of language, emphasizing the evolution of words through associative meanings rather than physical transformations. Together, these sections weave a tapestry of interconnected ideas and images, offering a playful and thought-provoking experience.

      Perspectives and metamorphoses
    • 2021

      The Way In

      • 152 pages
      • 6 hours of reading

      Set against a backdrop of a deteriorating planet due to climate change and societal collapse, humanity grapples with an urgent choice for survival. As interplanetary migration appears increasingly unfeasible, Professor Thorvald's pioneering work in Controlled Lucid Dreaming offers a tantalizing glimpse into direct communication with an alien civilization through quantum cognition. This exploration raises profound questions about the unknowns that await beyond human understanding and the potential paths for saving civilization.

      The Way In
    • 2020

      Circulating

      Variations on a pandemic

      • 180 pages
      • 7 hours of reading

      Exploring the peculiar outcomes of the coronavirus pandemic in the UK, this collection features a variety of short tales that range from the absurd to the humorous. Each story presents unique characters facing bizarre situations, often with an ironic twist. The narratives provide both entertainment and reflection during challenging times, showcasing the diverse human experiences shaped by the pandemic.

      Circulating
    • 2020

      The Acquisition of Language

      • 260 pages
      • 10 hours of reading

      Exploring the intriguing relationship between language and various concepts, this collection of tales raises thought-provoking questions about communication, knowledge transfer, and memory. It delves into imaginative scenarios, such as the assignment of language at birth and the possibility of communicating with alien entities. Each story invites readers to ponder the complexities of language without providing definitive answers, encouraging a deeper reflection on the nature of communication and understanding.

      The Acquisition of Language
    • 2019

      The Lexicographers

      • 132 pages
      • 5 hours of reading

      Set against a backdrop of a prestigious publishing house, the narrative revolves around the chaos caused by words escaping from a flagship project. Lexicographers, treated poorly and rebelling with word games, face harsh oversight. As management struggles to regain control, emissaries attempt to negotiate with the rebellious words, which have their own demands. The story highlights the conflict between editorial integrity and corporate interests, culminating in an unexpected resolution facilitated by a compassionate female character who advocates for the lexicographers.

      The Lexicographers
    • 2018
    • 2017

      Necker Cubes and Lost Marbles

      • 182 pages
      • 7 hours of reading

      The first part of this volume features prose poems that creatively juxtapose contrasting images, leading to surprising interpretations and an engaging either/or choice. In contrast, the second part embraces a more playful approach, focusing on free association and word play, resulting in a lighthearted exploration of language. Together, these elements create a dynamic reading experience that challenges perceptions and delights in linguistic creativity.

      Necker Cubes and Lost Marbles
    • 2017

      Christina's book

      • 170 pages
      • 6 hours of reading

      An IT consultant at the Brain Imaging Institute uncovers encrypted book titles while upgrading their computer system, sparking his curiosity after the institute's director is dismissed for financial misconduct and disappears. As James investigates the mysterious title "Christina's Book," he encounters dead ends, including a blank catalogue entry. His quest for answers intensifies when a solar storm disrupts a covert experiment linked to his nanotechnological research, propelling him into a web of intrigue surrounding the director's secretive activities.

      Christina's book
    • 2016

      The Language of Dragonflies

      • 170 pages
      • 6 hours of reading

      Set in the fictional village of Slatefield, the story explores the clash between science and imagination through the rivalry of two brothers—an Oxford archaeologist and a popular writer. The discovery of a stone with ancient script ignites differing interpretations, leading to tensions over its authenticity and implications of a prehistoric civilization. Alongside a land dispute and villagers' debates on reopening slate mines, a bumbling vicar adds humor with his unconventional wisdom, culminating in a surprising resolution to their conflicts.

      The Language of Dragonflies
    • 2014

      Inside Outside Upside Downside

      • 212 pages
      • 8 hours of reading

      The narrative follows a grumpy old hypochondriac who discovers pieces of a puzzle that unlock a dreamlike realm filled with memories. As he navigates this world, he confronts a secret tied to a walled town depicted in the puzzle. The story unfolds as a tragi-comic exploration of his aimless existence, revealing encounters with ambiguous characters and a glimpse of a lost love. The book itself serves as a puzzle, with the narrator's journey leading to a deeper understanding of his life and past.

      Inside Outside Upside Downside