He's got you bang to rights there rich, both
@you and me could swore you didn't like it.
What I like about him (Lane) from the little I've read (just 'from blue to black' and a couple of short stories) is the attention to detail. So not exactly realism (but this is also why that particular novel worked pretty well, cos the realism means the shock when it comes is quite powerful) but certainly privelg8ng mood over story structure.
And this is also what I really like about aickman, he puts you in the room very well. I've read a couple more short stories now ("Your tiny hand is frozen" and "Ringing the changes"). Both very good, although the second was a bit more "tight". Just very good ways of describing things and people, so you get a good sense eg from 1st one
"Things mechanical are like the ladies,' continued Toby. 'You need to understand their ways. If you understand them, they'll do what
you want from the start. If you don't, they've got you. And then God help you.'
As a way of describing a guy annoying the main character.
In the 2nd one
At the door from which Mrs Pascoe had emerged appeared a man from the inner room. Though still youngish, he was puce and puffy, and in his braces, with no collar. Streaks of sandy hair laced his vast red scalp.
Liquor oozed all over him, as if from a perished gourd. Gerald took it that this was Don. The man was too drunk toa rticulate. He stood in the doorway clinging with each red hand to the ledge, and savagely struggling to flay his wife with imprecations.
And
Won't you join us?' said Gerald boldly. There was that in the Commandant's face which boded no hurt. 'Can I get you a drink?'
The Commandant did not turn his head, and seemed unable to speak. Then in a low voice he said, 'For a moment only.'
Just this ability to use pauses well, allowing you to get a good sense of people.
It's this picture of pre 60s England, the upper crust on their downers, its all a bit grim and shit, bad postwar vibes.
I wonder if Lane will become a lot more popular once we get more distance from him and we have a new era of politics/society. Its too close, to me he sounds positively quaint and nice at times. But yes, somewhat terminally depressed people...