[nihilsum]

I don't have much time for reading these days - but I did manage to read a story from Oliver's newest collection Holidays from Hell, a story called "The Book and the Ring". Browsing the table of contents, that title sounded sufficiently symbolic and enigmatic to spark my imagination.

The tale itself is just to my tastes - a Faustian/Shakespearean period piece of ghosts, witchcraft and devilry. Impressive was Oliver's use of prose mimicking the diary of a 16th century composer - it feels authentic, reads beautifully, and is at times wickedly hilarious. This is one of my favorite stories by Oliver that I've read so far.

Also, it appears to set the stage perhaps for Reggie Oliver's upcoming novel "The Boke of the Divill". Great stuff!