Gasping
NEW COLLEGE student Richard Mason's book has finally been published by Penguin this week writes the news staff.
The book attracted attention for the huge advance, precocious talent and Hugh Grant-esque looks associated with its author, but has received mixed reactions from critics, who have described his prose as cliched and his characters unsympathetic.
Critic Michael Arditti wrote that, "it is impossible not to review the advance along with the novel. So, is it worth it? The short answer has to be no. But that's not to say that it's worthless... Mason already displays narrative drive, verbal skill and technical mastery. What he must now develop is and individual voice and far great emotional and intellectual depth."