Matt McAvoy Book Review

An interesting collection of what the author unambiguously titles “true stories” and “real-life events”, and I think that whether you are a believer or a sceptic is beside the point; Victor writes with a raw authenticity which suggests he is 100% sincere in his anecdotal musings.  I personally like the format he has chosen and the style in which he writes very much – he clearly has a great deal to say about the events which have either haunted or thrilled him throughout his life.  For whatever reason, the author claims to have been selected for study among our species, and he imparts the defining moments – some blatant, some a little more nuanced in nature – which combine to suggest a very privileged (or unfortunate, depending on which way you see it) whole.  Each story is simply an understated, even melancholy layer to the underlying narrative; it is a most enjoyable book, I must say, and Victor is a decent quality writer, pleasant to read.  This is one which deserves your attention.

I’m not entirely sure if those fellows of Victor looking for supporting evidence of otherworldly contact will glean a great deal from this, beyond its entertainment factor, and he doesn’t go into tremendous depth about his reported encounters, beyond feelings and suggestion.  Those looking for a memoir of a man now well into his years, which is slightly different to others they may have read previously, might gain more noticeably, however.  The author has many wonderful qualities, including of course the high standard of his writing, elocution and articulation, but what stood out for me was the book’s pacing; it is patient and calm, optimizing the low simmer throughout, and only crossing over into its true business in fleeting yet steadily composed indulgence.  There is also just the right number of stories in just the right order.  His abductors aren’t the only menace in this book; Victor writes about the contrast between the threats on land and those on the ocean, and about the changes of his life accommodating the perpetually mysterious background presence.  Cool, easy reading, yet gripping with it.  I hope to read more from Victor.