Off Centre by Damon Knight (book review).
It looks like I’m breaking my own rule of reading successive books by the same author. Unlike the previous Damon Knight books, this is in fact an anthology of eight of his short stories. This is a second printing of the Gollancz edition in 1969. The stories go back to the mid-1950s to the late-1960s, although not in chronological order, so you can’t see how the author developed. Like all anthologies, you’re not likely to enjoy everyone, and I only found three of quality.
The first story, ‘What Rough Beast’ (1958), depicts Michael Kronski’s life as a menial worker in a restaurant, where he saves the life of a co-worker who sustains a deep cut on his thumb while chopping tomatoes, thereby preventing his death. On the opening page, I noticed some missing words, but since it’s written in the first person and Kronski admits that English isn’t his first language, it all makes sense. He also has the ability to heal people of most medical problems except microbe-based illnesses because there are too many bugs. The story gets more complex as it builds up, and Kronski is a lot more powerful, so I got the impression Knight just wanted to up the ante as he went along.
The third story, ‘Be My Guest’ (1958), is actually novelette length and weird but at least confirms my thoughts that Knight was experimenting with story techniques. This story, ‘Be My Guest’ (1958), is a borderline fantasy in which Kip Morgan engages in combat. He is accompanied by three ghost-like beings, the nature of which, if I understand correctly, greatly depends on his dietary choices. An experimental vitamin L inspired the strange narrative.
‘Dulcie and Decorum’ (1955), the sixth story, depicts a pair of writers uncovering hidden meanings in their writing errors, as they attempt to decipher the true significance. Bet that will get some of you trying it out.
The last three stories in this book are about a writing career. These days, we know they fall under the category of write what you know when writers really need more life experience. Objectively, his story endings aren’t strong. The art of short form is to either leave on a high or let the reader draw a conclusion about where to end. Although Damon Knight has a strong writing style, it doesn’t necessarily enhance the delivery or strengthen the ideas.
GF Willmetts
August 2024
(pub: Magnum Books, 1977. 192 page paperback. Price: varies. ISBN: 0-417-02200-X)
