Title: Grey Noise
Author: Marcus Hawke
Release date: June 20, 2023
I’d hoped to get started on this one come release day, but alas my other read kept me there, so it wasn’t until last night, the day after release day, that I was able to get to Marcus Hawke’s latest release and rip through it.
At 94 print pages in length, I knew this would be about an hour long read for me, so, I jumped in head first, completely unaware of what the synopsis even was about. Sometimes, you just gotta do that, and in this case when it’s a fellow Canuck, who happens to live in the same province as you (only three hours south) and someone you consider a good buddy, you just take that leap!
What I liked: Firstly, before I even start talking about the story within, I have to mention the stellar formatting job of this one. I read this on my Kindle, so I can only assume in print it is even more phenomenal, but the usage of ‘commercials’ and different textual formatting was spot on and definitely makes this a book your eyes will feast on!
As for the story itself, this is a nostalgia laden, topical novella that follows Evan Grey on opening day for his new business, REWIND VIDEO. Evan’s is out to prove himself, to himself and the world, with this store. A throw back to the good old video store days. He’s worked tirelessly and meticulously to get every detail just right, the only thing missing is a tube TV that he can attach a VCR to and have VHS tapes playing when the store is open. And luck is on his side, as on the morning of the store opening, he happens to find one on the side of the road for free.
It’s from here where Hawke throws us back to the simpler days of ‘possession’ type horror stories. In this case, its the static of the TV, a TV that seemingly controls itself and is sending messages to Evan.
It works on a number of levels – the messaging of this novella. First, it can simply just be a possessed old TV that is driving the character nuts. Second, you can take it as a metaphor surrounding today’s ‘digital age,’ where we’re never not bombarded with videos, music etc. etc. Or thirdly/lastly, you can see it as a story about a man, pushed to the brink with desire to succeed who simply snaps and lashes out, in this case at someone who didn’t believe in him.
No matter where you go as a reader – and you may end up going elsewhere than what I read into it – this one sinks its hooks into you and doesn’t let go.
The ending (which will either work for you or not – for me it did) is a fitting conclusion based on the cyclical nature of the VHS metaphor that Hawke employs throughout.
What I didn’t like: Like I mentioned, the ending will either work for you or not. It fits the narrative well, but you may find yourself saying ‘reeaaalllly?’
As well, while I understood the stress of opening day for Evan, I was a bit surprised that all of this novella takes place over the course of the one day. Maybe the guy should’ve realized he wasn’t cut out for retail if he couldn’t last a single day! Ha!
Why you should buy this: A really fun, fast-paced and engaging novella, ‘Grey Noise’ ripped along and I couldn’t put it down. It was a perfect blast of remembering sights and smells from the old days of going and renting a tape, only on my Kindle in a bite-sized block of claustrophobia and anxiety.
Hawke’s a really great writer, his style lends itself to you wanting to read it and when mixed with something he’s passionate about, makes for a fantastic read.
5/5