Bloody Flies [Kindle Edition]

Bloody Flies is Andrew J Keir's first novel. Intriguing and innovative, it reveals the disturbing and complicated world of Leo and Diana Hunter via a series of compelling short stories, which work equally as well on their own and as part of the whole.

After the death of Leo's father, the Hunters make the reluctant decision to leave Warrington and return to their expatriate life in Abu Dhabi. But it is not all 'gin and tonics' by the pool. Against an exotic backdrop of camel races, silk jockey shirts, desert treks and luxury hotels, family tragedy strikes. The Hunters' lives spin out of control, uncovering the darker side of the story - child slavery, police corruption, sexual harassment, labour camps, infidelity and death.

I love this book. Andrew J Keir is a master of character and atmosphere. His characters are credible in the best possible way - because they are ordinary and face the same dilemmas as the rest of us - even though they don't always behave as expected. His pithy descriptions create a sensory 'fly on the wall' experience. I was there with Leo and Diana in the searing heat of Abu Dhabi. The book is deliberately not overtly political and Andrew J Keir's direct and unassuming writing style leaves readers to make up their own minds about the book's key themes.

Andrew J Keir could not publish this book in Abu Dhabi because of its sensitive content. For that reason and because this is a great read, it is worth getting to know this brave writer.

I really enjoyed getting lost in the feelings of this book the sounds, smells and scenes all became alive. I like the way although the bits are seperate they all fit together. A satisfying and interesting book. I would say that I definitely want the next one to be much longer though.

Really enjoyed this was an incite to a world I knew nothing about was worried I wouldn't understand it but you don't need to have ever been to the middle east to enjoy this book, and by the time you've finished you feel like you have! Brilliant!

I was first attracted to this book by the fact that it's set in the Middle East and written by an expat, an experience I have shared, and I was interested to see how the expat experience would translate into fiction.
Keir has done a remarkably good job. The writing is as lean and spare as a desert landscape and packs a mighty punch. In many ways Bloody Flies reminds me of Hilary Mantel's Eight Months on Ghazzah Street. There is the same sense of clashing cultures, the same subtle dis-ease. The setting and action are encapsulated in a series of cameo-like incidents and interactions, spread over a period of ten years, allowing us to observe the erosive effect which this kind of alienation can have on people and relationships.
The section on camel racing and child jockeys, a pivotal event in the novel, is particularly powerful. Although I've lived in the Middle East, I had never heard of this kind of child abuse. Keir must have done some serious research to be able to present it so vividly so it is no surprise that the book has now been banned in the UAE.

I can do no more than refer you to the other three reviews, which you may have read to get to mine. This is an interesting insight into another culture and way of life - one that Andy has first-hand knowledge of and outlines in some detail as a backdrop to the drama of his storylines. Each (short, pithy) chapter takes you into a parallel world which seems alien to our western ways. Be prepared to see the tales from a different perspective, though, as not all chapters are by the same 'author'!

As stated above, this book has been banned in the UAE. When this happened to Frankie Goes To Hollywood, their record went straight to number one! I guess it's unlikely that under-the-counter sales of the book are doing a roaring trade in Abu Dhabi, but at least we in the West can see what all the fuss is about.

As for the title, of course there are 'bloody flies' over there, but they're not a problem in this book until page 77. By then there's been plenty of drama unfolding.

If you haven't got yourself a Kindle yet this is a pocket-size nugget for holiday or bedtime reading.

It may even encourage you to visit the UAE.

Just don't take the book with you!