The Artist’s Dream

The surrealist tradition of artist as writer includes Hans Arp, Max Ernst and Leonora Carrington: to the pantheon should now be added the name of Ian Breakwell. Painter, video-maker, diarist, Ian Breakwell has over the past twenty years written short fictions, collected here for the first time. Among the author’s loves are Goya, Kafka and Ronald Firbank; to say that his fictions combine elements of all three alerts the reader to the varied pleasure that lie ahead.

“One of the best writers alive; Ian Breakwell is also very funny indeed. A combination of the Ancient Mariner, a tattoo artist and Kim Philby. He scares me. He delights me. I wouldn’t miss one of his books, just as I wouldn’t miss one by Ted Hughes or Angela Carter.” – Adrian Mitchell

“Breakwell’s encounters make…Alexi Sayle seem just twinset and pearls provincial.” – Time Out

“Breakwell describes events literally but his truth is poetic; the revelation, the flashes of enlightenment are not in the text, but within the mind of the reader.” – City Limits

“Savage, searing…a poignant wit.” – The Guardian