The Magic of Deben Market
The Magic of Deben Market
A message from the publisher
It's rare to find a short story collection of such power as this: adjectives such as 'haunting', 'poignant', 'vivid' and 'rich' come to mind, but these are clichés which fail to capture the enigmatic and dynamic magic locked inside this book.
Bowmore weaves a complex tale of interwoven characters around the imaginary coastal town of Deben Market on Britain's east coast, but he does this with such skill that you'll immediately find yourself wanting to read these stories again and again.
In effect, the book is a kind of quasi-novel, layered, soul-stirring, utterly gripping - at times, wistful, at times comic, and at other times breathtakingly suspenseful and supremely thrilling.
Do yourself a favour: come to Deben Market. The magic may never leave you.
Goodreads Review 24/09/19
5.0 out of 5 stars Published on Goodreads.com
I've read a lot of books and then along comes David Bowmore’s "The Magic of Deben Market"—if you want to get lost in a special place, take a visit to this unseeming little coastal town and experience the magic. You’ll find that everything adds up in the end for one plus one is two. Simple as that!
I LOVED everything about The Magic of Deben Market. I finished it, sitting outside on the yard swing, the wind blowing just right, the river water crashing against the rough rocks, a steaming cup at my hand...this was amazing. The story is in me, sinking in deeper and deeper, the characters coming back to the center of my mind like actors in a play coming to take a bow on center stage. I'm still thinking of the right words to say—about how I feel after reading this, and thought, well, I'll start with— Brilliant—to me—in every sense of the word. Maybe it touched me so because it's so close to the kinds of stories I love, the Spoon River tales, my own imaginary Tinta Town. I'll be walking around for a long time absorbing this.
I LOVED everything about The Magic of Deben Market. I finished it, sitting outside on the yard swing, the wind blowing just right, the river water crashing against the rough rocks, a steaming cup at my hand...this was amazing. The story is in me, sinking in deeper and deeper, the characters coming back to the center of my mind like actors in a play coming to take a bow on center stage. I'm still thinking of the right words to say—about how I feel after reading this, and thought, well, I'll start with— Brilliant—to me—in every sense of the word. Maybe it touched me so because it's so close to the kinds of stories I love, the Spoon River tales, my own imaginary Tinta Town. I'll be walking around for a long time absorbing this.
Goodreads Review 22/09/19
5.0 out of 5 stars Published on Goodreads.com
This was a great book. Every story, although separate, helped to weave the tapestry of the fictional sea side town. Greatly enjoyable read
Goodreads Comment 24/08/19
Comment on Goodreads.com
Intriguing is the word. As we gnats fly and land from spot to spot in the small town of Deben Market, we make acquaintance with characters that have lived there their entire lives, or just arrived on a mission of their own, and some of them who crossed over from another dimension into this one. A heavy dose of surrealism puts the reader in a dreamlike state and, when the last story unfolds and another mystery is sewn into the fabric of Deben Market, one can't help but wonder for what's next for David Bowmore? A gem of a book!
Amazon Review 21/08/19
5.0 out of 5 stars Published on Amazon.com
An excellent book which captures the imagination.
A fascinating story about the magical town of Deben Market. Clever characterisation that captures the imagination. My favourite character is the old fisherman Mooney and his tales about the sea. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and how the stories unfold.
Goodreads Review 20/08/19
5.0 out of 5 stars Published on Goodreads.com
I'm not sure what I was expecting, but this wasn't it!
This is a beautifully intertwined collection of shorts about various characters who have links to the quaint (and fictional) English coastal town, Deben Market.
From the obvious favourite, Moony Moore, the gruff old fisherman whose story starts and ends the book and fills chapters in between, to one of my personal favourites, Kathy/Charlotte the Time Traveller; you are captivated from the beginning and want to delve into the lives of each of these people.
My clear favourite was Clay though; those who know me will know why.
Well done, David - a GREAT first collection
Amazon Review 08/08/19
5.0 out of 5 stars Published on Amazon.com
Enchanted by the Magic of Deben Market
This was one of the best books I've read this year. The Magic of Deben Market is a collection of short stories, and while each one can stand on its own, the collection as a whole is so much more. From beginning to end, it becomes a novel of interwoven stories, each connected by the enchanting setting of the town of Deben Market and its inhabitants. A character mentioned in passing in one story may later be the main character of his or her own story, and from there, play an even bigger part in the grander scheme of the entire book. Each story propelled me on to the next. I don't often go back and reread books, but this is one I can see myself revisiting to find even more nuances and connections as I watch the story unfold again. The twists and surprises along the way didn't disappoint. This was a satisfying read that I would highly recommend!
Amazon Review 18/07/19
5.0 out of 5 stars Published on Amazon.com
Deben Market Truly is Magical
David Bowmore has created a fictional village inhabited by characters that will reside in your mind long after the last page is turned. Like a long-awaited journey to a favorite holiday location, you don't want the visit to end. As you stroll through this charming seacoast town, you hear people tell stories of family secrets, love, hope, heartache, and glory reimagined. So pull up a chair, grab a pint, and spend some time getting to know to the wonderful world of Deben Market.
Amazon Review 18/07/19
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful and moving
This book is magical on many levels and I really enjoyed it. It is also the sort of book that lends itself to multiple readings, as you go through each story and many of the characters interact with one another. I would quite have liked a map of the town, showing significant locations, perhaps this could be included in a future edition. Overall this was an excellent book and I would recommend it to everyone.
Amazon Review 06/07/19
5.0 out of 5 stars Published on Amazon.com
Magical Read
A wonderfully crafted story of quirky and unforgettable characters who have attachments to the town of Deben Market. David Bowmore takes you on a journey to the North Sea and will not put you ashore until this tale has been told. Loved it!
Amazon Review 01/07/19
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect Holiday Escapist Read
Bought the paperback version. Wonderfully fluid tales, entwining the lives of the inhabitants of an idyllic Engligh coastal village. But deep undercurrents of mystery and intrigue make this a perfect holiday read. Spine- tingling. Could not put it down. When is the next one out ? Gabrielle
Amazon Review 28/06/19
5.0 out of 5 stars Published on Amazon.com
Couldn't put it book down!
I was intrigued by the concept of this book, as well as charmed by the interesting cover. And so I bought it, only to be immediately whisked away into the world of Deben Market, a seaside town that seemingly has seen better days but is still teeming with life, with magic, mystery, struggles, romance and all the flaws and glories of the human spirit.. plus there's ghosts! It's a selection of connected short stories with characters that come to life- and a few stay with you long after you've closed the book.
Amazon Review 27/06/19
5.0 out of 5 stars Published on Amazon.com
Fun-tastic!
What a treat this book provides! So happy to have met these characters and learn about their lives, woes and dreams, hopes and nightmares! Don’t miss!
Lulu Review 27/06/19
Let me get the facts out of the way first. I had to ask myself while reading David Bowmore's newly released The Magic of Deben Market am I reading a collection of short stories or a novel with multiple plots? The book is divided into 32 stories, or chapters, most of them taking place in or referencing Deben Market, a small fishing village. This is not a multiple genre collection, although there are a couple of the stories that are borderline paranormal. The characters in the stories, or chapters, are sometimes linked, sometimes not. The most prevalent character is Moony Moore, and his stories stick out at as being almost entirely about him and his life. Okay, now that I've stated the facts, here's what you really need to know. The magic of the Magic of Deben Market is the spellbinding way that David introduces each scene and the characters with amazing richness of language, detail and nuance. I would find it difficult to believe that David doesn't know his characters in real life, and doesn't live in Deben Market. By the end of the book I felt I had just read a non-poetic version of Edgar Lee Masters' Spoon River Anthology, where every character had come to life to share with me their story, and there are a wide range of them, from the humorous to the haunting. Deben Market isn't a place you might consider a travel destination, but if you go there, send me a postcard. I highly recommend this book.
Amazon Review 25/06/19
5.0 out of 5 stars
Well written and thoroughly enjoyable.
There is indeed magic in Deben market, the book is superb, brilliantly told tale after brilliantly told tale weave a web of intrigue. Stand alone stories mix with others that join together to paint a picture of strange happenings in the small sea side town. The characters are very relatable and well defined, anyone who's lived anywhere will find someone familiar within the pages.
