Roth-Steyr
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"You never know which ideas will stick in your mind, let alone where they'll go. Roth-Steyr began with an interest in the odd designs and names of early automatic pistols, and the decision to use one of them as a story title. What started out as an oddball short piece became a much longer and darker tale about how easily a familiar world can fall apart, how old convictions vanish or change, and why no one should want to live forever.
It's also about my obsession with history, in particular the chaotic upheavals that plagued the first half of the twentieth century and that are waking up again. Another 'long dark night of the European soul' feels very close today.
So here's the story of Valerie Varden. And her Roth-Steyr."
Simon Bestwick
Simon Bestwick is the author of several novels, the novellas Breakwater and Angels of the Silences, and full-length short story collections. His short fiction has appeared in Black Static,The Devil and the Deep,and The London Reader and has been reprinted in TheBest Horror of the Year and Best British Fantasy. Four times shortlisted for the British Fantasy Award, he is married to fellow author Cate Gardner. His latest book is the collection And Cannot Come Again. He’s usually to be found watching films, reading, or writing, which keeps him out of mischief. Most of the time. Bestwick lives on the Wirral while pining for Wales.
More by Simon Bestwick
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