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Richard's second novel, Deep Hanging Out, was published by Snowbooks and launched at the Cardiff Waterstones on 28 February 2007. Click here to read publisher’s blog.
Deep Hanging Out
It is 1981 and while Britain enjoys the full impact of Thatcherism, Cosmo Flute, a brilliant and dissolute young painter, and his friend Ruben Fortuna, a street-wise Argentinian photographer, flee to the Greek island of Crete to indulge in alternating spells of painting, drinking, and some really Deep Hanging Out. Much of their leisure time is spent in neighbourhood taverna The Unspeakable, where waiter Igbar Zoff serves squid, pig’s testicles and dodgy wine to the local loafers, and sows confusion in the minds of unsuspecting customers with his improbable tales.
Events turn serious when Cosmo and Ruben accidentally witness secret US military activity on the island and are drawn into a shadowy world of espionage and counter-espionage. When Cosmo becomes involved with a young woman who carries an explosive secret, the fallout will propel Cosmo and Ruben through the death throes of the Cold War, and Crete’s bloody history of sacrifice and betrayal, to a stunning climax amid the running of the bulls in Pamplona.
From reviews of Deep Hanging Out
Captures the languid confidence of youth, privilege and artistic ambition ... Gwyn’s humour is dark and knowing.
~The London Paper
A really great story, fantastic. A fabulous ripping yarn that deserves to be read because it’s just a really great properly-told story ... fab.
~BBC Radio Two Weekender
The difficult second novel has proven no stumbling block to Richard Gwyn, as his rich, dark and beautiful novel so aptly proves ... Sinister humour and Gwyn’s understated prose poetry renders a Crete resplendent in history and mystery.
~Western Mail
An addictive cocktail of travel, history, sex and philosophy.
~Pulp
A dark Cretan mystery with lots of drugs, sex and painting. Gwyn is an author to stick with and always worth reading.
~Scott Pack
A fantastically enjoyable read; this book will have all of you out there who have experienced even a moment of Deep Hanging Out wondering when you’re next going to have the chance, and whether your lives will ever be fulfilled without the thrill of adventure that radiates throughout the book.
~Quench