Goldilocks Returns
by Stephen Murphy
In a mind-bending twist of fate, Goldilocks is back!
Only this time, she’s not snooping around a quaint English cottage. Instead, she stumbles upon the Bears’ humble abode in the heart of India, where, believe it or not, things have gone from porridge-perfect to delightfully dysfunctional.
Picture this: Papa Bear, the exasperated patriarch, trying to instil a semblance of order in a house where Baby Bear, now a rebellious young adult, smokes a pipe filled with gange and throws bricks around just for kicks. Mama Bear, on the other hand, is on the verge of a nervous breakdown, thanks to the sugar being spilled everywhere but her chai. And did I mention the salmon? Oh yes, a wise-cracking salmon has somehow flopped his way into the kitchen sink, philosophising between sassy quips. If that’s not enough, a gang of ferrets storms the place, plotting an absurd coup, while a toad sits in a corner, croaking mournfully about its lost turnip friend.
This is not your childhood fairy tale. With its Monty Python-esque humour, sharp wit, and absurdity that somehow feels relatable, Goldilocks Returns doesn’t just bring fairy tales into adulthood—it catapults them into a whirlwind of chaos, existential musings, and downright hilarity. Each character, from the bears to ferrets, from a salmon to a toad and Goldilocks herself, engages in deep (and often ridiculous) conversations that could easily spawn a new philosophical school of thought—let’s call it perspectivological.
And let’s not forget the book itself—a stunning piece of art with its blue and gold-leaf cover, graced by artwork of none other than Rita Ann Duffy. Holding it feels like cradling a tiny masterpiece, but once you crack it open, you’re in for a wild, reflective ride that’ll make you laugh, scratch your head, and maybe, just maybe, reconsider the way you see the world.
In short, Goldilocks Returns is a riot of satire, absurdity, and sharp insight—an utterly bonkers yet brilliant reimagining of a story we thought we knew.
The Sea Hound
by Stephen Murphy
Stephen Murphy has often been called the people’s poet. His work is scathing, controversial, warm and full of insight into the world of today. He tackles the things which matter to us as individuals and as a collective, and draws his inspiration from the wildness of the land that shaped him.