69 Things to Do with a Dead Princess

69 Things to Do with a Dead Princess follows a suicidal man who relocates to Aberdeen, Scotland and forms a connection with Anna Noon, a university student who narrates their story. The pair engage in extensive discussions about literature and philosophy while exploring the northeast Scottish landscape. The narrative centers on their investigation of a conspiracy theory about Princess Diana's death, detailed in a book by fictional author K.L. Callan. Using a ventriloquist's dummy, they attempt to recreate Callan's claims by visiting stone circles throughout Scotland. The text includes detailed descriptions of Aberdeen's geography and architecture. This experimental novel blends multiple genres and styles, incorporating elements of conspiracy thriller, philosophical discourse, and explicit sexual content. The work draws inspiration from literary modernism and 1960s experimental fiction, particularly the writings of Ann Quin. Home's novel examines themes of truth, authenticity, and the relationship between fiction and reality through its unconventional structure and narrative approach. The text challenges traditional storytelling conventions while exploring the intersection of death, desire, and intellectual pursuit.

Readers describe this as an experimental novel that combines philosophical discussions, explicit sex scenes, and literary criticism. The unconventional structure follows a man and woman visiting gravesites while carrying a ventriloquist's dummy. Readers appreciated: - The blend of high culture and transgressive content - References to philosophers and theorists - The surreal, dreamlike quality - The commentary on death and sexuality Common criticisms: - Repetitive sexual content that overwhelms the plot - Dense philosophical passages that interrupt the narrative flow - Lack of coherent story or character development Ratings: Goodreads: 3.4/5 (92 ratings) Amazon UK: 3.2/5 (6 reviews) One reader called it "a fascinating experiment in mixing philosophy and pornography" while another dismissed it as "pretentious shock value masquerading as literature." Multiple reviews noted the book requires patience and tolerance for graphic content.

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🔸 Stewart Home was born Nicholas Toczek but changed his name - he's known for provocative works that challenge literary conventions and often incorporate elements of cultural criticism. 🔸 The stone circles of Aberdeenshire featured in the book form one of the densest concentrations of Neolithic monuments in Europe, with over 90 stone circles in the region. 🔸 The book's title plays with the format of craft and activity books (like "101 Things to Do With...") while subverting expectations through its dark subject matter. 🔸 Aberdeen, where the novel is set, is nicknamed the "Granite City" due to its distinctive architecture built from local gray granite that sparkles with mica. 🔸 The book incorporates real conspiracy theories about Princess Diana's death while simultaneously deconstructing the nature of conspiracy theories themselves.