Book Jacket

 

rank 4014
word count 128217
date submitted 01.09.2009
date updated 03.09.2010
genres: Fiction, Literary Fiction, Young Ad...
classification: moderate
complete

Beyond The Gaze

David Francis

An irreverent small cyclops falls in love, stumbles on a postmodern argonautica and discovers his true identity, before making a dramatic homecoming.

 

A small cyclops called Noughtaless lives on Sicily, an outcast without family, friends or memory of who he is. He falls in love with Galatea, a sea nymph. She finds his irreverent humour irresistibly entertaining, though he infuriates as much as he intrigues, and she mocks his aspirations by joking she'll be his - if he brings her the underpants of Eurydice.
The cyclops Polifemeo asks him for his help in an affair of the heart. When the ogre reveals the identity of the girl in question, things get out of hand and Noughtaless decides the time has come for a change of location. Soon hopelessly lost, he only just survives a series of encounters with legendary characters and hazards, ineptly sending up the exploits of Hercules and Jason and the Argonauts in the process. Eventually he descends into the Underworld, where he discovers his real identity... and rescues Eurydice. He goes astray again, but help is finally at hand.
The scene is set for a dramatic homecoming, in which he must find the courage to confront Polifemeo and take responsibility for his own destiny... and the lives of others.

 
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tags

, adventure, classical greece, comedy, cyclops, fiction, greek myth, irony, literary fiction, parody, postmodern, shapeshifting

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196 comments

 

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Jack Hughes wrote 481 days ago

A cleverly written and intelligent story, based on classical mythology. Your characters are very well thought out and have great depth. Beautifully descriptive and very original, an outstanding piece of neo-classical storytelling.

Backed with pleasure, best of luck David.

Jack Hughes
Dawn of Shadows

Marsi wrote 482 days ago

What convinced me is your writing style and deadpan treatment. I haven't had time to get down to the underworld yet but shall come back and do so. Backed with pleasure. All the best M

Alexander85 wrote 499 days ago

hey David,

wow sounds like a classic already. good effort and thank you for the backing.

Alexander Allen- 'The Middle of Nowhere'

Lynne Ellison wrote 501 days ago

A very entertaining and comical read, especially for someone ( like me) interested in the ancient world.

Lynne Ellison

The Green Bronze Mirror

Almost_Lady_Onogoro wrote 503 days ago

Small is beautiful :) I love the small irreverent cyclops - my kind of man :)

If only there were more men like him in the world, this world would be so sweet

E. Yazykova wrote 511 days ago

Hehehe I like this, a very unlikely main character and I like how your writing is lightly humorous and witty without forced jokes that seem to plague other light-hearted books. In light of this, I think that first part with the introduction should be taken out, simply because it's a bit cliche and you tend to put some over-used things like "there's more to me than meets the eye" - let the readers discover that for themselves. Backed.

E. (Silver Flows East)

Ann Mynard wrote 511 days ago

David,
Delightfully different read and extraordinary writing; when Greek cyclops meet sea nymphs, mayhem is bound to happen and that makes for an intriguing story. All the best with this.
Backed,
Ann Mynard (Windshadow)

Pen Power wrote 515 days ago

Loved your chatty, witty style in the opening chapter. We willing follow Noughtaless on his journey as you make us want to read on and find out what he is going to get up to. Light hearted fantasy meets the mythical world and you make it work superbly.
Well done
Alice

S.C. Thompson wrote 519 days ago

Quite inventive and endearing. Put this at the top of the heap of take-offs on Greek mythology and Homeric epics.
One small nit: I'm not hip to the ocular peculiarities of the Cyclopsian physiology, but in humans, having but one eye precludes stereoscopic vision. If that holds true for the Cyclopian orb, then the island Naughtaless sets sail for would get larger and larger, not closer and closer; and Mt. Etna would slowly get smaller and smaller, not further and further away. This lack of depth perception would provide many opportunities to make Naughtaless a real Cyclops, not just a creature of fantasy . . . but that's just me, being a short-sighted ( not surprisingly, also physically myopic) and quick-to-offer-useless-and-ill-conceived-suggestions natterbob . . . write on!
sc

Elijah Enyereibe Iwuji wrote 520 days ago

Hi David,

A great mix of ideas, well crafted and written. I love the adventure and your little cyclops. I do enjoyed it to chapter two, and it sounds interesting, engaging and charming read. Use of words and concept is excellent, a masterscript. Goodluck with it.

Book, Line and Sinker wrote 520 days ago

Hi David! My first read and also my first comment on here. I've lots to look at so I've just tasted your first 2 chapters. I am in absolutely no way qualified to critique but I loved the clever play on words with the 'eye', which you echo nicely but I didn't feel that all the conversation was natural. Felt good to be in an imaginary place though - believable.
I noticed you've backed me, so thanks for that.
Rachel Harding

Cariad wrote 521 days ago

Oh, and your pitch is superb. 'An irreverant small cyclops falls in love....' How could I resist! And I've always loved the Greek myths, too.

Cariad wrote 521 days ago

'Willfully refusing to draw into the distance' - lol. Naughty old Etna. I LOVE the voice of this cyclops - and they don't get enough attention paid to them. I have a strong visual of what he describes and I care about him already, which some writer's don't manage over several chapters. I think this one is a keeper so I've watchlisted you while I read further.
Polly
STONES.

Eunice Attwood wrote 522 days ago

A great sense of the ridiculous - just my cup of tea. Fantasy mixed with mythical creatures (or were they). WHY NOT? It works for me. An updated version of the great classical stories of our history - in fact I think I prefer your version. I rather fancy your book and think it should stay on my shelf for a very long time - though I might have to move it back to my WL occasionally to give others a stint. Love it, Love it, LOVE IT! Backed for sure. Eunice - The Temple Dancer.

name falied moderation wrote 522 days ago

Dear David

It is so good to see that your book was well received. I have already commented and backed your book, and as at times the backing have not shown, i will back your again, just to MAKE SURE.
I do wish you the very best with your writing

Denise
The Letter

SusieGulick wrote 523 days ago

Dear David, I love all of the adventures & quest of cylops & his falling in love. :) What a wonderful story. :) "Naughtaless is a pretty cool name, too. :) Your pitch beckoned me to read more & your tight dialogue & paragraphs made for an easy enjoyable read. :) Hope you'll write a lot of books. :) I've backed your book :) - hope you'll take a moment to back mine. :) Thanks so much. :) Love, Susie :)

Elizabeth Wolfe wrote 525 days ago

Dear David,
I like your little cyclops. I've read the first chapter and find your writing humorous and witty. I like the way you're deconstructing and reconstructing some of the Greek gods and creatures of legend. Some great phrases, too, like "hanging on to my self control by my ragged fingertips" and "did I mention certain other recent events?" Very humorous!

BACKED
Elizabeth Wolfe (MEMORIES OF GLORY)

GK Stritch wrote 526 days ago

Dear David Francis

Beyond the Gaze is priceless -- the pitches brilliant. Excellent.

Best and backed.

GK Stritch
CBGB Was My High School

philip john wrote 526 days ago

What a super mix of ideas! I have enjoyed every word of what I have read (so far) and reckon that a book like this ought to succeed even if not too many people are into Greek mythology these days. Perhaps Matt Groening could be persuaded to do a few more stories on the subject!

Philip John

marywood18 wrote 528 days ago

Thank you for your support of, An Unbreakable Bond, I am recovering from my, brush with death and in a goood place, still not physically strong, so this is a return backing in appreciation of your support for me. If you would like me to I will read and comment properly in a few weeks time, but you will need to message me to remind me of this. love Mary

Suzalex wrote 529 days ago

Nice job here. I love the storyline and opening. The only thing I would suggest if to trim the fat:
little by little could simply read: slowly
Etcetra . . . etcetra: unecessary, just a big red ribbon on the narrators voice saying "Look at me, look at me!"
Small details like that.
I will get back to reading it and if you find this kind of critique helpful, I can leave further comments.
Backed.
Suz

zan wrote 530 days ago

Beyond The Gaze

David Francis

Your short pitch is wonderful - An irreverent small cyclops falls in love, stumbles on a postmodern argonautica and discovers his true identity, before making a dramatic homecoming.
I think your avatar image would make a more appropriate cover for this book because of your MC's description as a cyclops - quite striking really, that image. Affairs of the heart, taking responsibility for one's destiny, as well as the lives of others - I like your themes. Your 1218 setting in chapter one was engaging and the narrative voice confident.
Nautical inexperience might indeed place one in danger! I don't mind a sea stretching before me without limits, for years actually! Rather envied your MC here, although I could identify with his desire for terra firma. Yes, there was a bit more to navigating the open seas . . . I think this is quite entertaining, happy to back you and hope to read more when I can.
Unusual storyline, unusual characters and your writing is superb. All the best with it.

Huseyin Angay wrote 531 days ago

I like the idea of a cyclops that has more about him than meets the eye.
Interweaving of the past and the present helps deliver the story in nice chunks, which keeps some tension going. It also offers a more balanced view of the arrogant nereids than we would have got solely from the smitten, small cyclops. On the other hand, I do like unreliable witnesses without dissenting voices from the wings -- in fiction, anyway.

'Let's just say'
Is this meant to be a mannerism or just a slip of the keyboard? I've seen it repeated a few times.

One for the Myth Series. But I think you need a Booker or two under your belt before they'll take you on. Shame. Would have fitted right in.


Best regards.
Huseyin
All Things Noble

D. L. Stroupe wrote 531 days ago

David, I have to say I enjoy your writing, and more so than a lot of other books here on authonomy. It's a relaxed and easy read, by which I mean the images come easily and I don't have to work at understanding what you're saying. I hope you stick with this to the desk, even if you aren't seeking representation.

cat5149 wrote 531 days ago

This is very well written and I enjoyed reading it. Shelved, with pleasure.

Carol

andrew skaife wrote 531 days ago

I think this is fantastic. You show imagination and drive in every word. Great language and this would be an incredible hit with the YA audience.

BACKED

name falied moderation wrote 532 days ago

Dear David

I would like to commend you on the skill you have and the imagination and the talent in writing this work of art
of yours. I wish I had half of your talent. Where does one get such original work like this, such a gift. I feel sure you
feel like me that it is your baby and you so want to see it succeed. I do wish you all the best in rising and also
getting this book of your published. ( I wish I had half the talent some of you have on this site)

BACKED BY ME FOR SURE.
Please take a moment to look, COMMENT which is important to me, and BACK my book. if not that is OK
also

The VERY best of luck to you

Denise
The Letter

cat5149 wrote 532 days ago

Great story and great writing. Shelved, with pleasure.

Carol

CarolinaAl wrote 533 days ago

Hilarious. A quirky romp filled with surprises. Fascinating, other worldly characters with real emotions. Excellent dialogue and narrative. Intriguing storyline. Laugh out loud wit. Lucid writing. Backed.

Owen Quinn wrote 535 days ago

gre\t fun, an enjoyable read hat is crying out for cgi treatment, pythonesque in nature

Joanna Carter wrote 536 days ago

I've paused at the end of Ch 3 because I have to back this immediately! What a treat to discover something so different, and so well written.
Joanna
Fossil Farm

B. Worm wrote 537 days ago

Loved it, from ‘feck’ to ‘froideur’. (Poor old Polyphemus, always seems to get a raw deal.)

Andy M. Potter wrote 539 days ago

David, fine writing. kudos! great sly humour, strong pace, clean prose.
on my shelf.
read your first 3 chapters. not a picky quibble, micro or macro.
very best wishes, andy

This is awesome and concept is fresh. I love it.
All the best.
Backed,
S. vinay kumar,
the ark and the aroma of peril

memphisgirl wrote 540 days ago

I might use this to teach the concept of voice, that elusive "absent presence" beneath the narrative. I very much enjoyed your first chapters.

Memphisgirl
Ashes By Now

Eric Laing wrote 540 days ago

A wonderful opening chapter. Your little cyclops has an engaging and charming voice. I was pulled in immediately. I hope he makes landfall in a cyclops friendly locale. :) Is there such a place? I guess we'll find out.

Typo: willfully -- in the sentence about the light grey smoke-- is missing an L.

All the best with this!

Eric

nsllee wrote 553 days ago

Hi David

This is a great idea. I love the classical world setting combined with the contemporary voice and would happily read further. Backed.

Nicole
Chosen

Despinas1 wrote 568 days ago

Brilliant story. Great writing. A very deserved backing
Helen
The Last Dream

Cariad wrote 579 days ago

'There's more to me than meets the eye' - great. I love this. It's quirky, different, easy to read. I am shelving it to enjoy, and I will back you for certain.

eloraine wrote 593 days ago

Imaginative, different and wondrful. I wish you the best of luck with it. E.Loraine Royal Blood Chronicles book one

Ferret wrote 604 days ago

Funny and original. I like the escape from the sirens due to nasty head cold...Backed.

stoatsnest wrote 609 days ago

This is delightful-well written inventive humorous and a pleasure to read. backed.

mclevin wrote 610 days ago

I am a member of The Red Arrow Brigade -- a one-man army that fights for books on Authonomy that are moving backwards in rankings due to the cluelessness of most readers.

Unfortunately for you, Beyond the Gaze is too clever and inventive for the masses; in other words, it's a great book. Anybody who knows how to read and who loves literary humor will love Noughtaless (nice) and follow him on his adventures, rooting for him all the way.

I am backing this book. If not, the literary terrorists win.

Best,

G
Notes on an Orange Burial (a tragicomedy)

karien wrote 610 days ago

What an adorable cyclops! I hope Galathea comes to her senses and gives him the love he deserves.
The first time I saw Homer's wine red sea was at nightfall from a little fishingboat in Crete.
The water turned wine red in front of our eyes as the last light left the sky.
Karien

Lara wrote 624 days ago

Great stuff and much enjoyed, already backed. A bit naughty, and why not? I'm all for irreverance.
Well done
Rosalind
Good For Him

Zero-serenity wrote 626 days ago

haha, you have skills to write this. It kept me smiling in amusement pretty much the whole time. You've a nice little world here, thanks to your descriptive words, and I didn't see any grammar/punctuation mistakes to distract me from it. So good job =]
backed
~Zero, No Title Needed

Antonius wrote 626 days ago

Funny, Lovely, bitchily, a voice of reason and satire akin to the great Creation, you might like that, very much in a similar vein, but yours is angry funnier, and bitchier. delightful.
Tony

Andrew Burans wrote 626 days ago

Your highly descriptive writing style coupled with whit and a touch of humour ensures that your finely crafted story will be a hit with the YA audience. Your work is well paced and well written.. Your use of imagery is excellent and your character development is solid. Backed with pleasure.

Cheers,
Andrew Burans
The Reluctant Warrior: The Beginning

Roger Thurling wrote 627 days ago

David
Wine-dark sea ... huh! So that's where Homer stole the phrase from, since he definitely followed Noughtaless in 1218BC
Are you a Professor of Classics?
"Nice breasts. World peace." ... what a line!
Well ... with a week to spare, and accompanied by Smith's Classical Dictionary, I could laugh my socks off at this. A Christmas present for every one of my classicist friends
The Odyssey: " ... a great story and the greatest ending in literature." I like the bit about his dog best.
Great fun - I enjoyed this very much. Not 'Literary Fiction', but 'Fiction about Literature'.
Roger Thurling

eloraine wrote 631 days ago

Perfect for your target audience, backed with pleasure. E.Loraine Royal Blood Chronicles book one