Practical Mechanics of Reverberation

Practical Mechanics of Reverberation

I am feeling very ambivalent about this book. I read all of the 12 chapters uploaded and to be honest, this may be the most hooked I have ever been by an authonomy book. The writing was so insightful that I didn't even take the time to jot down my favorite lines, because with each chapter I read I was taken aback by another incredibly clever and gorgeous sentiment, and my favorite became whatever one I had just read.

Each couple is so different, yet they share the same foundation, which is a wonderful message: love comes in different packages. And I fell in love with all of them. Irving and Jessica seem like self-destructive narcissists, but somewhere deep inside of them you can see a spark of genuine humanity and love. Esau and Eleanor pretend to hate each other but in their own way are wonderful parents and seem like one of those timeless married couples that we all pretend we never want to become. And Jacob and Daphne, well, they had me from the start in the diner.

There were times when I was reading and thought, "I'm so jealous I can't write like this." It's so unique and yet it feels incredibly universal. The voice sounds like one that I have in my head, one that anyone can immediately relate to, especially with the cynical humor. You created this seemingly dysfunctional catastrophe of a family and then slowly let us unravel their lives until we realized they were actually firmly bound to each other and incredibly in love. I really, really, love this story.

So anyways, the reason I am ambivalent about this book: chapter 12. What the fuck???

I was waiting to find out how Ramona was and then bam! people I don't know are doing things I don't understand and then it ends. You could almost do without the chapter altogether (in my opinion). I may have missed something big, but I honestly have no idea what it is intended to accomplish. This may sounds harsh, but i can't tell you how deflated I felt after chapter 12 ended and there was nothing else left for me to read. I just don't feel like you satisfactorily closed the story (I assume this is all there is because you have classified it as complete. Let me know if I am wrong!).

I almost didn't shelve this because of the last chapter issue, but I was so absolutely in love with the first 11 chapters that I couldn't not shelve it.

I truly wish you the best with this, and would be happy to re-read any re-writes or be a soundboard for any new ideas if you so choose.

Katy
-The Promenade

PRACTICAL MECHANICS
This is not your usual story – which makes it very interesting. You have a wealth of interesting characters, each one unique and willing to tell your reader just enough about themselves to be intriguing. It took me a minute to adjust to Jacob but after that, I kept reading and reading, partly because I liked him so much and partly because I wanted to find out where this story was going. Highly rated and added to my shelf. Wanttobeawriter: Who Killed the President?

What can I say but wow! This is such a unique story. It took me a while to get into your style of writing and the 'other voice' of the narrator but when I did you took me on an unforgettable journey. The characters in Jacob's apartment block are a real bunch of weirdos not to mention Daphne Esau and Eleanor! At times the narrator made me feel like I was watching a TV documentary where the person is talking to someone just out of view of the camera. You have a fantastic novel here and I hope a publisher takes a chance because it deserves to be out there. Top stars awarded.

Kim (Pain)

You had me at 'the end of your life would really seem like the end of your life'. Ever read any James Frey? You're better. Sold! Sold! Sold!

Starred and on WL for now.

Your pitch is intrguing, and I love your title (though I might add a "the".) I love the voice too - the way the narrator rather than a character is talking to Jacob. In less skillful hands this may not work too well, but you handle it really well and I like it. (And I'm fussy!) I like how you foreshadow and pique our interest with phrases like "blue yes that never dulled even on a day like this". The detail of all that had burned in the fire really brings thte sence, and Mrs Feldman - to life (a great example) of showing not telling, and I love "Mrs Feldman leads a very flammable life."
For me a voice really makes or breaks a novel and here it definitely makes it! In the queue to be backed - feel free to nudge me in a few weeks if I haven't done it yet! In the meantime, starring you highly.

There is a lot of humor is this. A bit of a sad sort of humor, that made me smile softly to myself as I read. I like the easy conversational style here. It is unlike anything I've ever read, unusual, but it works somehow and creates a voice that is completely your own. I'm impressed and intrigued.

Some lovely lines too: "Apparently Mrs. Feldman leads a very flammable life."

I loved "This conglomeration of living souls scattering like insects" but was unsure about "from the withered roots of civilization's efforts; this monument to misuse" - that seemed a bit heavy handed and melodramatic...but then this was lovely yet again "all scraps of soft paper held together by a fidtful of faith and Elmer's Glue."

Love this: "Dr. Brown who is not a doctor at all but gets really good weed."

And this: "But say something quick because Crime and Punishment is next and it's a lot heavier than The Stranger." - Ha!

This too: "Her toes are short and stubby and resemble the heads of Pez dispensers"

Gosh. It's driving me crazy. The voice. I hear it in my head and it reminds me of some movie where a narrator spoke like this...you've captured it perfectly and I just can't put my finger on what movie it is....but I've never read a book written like this...ACK!!! Driving me mad...I'll send you a message when I do remember...

Honestly? I'm blown away by this. Simply blown away. You are talented. You write with a mixture of sadness/melancholy but with a touch of light humor and a bright intelligence. How is it possible that you haven't been picked up by an agent?

I don't see this as a combo of Nine Stories, the Sound and the Fury and South Park...it reminded me of the movie Avalon, it reminded me of "Let the Great World Spin", it reminded me of that other thing which is driving me crazy and I can't put my finger on it.

Wow. Just wow.

- Rena (Bunderful) author of Master of the Miracles

Thanks! And yeah, it's definitely not a typical narrative, more episodic. I liked to think of it as a combo of Nine Stories, The Sound and the Fury, and South Park.

After reading a few chapters, I can't remember what I've been reading.
Yet the book has this impact on the reader..well it did for me.
I found it very humorous and addictive even with the above in mind.
Its a down- to-earth book with some nice characters.
I think I'll start from the beginning again...you never know :-)
Well Starred!!

Kind regards,

Neville. The Secrets of the Forest - The Time Zone.

After reading a few chapters, I can't remember what I've been reading.
Yet the book has this impact on the reader..well it did for me.
I found it very humorous and addictive even with the above in mind.
Its a down- to-earth book with some nice characters.
I think I'll start from the beginning again...you never know :-)
Well Starred!!

Kind regards,

Neville. The Secrets of the Forest - The Time Zone.

I was constantly left wondering where I was in the narrative. It really made me believe I was in safe hands here. Well done.

Drew me right in and I don't usually read this type of novel. Excellent. Starred.

Anyone who can get 'gigantic erections', 'you've brainwashed his balls', and 'Voodoo monkey robots from Tokyo' into their first chapter (and get away with it) has my respect. This is amazing stuff, Allan - completely bonkers but somehow wise and compelling. Yes, your first chapter is VERY long (split into three or four?) and yes, the ominiscient narrator slips out of tense a few times ("Bet YOU (not he) weren't always like this") but this is a wild, wild ride into the minds of some truly weird people. I LOVE Daphne, a wonderful comic-tragic creation, and Jacob is well...Jacob! I kinda think Irving's Garp when I think Jacob, but Jacob is far more complex than that, isn't he? He's a real Mister Enigma! Marvellous stuff, will be reading on...

I gave you 6 stars on the basis of your pitch alone, how did you think of it? lol!

Joe Kovacs
Rupee Millionaires

(one tiny suggest: how about making "What are you watching, Jacob?" a separate para, and italicising it. Same goes for all narrator speak (e.g. 'Sounds interesting' and 'Isn't that right, Jacob' work better, imho, in itals and as new paras).

A wily narrator. A fetching narrative. (Srsly, don't know WHAT is going on yet...but I like it.)

Be back to back in a jiff. CHEERS--
E.R.

Thanks. Glad you like it so far.

A wily narrator. A fetching narrative. (Srsly, don't know WHAT is going on yet...but I like it.)

Be back to back in a jiff. CHEERS--
E.R.