[Book Review] Crooked God Machine by Autumn Christian

naquoya (67)in #writing • 7 years ago (edited)

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Usually if I like a book I give it 5 stars, or 4 if it came close to ticking all the boxes for me but wasn't quite there, but I haven't been in the habit of writing out a review. The stars help other potential readers, but not to the degree that a more detailed explanation of one's thoughts do. In that spirit I thought I would write up my first book review, for the Crooked God Machine by author Autumn Christian @snowmachine. It was after seeing her account here and being mesmerised by her writing style that I followed up with a purchase of this novel. And I'm glad that I did. Needless to say I give this 5 stars. These are my thoughts about this novel.

[BOOK REVIEW] CROOKED GOD MACHINE

A dark and surreal tale about the Black Planet, the Crooked God Machine tells the story of Charles who is born into an insane world run by a God who communicates to people via television. It is a world populated by plague machines, prophets and hell shuttles. A planet where life makes no sense and people willingly undergo lobotomy type procedures in order to cope with that fact. And yet there is Charles who just wants to understand life, and to find someone to love and to love him in return.

The author Autumn Christian has one of the most unique voices I have ever encountered. To me it is all parts poetic, surreal, bleak, and beautiful. She has told a nightmarish story here, one that mirrors the old testament of the Bible in many ways. One that translates it into a modern vision. That repurposes, reimagines, rewords, and yet still has at its core the central confusion of the Bible, and of life itself. Why is God so full of anger? Why is life so confusing? What is love and why is it so fleeting? And why do humans destroy themselves?

Charles is a rebel at heart. A boy that grows into a man who has watched all those he loves give up, or run off in desperation and fear. The people around him all seem to be under the spell of this angry and jealous God. But he senses that there must be something more to life, that things are just not right. This story is really his search, his attempt to find the scattered pieces of reality and attempt to put them back together.

Sometimes I read something so powerful and so original that it shifts something within me, within my thinking and how I view the world. Philip K Dick was one who did this time and again for me. Now I can add Autumn Christian to that list.

Crooked God Machine

Image sourced from Google images.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. If you liked it then please like, comment, and follow

@naquoya

Short Fiction:

Bang Bang You're Dead
I Have No Name and I Must Scream
The Last Book Store
The Judge
The Man In The Mirror
The End of the World [Part 1] [Part 2]
The Locked Room
The Gods of Love and War [Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3]

Notes From an Amateur Writer blog series:

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7 years ago in #writing by naquoya (67)

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snowmachine (64) 7 years ago

Awesome to see that you liked it, @naquoya.

This story is really his search, his attempt to find the scattered pieces of reality and attempt to put them back together.

And you definitely nailed my intent here. Like all apostates and ex-christians, that's all we're really trying to do.

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naquoya (67) 7 years ago

I'm glad I was able to grok your intent. To me that shone through the work, and it just made sense to me.

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minnowsupport (70) 7 years ago

Congratulations! This post has been upvoted from the communal account, @minnowsupport, by naquoya from the Minnow Support Project. It's a witness project run by aggroed, ausbitbank, teamsteem, theprophet0, and someguy123. The goal is to help Steemit grow by supporting Minnows and creating a social network. Please find us in the Peace, Abundance, and Liberty Network (PALnet) Discord Channel. It's a completely public and open space to all members of the Steemit community who voluntarily choose to be there.

If you like what we're doing please upvote this comment so we can continue to build the community account that's supporting all members.

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jedau (67) 7 years ago

It's always great to have the @naquoya stamp of approval! You speak very highly of this story and I'm certain that it's well worth the recognition you bestow it. This is a great review, and it would really benefit the author if you paste it on the Amazon page for it.

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naquoya (67) 7 years ago

I have put up a review at Goodreads and Amazon also. Indie writers deserve all our support. You and I will be making our way their one day soon :)

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jedau (67) 7 years ago

The book I'm currently revising is actually up on Amazon and a number of other book sellers :/ hahaha! Don't purchase it yet if you're thinking about it though. It's being heavily edited as we speak, and I don't want to taint your view of my writing just yet haha!

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naquoya (67) 7 years ago

I din't know that. Had you told me that before? I hope not, because I never acted on it. Well good for you, leading the way. Happy to follow in your footsteps. Let me know when you're happy with it and send me the link. I'll purchase a copy, read and review.

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jedau (67) 7 years ago

I think I have, right before you went on a hiatus. I remember that I specifically told you to hold off on checking it out because I was editing it, which I'm still doing to this very day. But, I'm closer to completion now than I have ever been. I'll notify you once it's done. You're one of the first people I would hit up, mate.

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