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A Life Transparent
by
Todd Keisling (Goodreads Author)
Who is Donovan Candle? He is the consummate husband. Stable, hard-working, and dedicated to his wife, Donovan is a paragon of the Middle Class.
Until now.
Strange visions of a monochromatic world. Bizarre sensations of physical transparency.
At first, Donovan fears he's losing his grip on reality, but as the week wears on and the odd afflictions intensify, he wonders if he is...more
Until now.
Strange visions of a monochromatic world. Bizarre sensations of physical transparency.
At first, Donovan fears he's losing his grip on reality, but as the week wears on and the odd afflictions intensify, he wonders if he is...more
Paperback, First Paperback Edition, 182 pages
Published
October 1st 2007
by Precipice Books
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It's not my usual type of book, but all in all, I loved it. It was nicely written and observed a point of view I had never thought about. I highly recommend this book.
I recently read A Life Transparent by Todd Keisling and what a wonderful surprise. Great Sci-Fi that has a fresh voice and a unique take on the (hopefully) impossible. The story was engaging and exciting... as well as unpredictable in a way that is often lacking in the genre. The characters are well written and the plot one of a kind. You won't find derivation in this story . Todd's out-of-the-box thinking keeps the reader guessing and questioning their own existence in the process. A definite r...more
A LIFE TRANSPARENT by Tood Keisling tells the story of Donovan Candle, a man with a devoted wife and a dead-end life. Donovan once had dreams of being a writer, but real life and the pressures of earning a steady paycheck intruded and he soon lost his dream and settled for a boring but stable job and a life of average.
One day he finds himself flickering in and out of existance. Literally disappearing from the world and standing in a land of gray shadows inhabited by white, alien creatures. At fi...more
One day he finds himself flickering in and out of existance. Literally disappearing from the world and standing in a land of gray shadows inhabited by white, alien creatures. At fi...more
This is a cautionary tale in the guise of a supernatural thriller. Beware of living a dull, cautious life, or even just being a boring person, or the boredom bogeyman might come and literally suck you out of this world, body and soul. This book about boredom is itself never tedious. There are a number of interesting and creative features which kept me intrigued throughout.
The main hook is that an ordinary person living a pointless existence can disappear, and become one of those missing persons...more
The main hook is that an ordinary person living a pointless existence can disappear, and become one of those missing persons...more
Apr 01, 2011
The Sunday Book Review
added it
What would you do if someone called up on your boring life? Donovan Banks had no choice but to find out. In this story, we are led as Donovan must save his kidnapped wife as a way to prove to him that he can't continue to live his in such a mundane way.
The story starts off great. A man is unhappy with his life and has a job he hates just so he and his wife can later afford to have a child. He works as a telemarketer and gets that one phone call where someone asks him what his dreams are and why...more
The story starts off great. A man is unhappy with his life and has a job he hates just so he and his wife can later afford to have a child. He works as a telemarketer and gets that one phone call where someone asks him what his dreams are and why...more
Grade: B+
L/C Ratio: 40/60
(This means I estimate the author devoted 40% of his effort to creating a literary work of art and 60% of his effort to creating a commercial bestseller.)
Thematic Breakdown:
40% - Speculative fiction
40% - Sci-fi
10% - Brotherhood
10% – Marriage
Science fiction novels intimidate me because I worry my imagination may not be vibrant enough to keep up with their exotic ideas and visual inventions. Those worries were quelled in "A Life Transparent" for two reasons. First, the m...more
L/C Ratio: 40/60
(This means I estimate the author devoted 40% of his effort to creating a literary work of art and 60% of his effort to creating a commercial bestseller.)
Thematic Breakdown:
40% - Speculative fiction
40% - Sci-fi
10% - Brotherhood
10% – Marriage
Science fiction novels intimidate me because I worry my imagination may not be vibrant enough to keep up with their exotic ideas and visual inventions. Those worries were quelled in "A Life Transparent" for two reasons. First, the m...more
I love this book greatly, I enjoy the storyline and love the characters. This novel is fresh in every way possible and I'll always be glad to have it among my many books. Todd knows how to write, so if I were you I pick up this book and don't put it down, this is not the kind of story you want to miss.
I wasn't really sure what to expect from A Life Transparent. I didn't even know what genre it was. I had watched the trailer and was intrigued. As soon as I started reading, I was hooked. I don't know if you would list this as paranormal or science fiction, but it doesn't really matter. This reminded me of Dean Koontz when I still liked him (before he went overboard on sarcasm). The characters are compelling, the story is fast paced and interesting, and the concept intriguing.
At first glance, yo...more
At first glance, yo...more
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A solid bit of writing. From the blurb and reviews, I was expecting something more akin to literary fiction, but this book is really solidly in the fantasy category. Just so you know.... I tend to be not much into pure fantasy, or weak protagonists, so I cannot give full marks, but I bet many fantasy-lovers might appreciate this book very much. A good ending too.
I enjoyed this novel quite a bit. The premise is completely original, and the plotting fast paced. I think what I liked best is the way the plot doesn't overpower theme. I felt there was a clear and concise message throughout the narrative, which lends an extra layer of meaning, and thereby depth, to the novel. Highly recommended.
Todd Keisling’s A Life Transparent explores the universal desire to make a mark and leave something tangible behind, but lead Donovan Candle is about to find out what happens when one does not live up to one’s potential.
Read my full review HERE and enter to win a copy (contest closes midnight Fri. Mar. 16)
Read my full review HERE and enter to win a copy (contest closes midnight Fri. Mar. 16)
Reviewed by Jennifer Bacile
...I doubt Mr. Keisling intended his excellent tale as a ‘kick in the pants’ to his readers, but it was a good kick in the pants to have, from an unexpected place...
Read the entire review at ParaYourNormal
...I doubt Mr. Keisling intended his excellent tale as a ‘kick in the pants’ to his readers, but it was a good kick in the pants to have, from an unexpected place...
Read the entire review at ParaYourNormal
I can honestly say that I have never read a book like this one. I don't read many sci-fi books, but I did like this book. It was well-written and a page turner! It made me think about my own life and how easy it is to get trapped in the mundane aspects of my day!
I reviewed this book for Smash Cake Magazine recently, and was amazed by how quickly I fell into the character's world. These pages contain a smooth ride and weird, archetypal imagery that I couldn't shake back out of my head.
I dug it.
I dug it.
Speaking to everyone stuck in a work-a-day family-land life, A Life Transparent shakes that core in the way that Dark City and Mullholland Drive once did. Wonderful work. A great book to lend to those needing a wake up call and a good read for those that wander every other path but ordinary.
I do wish it had been a little longer to flesh out the underground scenes, but the length works for a weekend read, right. Thank you Todd, and good luck with the sequel.
I do wish it had been a little longer to flesh out the underground scenes, but the length works for a weekend read, right. Thank you Todd, and good luck with the sequel.
Interesting premise, one of the stranger books that I have read, but very interesting and a good read.
Not my usual genre, but the book drew me into the story and I thorougly enjoyed it. Anticipating more from Keisling.
An interesting premise - short, easy to read, and kept my interest throughout.
Loved this book. The pacing was awesome I couldn't put it down.
This book was furturistic and exciting. I liked it.
Great book. short read and wish it was longer. I loved the premise of the book.
What's worth than death? Being forgotten. Even worse? It's all your fault.
A Life Transparent may be fiction, but you'll quickly relate to the book's main character, Donovan Candle. A guy who thought he had life pretty much figured out only to find out he was from it.
This book will kick you in the head and by the end, you'll be re-examining your life.
(I actually give this a 4.5 rating)
A Life Transparent may be fiction, but you'll quickly relate to the book's main character, Donovan Candle. A guy who thought he had life pretty much figured out only to find out he was from it.
This book will kick you in the head and by the end, you'll be re-examining your life.
(I actually give this a 4.5 rating)
Couldn't put it down. :)
Wow, what can I say? I have never really been a fan of the whole sci-fi thing. However, this book was selected for our book club. I am so glad I read it. It is a relatively short book, with a big message. It really made me stop and think about the way I live my life and my routines. To me, any book that can do this is a great book. I recommend this book to everyone.
Wow. This was a great read. A wake up call, if I may call it that way. I recommended it!
May 18, 2013
Lori
marked it as to-read
May 13, 2013
Inti
marked it as to-read
May 10, 2013
Monica Sessoms
marked it as to-read
May 04, 2013
Sarah
marked it as to-read
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| The Free Book Cha...: A Life Transparent, by Todd Keisling FREE TILL 11/2 | 1 | 9 | 29. Oktober, 15:51 Uhr | |
| The Indie Exchang...: A Life Transparent Giveaway | 1 | 5 | 02. März, 11:02 Uhr | |
| A Life Transparent Giveaway | 1 | 2 | 01. März, 15:42 Uhr |
Todd Keisling is a two-time recipient of the Oswald Research and Creativity Prize for fiction. He is also the author of A LIFE TRANSPARENT and its forthcoming sequel, THE LIMINAL MAN. Born in Kentucky, he now lives and works with his wife and son somewhere near Reading, Pennsylvania. When he was a kid, he stuck a heart-shaped cinnamon candy up his left nostril. He hasn’t been the same since.
More about Todd Keisling...
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