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A Life On Fire
Gerald McManner does not have a happy life. His job is boring and he goes home to an empty house. Every day is pretty much the same, until one day when his dreams become nightmares and the boredom becomes insanity. Will he find his way back to the light, or burn in his alcohol and depression fueled hell?
118 pages, Paperback
First published April 19, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 2, 2017
A quick trip through one man's experience of loss and hopelessness. As grim as it sounds, there is humor and pathos to be found along the way. The scenery hovers between a nightmare and a waking dream, and the emotions expressed are profoundly human. Why can't I find more books by this author?
November 21, 2011
I'm looking back on some recent book ratings and most of my 5 stars probably deserve 4 stars. Except for this book. I wish it had been longer. I wish there had been more scenes told from the wife's point of view. I am extremely happy that the ending was not predictable and the protagonist was so relatable. This is a simple story told with more heart than most bizarro fiction. I'm barely comfortable sticking it in the genre, for reasons I am afraid to even touch upon from fear of mentioing spoilers. I hope Bowsman has other published works since for a first novel/novella, this was amazing. The entire bit is one massive bundle of depression and darkness, without being overly gruesome. The main character is an emotional wreck and reading about such people often times makes me grateful for what I have. Great title and cover as well.
November 19, 2011
A bit confusing at times; however, I had just finished a detective whodunit and some Gaiman Sandman, and picked this one up right afterwards. It was a very very different change of pace and writing, and I didn't know what to think at first.
It is definitely bizarre, but as the bizarro genre goes, this one fell a bit flat and/or was a bit lukewarm. I thought once or twice, does the bizarro genre need more hallucinations or another book about a depressed alcoholic?
I'll give Bowsman one thing, it was an addictive read, I flew through the pages. I found myself drawn into and getting invested in the life of the awkward patent clerk, I wanted to find out what happened next and try to discern what was real and what wasn't, and even then it was confusing.
Patent clerk Gerald McManner is tired of his tedious mediocre job, and dealing with flat out dumb inventors, you might say he is bored with life in general. Still sad over the death of his wife Tracy, he begins to drink and smoke excessively, something he quit doing a while ago. After a couple days of this, or one long bender, he finds himself slipping in and out of another reality where strange alligator-like creatures dwell, his late wife speaks to him, and a man, whose death he's partially responsible for, gives him coded hints on how to deal with what's happening to him.
I can't help but think that Bowsman must have went on a crazy dream trip, maybe one amplified with alcohol, and wrote some of it down to inspire this novella. While I didn't very well understand all that was going on all the time, and would have liked some more clear cut answers, it did have me contemplating things in a different way after finishing it.
All in all Chris Bowsman's novella is a tale of a decent man loosing his marbles. A LIFE ON FIRE is an entertaining albeit depressing piece of dark fiction.
It is definitely bizarre, but as the bizarro genre goes, this one fell a bit flat and/or was a bit lukewarm. I thought once or twice, does the bizarro genre need more hallucinations or another book about a depressed alcoholic?
I'll give Bowsman one thing, it was an addictive read, I flew through the pages. I found myself drawn into and getting invested in the life of the awkward patent clerk, I wanted to find out what happened next and try to discern what was real and what wasn't, and even then it was confusing.
Patent clerk Gerald McManner is tired of his tedious mediocre job, and dealing with flat out dumb inventors, you might say he is bored with life in general. Still sad over the death of his wife Tracy, he begins to drink and smoke excessively, something he quit doing a while ago. After a couple days of this, or one long bender, he finds himself slipping in and out of another reality where strange alligator-like creatures dwell, his late wife speaks to him, and a man, whose death he's partially responsible for, gives him coded hints on how to deal with what's happening to him.
I can't help but think that Bowsman must have went on a crazy dream trip, maybe one amplified with alcohol, and wrote some of it down to inspire this novella. While I didn't very well understand all that was going on all the time, and would have liked some more clear cut answers, it did have me contemplating things in a different way after finishing it.
All in all Chris Bowsman's novella is a tale of a decent man loosing his marbles. A LIFE ON FIRE is an entertaining albeit depressing piece of dark fiction.
December 23, 2011
Bizarre indeed a tale that has some strange creatures with crocodile like heads and a strange body with tentacles that do ungodly acts with a woman. Definitely one for the adult reader with explicit content and language. the main protagonist Hates his job constantly gets drunk and clings onto ashes in a urn and memories of a dead loved one. He seems to be going through a bunch of crazy nightmarish experiences. It was a fun read but had something missing for me.
May 29, 2011
I gleefully spend most spare hours I can with my nose in a book. I have stacks of horror and bizarro novels that litter my house. Books that shock, books that scare, and books that make me laugh out loud. And now, it’s time for something different…Chris Bowsman’s A Life on Fire.
A Life on Fire is one man’s journey into the flaming hell of depression. Gerald McManner is a young man at the cross-roads of life. His young wife recently committed suicide, leaving Gerald a total mess with more questions than joys. His job is monotonous and grates on his nerves. He has built a wall around him casting friends out of his private hell. Gerald turns to beer as a means of dealing with his pain and feelings but soon he finds himself in a twisted reality that defies logic time and time again. As the story progresses reality falls away for poor Gerald until he is forced to face up to the pains of life and either give up or carry on.
Bowsman has crafted a very emotional story and peppered it with weirdness and heartache that never lets go. There are some of the things I love about horror (monsters and turmoil) and some of the things I love about bizarro (twisted realities and enduring weirdness) but this novel stands out on its relentless emotional power. This is not a ‘feel good’ read. In fact, several passages punched me right in the heart with the force of a mallet and seriously brought me down. THAT IS HOW POWERFUL IT IS. The scenes with his wife were unflinchingly real and heart breaking, giving deep depression center stage in a way that almost turns the pages for you. Once you start on A Life on Fire you have to see how it turns out despite the emotional toll it takes. Again, I feel this demonstrates the quality of the work.
A Life on Fire is one of the most powerful novellas I’ve read in the past few years. It takes a twisted and fearless look at human sadness and resilience in a way fans of horror and bizarro should eat right up. I highly recommend A Life on Fire if you are looking for a read that will push your emotional buttons and constantly leave you wondering what can possibly happen next. Be warned, dear reader, as this is a story that will stick with you…as most great works do.
A Life on Fire is one man’s journey into the flaming hell of depression. Gerald McManner is a young man at the cross-roads of life. His young wife recently committed suicide, leaving Gerald a total mess with more questions than joys. His job is monotonous and grates on his nerves. He has built a wall around him casting friends out of his private hell. Gerald turns to beer as a means of dealing with his pain and feelings but soon he finds himself in a twisted reality that defies logic time and time again. As the story progresses reality falls away for poor Gerald until he is forced to face up to the pains of life and either give up or carry on.
Bowsman has crafted a very emotional story and peppered it with weirdness and heartache that never lets go. There are some of the things I love about horror (monsters and turmoil) and some of the things I love about bizarro (twisted realities and enduring weirdness) but this novel stands out on its relentless emotional power. This is not a ‘feel good’ read. In fact, several passages punched me right in the heart with the force of a mallet and seriously brought me down. THAT IS HOW POWERFUL IT IS. The scenes with his wife were unflinchingly real and heart breaking, giving deep depression center stage in a way that almost turns the pages for you. Once you start on A Life on Fire you have to see how it turns out despite the emotional toll it takes. Again, I feel this demonstrates the quality of the work.
A Life on Fire is one of the most powerful novellas I’ve read in the past few years. It takes a twisted and fearless look at human sadness and resilience in a way fans of horror and bizarro should eat right up. I highly recommend A Life on Fire if you are looking for a read that will push your emotional buttons and constantly leave you wondering what can possibly happen next. Be warned, dear reader, as this is a story that will stick with you…as most great works do.
September 26, 2013
A drunken, surreal, love story, about a man's shifting realities. A nice bizarro story. Well written strangeness and sadness with alligator-headed,horny creatures. Bowsman does a nice job depicting the protagonist's descent into insanity (or is it a shift between alternate planes?). This is another nice job done by Grindhouse publishing. Chris Bowsman is a nice fit with other Grindhouse authors such such as Andersen Prunty.
July 27, 2011
Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book. I thank you also for selecting me as a good reads give away winner. I found this book to be intense and a quick paced read. The character build in this book was excellent, you really felt like you knew this character and felt his pain. At times it was a bit difficult to read this story as I have been close to alcoholism and know of the mental and emotional ugliness it produces. All in all though this is a well told story and I would recommend it! This poor man really struggles to fight those demons, what courage.
Thank you again for the opportunity to read this book. I found it to be worth the four stars.
Thank you again for the opportunity to read this book. I found it to be worth the four stars.
June 30, 2011
A Life on Fire is the debut novella written by Chris Bowsman distributed via Grindhouse Press. Going into the book I wasn’t sure what to expect. All I knew is the cover looked badass and fiery thanks to Brandon Duncan. It turns out what lies inside is even better.
The main character, Gerald McManner, is a patent clerk, but rarely approves anything because his clients are dimwits who try reinvent every invention known to man. To make things worse his home life isn’t any better. We find out his life has grown boring and monotonous ever since his wife died. Gerald frequently drinks and passes out in a drunken stupor.
What happens next shakes the very foundations of Gerald’s world. He begins to slip into a horrifying reality at any given time that slightly resembles our own but is occupied by what seem to be the living and the dead. Overtime, what seems to be another form of his wife visits him and guides him through the hallucinatory terrain. The great thing is you’re not sure if all of these visions are merely illusions fueled by an alcoholic’s madness or if this other world truly exists.
Bowsman’s prose is simple yet direct. He knows just how to describe the protagonist’s pain and it resonates through every page.
A Life on Fire is a surreal yet emotionally poignant novella about a man trying to put his life back together, but finds out the fire may be too large to put out.
The main character, Gerald McManner, is a patent clerk, but rarely approves anything because his clients are dimwits who try reinvent every invention known to man. To make things worse his home life isn’t any better. We find out his life has grown boring and monotonous ever since his wife died. Gerald frequently drinks and passes out in a drunken stupor.
What happens next shakes the very foundations of Gerald’s world. He begins to slip into a horrifying reality at any given time that slightly resembles our own but is occupied by what seem to be the living and the dead. Overtime, what seems to be another form of his wife visits him and guides him through the hallucinatory terrain. The great thing is you’re not sure if all of these visions are merely illusions fueled by an alcoholic’s madness or if this other world truly exists.
Bowsman’s prose is simple yet direct. He knows just how to describe the protagonist’s pain and it resonates through every page.
A Life on Fire is a surreal yet emotionally poignant novella about a man trying to put his life back together, but finds out the fire may be too large to put out.
May 17, 2011
Chris Bowsman's story is dark, scary, funny, disorienting and heartbreaking. His writing has the insanity of Philip K. Dick mixed with the clarity and readability of Stephen King. I appreciate that the reader isn't told what this story is about on page one; or even page thirty. He seems to respect his audience enough to trust we have a real attention span and can give a story time to unfold slowly. I also like that he's able to not only have bizarre elements in his story but also able to be emotionally sincere. Which is something I think is missing from alot of Bizarro fiction. I really liked this book and can't wait to watch his career unfold and mature.
May 3, 2012
Gerald is living an unhappy life. His job sucks, and life is boring. or is it not life? Nightmares become reality and the bizarre becomes what most would say. I need to stop drinking.
Chris Bowsman takes into the mind of Gerald McManner. With a Jacob's Ladder twist, some drops of Bizarro and a heart breaking tale that will leave you asking for more to the very end.
Chris Bowsman takes into the mind of Gerald McManner. With a Jacob's Ladder twist, some drops of Bizarro and a heart breaking tale that will leave you asking for more to the very end.
October 8, 2011
I'm still confused as to what I read, but from what I understood, I enjoyed.
The writing is spot on, and the characterizations really made the story good. You can relate with the main character and his struggles, even if you've never witnessed alligator people do horrible things with a spear.
Good story.
The writing is spot on, and the characterizations really made the story good. You can relate with the main character and his struggles, even if you've never witnessed alligator people do horrible things with a spear.
Good story.
January 15, 2012
Surreal and bizarre story that pulls you in and won't let you go until the end. I recommend highly.
June 13, 2011
I won this book from Goodread's First Reads.
It was a very interesting book! It did get a little confusing, there was a few times I had to reread something or had to wait to read ahead to get it clarified. But all in all it was well written and the characters were really good.
I'm glad I got to read it!
It was a very interesting book! It did get a little confusing, there was a few times I had to reread something or had to wait to read ahead to get it clarified. But all in all it was well written and the characters were really good.
I'm glad I got to read it!
December 14, 2012
Lost in a world of depression, the protagonist struggles to hold on to what he has left. A great story of real life and things beyond control.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews