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Gospel for the Damned
Alt cover for ISBN 1481923064/9781481923064
Set against the backdrop of a city under quarantine, Gospel for the Damned is an episodic and introspective novel that follows young journalist Aaron Garrett on his three day assignment within sequestered San Francisco. His assignment: Interview The Elliots, family of the missing minister suspected of releasing the deadly Omega virus.
What he finds is a fractured community and a myriad of ways of facing hopelessness: clinging to normalcy in banal routines; thrill seeking in dangerous truth-or-dare games; mercy killing and federally sanctioned euthanasia; embracing sorrow through macabre celebrations; and searching for God where faith has been abandoned.
Together with The Elliot Family, Aaron embarks on a mission to save someone, anyone, from a doomed existence.
This is Gordon Gravley’s first literary work, and its philosophical leanings may very well provoke questions of your own about the world we live in, and the future we face.
Set against the backdrop of a city under quarantine, Gospel for the Damned is an episodic and introspective novel that follows young journalist Aaron Garrett on his three day assignment within sequestered San Francisco. His assignment: Interview The Elliots, family of the missing minister suspected of releasing the deadly Omega virus.
What he finds is a fractured community and a myriad of ways of facing hopelessness: clinging to normalcy in banal routines; thrill seeking in dangerous truth-or-dare games; mercy killing and federally sanctioned euthanasia; embracing sorrow through macabre celebrations; and searching for God where faith has been abandoned.
Together with The Elliot Family, Aaron embarks on a mission to save someone, anyone, from a doomed existence.
This is Gordon Gravley’s first literary work, and its philosophical leanings may very well provoke questions of your own about the world we live in, and the future we face.
Paperback
First published March 23, 2013
4 people are currently reading
387 people want to read
About the author
Gordon Gravley
3 books9 followersGordon Gravley has been making up stories all his life. As a child, they would take the shape of rudimentary comic books, and Super-8 movies. As he was drawn to stage-acting in high school his stories became one-act plays, and then feature-length screenplays - none of which ever saw the light of the big screen.
It wasn't until his thirties that he finally decided to take the plunge, and like a real writer he made his stories into, well...stories. And just like a real writer, his efforts garnished multiple rejection letters. Twenty years later, those efforts would culminate into his first self-published novel, Gospel for the Damned.
Born in Phoenix, Arizona, Gordon moved around - California; Colorado; Alaska; Northern Arizona - before eventually settling in Seattle, Washington. Having called the Northwest his home since 1998, he doesn't expect to be moving elsewhere anytime soon. There, he continues to make up stories, write novels, and lives with his wife and their son.
It wasn't until his thirties that he finally decided to take the plunge, and like a real writer he made his stories into, well...stories. And just like a real writer, his efforts garnished multiple rejection letters. Twenty years later, those efforts would culminate into his first self-published novel, Gospel for the Damned.
Born in Phoenix, Arizona, Gordon moved around - California; Colorado; Alaska; Northern Arizona - before eventually settling in Seattle, Washington. Having called the Northwest his home since 1998, he doesn't expect to be moving elsewhere anytime soon. There, he continues to make up stories, write novels, and lives with his wife and their son.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 12, 2013
This is not the type of book I would normally read, but I'm glad that I did.
Semicolons were used a bit too often, but the writing still flowed so smoothly with its sophisticated writing style that I barely even noticed after the first few pages.
The plot of the story wasn't rushed like I was expecting. It only takes place over a time period of three days, except for the last chapter, which is an epilogue of sorts. Rather, because all of the details are relevant and interesting, the story moves soundly along with just the right amounts of excitement, philosophical advice, and a heartfelt tale of a fractured community clinging on to hope.
The characters were distinguishable and made decisions based on their own distorted values.
This is the kind of novel that entertains you while also making you think, which I really appreciate. The whole story has a kind of deeper meaning to it, so that, if you look closely, you might just leave with a new perspective.
I must say that reading this novel has been exceptionally interesting and thought-provoking and different for me.
Semicolons were used a bit too often, but the writing still flowed so smoothly with its sophisticated writing style that I barely even noticed after the first few pages.
The plot of the story wasn't rushed like I was expecting. It only takes place over a time period of three days, except for the last chapter, which is an epilogue of sorts. Rather, because all of the details are relevant and interesting, the story moves soundly along with just the right amounts of excitement, philosophical advice, and a heartfelt tale of a fractured community clinging on to hope.
The characters were distinguishable and made decisions based on their own distorted values.
This is the kind of novel that entertains you while also making you think, which I really appreciate. The whole story has a kind of deeper meaning to it, so that, if you look closely, you might just leave with a new perspective.
I must say that reading this novel has been exceptionally interesting and thought-provoking and different for me.
July 29, 2013
Interesting take on an otherwise popular subject that leaves the reader thinking well after reading the last page. The characters feel authentic and actions/reactions believable. Enjoyable page-turning read, especially since the reader is able to come up with their own conclusions. The only drawback would have to be that the cover isn't very compelling. This is certainly one book you can not judge by the cover.
August 8, 2013
If, and that is a big if, we would have found this book on the shelf in a bookstore, we would have passed it by. However, that would have been a terrible mistake on our part. This is a great book. Thought provoking, and easy to follow. The characters are easy to relate to and understandable, with a plot that isn't that far fetched. Easy to read and very enjoyable
We received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
We received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
March 9, 2020
The deadly contagion called the Omega Virus has been contained to the heavily quarantined city of San Francisco. Journalist Aaron, immune to the virus, is assigned to enter the area and investigate the initial release of the virus. Rumors point to a single minister suspected of purposefully releasing the virus. Upon entering the quarantined zone, Arron finds a city that is still like a war-zone and the people left within it are quite different than he imagined.
I was fascinated by the details of the quarantine and the psychological effects of being quarantined and of being so close to death's door from the deadly virus. This book is even more fascinating in light of recent world events (Covid-19). The idea of the deadly contagion and the effective quarantine on the bay area is a compelling idea that has been truly well thought out in this book. The story has a Mad Max feeling within its city landscape.
Though this book felt like more of a slice of life than a story with a traditional plot, I did enjoy it quite a lot. The subtle plot that was introduced was slow to develop and it took a while for me to get hooked on the characters and to become fascinated by the world building centering on the idea of a plague and quarantine.
Another critique I had was the way the narrator created distance from all the current action by talking about these events as they occurred in the past.
I was fascinated by the details of the quarantine and the psychological effects of being quarantined and of being so close to death's door from the deadly virus. This book is even more fascinating in light of recent world events (Covid-19). The idea of the deadly contagion and the effective quarantine on the bay area is a compelling idea that has been truly well thought out in this book. The story has a Mad Max feeling within its city landscape.
Though this book felt like more of a slice of life than a story with a traditional plot, I did enjoy it quite a lot. The subtle plot that was introduced was slow to develop and it took a while for me to get hooked on the characters and to become fascinated by the world building centering on the idea of a plague and quarantine.
Another critique I had was the way the narrator created distance from all the current action by talking about these events as they occurred in the past.
January 8, 2018
Pretty good story :) actually wish it were a series so I could learn the future of the world :)
September 19, 2013
I won this book through Goodreads first reads.
At a time when everyone seems to be discussing the end of the world, or the apocalypse, and not to mention martial law (temporarily enforced after the bombings in Watertown, MA), Gravely has introduced us to "Gospel for the Damned." A frightening portrayal of what could happen to civilization if it was threatened with a lethal virus.
Aaron Garrett travels to the remains of San Francisco, CA, where the virus was first released, to interview the Elliott family for the Sound. Curious minds wanted to know of Samuel Elliott was the one who had created and poisoned San Francisco, as he went missing a short while after.
As Garrett interviews the Elliott's, and their friends Dane and Nikki, among others, Aaron begins to understand that these peoples lives is where the story really is.
What's left of society is broken into groups, or cliques. The Mutts, who self mutilate to empathize with the suffering, The Fades who believed that, despite the fact that they or other may be dying they are still entitled to their civil rights as individuals. And the Reapers who randomly euthanized people to end their suffering.
Another interesting aspect of the story is that the virus was created by a group scientists called the Shepherds of Prophecy,a sect that truly believed that mankind would learn to appreciate life, and all God's miracles, if they were forced to face them.
At a time when everyone seems to be discussing the end of the world, or the apocalypse, and not to mention martial law (temporarily enforced after the bombings in Watertown, MA), Gravely has introduced us to "Gospel for the Damned." A frightening portrayal of what could happen to civilization if it was threatened with a lethal virus.
Aaron Garrett travels to the remains of San Francisco, CA, where the virus was first released, to interview the Elliott family for the Sound. Curious minds wanted to know of Samuel Elliott was the one who had created and poisoned San Francisco, as he went missing a short while after.
As Garrett interviews the Elliott's, and their friends Dane and Nikki, among others, Aaron begins to understand that these peoples lives is where the story really is.
What's left of society is broken into groups, or cliques. The Mutts, who self mutilate to empathize with the suffering, The Fades who believed that, despite the fact that they or other may be dying they are still entitled to their civil rights as individuals. And the Reapers who randomly euthanized people to end their suffering.
Another interesting aspect of the story is that the virus was created by a group scientists called the Shepherds of Prophecy,a sect that truly believed that mankind would learn to appreciate life, and all God's miracles, if they were forced to face them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2014
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
I’d like to start out by saying that the cover doesn't do this book justice. I wouldn't have picked it up had I judged it solely on that. Another good reason to read the blurb and possibly a page or two before deciding to pass on a book.
Overall this book was very well written and the plot was solid. It wasn't at all what I expected. I like 'end of the world' type books but this had an element to it that made you stop and think about things.
While the blub says, thought provoking, often times I find that misleading. Which was deff not the case in this book.
It took me a while to get into it and I found myself at times pushing through it. I think mainly because I couldn't quite identify with the main characters myself and thus didn't get sucked deep into the book like I normally would have. I don't think that was a fault of the author, I think it was more attributed to my hectic life.
Overall I'd give this a 3.5 stars. It was a great 'first' novel and an enjoyable read.
I’d like to start out by saying that the cover doesn't do this book justice. I wouldn't have picked it up had I judged it solely on that. Another good reason to read the blurb and possibly a page or two before deciding to pass on a book.
Overall this book was very well written and the plot was solid. It wasn't at all what I expected. I like 'end of the world' type books but this had an element to it that made you stop and think about things.
While the blub says, thought provoking, often times I find that misleading. Which was deff not the case in this book.
It took me a while to get into it and I found myself at times pushing through it. I think mainly because I couldn't quite identify with the main characters myself and thus didn't get sucked deep into the book like I normally would have. I don't think that was a fault of the author, I think it was more attributed to my hectic life.
Overall I'd give this a 3.5 stars. It was a great 'first' novel and an enjoyable read.
May 26, 2013
This is a great read!
A real page-turner, this novel takes the reader on a thought provoking adventure through a future quarantined San Francisco. Told through the eyes of a reporter allowed to enter the city for three days, readers journey through both the "clean" and "dirty" zones of the city and try to determine who was responsible for releasing the virus that has decimated the population
A real page-turner, this novel takes the reader on a thought provoking adventure through a future quarantined San Francisco. Told through the eyes of a reporter allowed to enter the city for three days, readers journey through both the "clean" and "dirty" zones of the city and try to determine who was responsible for releasing the virus that has decimated the population
August 7, 2013
gospel for the dammed is a great story told from a reporter who has three days to go to san Francisco a virus ridden city and find what happen and who started the virus thanks to goodreads for the book giveway and to Gordon gravely loved the book
November 22, 2013
I got this book free through the Goodreads book giveaway and I loved it! I thought it was very well written and it most definitely keeps you interested all the way through! This is a book I recommend to anyone, it's for sure worth the money!
November 12, 2013
Not so much of a superficial action book, this is more of an intellectual thought-provoking novel with poetic use of language to convey messages. A solid first novel.
September 4, 2014
Very interesting take on "zombies" I just wish the author would go more in depth with the zombies.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews