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Abraham
Abraham is the story of an odd love triangle between a monk named Tom, a swashbuckling punk singer named Baby Doll, and you, Abraham. You have a large crack on the back of your head, and you can't remember how it got there. It has been inducing hallucinations and perceptions that you cannot explain. Tom tries to help you get better, but as your hold on reality begins to slip you start to suspect that Tom has evil intentions.
Abraham has music and film components that can be found at www.YouAreAbraham.com
Abraham has music and film components that can be found at www.YouAreAbraham.com
- GenresFiction
132 pages, Paperback
Published May 1, 2017
1 person is currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Backer
3 books41 followersDaniel Backer is the author of Lionel Lancet and The Right Vibe, a slacker noir that satirizes spiritual materialism, psychedelic indulgence, and dark money in right-wing politics.
His first book Abraham is a novella that explores spirituality and philosophy.
His first book Abraham is a novella that explores spirituality and philosophy.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 11, 2018
I sort of feel like I just read someone’s account of their most recent acid trip. There’s a whole lot of weird spirituality that goes on in Abraham, and it stems from a giant gash in the back of his head. No clue where it came from, but it put him in the path of an eccentric monk that’s determined to heal him. However, Tom’s methods and ideas of healing are...suspect.
The first thing that stood out about this novel was the fact that it was written in second person. I think it would have been slightly better utilized if the character that was "you" wasn’t as defined as he was. Abraham was a set character, and it felt out of place to hear him described in second person rather than first or third.
There’s also a lot of weirdness that goes on. Some of it suited the story well—it was meant to be weird and strange and it succeeded there. I felt like scene and time transitions happened at odd times or without much warning and it knocked me out of the story. It was usually pretty quick to recover, but it would take me a while to get back into the flow of the story.
As for the story itself, the premise of the plot was unique. It’s definitely not for everyone, let me go ahead and say that. It was entertaining for sure, and the odd series of events made sense in weird ways. The characters were odd, and by the time you reached the end, you’re left wondering if any of them were even real. Or wondering if you yourself are real.
This novel had its good and bad. I’m all about different—I try to go out of my way to celebrate that fact when I come across it. This novel was definitely very different, and mostly in the right ways. However, I feel as though there were some areas that could be improved to build upon the strengths already present.
The first thing that stood out about this novel was the fact that it was written in second person. I think it would have been slightly better utilized if the character that was "you" wasn’t as defined as he was. Abraham was a set character, and it felt out of place to hear him described in second person rather than first or third.
There’s also a lot of weirdness that goes on. Some of it suited the story well—it was meant to be weird and strange and it succeeded there. I felt like scene and time transitions happened at odd times or without much warning and it knocked me out of the story. It was usually pretty quick to recover, but it would take me a while to get back into the flow of the story.
As for the story itself, the premise of the plot was unique. It’s definitely not for everyone, let me go ahead and say that. It was entertaining for sure, and the odd series of events made sense in weird ways. The characters were odd, and by the time you reached the end, you’re left wondering if any of them were even real. Or wondering if you yourself are real.
This novel had its good and bad. I’m all about different—I try to go out of my way to celebrate that fact when I come across it. This novel was definitely very different, and mostly in the right ways. However, I feel as though there were some areas that could be improved to build upon the strengths already present.
September 6, 2018
Another review of this piece described it as someone's most recent acid trip and to be honest, I don't think they're wrong. Though this trip might be mixed with a Memento-esque memory issue.
This book is not everyone's cup of tea, it is highly doused in the philosophic and ephemeral nature of humanity, though mixed with graphic descriptions, modern technology, and cultural oxy-morons that serve both to confuse the reader (the narrator) and highlight the seed of the plot and thus the point. I think it both neatly and disastrously tries to answer the basic questions humanity faces.
The narrative style is unique, the use of the second person singular, and that makes what would be a trip through God Knows What something more unique and less cliched. I am fascinated to see what else this author is working on, though I would be hesitant to recommend him to anyone who isn't very interested in experimental writing styles. Lastly, should anyone what to sit down to discuss this book...I'm down because I feel like my brain isn't doing it justice.
Lastly - Way to go Danny! This is the first full book I've read by an old classmate and I'm so happy that you have been brave enough to bring this book to fruition.
This book is not everyone's cup of tea, it is highly doused in the philosophic and ephemeral nature of humanity, though mixed with graphic descriptions, modern technology, and cultural oxy-morons that serve both to confuse the reader (the narrator) and highlight the seed of the plot and thus the point. I think it both neatly and disastrously tries to answer the basic questions humanity faces.
The narrative style is unique, the use of the second person singular, and that makes what would be a trip through God Knows What something more unique and less cliched. I am fascinated to see what else this author is working on, though I would be hesitant to recommend him to anyone who isn't very interested in experimental writing styles. Lastly, should anyone what to sit down to discuss this book...I'm down because I feel like my brain isn't doing it justice.
Lastly - Way to go Danny! This is the first full book I've read by an old classmate and I'm so happy that you have been brave enough to bring this book to fruition.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews