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The Plastic Seed
Two schemes uncoil—and, very quickly, begin to unravel—on the same day in the Australian town of West Glassport…
Jean Hima isn’t happy with the way her life has been going. First, her husband leaves her. Then, she loses her job as a midwife at the local hospital, over the easily-fixed misplacement of a baby or two…
Now, Jean is sure a snooty real estate agent is blocking her efforts to find a rental in a nice part of town.
Given possession of a batch of incriminating photographs, who wouldn’t begin thinking about a little life-restorative blackmail?
Written in three acts and covering a quarter of a century, The Plastic Seed is an environmental thriller that explores the hypocrisy of some aspects of the philosophy of wellness. This novella is part satire of the human potential movement, and sincere testimony to the ability of humans to face facts when given no choice.
Jean Hima isn’t happy with the way her life has been going. First, her husband leaves her. Then, she loses her job as a midwife at the local hospital, over the easily-fixed misplacement of a baby or two…
Now, Jean is sure a snooty real estate agent is blocking her efforts to find a rental in a nice part of town.
Given possession of a batch of incriminating photographs, who wouldn’t begin thinking about a little life-restorative blackmail?
Written in three acts and covering a quarter of a century, The Plastic Seed is an environmental thriller that explores the hypocrisy of some aspects of the philosophy of wellness. This novella is part satire of the human potential movement, and sincere testimony to the ability of humans to face facts when given no choice.
121 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 19, 2018
28 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
Maisie Porter
2 books64 followersMaisie works as a wedding photographer in Australia, though she has neither abducted nor been abducted by any competitors. Author at Crooked Cat Books.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 28, 2019
4☆ Enthralling Novella, Dark Humour, Pacy, Revenge Thriller.
The PlastIc Seed is a short pacy novella.
Jean is having a really tough time, she's an alcoholic, just lost her job as a midwife, but finds it difficult to see that it's her own fault that things are going seriously wrong.
Famous last words.... ' it's easier to blame someone else rather than yourself ' and that's exactly what Jean is doing.
She is deflecting her troubles, her life's problems on her neighbour Carlana.
Jean comes up with a crazy revenge blackmail plan for Carlana, but will she actually go though with it?
This story is told by several characters points of view, which i normally don't like when there is many characters, but for this particular novella it worked.
You got to see the story play out and how it was relevant to each character, being as it was short this helped to connect with them.
I also want to mention that the Book Cover is really effective, it gives me the chills.
It drew me in, even before I read the blurb I was intrigued.
The PlastIc Seed is very much a mad cap thriller with a revenge feel. Although it is a thriller it does touch on a few important issues briefly about environmental, social media and well being / wellness, which made for an entertaining and interesting read.
The characters are complex, flawed, eclectic but well written.
Overall i really enjoyed reading The PlastIc Seed, it was pacy, enthralling, had dark humour and made for an entertaining and intriguing read.
Thank you to Rachel Random Resources for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
My Review is also on my Blog Website :-
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2019/0...
The PlastIc Seed is a short pacy novella.
Jean is having a really tough time, she's an alcoholic, just lost her job as a midwife, but finds it difficult to see that it's her own fault that things are going seriously wrong.
Famous last words.... ' it's easier to blame someone else rather than yourself ' and that's exactly what Jean is doing.
She is deflecting her troubles, her life's problems on her neighbour Carlana.
Jean comes up with a crazy revenge blackmail plan for Carlana, but will she actually go though with it?
This story is told by several characters points of view, which i normally don't like when there is many characters, but for this particular novella it worked.
You got to see the story play out and how it was relevant to each character, being as it was short this helped to connect with them.
I also want to mention that the Book Cover is really effective, it gives me the chills.
It drew me in, even before I read the blurb I was intrigued.
The PlastIc Seed is very much a mad cap thriller with a revenge feel. Although it is a thriller it does touch on a few important issues briefly about environmental, social media and well being / wellness, which made for an entertaining and interesting read.
The characters are complex, flawed, eclectic but well written.
Overall i really enjoyed reading The PlastIc Seed, it was pacy, enthralling, had dark humour and made for an entertaining and intriguing read.
Thank you to Rachel Random Resources for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
My Review is also on my Blog Website :-
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2019/0...
April 5, 2019
When I saw Maisie’s name pop up in my emails from Rachel, I knew I had to join this tour. As I loved No Reception, I knew that I would be in store for another quirky crazy intense ride with this novella.
Following the story of Jean, with some chapters of Amy, her daughter, and Carlana, her former neighbour, you realise how disjointed Jean is. She has/had a drinking problem, and she can not take responsibility for her own actions, instead of seeking to blame everyone else, mainly Carlana. Can she carry out her crazy schemes? Or will she stop before it is too late?
Another fast-paced cat and mouse story, another crazy story and it was fun. So easy to lose yourself for an evening in this book, as you focus on what is truly driving Jean.
I was quickly sucked into the story. I think No Reception is definitely my favourite but in its own standing, The Plastic Seed is a fab little read.
March 27, 2019
The Plastic Seed is a quirky, revenge thriller, that also takes a look at the “wellness” industry satirically. It is told in three parts, the beginning, 5 and 20 years later.
The story is told from multiple perspectives, which is risky in a novella, but Maisie Porter’s characters are very well rounded and intriguing. I think what made this novella so captivating was the cast of very different and very complex characters.
There were some slow moments, but overall this was a really good novella. I’m looking forward to reading more from Maisie Porter.
*I read this for a blog tour with Rachel's Random Resources. All opinions are my own.*
The story is told from multiple perspectives, which is risky in a novella, but Maisie Porter’s characters are very well rounded and intriguing. I think what made this novella so captivating was the cast of very different and very complex characters.
There were some slow moments, but overall this was a really good novella. I’m looking forward to reading more from Maisie Porter.
*I read this for a blog tour with Rachel's Random Resources. All opinions are my own.*
March 30, 2019
*3.5*
The cover of this read refers to cat and mouse games and that’s a spot-on description.
The problem is the cats are the mice and the mice are the cats, and… and…
Okay, it goes like this.
As this novella opens, it’s obvious someone is going to die.
The story progresses and things look pretty cut and dried.
They’re not.
Thirty-eight-year-old Jean Hima is bottoming out. The widow is barely hanging on to her home, job, and sanity, but she has no problem hanging on to the booze.
Jean insists she wants to make a better life for her eighteen-year-old daughter, Amy. Her lack of direction is obstacle enough, but a midwife who drinks before work and mixes up babies in the nursery, consequently delivering the wrong infant to the wrong mother doesn’t stand a chance.
The story moves forward five years to when Jean has hit the bottom and formulates a plan to pad her bank account and get revenge at the same time.
Carlana is Jean’s former neighbor and the person Jean holds responsible for her dismal lot in life.
One of three realtors in Jean’s old neighborhood, she feels it was Carlana’s behind-the-scenes machinations that kept her from finding decent housing after losing her job.
The watershed of problems after that snowballed, with the only positive outcome being Jean got sober.
But clear-headed Jean wants revenge, and the photos she’s been hanging on to for over five years are her ticket to a better life.
She has proof the now married, affluent Carlana isn’t the caring health and mindfulness coach and motivational speaker she promotes herself as, so she sets her blackmail scheme into motion.
And things got even weirder.
Such an intriguing read that kept me turning pages to see what Jean would do next… because her elevator doesn’t go all the way to the top.
But, if Jean is nuts, so is Carlana…and her husband, Evan (Him! OMG!), and her friend, Bettina.
Jean’s daughter, Amy, isn’t nuts, just preoccupied with getting anyone into bed, but by the time I got to 80% in this read, I was ready to pass out Xanax cocktails… and lobotomies to everyone!
In the blink of an eye, revenge and a honey trap both turn into murder, but who dies? You have to hang on to the very end to find out!
I stumbled with the editing a few times, having to re-read sentences again, but it didn’t diminish the story. However, the time jump near the end is jolting.
Multiple POVs give the opportunity to look through each main characters’ eyes and learn why they feel justified in their behavior.
The Plastic Seed delivers nice bait and switch scenes and good complex characters, and this crazy story of revenge and retribution is laced with humor and satire.
Enjoy!
The cover of this read refers to cat and mouse games and that’s a spot-on description.
The problem is the cats are the mice and the mice are the cats, and… and…
Okay, it goes like this.
As this novella opens, it’s obvious someone is going to die.
The story progresses and things look pretty cut and dried.
They’re not.
Thirty-eight-year-old Jean Hima is bottoming out. The widow is barely hanging on to her home, job, and sanity, but she has no problem hanging on to the booze.
Jean insists she wants to make a better life for her eighteen-year-old daughter, Amy. Her lack of direction is obstacle enough, but a midwife who drinks before work and mixes up babies in the nursery, consequently delivering the wrong infant to the wrong mother doesn’t stand a chance.
The story moves forward five years to when Jean has hit the bottom and formulates a plan to pad her bank account and get revenge at the same time.
Carlana is Jean’s former neighbor and the person Jean holds responsible for her dismal lot in life.
One of three realtors in Jean’s old neighborhood, she feels it was Carlana’s behind-the-scenes machinations that kept her from finding decent housing after losing her job.
The watershed of problems after that snowballed, with the only positive outcome being Jean got sober.
But clear-headed Jean wants revenge, and the photos she’s been hanging on to for over five years are her ticket to a better life.
She has proof the now married, affluent Carlana isn’t the caring health and mindfulness coach and motivational speaker she promotes herself as, so she sets her blackmail scheme into motion.
And things got even weirder.
Such an intriguing read that kept me turning pages to see what Jean would do next… because her elevator doesn’t go all the way to the top.
But, if Jean is nuts, so is Carlana…and her husband, Evan (Him! OMG!), and her friend, Bettina.
Jean’s daughter, Amy, isn’t nuts, just preoccupied with getting anyone into bed, but by the time I got to 80% in this read, I was ready to pass out Xanax cocktails… and lobotomies to everyone!
In the blink of an eye, revenge and a honey trap both turn into murder, but who dies? You have to hang on to the very end to find out!
I stumbled with the editing a few times, having to re-read sentences again, but it didn’t diminish the story. However, the time jump near the end is jolting.
Multiple POVs give the opportunity to look through each main characters’ eyes and learn why they feel justified in their behavior.
The Plastic Seed delivers nice bait and switch scenes and good complex characters, and this crazy story of revenge and retribution is laced with humor and satire.
Enjoy!
March 26, 2019
The Plastic Seed is a novella by Maisie Porter. It is set out in three parts, the beginning, 5 and 20 years later.
The story is told from the perspectives of each character, Jean, an alcoholic midwife…..who mixed up a couple of babies….but that could happen to anyone couldn’t it?
Amy, her daughter, who begins by sneaking out at night to meet a boyfriend, but, eventually ends up in jail for drug dealing….
Carlana, a woman who seems confused most of the time, becomes a health and well-being seminar and lifestyles advocate, who used to neglect herself and her dog….
And, Evan …..a rather strange, controlling man, who is Carlana’s husband and recycling fanatic.
Jean cannot accept the troubles in her life are her own doing and that Carlana is responsible….it’s all her fault and she wants revenge. Carlana, however, wants a new life and is plotting a way to leave her husband…..
Jean’s exploits are a little bizarre, such as climbing in the boot of Carlana’s car….she does seem a little frazzled!
Will Jean carry out her blackmail threat? will this end in violence ?…….or will they all come to their senses?
There is also a very clever, almost social documentary feel to this in how we are destroying the planet, and that everyone wants to be a social media guru…..the how to live, eat and be happy with less materialism accounts became so popular, the government ban them as consumer sales dropped. So unless you are a licensed health and well-being practitioner it’s illegal to offer advice! So these licences are very sought after.
I really enjoyed this satirical view of the continuous promotion of well-being….what we should think, eat and do….plus the inability of some to accept the facts that are staring them in the face and take responsibility for their own actions. Fun, whacky, part thriller, part sci-fi and at times just odd, but never dull…..
Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the ebook in exchange for my honest, unbiased review
The story is told from the perspectives of each character, Jean, an alcoholic midwife…..who mixed up a couple of babies….but that could happen to anyone couldn’t it?
Amy, her daughter, who begins by sneaking out at night to meet a boyfriend, but, eventually ends up in jail for drug dealing….
Carlana, a woman who seems confused most of the time, becomes a health and well-being seminar and lifestyles advocate, who used to neglect herself and her dog….
And, Evan …..a rather strange, controlling man, who is Carlana’s husband and recycling fanatic.
Jean cannot accept the troubles in her life are her own doing and that Carlana is responsible….it’s all her fault and she wants revenge. Carlana, however, wants a new life and is plotting a way to leave her husband…..
Jean’s exploits are a little bizarre, such as climbing in the boot of Carlana’s car….she does seem a little frazzled!
Will Jean carry out her blackmail threat? will this end in violence ?…….or will they all come to their senses?
There is also a very clever, almost social documentary feel to this in how we are destroying the planet, and that everyone wants to be a social media guru…..the how to live, eat and be happy with less materialism accounts became so popular, the government ban them as consumer sales dropped. So unless you are a licensed health and well-being practitioner it’s illegal to offer advice! So these licences are very sought after.
I really enjoyed this satirical view of the continuous promotion of well-being….what we should think, eat and do….plus the inability of some to accept the facts that are staring them in the face and take responsibility for their own actions. Fun, whacky, part thriller, part sci-fi and at times just odd, but never dull…..
Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the ebook in exchange for my honest, unbiased review
March 30, 2019
This was a very interesting read that covers several themes. Jean is an alcoholic living with her teenage daughter. They live next door to Carlana, who is single and struggling.
Fast forward a few years, Jean is in a horrible job after being dismissed as a midwife and her daughter is in jail, serving a sentence for drugs. Carlana, however, is enjoying life. She now has a daughter and a husband is a hugely successful wellness counsellor. Her books sell well and she promotes a minimalist and basic lifestyle.
She views Carlana as the reason for all of her problems and is overtaken by jealousy as she embarks on a mission to even their lifestyles. Armed with a plan, photographs and a gun can she convince Carlana to make her life better. Well Carlana has plans of her own...
Fast forward a few years, Jean is in a horrible job after being dismissed as a midwife and her daughter is in jail, serving a sentence for drugs. Carlana, however, is enjoying life. She now has a daughter and a husband is a hugely successful wellness counsellor. Her books sell well and she promotes a minimalist and basic lifestyle.
She views Carlana as the reason for all of her problems and is overtaken by jealousy as she embarks on a mission to even their lifestyles. Armed with a plan, photographs and a gun can she convince Carlana to make her life better. Well Carlana has plans of her own...
January 16, 2019
Interesting
I found the book interesting but a bit slow at times and wanting to be finished with it. I was glad for the way the story ended.
I found the book interesting but a bit slow at times and wanting to be finished with it. I was glad for the way the story ended.
April 1, 2019
They say that revenge is a dish best served cold,well Jean Hima doesn't give a damn what temperature her revenge is,just as long as her plot to get back at the woman she preserves to have ruined her life goes to plan. Jean was/is an alcoholic whose husband left her and then she lost her job as a midwife at the local hospital. But as far as she is concerned,none of that was her fault, oh no, as far as,she is concerned,it was all because of the snooty,real estate agent who lived next door.
Move forward five years later,Jean's ex neighbour Carlana is now married to Evan,affluent and is a health and mindness coach and a motivational speaker. But Jean has proof that Carlana is not the caring person that she pretends to be,so she sets her plan for revenge into action.
A plan that starts off with a bit of blackmail and culminates in cold blooded murder.
The Plastic Seed is a,short novella that is voiced from the perspective of numerous characters including Jean,Carlana and Evan. I wouldn't say any of the main characters were very likeable for various reasons although Jean did go up a bit in my estimation when the content of her blackmail material was revealed. I felt so much sympathy for Jean's daughter Amy and Carlana and Evan's young daughter Maia who were both lumbered with selfish parents. Although Jean was putting her plan into action to improve life for her daughter,it could be said that it was a case of too little,too late.
This story is a strangely entertaining mix of thriller,mystery and sci-fi with an added dash of satire. The characters were vivid and diverse, there was a number of unexpected twists and turns and the story had a satisfactory conclusion. Although I wouldn't say I enjoyed this book as much as I loved Maisie Potter's previous book No Reception,I did enjoy it enough to finish it and look forward to reading more books by this author in the future.
Many thanks to Rachel Gibley,Maisie Porter and Crooked Cat Books for a arc of this book in exchange for a honest review and the opportunity to take part in the Blog tour.
Move forward five years later,Jean's ex neighbour Carlana is now married to Evan,affluent and is a health and mindness coach and a motivational speaker. But Jean has proof that Carlana is not the caring person that she pretends to be,so she sets her plan for revenge into action.
A plan that starts off with a bit of blackmail and culminates in cold blooded murder.
The Plastic Seed is a,short novella that is voiced from the perspective of numerous characters including Jean,Carlana and Evan. I wouldn't say any of the main characters were very likeable for various reasons although Jean did go up a bit in my estimation when the content of her blackmail material was revealed. I felt so much sympathy for Jean's daughter Amy and Carlana and Evan's young daughter Maia who were both lumbered with selfish parents. Although Jean was putting her plan into action to improve life for her daughter,it could be said that it was a case of too little,too late.
This story is a strangely entertaining mix of thriller,mystery and sci-fi with an added dash of satire. The characters were vivid and diverse, there was a number of unexpected twists and turns and the story had a satisfactory conclusion. Although I wouldn't say I enjoyed this book as much as I loved Maisie Potter's previous book No Reception,I did enjoy it enough to finish it and look forward to reading more books by this author in the future.
Many thanks to Rachel Gibley,Maisie Porter and Crooked Cat Books for a arc of this book in exchange for a honest review and the opportunity to take part in the Blog tour.
January 26, 2019
Not my type of book
I persisted to finish this, but ultimately found myself disappointed. I was hopeful for something to draw me in as the plot seemed promising, but it just never happened. The writing style felt stilted and dialogue was unrealistic; who really speaks with no contractions? The main part of the story takes place across a single day, and the characters to me felt undeveloped and without depth. There were also mistakes in grammar throughout, undoubtedly an editing issue but also took away from my enjoyment. Unfortunately not a read I would recommend.
I persisted to finish this, but ultimately found myself disappointed. I was hopeful for something to draw me in as the plot seemed promising, but it just never happened. The writing style felt stilted and dialogue was unrealistic; who really speaks with no contractions? The main part of the story takes place across a single day, and the characters to me felt undeveloped and without depth. There were also mistakes in grammar throughout, undoubtedly an editing issue but also took away from my enjoyment. Unfortunately not a read I would recommend.
August 26, 2020
Not sure how I feel.
The book was well written and had a good plot and sub plots but for some reason didn't hold my attention that well. It should only have taken a quick morning sitting to read but ended up taking 3 day despite the shortness of the book. I will say once I was into it, round page 100, I didn't put it down for a second. Even though it is a short book I still felt like the author could have cut it by about 50 pages. There were a lot of mind numbing details.
The book was well written and had a good plot and sub plots but for some reason didn't hold my attention that well. It should only have taken a quick morning sitting to read but ended up taking 3 day despite the shortness of the book. I will say once I was into it, round page 100, I didn't put it down for a second. Even though it is a short book I still felt like the author could have cut it by about 50 pages. There were a lot of mind numbing details.
February 2, 2019
Another quirky read! I got pulled into this strange story in the same way I did with this author's first book. The characters are the sort that I loved to hate as I tried to figure out who could be trusted. I liked that it mostly took place without the timespan of a day as this kept the story going at a terrific pace. Looking forward to seeing what twisted characters Maisie Porter comes up with next!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews