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Assunta
A freak hurricane strikes a small island community off Texas, and a ravaging possession devastates the region, quickly conquering the world. Scientist Dan Heritage must question the creed of his disciplined training as he struggles to understand the horrific plague (one he has named Assunta) while at the same time saving the souls of those closest to him. Science squares off against spirituality in this savage, modern-day variant of the epic 14th century poem, The Divine Comedy. Assunta is a forceful story of love, depravity, companionship and slaughter in an inventive new look at one of the oldest works of civilization, and with a timeless theme—the redemption of humankind. Three complete novels—Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso—all bound into one lavish volume.
504 pages, Paperback
Published November 22, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 21, 2020
For any book to call itself a modern take on Dante's legendary "Divine Comedy" is a bold assertion--bold enough to warrant my attention. The concept was intriguing enough to get me hooked. The rest took me by surprise in the best possible way.
The first book wastes little time getting started, with the first few Cantos proving Mr. Greco's intent to shine light into humanity's darkest corners. There is an ever-present sense that humanity has brought this plague on itself, and that sense is certainly not wrong within the context of the story. Yet there are hints that perhaps this tale should be accepted as cautionary, as well; as if there are applications for these lessons in our "real" world. But for all the sin and horror, we also glimpse the best of what we can be when we act (and love) selflessly.
Mr. Greco invests just enough character voices into his narrative to keep things moving. We don't know every thought and whim, but we know enough. This allows his verbose style to come through no matter who we are following. There is a great deal of big and complex word choices, and even complex arrangements of simple words that flow a bit more like poetry than narrative fiction. Fitting, given the novel's spiritual forbear, but not always easy to digest. Still, I appreciate the complexity.
Once adjusted to Mr. Greco's style, you will quickly find this story to be at once hopelessly disconcerting and wonderfully redemptive. The glee that some of these characters take in their wickedness is shocking (and perhaps a subtle dig at the "real" world), but this heightens the story's redemptive qualities. The farther one falls, the sweeter the salvation.
This lengthy volume contains all three books of the Assunta series. You will follow Dan through the entire "comedy" - from the depths of the inferno, to purgatory, and to paradise (metaphorically speaking). It is not a quick read, nor an easy journey, but it is eminently worthwhile.
Superficially, "Assunta" is very entertaining. But the tale's emotional and spiritual weight, and the enormity of the issues it tackles, make it stand out above the rest. A very satisfying read for those who enjoy a bit more intellectual meat on their literary bones.
The first book wastes little time getting started, with the first few Cantos proving Mr. Greco's intent to shine light into humanity's darkest corners. There is an ever-present sense that humanity has brought this plague on itself, and that sense is certainly not wrong within the context of the story. Yet there are hints that perhaps this tale should be accepted as cautionary, as well; as if there are applications for these lessons in our "real" world. But for all the sin and horror, we also glimpse the best of what we can be when we act (and love) selflessly.
Mr. Greco invests just enough character voices into his narrative to keep things moving. We don't know every thought and whim, but we know enough. This allows his verbose style to come through no matter who we are following. There is a great deal of big and complex word choices, and even complex arrangements of simple words that flow a bit more like poetry than narrative fiction. Fitting, given the novel's spiritual forbear, but not always easy to digest. Still, I appreciate the complexity.
Once adjusted to Mr. Greco's style, you will quickly find this story to be at once hopelessly disconcerting and wonderfully redemptive. The glee that some of these characters take in their wickedness is shocking (and perhaps a subtle dig at the "real" world), but this heightens the story's redemptive qualities. The farther one falls, the sweeter the salvation.
This lengthy volume contains all three books of the Assunta series. You will follow Dan through the entire "comedy" - from the depths of the inferno, to purgatory, and to paradise (metaphorically speaking). It is not a quick read, nor an easy journey, but it is eminently worthwhile.
Superficially, "Assunta" is very entertaining. But the tale's emotional and spiritual weight, and the enormity of the issues it tackles, make it stand out above the rest. A very satisfying read for those who enjoy a bit more intellectual meat on their literary bones.
January 3, 2020
Michael Greco’s take on The Divine Comedy is interesting. The story idea is unique and offers readers the opportunity to live the story. On the other hand, if a reader doesn’t have a college education, the words and structure may distract from the story. It seems that Greco went out of his way to prove his advanced vocabulary. However, most readers are comfortable with a tenth-grade level. But this is the only aspect that distracts from the novel. Otherwise, Greco’s characters and storyline are interesting and will hold their attention.
December 24, 2019
Modern society may not consider 14th-century Dante's Divina Comedia "comic" in today's sense, nor find the apocalyptic novel ASSUNTA comic. However, as the author notes, in Medieval times "Comedy" was simply diametric to "Tragedy": or, "not everyone dies at the end." ASSUNTA follows this precept as a brilliant scientist seeks to overturn a plague caused by an Act of Nature.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews