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God's Unwanted Child
In his late twenties, Jack Delaney has lost his life. Set in a bleak and confusing afterlife, God’s Unwanted Child is a picaresque novel that follows the narrator, Jack Delaney, on his path to eternity. As Jack enters his life after death, he is faced with a reality he never would have expected: You can choose where to spend eternity. Cursed with choice and burdened by his own memories, Jack attempts to navigate the seemingly endless doors that death holds for him. With each chapter, Jack takes the reader through his past filled with alcohol abuse, sex, violence, and existential isolation. In God’s Unwanted Child, the reader will experience Jack’s life first hand as he wrestles with his relationship with his Father, his past love, and the choices that lead him to his final decision.
- GenresFiction
276 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 25, 2019
4 people are currently reading
804 people want to read
About the author
Reece LeResche
3 books21 followersReece Davis LeResche is an American author born in 1989. Raised by his mother on the fringes of Tucson, AZ, LeResche developed a love for reading at a young age. Throughout High School and College, he worked several menial jobs to support himself and his family while writing in his spare time. In college, he majored in English Literature and became a High School English teacher soon after. Though his work as a teacher has been edifying, LeResche feverishly pursued his love of writing. Reece's works focus on the darker side of the human experience and are patented with an emphasis on alcoholism, guilt, existentialism, choice, depravity, and death. He is currently in the process of publishing his second novel and a book of short stories.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 19, 2019
After reading this book, I told all of my friends and family about it. The writer makes you fall in love with the main character and hate him at the same time. Each character in the book will either remind of the people in your life, the people you wish you knew or the people you steered clear from. It makes you, as a reader, feel like you are apart of Jack’s world. It takes a basic premise like “How do your choices form the world around you?” and relates it to life, death, family and everything in between. I wasn’t sure what I was getting into reading this but it took me on an emotional rollercoaster. At the beginning, I was scratching my head. Throughout the book, I was either rolling my eyes or laughing out loud. By the end, I was an emotional wreck.
January 8, 2020
Dante meets Bukowksi meets ...something else entirely. Especially enjoyable for those among us who drink a little too much, and are haunted by those moments of clarity we have no idea what to do with. It’s hard to see where it’s all going in the beginning, but as you stick through everything comes together and crashes down in a way that brings you to tears. An excellent piece of existential dread-inspired fiction.
January 1, 2020
Jonathan Franzen’s rule no. 4 for novelists:
“Write in third person unless a really distinctive first-person voice offers itself irresistibly.”
When I started reading this, I thought the writing was going to be self-indulgent from beginning to end. The ideas the author was throwing at me were heady and a little demoralizing. On top of all that, the writing seemed a little scattered at times. I love a social outcast POV as much as the next guy but the book’s philosophy was filled with abjection from jump street. I’m going to go out on a limb here and suggest the author is not a huge fan of the human race. And yet, some modicum of my soul felt compelled to persist. “A seemingly depressed alcoholic declaiming brief moments of his formative years after he has died? Sure, I’ll bite.”
Now, can I jump to the good part after that? It works. It works because near the end of this story, I did not feel sympathy. Rather, I felt a little understanding. There weren’t any shitty plot twists. There weren’t any ridiculous “A-ha” moments. It was just a kid, who had a little too much to drink, taking the reader through his past while he decides where he is going to spend eternity. Despite all of the “deeper” connections the author is making, the book is entertaining and very accessible.
I can’t even classify God’s Unwanted Child. Usually when I finish a book, my first thoughts are “It reminded me of ___________ and __________.” Or “It was a mixture of ____________ and ___________.” Even though the themes of certain genres are there, it’s tough to compare it to another. One thing is for sure, this book is a product of a troubled mind.
Best parts of this book:
• Heredity’s role in substance abuse
• The degeneracy and risky behavior Jack develops over time
• The idea behind Hell
• The playlist the author sprinkles throughout the novel
• The notion of choice and the inadequacies of reliving the past
• That fucking ending
Final thoughts?
Do you hate Bukowski? Don’t read this book.
Do you love Bukowski? Don’t read this book.
This one isn’t for the lightweights.
“Write in third person unless a really distinctive first-person voice offers itself irresistibly.”
When I started reading this, I thought the writing was going to be self-indulgent from beginning to end. The ideas the author was throwing at me were heady and a little demoralizing. On top of all that, the writing seemed a little scattered at times. I love a social outcast POV as much as the next guy but the book’s philosophy was filled with abjection from jump street. I’m going to go out on a limb here and suggest the author is not a huge fan of the human race. And yet, some modicum of my soul felt compelled to persist. “A seemingly depressed alcoholic declaiming brief moments of his formative years after he has died? Sure, I’ll bite.”
Now, can I jump to the good part after that? It works. It works because near the end of this story, I did not feel sympathy. Rather, I felt a little understanding. There weren’t any shitty plot twists. There weren’t any ridiculous “A-ha” moments. It was just a kid, who had a little too much to drink, taking the reader through his past while he decides where he is going to spend eternity. Despite all of the “deeper” connections the author is making, the book is entertaining and very accessible.
I can’t even classify God’s Unwanted Child. Usually when I finish a book, my first thoughts are “It reminded me of ___________ and __________.” Or “It was a mixture of ____________ and ___________.” Even though the themes of certain genres are there, it’s tough to compare it to another. One thing is for sure, this book is a product of a troubled mind.
Best parts of this book:
• Heredity’s role in substance abuse
• The degeneracy and risky behavior Jack develops over time
• The idea behind Hell
• The playlist the author sprinkles throughout the novel
• The notion of choice and the inadequacies of reliving the past
• That fucking ending
Final thoughts?
Do you hate Bukowski? Don’t read this book.
Do you love Bukowski? Don’t read this book.
This one isn’t for the lightweights.
March 16, 2020
God's Unwanted Child, or The Sorrows of Young Delaney
There's a lot to unpack here in this slice of life novel. At times, the book reads like the ramblings of a madman. And yet, LeResche is pithy in his master stroke. He models his character (I believe unknowingly) almost like Watts, before capitulating into Bukowski and Nietzsche.
And that is what I believe it truly is; a modern day pastiche of many existential philosophers. The ideas of absurdists, nihilists, anti-natalists, stoicism, epicureanism, and rationalism explode of every page. At first I thought the author might be placing too many ideas all at once in the book but near the end I believe it worked out brilliantly.
I lent the copy I had to a college friend of mine. Normally, I would merely recommend a book and forget about it. However, this time, I needed a second set of eyes on what I was reading. We began discussing how each chapter and "remembrance of things past" for the narrator ties in to one philosophical idea or another. It isn't so much a social commentary as it is a study on humans in the late 20th century. I initially chalked up his last afterlife chamber to lazy writing, but after speaking with my friend about it, I realized he was touching on Nietzsche's aphorism of "live like you will relive this moment again".
Though, as I mentioned before, a general medley of many philosophical ideas, the novel is completely original and sublimely interesting. Each page begs the reader to return to the days when literary criticism was the key to life's more critical maladies. In a world saturated with bromidic fantasy novels and slavish YA literature, LeResche thrusts the ideas we once held dear into our faces with a contemporary and tragic twist.
There's a lot to unpack here in this slice of life novel. At times, the book reads like the ramblings of a madman. And yet, LeResche is pithy in his master stroke. He models his character (I believe unknowingly) almost like Watts, before capitulating into Bukowski and Nietzsche.
And that is what I believe it truly is; a modern day pastiche of many existential philosophers. The ideas of absurdists, nihilists, anti-natalists, stoicism, epicureanism, and rationalism explode of every page. At first I thought the author might be placing too many ideas all at once in the book but near the end I believe it worked out brilliantly.
I lent the copy I had to a college friend of mine. Normally, I would merely recommend a book and forget about it. However, this time, I needed a second set of eyes on what I was reading. We began discussing how each chapter and "remembrance of things past" for the narrator ties in to one philosophical idea or another. It isn't so much a social commentary as it is a study on humans in the late 20th century. I initially chalked up his last afterlife chamber to lazy writing, but after speaking with my friend about it, I realized he was touching on Nietzsche's aphorism of "live like you will relive this moment again".
Though, as I mentioned before, a general medley of many philosophical ideas, the novel is completely original and sublimely interesting. Each page begs the reader to return to the days when literary criticism was the key to life's more critical maladies. In a world saturated with bromidic fantasy novels and slavish YA literature, LeResche thrusts the ideas we once held dear into our faces with a contemporary and tragic twist.
April 13, 2023
We both found "God's Unwanted Child" to be a moving and powerful memoir. LeResche's story of overcoming trauma, addiction, and homelessness is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. His honesty and vulnerability in sharing his experiences is both heartbreaking and inspiring. We were deeply moved by his journey and the strength he demonstrated in turning his life around. This is a must-read for anyone seeking inspiration and hope in the face of adversity.
Lucas: As someone who is passionate about personal development and self-improvement, I found LeResche's story to be a powerful example of the transformative power of self-awareness and determination. His willingness to confront his past and work through his struggles is a testament to the importance of taking ownership of one's life and choices.
Liam: I found LeResche's story to be a poignant reminder of the humanity and value of every individual, no matter their circumstances or past. His journey of finding hope and redemption is an inspiration to me in my own struggles and challenges. This book is a reminder of the importance of compassion, empathy, and connection in our lives.
Lucas: As someone who is passionate about personal development and self-improvement, I found LeResche's story to be a powerful example of the transformative power of self-awareness and determination. His willingness to confront his past and work through his struggles is a testament to the importance of taking ownership of one's life and choices.
Liam: I found LeResche's story to be a poignant reminder of the humanity and value of every individual, no matter their circumstances or past. His journey of finding hope and redemption is an inspiration to me in my own struggles and challenges. This book is a reminder of the importance of compassion, empathy, and connection in our lives.
January 20, 2020
Well, that was depressing. Nihilists of the world rejoice!
May 28, 2022
Really relatable for me. Do you have family trauma? Do you have hints of alcoholism and existentialism mixed into your life here and there? Then read this.
May 25, 2022
Entertaining. Depressing. Ponderous.
I have mixed feelings about this one. As a novel, it’s all over the place; not to mention, a bit bleak. The narrator, who is at times both endearing and annoying, gives the audience vignettes from his past that have thin links to where he might choose to spend eternity, which as the author explains in great detail is an anxiety driven affair.
Also, it could have done with a solid editing job. The author seemed to go for a minimalist approach, but then went into deep descriptions with philosophical underpinnings. The pacing was awkward and at times the author took a misstep on which tense he intended to use. One thing I noticed right away is that the narrator changes to address his audience every once and a while, which he then switches between verb tenses mid-sentence.
But, as far as indie reads go, it wasn't too bad and, despite its need for a bit of prudent editing, it was an engaging read. The intro pulled me in, and there were bits of humor that did make me chuckle.
One aspect of the novel that I did really like was the change from past to present; though as I mentioned above, at times he uses the wrong tense for the wrong chapter/paragraph.
Though forced and even plodding at times, I can see a newer generation of readers really resonating with the novel. There have been countless books written about protagonists dealing with alcoholism, love and existential angst. However, this book does an excellent job of fleshing out a real sense of ennui that comes from isolation and the hereditary element of fate/freewill.
As some other reviewers have stated, the book reads a bit like a lamentable Bukowski. However, I don't see this as a next best-seller, but rather the juvenilia of a nascent author whose talents are still budding.
I have mixed feelings about this one. As a novel, it’s all over the place; not to mention, a bit bleak. The narrator, who is at times both endearing and annoying, gives the audience vignettes from his past that have thin links to where he might choose to spend eternity, which as the author explains in great detail is an anxiety driven affair.
Also, it could have done with a solid editing job. The author seemed to go for a minimalist approach, but then went into deep descriptions with philosophical underpinnings. The pacing was awkward and at times the author took a misstep on which tense he intended to use. One thing I noticed right away is that the narrator changes to address his audience every once and a while, which he then switches between verb tenses mid-sentence.
But, as far as indie reads go, it wasn't too bad and, despite its need for a bit of prudent editing, it was an engaging read. The intro pulled me in, and there were bits of humor that did make me chuckle.
One aspect of the novel that I did really like was the change from past to present; though as I mentioned above, at times he uses the wrong tense for the wrong chapter/paragraph.
Though forced and even plodding at times, I can see a newer generation of readers really resonating with the novel. There have been countless books written about protagonists dealing with alcoholism, love and existential angst. However, this book does an excellent job of fleshing out a real sense of ennui that comes from isolation and the hereditary element of fate/freewill.
As some other reviewers have stated, the book reads a bit like a lamentable Bukowski. However, I don't see this as a next best-seller, but rather the juvenilia of a nascent author whose talents are still budding.
October 31, 2019
4 stars pending 5! I picked this up for my monthly "Unknown" reading and I want to give this a five, I do! I have to go back and reread a few chapters cause there is a lot to unpack and A LOT going on. It's some new school literary bullshit. In a good way, of course. I'm still trying to dissect certain parts but I'll be damned if this book didn't keep me coming back for more. The stories of drunken debauchery were intriguing at least. Try following an alcoholic around for a while he debates the cruelty and futility of life; you'll end up with this.
If for nothing else, I would give the book five stars based on originality and content. I don't think there was one "boring" chapter. But part of my scorn for this novel comes from the protagonist. From Chapter 1, his naivety is palpable. I wouldn't say I didn't "like" him I just didn't "care" for him all too much. That is, at least for the first half of the book. He certainly goes through a humbling character development, and by the end of the novel I did sympathize with him. It's just page after page of ennui, alcohol abuse, misanthropy, alcohol abuse, depression, alcohol abuse, bad jokes, alcohol abuse, contempt for living, and- you guessed it- alcohol abuse. And by the end, I was still struggling to comprehend what I just read and what it all meant. I'll give it a reread one day.
If for nothing else, I would give the book five stars based on originality and content. I don't think there was one "boring" chapter. But part of my scorn for this novel comes from the protagonist. From Chapter 1, his naivety is palpable. I wouldn't say I didn't "like" him I just didn't "care" for him all too much. That is, at least for the first half of the book. He certainly goes through a humbling character development, and by the end of the novel I did sympathize with him. It's just page after page of ennui, alcohol abuse, misanthropy, alcohol abuse, depression, alcohol abuse, bad jokes, alcohol abuse, contempt for living, and- you guessed it- alcohol abuse. And by the end, I was still struggling to comprehend what I just read and what it all meant. I'll give it a reread one day.
October 31, 2019
I got this one for cheap so I decided to give it a read. Just finished it over the weekend. Between work and home, I picked up a chapter here and there. When I was halfway through, I was binge reading. I'm a glutton for shitty, drunken tales. The only thing I kinda hated was I felt the author was using words that were unnecessary every once in a while but it worked well in the end. The finale rocked me for sure. Good job LeResche. Whoever the fuck you are.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews