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The Hockenfur Tangent
Leah and Jareth collide on a Manhattan street and land in a splattered heap of takeout food, pain and chagrin. When the first sarcastic quip about their circumstances slips through preoccupied lips, they both begin paying more attention.With Jareth unwilling to take ‘no’ for an answer and Leah unwilling to give it, they end up at a diner, each tangled in motivations and circumstances they are certain the other could not possibly understand. They make each other laugh, think and imagine, becoming addicted to and dependent on the atmosphere they create when they are together. There might be fairy dust in the gyros.Sensing kindred but not knowing why or how, they both become unwilling and unable to let go of newly-possible intimacy and potential understanding they convince themselves must be truth because they need it more than they need their solitary safety.
221 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 3, 2021
14 people are currently reading
454 people want to read
About the author
Linda Kingery
4 books18 followersI'm the owner of Capricious Codex Publishing, author of 'The Hockenfur Tangent' and narrator of 'The Hockenfur Tangent' and 'The Boy Who Was Seen as a Villain.'
I enjoy writing neurodiverse characters and complicated themes. I believe writing is a bit like cooking; an ideal dish should include sweet, sour, bitter, spicy and salty flavors.
I enjoy writing neurodiverse characters and complicated themes. I believe writing is a bit like cooking; an ideal dish should include sweet, sour, bitter, spicy and salty flavors.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 5, 2021
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
A man and a woman bump into each other in New York City. They fall in love, but don't really seem to know what to do about it. They talk a lot.
It felt like somebody was watching too much Seinfeld.
A man and a woman bump into each other in New York City. They fall in love, but don't really seem to know what to do about it. They talk a lot.
It felt like somebody was watching too much Seinfeld.
March 2, 2021
I was given a copy of this book to read from a friend of mine who insisted it was a great read. The title perplexed me, so I gave it a go. I was hooked from the first chapter.
The characters of Jareth and Leah make for a compelling read. Leah is a unique lady with a unique issue and Jareth's wit made me wonder if his parents were Irish. The fast-paced dialogue that covered a multitude of topics did lead to many personal debates about the topics that were covered. The development of the characters and their situation made for a curious enlightening read and of course, I needed to know would they survive the challenge before them. If you like books that can push characters beyond our normal boundaries then you should give this book a try.
The characters of Jareth and Leah make for a compelling read. Leah is a unique lady with a unique issue and Jareth's wit made me wonder if his parents were Irish. The fast-paced dialogue that covered a multitude of topics did lead to many personal debates about the topics that were covered. The development of the characters and their situation made for a curious enlightening read and of course, I needed to know would they survive the challenge before them. If you like books that can push characters beyond our normal boundaries then you should give this book a try.
March 5, 2021
I won this book through a goodreads giveaway! This is one of the best books I've read in a long time. The characters are beautifully flawed, the twists never stop, and the messages are profound. It's literally one long conversation between two people talking in metaphors and thought experiments, but I was so hooked. It's so mentally and emotionally stimulating. What does it mean to be human? What does it mean to love? Does anything mean anything? No and yes, and you'll learn some facts about sharks, penguins, and orchids along the way. Sprinkle in cheesy movie quotes, vivid sarcasm, and quick wits, and you have yourself a masterpiece.
March 17, 2021
Leah collides with Jareth on an icy New York sidewalk. They instantly strike a conversation and the dialogue between them is the novel. The more we read the more we know about Leah’s secrets and Gareths emotions. They know they are in love but also know that their love is different.
It is a skillfully written, cerebral novel about an offbeat relationship and two interesting people. I enjoyed it very much.
It is a skillfully written, cerebral novel about an offbeat relationship and two interesting people. I enjoyed it very much.
February 18, 2021
I could just let it go as having never read such rich vocabulary, compelling prose and inexplicably fascinating dialogue; but I wouldn’t be doing it justice. So, I won’t.
Linda Kingery, who are you really? Are you for real? Who taught you how to write this way? What wizard gave you the superpower of capturing a reader, holding his imagination so tightly that it felt safe spinning out of control? How did you concoct such an incredibly distinctive plot out of what the cynics might call an adaptation of “Love Story?”
Leah collides with Jareth on an icy New York sidewalk and, save for two meals at a Greek diner, insert themselves into a parallel universe through their voiced thoughts and almost poetic sophistication of their dialogue. They know they are in love but understand theirs is a love like no other anyone has ever conceptualized. And it is worth a whole lot of Hockenfurs, more than they could ever put a value to, but cleverly explain to the reader a wealth they could never in a million years quantify. I’ve given you a teasing taste of the currency because you NEED to read this novel yourselves. You need to!
Kingery is a fantastic author, and I will soon look to see if she has written something else, but not yet. I first have to finish savoring the aura of the tangent she left with me.
Five inconceivably insufficient Stars!
Linda Kingery, who are you really? Are you for real? Who taught you how to write this way? What wizard gave you the superpower of capturing a reader, holding his imagination so tightly that it felt safe spinning out of control? How did you concoct such an incredibly distinctive plot out of what the cynics might call an adaptation of “Love Story?”
Leah collides with Jareth on an icy New York sidewalk and, save for two meals at a Greek diner, insert themselves into a parallel universe through their voiced thoughts and almost poetic sophistication of their dialogue. They know they are in love but understand theirs is a love like no other anyone has ever conceptualized. And it is worth a whole lot of Hockenfurs, more than they could ever put a value to, but cleverly explain to the reader a wealth they could never in a million years quantify. I’ve given you a teasing taste of the currency because you NEED to read this novel yourselves. You need to!
Kingery is a fantastic author, and I will soon look to see if she has written something else, but not yet. I first have to finish savoring the aura of the tangent she left with me.
Five inconceivably insufficient Stars!
July 31, 2021
An interesting read, writing in a conversational style. The author explores the ins and outs of a relationship, highlighting the fact that we are all flawed, dealing with insecurities that make us fear commitment.
Meet Leah and Jareth, two people who literally crash into one another. Their encounter will represent the first step toward a complicated relationship. Drawn to each other, they will realize that attraction can have an addictive effect.
I found this book to be interesting and thought-provoking. In a way, you can look at it as a conversation between people who are falling in love. The dialogue between Leah and Jareth, which occupies the better part of the book, is worth following. There are plenty of witty remarks to keep you interested and sprinkles of humor to remind you of life’s funny parts. Insightful moments add to the delight of the reading experience.
It was refreshing to see a book that approached this writing style, and I loved how the author managed to build her characters through dialogue. She has managed to create characters that you will root for; without realizing, you will end up caring about them and wishing for that happy ending.
I also liked how she showed that we are all humans and thus flawed. Peeling back the layers we work so hard to create, the author proved we all have our moments of glory, followed by periods of darkness. Her book is an account of what makes us human and how we handle the difficult parts of life, including in the context of a relationship.
Excellent read! Even though the story mostly contains dialogue, I actually liked the writing style and how the relationship between Leah and Jareth unfolded. The book was engaging and it reminded me of purple prose novellas.
Meet Leah and Jareth, two people who literally crash into one another. Their encounter will represent the first step toward a complicated relationship. Drawn to each other, they will realize that attraction can have an addictive effect.
I found this book to be interesting and thought-provoking. In a way, you can look at it as a conversation between people who are falling in love. The dialogue between Leah and Jareth, which occupies the better part of the book, is worth following. There are plenty of witty remarks to keep you interested and sprinkles of humor to remind you of life’s funny parts. Insightful moments add to the delight of the reading experience.
It was refreshing to see a book that approached this writing style, and I loved how the author managed to build her characters through dialogue. She has managed to create characters that you will root for; without realizing, you will end up caring about them and wishing for that happy ending.
I also liked how she showed that we are all humans and thus flawed. Peeling back the layers we work so hard to create, the author proved we all have our moments of glory, followed by periods of darkness. Her book is an account of what makes us human and how we handle the difficult parts of life, including in the context of a relationship.
Excellent read! Even though the story mostly contains dialogue, I actually liked the writing style and how the relationship between Leah and Jareth unfolded. The book was engaging and it reminded me of purple prose novellas.
April 23, 2021
Crazy Romance
After colliding with each other in the street, Leah and Jarrett embark on a crazy, unorthodox sometimes unhealthy relationship. Most of the book is their conversations. I felt like the proverbial fly on the wall much of the time. I found it engaging, but I would not call it suspenseful. These two were lost in their own world, come what May. The only disappointment for me was that I didn’t feel a real burning passion between them. Still a good read though.
After colliding with each other in the street, Leah and Jarrett embark on a crazy, unorthodox sometimes unhealthy relationship. Most of the book is their conversations. I felt like the proverbial fly on the wall much of the time. I found it engaging, but I would not call it suspenseful. These two were lost in their own world, come what May. The only disappointment for me was that I didn’t feel a real burning passion between them. Still a good read though.
December 28, 2025
This was a goodread win back in 2022.
If you love dialog after dialog then this book if for you. Two people have a chance meeting on a street corner and meet up for lunch. The man a user of people, and falls for a young rich woman with no family, a weakening disease, but plenty of money. The constant describing how they need each other how they compliment each others needs and wants with each other. It's all talk, crazy talk, desires talk, demands and wants talks. Talk, talk, and talk.
If you love dialog after dialog then this book if for you. Two people have a chance meeting on a street corner and meet up for lunch. The man a user of people, and falls for a young rich woman with no family, a weakening disease, but plenty of money. The constant describing how they need each other how they compliment each others needs and wants with each other. It's all talk, crazy talk, desires talk, demands and wants talks. Talk, talk, and talk.
March 3, 2021
I don't know what to say about this book
Because I really don't know how I feel about it. It was well written but also very confusing to me. The sentences went on and on until I would get lost and have to start over. I won this book as a Goodreads giveaway and this is my honest review.
Because I really don't know how I feel about it. It was well written but also very confusing to me. The sentences went on and on until I would get lost and have to start over. I won this book as a Goodreads giveaway and this is my honest review.
April 28, 2021
This didn't seem like a story as much as a conversation. A somewhat weirdly dark conversation that sometimes was hard to follow who was talking. The sentences, paragraphs and chapters were long and wordy. I found myself skimming rather than reading at times.
May 18, 2021
I seldom give up on a book but this one just wasn't for me. I got lost in all the long, long conversations.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.
September 21, 2021
This book breaks away from the norm by not placing itself into a genre! This book was smart, funny and thought provoking all the way through! Great read!
May 25, 2021
This was an O.K. read. The entire book was mainly all dialogue. This had to have been the longest ‘short novel’ I have ever come across. I tried to follow along with the story although I became quite confused over some parts of the story. I felt that the writing was very long and drawn out although parts of it were quite witty.
I am under no obligation to review this book but as I won a kindle version from the ‘Goodreads Giveaway’ I was more than happy to express my opinion knowing that the author depends on her readers thoughts.
I am under no obligation to review this book but as I won a kindle version from the ‘Goodreads Giveaway’ I was more than happy to express my opinion knowing that the author depends on her readers thoughts.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews