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Carnal Sacraments: A Historical Novel of the Future
Futurist Faustian 2075. Jeffrey Cooper, Alabama-raised design superstar in Americanized Germany, is 78 but looks 40 years younger due to the perks of his stressful job. Meeting an impulsive, gifted man will destroy the life he has painfully built for himself, but allow him to reclaim his own soul.
- GenresM M Romance
301 pages, Paperback
First published July 10, 2007
1 person is currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Perry Brass
38 books43 followersPerry Brass has published 23 books, including poetry, novels, short fiction, science fiction, and advice books (How to Survive Your Own Gay Life; The Manly Art of Seduction; The Manly Pursuit of Desire and Love). A member of the New York Gay Liberation Front, he has been involved with lgbtq rights since 1969, shortly after the Stonewall Uprising, co-editing Come Out!, GLF’s groundbreaking newspaper. In 1972, with two friends, he co-founded the Gay Men’s Health Project Clinic, the first clinic specifically for gay men on the East Coast, still thriving as the Callen-Lorde Community Health Service. His sexually frank novels are visionary: they include Albert or the Book of Man, 1995, which prefigured the rise of a White Christian Party that would control America, curbing reproductive, gay, and women’s rights; The Harvest, 1997, about the wholesale use of “harvested” human organs; The Substance of God, a Spiritual Thriller, 2004, about the rise of a powerful religious fundamentalist network of business interests; and Carnal Sacraments, 2007, about a mega-corporation (Amazon?) that would rule the world. His latest book is A Real Life, “Like Mark Twain with Drag Queens,/b>,” a memoir. He can be reached through his website, http://www.perrybrass.com or on Facebook.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 28, 2014
The first scene was so horribly written that I almost put the book down. But I'm glad I didn't. A very interesting world, sad and lonely. A hopeless situation. But it made for some internal questioning. Well done. :)
This book reminded me of Hogg by Samuel R. Delany, not because it is so disgusting but because it is the kind of book you need to sit and think about afterward, then go discuss with someone.
This book reminded me of Hogg by Samuel R. Delany, not because it is so disgusting but because it is the kind of book you need to sit and think about afterward, then go discuss with someone.
August 27, 2017
Title: Carnal Sacraments (Second Edition)
Author: Perry Brass
Publisher: Belhue Press
Date of publication: March 17, 2014
Number of Pages: 319
ASIN: B00J2HU50C
Carnal Sacraments by author Perry Brass is a Historical novel published by Belhue Press. The novel is set in the year 2075. The novel is set. This renders Carnal Sacraments a futuristic hue.
The novel elicits a range of thoughts and questions. What if, someone gets an elixir? What if, someone gets a golden ticket to immorality? What if, a price one would have to pay? Through the life of the protagonist Jeffery Cooper, the novel, acknowledges all the ‘what ifs’.
Jeffery Cooper is a marketing wizard. He gets the chance of a lifetime. He will remain young forever! In return, he delivers products in the worldwide market that are instant hits. The concepts he comes up with, have to be a perfect one. To attract the loyal clientele, Jeffery's ideas have to strike a chord, every time. Jeffery exceeds the expectations of ‘The System’. ‘The System’ is a secret organization that handpicks geniuses like Jeffery, controlling every aspect of his life. A certain secret potion keeps his body young. He barely looks in his thirties. In actuality, he is in his early eighties.
In spite of having everlasting youth, Jeffery sometimes feels age catching up with him. He suffers from frequent panic attacks and the recurring snapshots of the past. ‘The System’ is an intrusive unit that monitors each and every move of its beneficiaries. Jeffery goes through various health and mental checks to keep maintaining his recipient state. He meets his art loving psychotherapist, Tony Rosenputter weekly.
Jeffrey feels an attraction for Tony. He acquires abhorrence for the mysterious attacker who's stalking him. Jeffrey’s life takes a thrilling turn with these radically opposite sentiments. Will Jeffery realise the curse of having an elixir? Or will he alleviate himself into a supreme individual, which even he could not imagine he’d be? The ending of the novel is befitting yet shocking.
The author Perry Brass touches various issues through his novel. He insinuates about the relationship one has with their own selves. The author exhibits the association one has with the environment. He reciprocates the universal feelings of romantic love, fulfilment and security. Brass assimilates ambition, the fear of death and the human tendency of ignoring ageing. He explores the role of governance, regime or a system in our lives. Most importantly, Carnal Sacraments is sympathetic to the human desire to leave an indelible mark on the society- the easiest means of living forever.
Carnal Sacraments asserts the age-old truth that time is indefatigable. Science can progress and humankind may evolve. The global climate may alter, and the ozone layer may deplete more or in turn stabilise. But time can neither be conquered, manipulated nor usurped. Time always wins.
Carnal Sacraments by author Perry Brass definitely left a deep impression on my mind. Volunteering to read the book was a fulfilling experience. The uniqueness of the plot is applause-worthy.
My rating for Carnal Sacraments by author Perry Brass is a four star.
Author: Perry Brass
Publisher: Belhue Press
Date of publication: March 17, 2014
Number of Pages: 319
ASIN: B00J2HU50C
Carnal Sacraments by author Perry Brass is a Historical novel published by Belhue Press. The novel is set in the year 2075. The novel is set. This renders Carnal Sacraments a futuristic hue.
The novel elicits a range of thoughts and questions. What if, someone gets an elixir? What if, someone gets a golden ticket to immorality? What if, a price one would have to pay? Through the life of the protagonist Jeffery Cooper, the novel, acknowledges all the ‘what ifs’.
Jeffery Cooper is a marketing wizard. He gets the chance of a lifetime. He will remain young forever! In return, he delivers products in the worldwide market that are instant hits. The concepts he comes up with, have to be a perfect one. To attract the loyal clientele, Jeffery's ideas have to strike a chord, every time. Jeffery exceeds the expectations of ‘The System’. ‘The System’ is a secret organization that handpicks geniuses like Jeffery, controlling every aspect of his life. A certain secret potion keeps his body young. He barely looks in his thirties. In actuality, he is in his early eighties.
In spite of having everlasting youth, Jeffery sometimes feels age catching up with him. He suffers from frequent panic attacks and the recurring snapshots of the past. ‘The System’ is an intrusive unit that monitors each and every move of its beneficiaries. Jeffery goes through various health and mental checks to keep maintaining his recipient state. He meets his art loving psychotherapist, Tony Rosenputter weekly.
Jeffrey feels an attraction for Tony. He acquires abhorrence for the mysterious attacker who's stalking him. Jeffrey’s life takes a thrilling turn with these radically opposite sentiments. Will Jeffery realise the curse of having an elixir? Or will he alleviate himself into a supreme individual, which even he could not imagine he’d be? The ending of the novel is befitting yet shocking.
The author Perry Brass touches various issues through his novel. He insinuates about the relationship one has with their own selves. The author exhibits the association one has with the environment. He reciprocates the universal feelings of romantic love, fulfilment and security. Brass assimilates ambition, the fear of death and the human tendency of ignoring ageing. He explores the role of governance, regime or a system in our lives. Most importantly, Carnal Sacraments is sympathetic to the human desire to leave an indelible mark on the society- the easiest means of living forever.
Carnal Sacraments asserts the age-old truth that time is indefatigable. Science can progress and humankind may evolve. The global climate may alter, and the ozone layer may deplete more or in turn stabilise. But time can neither be conquered, manipulated nor usurped. Time always wins.
Carnal Sacraments by author Perry Brass definitely left a deep impression on my mind. Volunteering to read the book was a fulfilling experience. The uniqueness of the plot is applause-worthy.
My rating for Carnal Sacraments by author Perry Brass is a four star.
October 18, 2011
Absolutely loved this fourth book I've read of Perry Brass!
The characters were all so well-developed and added to the story of Jeffrey Cooper,for whom the future seemed at once bleak, hopeful and unending. His oasis was his counsellor/psychiatrist/stress-relief guru, Tony, whom he had feelings for, but could never reveal. Another trade-off for his eternal youth, his firm body,his quality of living from 'the system'.NO relationships! Stress is his only enemy.
Jeffrey's gay friends, Chris and Len. Perry Brass juxtaposed this flamboyant couple so aptly with Jeffrey's gray, monotone life of work.
Using Germany as the country for this story was a stroke of genius. I feels it lends itself to need 'the system' imposes on those who trade their own life to serve only the corporation. To me Germany IS discipline, IS the hard line. It's history steeped in the tough training of individuals for the greater good,at any cost.
I loved the way Perry Brass introduced Jeffrey to John. A seemingly sweet man that captured Jeffrey's heart and Ashok, the man who wanted Jeffrey's job.Both of these things were very bad for Jeffrey.
Wonderful writing,capturing the bright colours,smells,textures of India after leaving the cold steel of Germany.
The ending was once again a Perry Brass page turner!Exciting, thrilling and left me breathless.
The characters were all so well-developed and added to the story of Jeffrey Cooper,for whom the future seemed at once bleak, hopeful and unending. His oasis was his counsellor/psychiatrist/stress-relief guru, Tony, whom he had feelings for, but could never reveal. Another trade-off for his eternal youth, his firm body,his quality of living from 'the system'.NO relationships! Stress is his only enemy.
Jeffrey's gay friends, Chris and Len. Perry Brass juxtaposed this flamboyant couple so aptly with Jeffrey's gray, monotone life of work.
Using Germany as the country for this story was a stroke of genius. I feels it lends itself to need 'the system' imposes on those who trade their own life to serve only the corporation. To me Germany IS discipline, IS the hard line. It's history steeped in the tough training of individuals for the greater good,at any cost.
I loved the way Perry Brass introduced Jeffrey to John. A seemingly sweet man that captured Jeffrey's heart and Ashok, the man who wanted Jeffrey's job.Both of these things were very bad for Jeffrey.
Wonderful writing,capturing the bright colours,smells,textures of India after leaving the cold steel of Germany.
The ending was once again a Perry Brass page turner!Exciting, thrilling and left me breathless.
April 16, 2014
The beginning was one large info dump loosely wrapped around a short traumatic event. Hard to keep up with and understand. The use of German words and phrases was a nice touch, but did slow down my reading, as I had to figure out the word/phrase. There is a lot of social and economic commentary it the story, a bit more than I enjoy. The look into what an extended life would do to someone mentally was interesting though. I had a hard time liking or relating to the main character, and I'm not even sure the reader is expected to. The time spent in India was interesting, I've been there, so I enjoyed seeing the differences to the country I know. Most of the story is about figuring stuff out for the main character, first how some one of his age deals with a changing world, while he is almost timeless. Then how to relate to his new boyfriend, who seems to be almost from another world. Finally the true motivation of his business partner from India. Everything seemed to fall apart very quickly at the end, I almost wish they had died, it would have been more epic, in my opinion.
May 25, 2015
You can find my full review of “Carnal Sacraments” at my web site.
November 19, 2011
A tad disappointed with this book by Perry. Unlike his other books which I could not put down I am painfully drudging my way through it.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews